A Call to Order: Reparations

[Senator Tallah]

It was a bit of a simple job.

For most people.

Place a bomb on the speeder, then walk away. He'd told the alien to do it and had been clear it was the only thing to do. Don't touch anything else, don't mess with the speeder...just put the bomb on the speeder's black bumper and walk away.

Frall Tallah watched from his office as he saw the young Sullustan walk towards the Black Stinger, the green colored head looking back and forth like a criminal about to steal candy from a baby.

But what he was doing was going to be much worse.

The man who was the target had been a pain in the Senator's backside long enough and by playing his fellow senators for fools it was time to act.

Tallah had never made many friends in the New Republic Senate, but he hoped this would do it. To show he was with the New Republic and its ways. To show he could be the Senator of Obroa-skai and be a good one.

He needed this act to work. And he needed it bad. The ethics committee had all ready begun to look at the election and possible tampering by various criminal organizations. Tallah had sworn he knew nothing about it...which was a lie, but hey who didn't tell one every so often.

But it didn't take with Senator Maren too well...and while Tallah believed Maren personally didn't give a flying mynock...it still didn't look good for a new Senator to be in the pockets of the hutts.

So now he could do this act...this one act...of killing a member of one of the New Republic's greatest enemies...and all his problems would disappear.

Completely.

Tallah watched as the Sullustan walk closer to the speeder, then slowly reach under the bumper and place something there.

"Good..." Tallah said to no one in his office, "I hope he remembered to place the glue on the bottom of it."

He ran a hand through his thinning black head, took a sniff of the spice on his hand, and watched the events below.

[Fel Tarkenton]

They hadnt even known he was there.

Some people had delusions of the Senate. Delusions of every meeting being a heated debate over life-or-death matters. There were people who thought liberally, who envisioned smart, level headed senators going head to head with ignorant war mongers who wanted nothing more than to blow up half of the galaxy and then scour the other half for escaped war criminals. Then there were those who thought conservatively, imaginating scenes of strong brave men standing up for the safety of the New Republic, all the while battling slimy, dishonest hippies who would be willing to let an Empire rule the galaxy unchallenged if it meant not having to take any kind of stand.

With little exception, the Senate was nothing like this, as one Fel Tarkenton was finding out.

Today's session was billed to be a discussion on a few taxes proposed by some of the more militant senators, which were meant to fund the building of ships for the New Republic Military. The debate, if could even be called that, was hardly worth mentioning. Even Ambassador Tarkenton, who had an opinion on most anything, had kept his mouth shut through the entire thing. A nearly unanimous vote granted a merciful end, and each Senator quickly made their way out of their booths.

Outside of the Senate building was an eerie silence. The calm before the storm. Everyone knew at this time of the day the Senate would be adjourning, which meant ridiculous amounts of traffic, which led to almost no traffic minutes before the senators made their way out of the building. Within seconds of the doors opening, the sidewalks were buzzing. Senators speaking with other Senators, brown nosing and log rolling, and other such trivial things. With a quiet yawn, Ambassador Tarkenton made his way out of the building. Though he was able to speak at these sessions, he had no vote, so he was generally ignored by the populous of the Senate. Unless of course he'd said something that they didnt like, which usually provided him with cold stares and narrowed eyebrows. Nothing he wasnt used to though, as that was how every Imperial Officer (save for one or two) carried themselves at all times.

As he made his way to his airspeeder, Tarkenton fumbled through his coat pocket and found his keys, along with his keyless entry remote. The first button he hit was to unlock the doors, and the second was to pop his trunk, so he could set his briefcase in. Oddly enough, when the trunk opened, something fell out from under his bumper...

<div align="center">BOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
</div>

The next thing Tarkenton saw was a bright flash of orange, and then the blue of the Coruscant sky, as the force of the blast flung him backward. The speeder itself was blown a few feet into the air before landing on its side on the sidewalk, and of course, going up in flames. The speeder behind Tarkenton's was knocked up and back, causing it to flip backward and land on the roof of the speeder behind it.

As pedestrians and senators alike were scrambling about in absolute fear, Tarkenton pulled himself up to a sitting position and looked over to his trashed speeder.

"My insurance is gonna have a field day with this...."

[Senator Tallah]

"Dammit," Tallah cursed as he saw Tarkenton fly in the air and slowly begin to sit up.

"Dammit...dammit...dammit."

The drink he carried in his hand was flung over his left shoulder, with the glass *tinkling* as it hit the wall and spilled on the lush red carpet of his office.

He kept watched as the Sullustan looked in his direction (maybe?)...then pulled a blaster and pointed it at Tarkenton.

"Oh no...no no!" Tallah said as he watched the drama unfold.

[Fel Tarkenton]

It was like something out of a movie. As soon as Tarkenton's speeder blew up he looked over to see a sullustan, a very nervous looking one, aiming a blaster at him. In the background he heard sirens. The police were on their way. That was all well and good, except for the fact that a sullustan was aiming a blaster at him. As the first speeder came zipping in Tarkenton covered his head as the Sullustan squeezed the trigger.

The next thing the ambassador knew, he was feeling a sharp pain in his left shoulder. In front of him, the sullustan was laying on the ground unconscious, taken down by a police's stun blast. Lucky guy. Behind him, he could hear an ambulance, and a cop asking if he was ok.

"Oh yeah, I try to get shot at least once a day, for consistancy."

Tarkenton grimaced as the cop helped him off the ground and helped him over to the waiting ambulance.

[Senator Tallah]

Tallah was now nervous. The Sullustan had botched the assasination attempt- so much for trying to make it look like a mob hit or something. Or trying to make it look like Balmorra was getting rid of their ambassador for various assundry reasons.

I would have thought the change of leadership there would do it.

He sighed and turned back to his office and his desk. The Sullustan was alive...and that wasn't good. He had t'do something...or get someone to do something.

Tallah's contacts were only so much...he needed an injunction or something...

He had an idea and grabbed his comlink.

Down in the Parking Lot

The Sullustan was down but not completely out. He was a young man...hoping to make it big. And helping Tallah was the best way for him to do it. If he could get into the larger crime syndicates..maybe ShadowFaene Fortress or the Black Sun he'd be made.

The Coruscant Cop didn't even bother to give Tarkenton a smile.

"I don't care if I was just doing my job," he growled, "If I'd known it was you, Tarkenton, I woulda let the Sullustan shoot you. But then it'd prolly starta war. 'nd you've guys had enuff of those haven't ya?"

He smirked, "Well..are ya gonna press charges?"

[Fel Tarkenton]

"No no, of course not, he did me a favor."

Had this been Balmorra, or any other Imperial planet, the Sullustan would have been drug away with no questions, and life could continue as normal after a quick dip in the bacta tank. The pain was easily read on Tarkenton's face, though it did little to dull his words.

"Actually on second thought, Yes, he tried to KILL ME, I think an attempted murder is in order here. Unless of course, my affliation with the Empire has caused me to fall behind on current New Republic Judicial Procedure."

[Senator Tallah]

The cop nodded as his comlink *beeped*.

"Yeah...uh huh...izzat so...that is interesting...'ll right sure."

He gave a conspiratory smile, "Turns out...this Sullustan was worse than we thought. He'd tried to steal something from the archives a while ago. I guess I'll hafta take him in, before turning him over to Balmorra.

"Sorry."

Then he grabbed the woozy Sullustan who was muttering something.

"Tallah...hamooba...shooba...talooka tir. Tallah..." he was knocked out again by another stun blast.

"Sorry Ambassador. Enjoy your day."

[Fel Tarkenton]

"Oh yeah, you know how I love bacta."

The cop rolled his eyes and gave up as they proceded to drag the Sullustan away, and the paramedics started applying bacta patches to Tarkenton's wound. For some reason, the slurred jibberish that the sullustan was speaking stuck in Tarkenton's head, but why, he didnt really know.

[Senator Tallah]

Tallah was a bit happier now. He'd been able t'keep the Sullustan from talking then. Now if those robbery charges would stick. Then it'd be a long legal battle between the New Republic and the Balmorrans.

Tallah smiled to himself, "And everyone knows how well the Senate can get bogged down in things."

He smiled again and got himself another drink. Things were going to turn out well. And he could get another chance at Tarkenton.

That way...he could be respected. Completely respected.

[Taylor Millard]

Balmorra

He was enjoying a mid-morning tea, something he hardly had time to do these days.

As he sat, watching the one of the few all day newschannels, a 'news flash' came over the screen.

The anchor cut in, a blonde...her lips about as bright as her eyes.

"We're just now receiving words the Balmorran Ambassador to the New Republic has been attacked on Coruscant. He wasn't killed...but we're still getting details on this breaking story."

Two seconds later, the report was set in front of his desk.

Taylor Millard gave a dry smile, "The News Channel beat you by two seconds Tomar."

His second in command gave a rueful smile, "We had to make sure the news was true. Ambassador Tarkenton should be filing his report soon."

Millard nodded, his blue eyes turning cold.

"Find out all you can...an assasination attempt on our ambassador is far from good."

Tomar agreed then exitted.

Millard turned to his report and started reading. Tarkenton would file in the next hour. Then he would know what to do. And who had to die for this reprehensible action.

[Fel Tarkenton]

The medics bandaged up Tarkenton on the scene, and were nice enough to hail an air taxi for him to get back to his hotel, since his speeder had just been blown up and all. After a short ride, and having to pay his own fair, (as he would sure he wouldnt have to do, were he senator) Tarkenton arrived at his hotel room. The first thing he did was get his laptop out to start typing his report.

Destination: Balmorran Intergalactic Affairs Office, Bin Prime

Name: Tarkenton, Fel
title/rank: Ambassador

Subject: Assassination attempt

Report: Im writing this about two hours after an attempt was made on my life outside of the Senate building on Coruscant. After the last session was adjourned, I made my way out to my airspeeder. As soon as I hit the remote to open my truck, a dark object fell from underneath my speeder, and immediately exploded. After this, a Sullustan (who im assuming planted the bomb) appeared to panic, and then proceded to draw a blaster and shoot me. Luckily, the bolt hit me in the shoulder, and didnt hit anything overlly important.

Shortly after being requested to file charges, if I were going to, one of the officers recieved a call saying that the Sullustan was already being pursued for trying to steal data from some archive. To my knowledge, the Sullustan is being held at the Senate Sector Police Department, awaiting charges. This is as much as I'll assume though. I leave the investigation up to your department.

Also requesting a new air speeder, thank you.

End Report

The Balmorran Ambassador sent the report and laid back on the bed. His best course of action would have probably been to leave, but then again, his courier ship probably had a bomb on it also, so there wasnt any point in leaving until the investigation team from Balmorra to arrive. There was also a semi important Senate Session the next day...

[Taylor Millard]

Millard looked over the report, as soon as Tomar had set it upon his desk. His blue eyes narrowed at the thought of the failed assassination attempt.

Leaning back in his chair, the Balmorran Grand Admiral pursued his lips, then stared into the darkness of the ceilling.

"Tomar, make sure you give Ambassador Tarkenton his request of a new speeder. And let's make sure we make it a good one. I don't want my only connection with the New Republic to die suddenly."

Tomar nodded, "Understood. Any idea what might happen with this situation?"

Millard looked a bit mysterious, "Well someone has to question the Sullustan about what happened. I think I shall have Sasha accompany me to Coruscant for this one. Make all arrangements please."

Tomar nodded, smiled, then exitted.

Sasha needs more training, Millard thought as he took a sip from his glass of tea. This might be the best situation for it. How delightful.

His blue eyes darkened and Millard glared at the report. Something would have to be done.

And he knew just the person to do it.

[SashaKovalev]

Oddly enough, Sasha was a morning person. He loved the quiet hours of the morning before anyone else was stirring. Back on Corellia, with the Sith Order, he’d crawl from bed before the sun ever rose and go for a run down on the long stretches of beach in Coronet along the sea. The steady noise of the waves crashing on the shore had been a relaxing distraction from the anger and chaos inherent in life as a Sith knight.

Here on Balmorra, he did not have this. But he still rose early to go for a run, finding peace in the one thing that remained constant in his life – the release that came with physical exertion.

Today he had experienced a runner’s high and so his run had extended to mid-morning. It was as he was returning to the castle that they stopped him. Up until this point he had had little interaction with the stormtroopers, with the exception of his first few visits there. Occasionally he was asked for identification, which he handed over with a restrained sense of annoyance. It was expected, and he knew they were only doing their job, but his quick temper and the teachings of the Sith made even the smallest question trigger resentment. But this morning, for his run, he hadn’t bothered to bring identification and the last thing he wanted was to inconvenience his uncle or Tomar.

Interestingly enough, he wasn’t being stopped this time to identify himself, but instead he was being sent to his uncle’s office. He thanked them for the message and made his way to Taylor Millard’s office, all the while wondering what might be up.

And when he arrived, it took only a moment before he was asked to enter. Violet eyes gazed out from beneath a shaggy head of light brown hair.

“I was told you wanted to see me?” He inquired, stepping into the room a bit further. He didn’t bother taking a seat.

[Taylor Millard]

"Yes," his uncle said, staring at a report, "Have you seen the news today?"

Sasha shook his head no, so Millard continued, "There was an attempt on Ambassador Tarkenton's life on Coruscant. I thought you might want to go investigate it.

"Don't worry, you'll have an escort."

He gave a knowing smile.

[SashaKovalev]

An attack on the ambassador was not one to be taken lightly. They happened to ambassadors often, sure, but any attack on one from the Balmorran Empire was not something his uncle was likely to let slip through the cracks.

Violet eyes narrowed in a slight display of concern only briefly before he learned he would be sent to Coruscant to investigate. Without a doubt his expression had shown his delight at being given this opportunity by his Uncle.

And at the suggestion that he would have an escort, he merely rolled his eyes. He didn’t worry all that much about his safety, though at times it probably would have done him some good.

“Im assuming you want me and my ‘escort’ to leave as soon as possible…?”

[Taylor Millard]

"Tonight at the resetting of the time," Millard replied.

"Be at the landing on top of the castle. Your escort will meet you there."

He gave Sasha a blue-eyed stare, "Understood?"

[SashaKovalev]

Sasha's expression sobered immediately and he nodded.

"Yes, sir." He replied, his cheeks flushing slightly as he looked away.

He wished that his Uncle would let him handle it himself, but at the very least, he knew that with Wargrave there, he would have the opportunity to watch and to learn. And one day, perhaps, he would be trusted enough to be given the opportunity to take the assignment on his own.

"Is there anything else?" He asked, eager to get back to his room, shower, and prepare for the mission.

[Taylor Millard]

"No," Millard said, his face still semi-stonish, "That is all. Good luck, Sasha.

"Don't be late."

Then he turned his chair back to the window, allowing Sasha to leave.

[SashaKovalev]

Sasha nodded, gave another 'yes, sir', and then left.

The day seemed to take forever to pass, but he was there, exactly on time, if not a bit early, even. Which was odd for him, for he always tended to arrive just a bit late to everything. But this, he wasnt about to miss. Particularly since he'd been warned against being late.

He rubbed his eye in annoyance for a moment as a particle of dust caught in it,and then his hand dropped to his belt, doublechecking the presence of his saber and blaster.

He shifted his weight as he stood there, feeling the slight soreness of muscles that had been worked hard in his long run earlier that day. But it was a good feeling, and in these last free moments of his evening, he pondered running a marathon one day as he waited for his 'escort' to arrive.

[Maester Wargrave]

"I do hope," the gravely voice came from behind Sasha, as the cloaked man came from the shadows near the door.

"This trip to Coruscant goes better than the last time you and I were on Coruscant."

He passed by Sasha, walking towards the shuttle, then up the ramp.

"Follow...time is short."

Then he disappeared into the shuttle.

[SashaKovalev]

He raised his gaze only slightly at Wargrave’s voice behind him. Some time ago, this voice would have put him on edge. Now, it was a familiar voice that he trusted, though, he did at times question whether or not he’d live through some of the trials the master put him through.

Immediately any personal thoughts were pushed aside and his frame of mind set to business. He still had much to learn and much to prove, and the matters before them weren’t any sort of joke.

And though he hated taking orders, balking usually at being told what to do, he followed Wargrave immediately in silence, wasting no time boarding the shuttle.

His curious nature nagged at him to question the master about the plan for the evening, but he knew him well enough by now to know that when the time was right, Wargrave would tell him what he needed to know. And so he practiced patience, a virtue he had been struggling for years to improve.

[Maester Wargrave]

It was almost an hour before Wargrave spoke again.

After the shuttle raised itself from the platform, the Dark Jedi busied himself with looking over a file on the various members of the New Republic Senate.

It would make sense for almost all Senators to want the Balmorran Ambassador dead. Especially one in particular. But if they'd done the assassination, Wargrave had the feeling it would have been a success.

No...this was a amateur, in his mind.

"Lesson One," he said still looking at the files, "Knowing who your enemies are. Tell me my apprentice, based on your knowledge of the Jedi and the New Republic, who do you think might've done this act?"

[SashaKovalev]

He'd actually had his nose buried in a book for the past half hour or so. The first half hour had passed in complete silence, and he was sure his master could feel his irritation building. He wanted to know what was up, and being young and impatient, he wanted to know right away, not when Wargrave chose to tell him. But he was trying to turn over a new leaf - to make the move from Sith to Dark Jedi, and patience was required.

So after some time he'd finally pulled out a book. It was one borrowed from his Uncle's library on the history of Balmorra. And though some might have blanched at the rather dry looking text, Sasha had found himself ingrossed in it. Until, of course, he'd been called upon.

He raised his head at the question, setting the book aside for a moment.

"From what I know of the jedi, this isnt exactly their style. Maybe a few rogue jedi here and there, I suppose, but Ive yet to meet one that would prefer explosives to the force or a saber."

He shrugged.

"I wouldnt put it past one, I suppose, but thats not exactly where I'd go looking first."

He looked somewhat thoughtful for a moment.

"Im not really an expert in the New Republic." He admitted. He'd had little reason up until now to really care about their politics. He'd grown up on a planet with Imperial ties and spent the last few years on a planet run by the Sith order. That wasnt to say he didnt follow the news or find such things interesting, but he wasnt going to claim expertise in a field he had little real knowledge of.

Instead his answer was based on common sense.

"But its pretty clear that whoever requested the assasination didnt do a very thorough job researching his assasins. Id venture that he's probably just as sloppy in the rest of the work that he does."

"Which makes me doubt it would be any sort of New Republic armed forces. They'd likely have done the job correctly."

He shrugged.

"I dont know, someone with a grudge or something to gain from it, I suppose. But that doesnt exactly narrow the field all that much."

Lesson learned. He thought to himself. He had a lot of researching to do.

"Have you got a theory in mind?" He asked, glancing at the pile of papers his master had been poring over since the trip had begun.

[Maester Wargrave]

Wargrave had a hidden smile, something Sasha couldn't see.

Then, after a few minutes of silence, he replied.

"Correct, Sasha...however, the question is who would benefit mostly from this assassination attempt?

"Certainly not any business, although," he added as if an afterthought, "It wouldn't surprise me if they had thought about doing it. Ambassador Tarkenton can be a bit...rough at times."

Wargrave shook his head, "No...this is more than likely a politician...someone without many peers or friends."

More silence, "If you were investigating this by yourself, my apprentice, where would you start?"

[SashaKovalev]

He considered the theory that it was a politician and not a business for a moment. And more, the theory that it was a politician without peers or friends. His fingers traced idly over the cover of the Balmorran history book.

“If I was investigating this on my own, and going by your theory that it’s a politician, I’d start by profiling the current members of the senate, any candidates who lost in a close race in the last election, and any that have announced plans to run the next term.”

He shifted his position slightly, his interest in the investigation making his posture a bit more alert.

“I’d look to the current members first and eliminate as suspects those who have been in office for a while and seem to have a sound base of support. Not that they wouldn’t want the assassination, but they’d have less motive to do it. It would be more of a risk to their position if they’re winning elections anyway. And then Id take a closer look at newer members, in particular those newer to politics who don’t know how to play the game just yet, or who are trying to establish themselves. Or someone looking to pass a bill that Tarkenton might have lobbied against or would lobby against.”

He picked up the history book and placed it inside the backpack he’d brought along, securing it in one of the consoles before turning back to his master.

“Is that what you’ve been looking at this whole time? Information on politicians?”

[Maester Wargrave]

"Excellent Sasha...purely excellent," master praised apprentice, "You can see now why you are an asset to the Hand."

He handed Sasha a datapad. On it were a list of names of Senators and their various planets.

"I have been looking at names of Senators. People like Evenstar, Chapelmount, Deesan, and Tallah. They all have reasons for wanting Ambassador Tarkenton dead."

Wargrave paused to take a sip of water from a glass near his console.

"But you are forgetting someone who might be of some use to us. There is someone who is in the New Republic's clutches we can use to our advantage...

"Now think...who knows the most about the assassination, outside of Tarkenton himself, who can help us?"

[SashaKovalev]

"Well, the guy who did it." He replied.

"Or....tried to do it." The young dark jedi added with a hint of amusement to his voice.

Yes, that perhaps should have been his first response. But at the very least, Wargrave seemed pleased with him.

"They'll let us talk to him?" He asked. He knew there were ways, certainly, to try to get access, but it would certainly be a lot easier if they didnt have to use them.

[Maester Wargrave]

"No..." was Wargrave's reply, "But there are other ways to do things..."

He gave a small smile.

"You've been praticing your rapelling I hope. From what my information says...they will be transferring him from the holding cell on Coruscant to an 'undisclosed location'."

He added with dryness, "An undisclosed location about thirty minutes outside of the main part of the city.

"Now..." Wargrave stopped planning, "If you knew of this...where would you get the prisoner?"

[SashaKovalev]

"Somewhere in between." He replied immediately.

"Because then it would take fifteen minutes on other side for them to get backup there, which would give us plenty of time to get the prisoner and get out."

His violet eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

"And perhaps with a bit of coercion he'd speak..."

[Maester Wargrave]

Wargrave nodded. Like all his apprentices, Sasha was quite quick with his mind. Sasha's star would shine bright in the years to come if he kept his mind sharp.

"You are learning quite well, young one. There will be an 'encounter' between us and the prisoner."

Wargrave leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, and thinking for a moment.

"You will learn the art of persuasion from this. We will see how well you are...at coersing people."

His eyes opened, "Now go and rest. It is a four day journey to Coruscant on these engines. Meditate on what you have learned and prepare yourself."

Then he turned and stared back at the starlines.

[SashaKovalev]

Four days. Four days was an eternity to a kid his age. Particularly when he was dying for some action. But he nodded, accepting in silence what was being commanded of him.

At the very least, he had earned some praise, and this was encouraging. He sighed quietly as he sunk back into his seat, his slouched, relaxed position returning with ease.

He too, stared out at the starlines for a moment. Wargrave had mentioned meditation, and this was one thing he didnt do. Not because he had anything against it, but rather he was just too energetic to spend much time in one place focusing and thinking.
He reflected, certainly, but this was often done while pacing or mostly, when running. And besides, he considered it more a jedi sort of thing to do. And had to remind himself that he was working to become a jedi. A dark one, yes, but a jedi all the same. And perhaps it would do him some good to open his mind to new practices.

And so he closed his eyes and did as he was told.

[Maester Wargrave]

It gave him time to plan what was to happen next. And Wargrave liked knowing what was going on.

Controlled chaos was certainly a desired approach...The ability to stop transfer enough to question the Sullustan, then leave quickly. It shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes tops. And it depended on how strong willed the would be assassin was.

Wargrave steepled his hands, then leaned back in his chair and started going into his own mind.

"Yes....controlled chaos is definately most palatable in this situation."

Sure of this, he kept his eyes closed and started to think.

[SashaKovalev]

Four days made him restless. And he found himself pacing constantly, unable to simply meditate the entire time.

He’d picked up the history book again, reading it for hours on end. And this was only after he’d stared at the datapad Wargrave had given to him, trying to learn a bit more about who might have been responsible for the attempted assassination.

From time to time he’d even taken to the most simple and basic of force exercises, if anything just to keep himself occupied. He was, perhaps, worse than MMU as a travel companion.

[Maester Wargrave]

Three and a half days later

"What have you learned?" Wargrave broke his silence suddenly, turning in his chair to stare at Sasha.

His hands steepled again and he leaned forward.

"Have you learned patience yet? Can you deal with long silences, observing while the galaxy passes you by?

"Well?" his eyes blazed, "Are you?"

[SashaKovalev]

What have you learned?

Well this was unexpected. Sasha looked away from the ball he’d been tossing in the air, and with his concentration broken it fell to the floor, rolling with the slight angle of the ship to settle at Wargrave’s feet.

Have you learned patience yet? Can you deal with long silences, observing while the galaxy passes you by? Well? Are you?

He opened his mouth to reply and shut it again. The haunting eyes of his master seemed to stare through him.

Defensively, his arms crossed over his chest where he stood.

“Im working on being patient. But four days is a long time to be doing nothing!” He retorted, anger rising in his voice. This was the teachings of the Sith, the encouragement of anger within causing him to snap back a retort somewhat foolishly.

And he regretted it as soon as the words escaped his mouth. He shouldn’t have been doing ‘nothing’ for four days. He should have been meditating and preparing. And he had been, but in his frame of mind, still, meditating was a waste of time. Action, the release of anger to create chaos, was not. This, he would have to unlearn.

He released a quiet sigh, lowering his head slightly in a subtle display of deference. It wasn’t an open apology or admission that he’d been wrong to reply as he had, but it was a sign to show that he knew he’d spoken too quickly. A sign that he knew he had much to learn.

“I’ve never been able to simply observe as the galaxy passes me by.” He added, this time, his voice calm.

“And no, I don’t like long silences.”

He dropped into a seat near Wargrave, reaching to pick up an errant bottle cap that had fallen to the floor. He toyed with it as he looked to his master.

“But why would I want to just watch as everything passes by?” He asked. This was the question of a youth. One who had motivation to succeed, but had not yet lived long enough to understand the power of observation.

[Maester Wargrave]

The cap flew from Sasha's hand stopping in mid-air.

"Because," was all Wargrave answered.

Sasha's expression was that of youth. It appeared to say, 'Because why?!?'...youth screaming for answers not given.

A part of Wargrave wanted to answer, 'You'll understand when you're older.' But the time was now.

"Because...if you do not observe, you do not notice the faults of others. And of yourself."

The bottle cap hovered, moving a bit closer to Sasha's face. It spun like a credit chit did on a table, perfectly in tune with the air around it.

"Take it from me. Take the cap from me. Using the Force...keep it spinning.

"Do it now."

[SashaKovalev]

He wanted to ask what exactly spinning bottlecaps and observation on a ship for four days had to do with any of this. But he did as was asked. Despite his youthfulness, he did understand that Wargrave was a very talented master of the force, and his lessons were not in vain.

Sasha had enough control over the force by now to be able to handle taking a bottlecap and spinning it. And so this he did, looking at Wargrave briefly with a raised eyebrow, as if to ask, ‘what next?’ before his gaze focused once again on the cap, concentrating for a moment as the cap waivered a bit in its spin cycle.

“And I suppose you’re going to tell me what my faults are…” His expression had fallen a bit, though it did seem as if he were prepared for the worst perhaps. This was something he did around Wargrave, simply a reaction to his very first experience with the man. Something he had never been able to shake.

[Maester Wargrave]

The cap suddenly began to flatten itself, becoming more like a coin. It kept spinning, totally under Sasha's control.

"Ah now your observations slowly fail you, Sasha," Wargrave said softly, "You think because I tell you how to correct your methods, it automatically thinks I'm pointing out faults."

His blue eyes stared into the violet ones of Sasha, "You think, because I force you to do pushups for failure, it means I am criticizing you. No...I am not. Instead, I am striving for you to succeed.

"Your father was more powerful than I ever was, young one. He was quite strong in the Force. And so are you. I am trying to hone your skills, refine your methods, make you rethink your thought process.

"Remember...there's more to the Force than the power you have. The ability to control it...to use it as a tool...that is what you need to learn. The Force is much more than the pacifist Jedi and the angry Sith use it for. It is an aid and a tool, not to be taken for granted.

"I am only here to help you, Sasha. If you learn to use the Force as a tool...something your father used...what I use...then you will indeed be powerful."

[SashaKovalev]

The flattened cap now fell into his outstretched hand. For a moment, this activity didn’t seem appropriate. This was Wargrave – his uncle, though, not his uncle if anyone asked, speaking with him in a different way. Even his uncle, as Taylor Millard, he felt, had not said these things to him. Always, Sasha had felt somewhat at odds with his uncle, as if perhaps he wasn’t exactly good enough.

This was not the fault of his uncle, but rather something Sasha perhaps put upon himself. It was why he took every remark from both his uncle and Wargrave to heart so much. He was just trying to become someone that they would both be proud of.

Someone that perhaps his father would have been proud of.

His eyes stared into the brilliant blue of Wargrave’s and slowly, in understanding, he nodded.

He turned the bottle cap over in his hand, studying it for a moment, though his thoughts were still on the things that Wargrave had told him.

“I have a lot of work ahead of me.” He stated. In this moment, understanding his master perhaps a bit better, things were beginning to come together. Until now he had used the force as a crutch. He had depended fully upon it to get him by.

Now, he would have to use his the other skills that he possessed. Would have to learn to be complete.

“Why did you flatten it?” He inquired, referring to the bottle cap that had changed shape even though it had been in his control.

He felt that he knew the answer – to that it had been done to show him the power of observation. To show him that without observation, the smallest of things could slip by – and while a botlecap was hardly dangerous, it was a symbol of all that could be.

[Maester Wargrave]

The bottle cap shot from Sasha's hand at incredible speed, slamming into the history book, over by where Sasha lay his body down for sleep.

"Go...pick it up"

When Sasha retrieved the book, he saw the bottlecap had almost gone through the book. Sasha returned and took a seat next to his master.

"Using the Force as a tool, I was able to do that. For all you know, the bottle cap could have gone through your head. Or mine.

"Keep your eyes open, Sasha...observe your surroundings. Anything out of the ordinary is worth noting and investigating. Even the slightest thing could be of importance. You must see with your eyes...remember...there will be times when the Force is not an option."

[SashaKovalev]

Quite visibly, the apprentice was considering these words.

“If I trust my eyes, you deceive me with illusions.”

He looked towards his master, his expression one of curiosity and mild confusion.

“If I trust the force, you remind me that it will not always be there for me.”

He gave a quick glance at the starlines, and then looked back to Wargrave.

“How am I supposed to know which to use?”

[Maester Wargrave]

"In time, Sasha," Wargrave spoke assuredly, "In time you will know.

"You must trust all your senses...eyes, nose, mouth, ears, even your intuition. Yes...that is seperate from the Force."

The Master remained where he was, but he shifted his stiff muschles slightly, "Even using the Force, is not a bad thing. What I am trying to teach you is to rely on yourself...and your own abilities. Use your eyes to note something...use your ears to listen and hear what is going around you.

"The greatest detectives use their senses to take in what is around them. Use the Force only when you have to. Let it guide your saber as it reaches out to strike your opponent. Let it find the vocal chords in someones trachea and crush it.

"Let it find someone's fear and exploit it."

A dark smile came upon Wargrave's face, "But you must be able to hold your own against a foe. Focus...yet see all. Notice someone coming inside a warm building with a heavy overcoat. Notice clean hands on a grimy worker.

"Observe...and you will go far. I have faith in you and your abilities, Sasha. Never forget it."

[SashaKovalev]

The lessons thus far were finally beginning to come together and make sense. And now for only a moment, the rather solemn expression of the apprentice broke for long enough to allow a small, brief smile.

That someone had faith in him. That someone whose opinion he valued beyond all others had this faith in him and his abilities meant more to him than his master would probably ever know.

“Yes, sir.” He replied, giving an indication that he heard and understood what Wargrave had just commanded of him.

His serious expression returned. Though he liked to get out and relax and was not entirely uptight, there was enough Millard in him that when it was time for business, it was time for business, and he was serious about such things.

“Can I ask what the plan is once we arrive?”

[Maester Wargrave]

"We work on your illusions. We will impersonate two Jedi as we intercept the convoy taking the prisoner away."

He gave a mysterious smile.

"I somehow get the feeling we'll be rescuing the prisoner, more than capturing him. I somehow think our assassin may need help."

Wargrave shifted his position into a more comfortable one.

"Go in the back and bring the black, medium sized case to me. I will explain more when you return."

[SashaKovalev]

He couldn’t help it. A broad grin spread over his face just hearing that they would be working on his force skills. And illusions, no less. He’d done them before, but only on occasion and in situations that were neither dangerous, nor around those with particularly advanced minds. And never for very long periods of time.

His eyes were bright with anticipation and excitement. But just as quickly as the expression had come, it was subdued again with his serious countenance. This was training, and this was serious business.

And he rose from his seat without even a questioning glance as his master sent him to get the black, medium sized case from the back. His strides were long and confident as he crossed the distance. Beneath the careful tutelage of Wargrave, he was learning many lessons, and it showed in the way he carried himself.

There were various cases in the back, but there was only one that was medium sized and black. He eyed it curiously for a moment before he picked it up and carried it back to where Wargrave sat waiting for him to return.

“You meant this one, right?” He asked, holding it out for identification.

[Maester Wargrave]

Wargrave took the case from Sasha, giving him an affirmative nod.

"Yes that's the one."

Unlatching the locks, the Dark Jedi opened the black metal, revealing a full make-up and wig case.

"The use of the Force for illusions is something only the best can accomplish fully," Wargrave said as he pulled out a medium length black wig.

"However, to be truly sucessful, one must mix the real with the unreal. Give the person, you're trying to fool something to remember you by.

"For instance," Wargrave drew back his hood, revealing his closely cropped white hair. A few minutes later, he applied the black wig to his head, spirit gum coating a portion of his forehead and temples. He looked almost 20 years younger, as he used the Force to manipulate his looks. But he wasn't finished.

"Take this scar, for instance," he held up a fake scar which he'd also removed from the kit.

He motioned Sasha forward and one coat of spirit gum later, the scar was on his right cheek.

"Now...as for illusions," Wargrave removed a holo of a man with a scar on his right cheek. His bald head and blue eyes were staring straight ahead.

"I want you to concentrate...imagine yourself with this man's features...Picture yourself as him. Concentrate...and do it.

"It's not hard, but you do need to concentrate."

[SashaKovalev]

Wargrave had fooled Sasha with illusions on numerous occasions, and the young dark jedi knew his master to be very skilled in this art. The easy transformation was hardly a surprise, but he had looked on for perhaps a moment longer, studying the transformation created through the use of the force.

And when he was beckoned forward, he came. He did not fidget, but instead waited patiently as a scar was added to his features. It was an odd feeling, to have this become a part of his face and his muscles flinched involuntarily at the feeling for only a moment before they adjusted.

He directed his violet eyes to the holo before him, studying the image for a bit of time. Though he wouldn’t have noticed it, he was slowly learning patience and Wargrave’s earlier lesson on observation had clearly sunk in. It wasn’t just the blue eyes, or the scar that he picked up on, but the way the man held his head with a proud arrogance.

When his gaze left the hollow, his closed his eyes for a moment, picturing behind closed lids the man he was to impersonate. And when he saw him there, clear as day, he released a deep breath, inhaling slowly after as if he were breathing in the force itself.

But it came from within, the power of the force. It flowed through him, was a part of him. He was but an apprentice to the art of being a dark jedi, but he had been a knight of the sith, and these basic principles were no different.

When he lifted his head a moment later to look to his master, his head was held with an expression of arrogance that was not typical of Alexander Millard. Violet eyes seemed to have shifted to a hint of blue. Though far from perfection, the change in them was certainly close enough to pass. And his face, the scar had blended in becoming a feature of his own, a feature of the face that his had become.

He could not see this for himself, but looked to Wargrave for approval.

[Maester Wargrave]

Wargrave nodded.

"Now...hold the face until we reach Coruscant," he turned back towards the pilots console.

"The next time I see you...I still want it to be the face you wear right now.

"If I see your own face...100 pushups. Start small Sasha. Then build up in strength. Remember, you are not just anyone's apprentice."

He spun in his chair, his blue eyes flashing.

"Your are my apprentice.

"Hold it until we reach Coruscant. Then we will talk more."

[SashaKovalev]

He was a talented kid, but he had no idea how far from Coruscant they were – nor did he have any idea of how long he would be able to hold an illusion such as this for. But he’d been given the command to do it, and he would give it every ounce of effort he had if it killed him (which it likely would not).

For once, the threat of pushups did not cause him to scowl. From this trip he now had a better understanding of his master’s motivations regarding such things and realized that pushups, while annoying, were not such a bad thing.

As Wargrave turned away, Sasha’s head tilted a bit, lifting a hand to rub an uncomfortable kink from his neck.

And when Wargrave turned back, commenting on the fact that Alexander was not just any apprentice, it was difficult for the kid to keep his concentration. Afterall, that fact was something to be proud of – the fact that Wargrave was taking the time and effort to train him.

But he kept it up, the blue eyes fading only just a bit closer to his odd violet eyes – a color that he would have to be careful to disguise if he was to pull off this masquerade. And then he sank into the copilot’s seat, still concentrating as he did so.

He wanted to ask more, but his master had made it clear they would talk more later. And he understood that this was a period of training.

When it became too tiring, he stood and moved away from Wargrave, releasing a relieved sigh as his back was to him and for a brief moment, he let the illusion fade, blinking back a slight headache before he buckled down once again to the illusion. Wargrave had told him to begin small….

Eventually, as he got more comfortable with it, he began to test himself – reaching for a book to read and trying to split his concentration between them both – just to see how far he could push himself.

[Maester Wargrave]

"If you find you cannot keep your eyes blue," Wargrave didn't turn his head, "You can always use contacts."

He briefly rubbed at the fake beard, remember why he didn't have one.

"I know I use contacts from time to time when I'm mixing in with the crowd and I prefer Force Users to not sense me."

Very briefly it looked like Wargrave's face turned into Millard's then back to Wargrave.

"Like a certain apprentice who enjoys sneaking into bars when he should be studying..."

30 Minutes to Coruscant...

[SashaKovalev]

How the heck did he know he was struggling with keeping the eye color? Wargrave always seemed to know everything. And it wasn’t that he seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, either. It was more than that. Sasha considered this along with the suggestion of contacts. Maybe he’d use them anyway just to avoid the odd looks he often received.

These thoughts did not linger for long because something a bit more important to think about surfaced. That something more than Wargrave seemingly having eyes in the back of his head. No..he had eyes all over the place. Eyes that weren’t even connected to that head of his, it seemed.

Like a certain apprentice who enjoys sneaking into bars when he should be studying...

Blue faded too easily to violet and the illusion faded as Sasha’s concentration was momentarily broken. Silently, he cursed himself for ever having thought that he’d get away with it. For ever having thought that somehow his uncle wouldn’t know he’d been arrested on countless charges that all stemmed from one offense – underage drinking at a bar on Balmorra.

Never again would he estimate his uncle. Or Wargrave. The only solace he took in this was the fact that this one comment had been the only mention of it. This one indiscretion was going to be overlooked and he was thankful. And he wasn’t going to say anything in return about it, because there really was no suitable response. Some things were better left unsaid.

And it seemed like a long thirty minutes to Coruscant as the dark jedi tried to refocus on his illusion. It was difficult at first, thoughts still lingering on how all knowing his master tended to be. But after a bit of time, he was able to set this aside as something to ponder later – right now there was business to attend to. And with this, he moved back to take the seat beside Wargrave, illusion fully intact as they prepared for the arrival on Coruscant.

[Maester Wargrave]

"I didn't know you were having problems with your eyes," Wargrave'd picked up on Sasha's thoughts concerning his eyes.

"I was simply making a suggestion. After all, when you start learning illusions it is difficult to keep it up for a long ammount of time."

Wargrave breathed the refurbished air deeply, then popped his neck.

"However, you must be prepared for the unexpected. For example...me knowing about your little motorcycle ride with s'Ilancy. I happened to be out patrolling that evening when I saw the two of you run out of the holding area. A simple inquiry the next day gave me all the information I needed.

"Needless to say, the officer who accosted you was praised for doing his job...but reprimanded for trumping up charges."

A brief bit of silence.

"Now...I want you to do 50 pushups. And you can take your illusion off for the first 25. The remainder will be with your illusion up."

He looked at Sasha, "Preparation for what is to come."

[SashaKovalev]

Well, that pretty much explained it. Sometimes he forgot that both his uncle and Wargrave happened to be human. He admired them both so much that he put them on a plain far above the average person – not that, in any way, either of them was average.

He gave an obligatory sigh at the suggestion of doing pushups.

At least it wasn’t a hundred as had been threatened, and stood from his seat.

“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble that night.” He muttered, though his tone was not devoid of sincerity. He’d really just been doing nothing but being a kid his age – with unfortunate results.

“Im sorry that I did.” He added, shifting his gaze to his uncle before he lowered himself to the floor and began his fifty pushup punishment. The first twenty five were not easy, but they were not difficult either. It was the second set that felt like punishment. Beyond the fact that it worked his muscles, challenging them to build their strength, it left him concentrating on keeping an illusion firmly in place while pushing his muscles to do as he needed.

Alexander was a hard worker. He’d been like this his entire life, simply by the fact that living with a single mother had made it necessary. And perhaps even, she had worked to instill these values within her son. And when something such as this was asked of him, he set to it with 110% of his efforts.

It mattered to him whether or not he was successful in doing what was asked. And as he came into his own, it mattered less because he wanted to impress anyone, but more because it was something he wanted for himself.

With the fiftieth pushup done, he released a relieved breath. And though he didn’t smile, he was pleased with what he’d accomplished. It was a small reminder that he could tackle what he set his mind to doing.

And then he stood, shaking out his arms, wincing the slightest bit in recognition of tired muscles.

“So what happens when we land?” He asked, fully warmed up for the excitement that lay ahead.

[Maester Wargrave]

"A man will meet us, named 'Judicate Pratt', he is a member of the Coruscant Police. He will give us the route the transport, with our would-be assassin, is taking from here to the maximum security facility on the edge of the Imperial Center."

Wargrave poured two glasses of water, handing one over to Sasha. The Dark Jedi took a sip from his, gave a small smile at the cold water, then continued.

"From there we will intercept and delay, the transport...question the Sullustan, find out who hired him, and go pay the hire a...visit."

Wargrave gave a dark smile, "THEN you will see what all the power of dark side can do. We will...change his mind about Balmorra.

"Sound like a plan, my apprentice?"

[SashaKovalev]

Yes, it did sound like a plan. Unconsciously, he’d reached for his saber, turning it over and over in his hand.

“Yes, it does.”

Ah, apprentice. It was a word that years ago might have made him flinch. A kid insecure with who he had been, who he was going to be. Now a young man with a better understanding of what he wanted out of life, the title meant nothing. What meant more was the relationship between Alexander Millard and the one who was his master. There was much to learn from this man and much to prove.

“I haven’t exactly forgotten the power of the dark side…” He added, remembering all too well past confrontations with Wargrave before he had become his apprentice.

“Master.”

He glanced down at the silver hilt, a small smile appearing. This was the saber Wargrave had once, long ago, taken from him.

“Who are the jedi that we’re impersonating?” He asked, going over the plan in his mind and preparing for all aspects of it.