A new client....(Spada)

[Shade Magus]

Shade sat outside the Jedi Temple waiting for his padawan. He had just been notified to be a bodygaurd to the Senator from a planet on the outerrim. In fact it wasn't even a planet that he had ever heard of.

Shade waited. He had left a message for his Padawan to meet him out in front of the temple. It was such a nice day not to jst walk to their pick up location, afterall it was only a few kilometers away. As he waited, Shade took notice of all the species outside the Temple and for a breif second was shocked. He had spent so much time on the inside, that he had completely forgot what it was like on the outside. Maybe after this mission, he would go out and have some fun for awhile.

[spada]

Spada walked swiftly through the front of the Temple. The beautiful environment was a stunning change to the inside of the Temple. Looking around his surroundings, he noticed Shade standing there and approached him. Bowing, he said,

"Sorry if I kept you waiting, master. What did you want to talk to me about?"

He took a deep breath through his mask and waited to set off.

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded.

"No need for apologies. Let us talk while we are walking"

Shade gestured down the street in the direction they should go. As the turned Shade again noticed the diversity of the people around them, but pushed it to the back of his mind. Work now play later.

"There has been a request made for some Jedi bodygaurds for a Senator of some back water world. I volunteered us for this mission because I thought it would be appopriate for someone of your early teachings. There shouldn't be any real problems with the transport, but you never know."

[spada]

Spada nodded.

"Sounds good. What planet is this senator from, and where will we be picking him up?"

Spada looked around as he talked and did not realise how different the planet was from others. He noticed a few people mumble to themselves and look at him and his master, but he shook them off. They were just jealous.

[Shade Magus]

"He is from a planet called........Deloria. I believe that is the name. It is a small planet on the outer rim. Not much comes from there except some fine wines and I believe they have a fruit that is grown only there that is valued at a high price. They have just recently joined the New Republic, so they are not well known which will make it good for us."

Shade continued walking down the street the direction they had been going. Then after a few kilometers, they made a right down one of the busier marketing streets.

"We will be picking him up from a small building called the Dancing Rancor. It is one of the planet establishments here on Coruscant."

[spada]

Spada nodded. He looked around as they walked by streetside shops and picked up several instances of drug selling.

"I never realised that so many illegal practices go on down here. Most of the enforcement is in the skies. I wish we could crack down on it..."

He looked for the sign named The Dancing Rancor and said to his master,

"Any knowlege of gangs controlling this bar, or is it legit?"

[Shade Magus]

"Most of the big buisnesses down here are legit. It is the small ones you got to look out for."

As he said this a blue rubbery alien came over to him and held out his hand but before he could say anything, Shade waved his hand in front of the thing.

"You don't want to sell us anything. you want to dump that stuff and go find a legal enterprise."

The aliens eyes went misty for a minute.

"I don't want to sell you this. I need to get rid of this stuff and go find a better job."

Shade looked back at his Padawan.

"We should be nearing the establishment soon, but look around and enjoy the sights. As a Jedi you will rarely have such opportunities."

[spada]

Spada looked to the other side as a Duro approached, carrying all manner of comlinks on his arm. Spada held out a hand in rejection and waved the alien away.

"I've been meaning to ask you. Will you be teaching me how to do a Mind Trick sometime? It seems to come in handy in many situations."

He looked back to see the Duro run right in the way of a man who seemed to be going somewhere quickly and collide with him, sending the Duro, man, and comlinks into the air and scattering them on the sun bleached streets.

[Shade Magus]

"If you wish. That will come later though. I is very hard and takes a long time to master the skill. While we are walking, tell me Spada a little about your childhood. What was you home like when you were growing up?"

[spada]

"Well, I grew up like most Kel-Dor children. I lived at home a few years, then I went to the Dorin Academy."

He looked up at the sky and at the speeders crossing over.

"There I was taught a great deal about martial arts, weaponry, and battle tactics. I was supposed to be a General when I graduated because of my sharper reflexes and strength, due to the fact that my father was a Guardian."

He looked at Shade and continued,

"The Guardians are the Elite Warriors of the Kel-Dor. Much larger than me."

"My only handicap to others was that I wasn't as smart as other Kel-Dor. However, I learned basic mechanics and how to use my Kel-Dor abilities. Some time during a training class, I dont remember when, I exerted some sort of force on my sparring partner without touching him."

"The Monarch, or governing body, inspected me and found that I had a great strength in the force. I was sent to Coruscant to see if I was fit to join the Academy, and here I am."

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded. It was a typical story of Padawans, as they were found by others of their kind and sent to the Jedi for training, yet Spada was not typical in that he had been through such a school.

"Tell me more of this school you attended. What all did their teachings encompass."

[spada]

"Well, we were mostly trained for war. Or at least I was. Hand-To-Hand combat and weapon training were where I excelled, especially with a Vibroblade."

"However, we also developed our minds in the Academy. We studied mathmatics, philosophy, and mechanics, which I wasn't bad at. It seemed that the Academy was focused on keeping us militarily strong so most Kel-Dor could defend themselves."

"I was told that I could've become a Guardian, but I had not accomplished a great deed yet and I wasn't exactly the smartest. But, it all worked out ok."

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded.

"Well from the sounds of it you had a choice of being a Jedi or a Gaurdian, and I am asuuming you chose the way of a Jedi then."

[spada]

Spada nodded,

"Yes. I preferred becoming a Jedi anyway. My father wanted me to become an honorable person to his family, and when I was told that I could join the Jedi Academy, he was slightly upset. I guess what he said as 'honorable' was really becoming a Kel-Dor Guardian. To him, there was no rank higher. However, he accepted my abilites and wished me off with good luck."

He glanced at his belt,

"He gave me a gift before I went. When I was about to board the transport to Coruscant, he gave me a custom-made oxygen mask for me, and he gave me a bag, telling me to open it on the ship. When I opened it, I found this crystal."

Spada unclipped his lightsaber hilt and showed him it. It was longer than usual, but the buttons were the same as usual. However, the end of the hilt was what made it different. A pointed crytal stuck from the end in an ornate fashion.

"I made it this way so that I could remember where I come from and who got me where I am today."

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded.

"It is good to remember the past, but do not dwell on it. Many Jedi have been lost this way."

Shade stared striaght as his mind wondered over the friends he had lost over the years. When he glanced around he stopped and pointed off to the right.

"This is it. We are to collect a Senator Hathye."

Shade went over to the door and knocked. A panel slide back and two eyes were staring back at him.

"Whatcha want?"

"We are here to escort the Senator to her ship."

The slide closed for a moment and then opened back up.

"Wait there. The Senator is not ready. She will come out when she is done."

"Very well then. We will be hear."

[spada]

Spada stood beside Shade and asked,

"Does she have any enemies here on Coruscant? It seems strange that Jedi would be requested to escort the Senator. Did the Council give you any information?"

[Shade Magus]

"It may seem strange now, but you'll come to find out that many Senators request Jedi to escort them because it makes them look even more important. It also tends to allow them to show others that they do have power and money. Then there are those that just wish our presence because it helps them feel assured of their safety."

[spada]

"It all seems shallow that people use us to gain publicity while people who need it are ignored. The role of a Jedi Guard seems to have become a 'gimmick' nowadays. Has it always been this way?"

[Shade Magus]

"Do notbe mistaken no one is ignored, but to answer your question, yes. Jedi have always been used like this, but thanks to newer technology we have become reqested not nearly as much as we used to."

As Shade finished speaking, the door they were standing in front of and a tall blue skined figure walked out. She was beautiful by human standards. Her frame was petite and she had long flowing red hair that was tied up behind her hair. What made her most appealing was the fact that she wore ordinary clothes insted of the fancier robes that Senators were normally found in.

The Jedi Knight gave a slight bow.

"Good day Senator Gracely."

The young woman smiled as she also gave a slight bow.

"Good day to you Master Jedi. I am sorry but they did not tell me your name. Might I inquire as to what it is?"

" Of course I am Jedi Knight Shade Magus and this is one of my Padawans Spada Elhow"

[spada]

Spada bowed to the senator and said,

"It will be an honor escorting you."

he glanced over towards Shade and waited to follow his master's lead.

[Shade Magus]

Shade stood up

"So m'lady. Is it straight to the ship or is there any place you need to go first?"

"Well, this is my first time to this planet so I was hoping for you to be able to show me some of the sights you have if you do not mind."

"Well I have nothing else to get done today. I have no objections. What about you Spada?"

[spada]

Spada replied jokingly,

Master, you know me. I never have anything to do!"

He looked back at the Senator and said,


"What did you plan on seeing?"

[Shade Magus]

"Well, I am rather famished, and I hear that there are many great restraunts around here. I also here that this planet also has only one lake and it is renouned for it's beauty. If you would not mind, I would like to go there."

"Of course m'lady. Wait here for a second and I shall call us an air taxi."

Shade walked over a few steps so that he could call the taxi and Senator Hathye turned to Spada.

"Always serious that one. Are you the same? Lord I hope not. I couldn't imagine a world with two Shade's!"

She smiled as she noticed the look of surprise on the Kel-dor's face.

"Well....I guess you ought to know, before I go blabbing on about him. You see Shade and I know each other from a very long time ago. You might even say we were once......oh what is the term....item? But that was before he was a Jedi. That was a long time ago when he didn't carry s much worries as he does now...but I think it not best to mention this in front of him. Ok?"

[spada]

Spada, knowing the alertness of Shade, said into her mind,

'If it would make him unhappy, I will not mention it.'

He glanced over as a taxi approached.

"Well, theres a ride. I haven't seen the lake either. It should be interesting."

[Shade Magus]

Shade walked back over to the pair and motioned to the taxi.

"Well there it is. Where to first?"

"Well I am more famished than I am ready to go sight seeing, so how about some food? I think I could just go for a salad and some wine. Know of any elegant places Master Jedi Shade?"

"Yes I know of one...."

Shade turned and gave the direction to the driver who nodded. He then opened the door for the other two. Spada was the first he motioned in and then the Senator and then himself. When the door was closed he told the driver to go. The taxi lifted with a slight shudder.

"So Senator, how have you been?"

Hathye shook her head.

"You can dispense with the formalities Shade Magus. I have already explained to your Padwan about us."

"Fine....then....how are you doing Hathye?"

"I am doing fine. I was just explaining to Spada here that I hope he wasn't becoming like you."

Shade blushed at this. He turned to Spada.

"So....when did you want to learn about using Mind Tricks?"

[spada]

Spada looked from the Senator to Shade and said,

"Whenever you have time..."

he glanced back at the Senator and said,

"I am sorry. I have gone too far training with Shade. My humor is fading away..."

[Shade Magus]

Shade shook his head and put his hand over his eyes.

"I can't believe I am hearing this..."

"Don't worry young Spada, there is still time for you.......maybe even for your Master here."

Shade looked out of the window and then back to the Senator.

"Do we have to do this here?"

"Why not? This is just as good a place as any! You have been ignoring me for so long and I finally get here and I requested you personally as my bodygaurd. We need to talk about this sooner or later!"

"It is done and over with and nothing can change it. Why not just let it go!"

"Because it may be done but you are not the same you used to be before. And if you are worried about your Padawan, well maybe he should know a little about his master. Don't you agree?!"

"Fine. Spada would you like to know a little about your master? About how he went off the edge?"

[spada]

Spada felt awkward in the taxi,

"Its...not really my place to decide. I am just here to see that you get around safely. If I pick up something here or there about you two then its ok, though."

[Shade Magus]

"Ohhh....don't be so shy. I mean I would want to know about the man training me if i were you."

"Alright already! Spada what she wants you to know is that about two years ago now I killed a Sith. Normally It wouldn't affect me as much, but this Sith also happened to be my brother. His name was Yurza. After that I went over the edge, down the path to darkness. There are a few Jedi who saved me and reminded me of what I was. After that I left the order in search of a new meaning of the Force. It was only hortly before I took you on as a Padwan that I had come back. There are still those that watch me, afraid that I will go overboard again. That is what she wants you to know."

[spada]

Spada shrugged,

"Sometimes on the path to the truth your feet hurt."

He himself didn't really understand the quote himself, but someone once said it to him in a similar situation. He looked at the driver and said to Shade,

"It may seem strange, but the fact that you killed you brother doesn't matter much. It means you are faithful to what you think is right."

[Shade Magus]

Shade and the Senator looked at Spada with a questioning look.

[spada]

Spada replied,

"What I mean to say is its better to know that you aren't afraid to take life to defend what you think is right."

Spada did not feel so comfortable talking about this and looked out the window, pretending to be looking for a place to eat.

[Shade Magus]

Shade shook his head.

"No......taking a life is the worst crime for a Jedi. No matter what the odds. I have and always will teach that if a life should be taken, and there is no other choice, that it be out of defense alone."

"Well I agree with your Padawan. I mean there are manying things that people have died over for the best because of their ideas."

"Yes but there could have been another way.....you should know that as well Hathye."

Shade turned to look out the window and saw that they were descending. It meant that they were almost to the restraunt. Good it would end this conversation, for now atleast.

"Well we are almost there."

They didn't speak anymore until the landed and Shade paid the driver. As they walked away none of them noticed the driver following them with his gaze as he call something over his comlink.

[spada]

Spada lagged back as Shade and the Senator took the front. He glanced back as the taxi zoomed away.

"So where are we right now? How far away from the Academy are we?"

[Shade Magus]

"Right now we are about 15 miles north of the Academy. Isn't that right Shade? You didn't think I would remember this place would I?"

"Yes you are correct i is about fifteen miles, and yes I knew you would remember this place. This is the place where the Senator and I along with a few others came to have dinner after my promotion to a Jedi Knight. Welcome to the Bantha Buffet"

Shade explained as he caught a look of slight confusion upon Spada's face. Shade pushed the doors open and inside the building were flags from many different worlds along with the sweetest music that could touch one's ears.

"They serve the finest food that one will ever have the opportunity to eat. They also have rooms that accomodate any species including Kel-Dor. so if you wish you could eat here, unfortuantely we wouldn't be able to join you in your enviroment, but we would be seated next to one another and could communicate via holo screen."

[spada]

"No, i'm alright now. I'll stay with you two, unless I'm intruding?"

[Shade Magus]

"Not at all! You know I think while you two go find a table I will go to the ladies room and how do you say....um....powder my nose."

"Very well then."

Shade turned to the host and held up a three fingers when he asked how many would be dining. When he tried to tell the Jedi that they had many tables for Spada he merely just shook his head.

"He has chosen to dine with us thank you. If you could may we have a window seat?"

The host shook his head and showed them to their table and asked for drinks.

"I'll have a glass of water. Anything for you Spada?"

[spada]

Spada shook his head at the waiter and glanced at the bathrooms. He leaned over the table and whispered to Shade,

"Are you sure that we should leave her alone? What if there's someone in the bathroom waiting for her?"

[Shade Magus]

"Doubt there would be, besides. I know the Senator and knew she would want to come get something to eat, so I called ahead and asked them to be a little tighter on security and I asked a few freinds from the Temple to come in already. If anyone is waiting on her in the restroom then there is no way that we could have known about it, and if they were that good then we will have an even harder time catching them."

The waiter came back with his drink and Shade thanked him and took a sip.

"But there is something bothers me about the Senator. You see I knew her before and well......she doesn't feel the same as she did. She seems somehow disconnected, and she would never have brought up all that stuff about me and my brother. I guess polotics really do change a person after all."

[spada]

"Yes, she did seem to bring up things that you didn't want to say and made you argue."

he glanced back at the bathroom door,

"Do you think she felt in any danger when she asked for us, or did she just want to talk with you?"

[Shade Magus]

"I think it was more of the latter, because to be honest I have been trying to avoid her for the past few years."

[spada]

Spada nodded,

"So you think we'll have a smooth trip?"

[Shade Magus]

"It should be, but always be ready for something."

As Shade finished speaking, Hathye came back to the table and sat down. She picked up the list of foods and summoned the waiter.

"I'll have the crab's legs."

Shade glanced over at the senator, but waited before the waiter was gone before saying anything.

"I thought you were allergic to seafood Senator."

The Senator glanced at him and then back down to the list.

"Well.....yes I am, but you know it could't kill me now...."

There the instant she spoke, Shade felt a disturbance in the Force, but did not let it show.

"Actually...if memory serves correct. You can, Hathye."

The senator glanced from him to Spada and finally her eyes came to rest on Shade.

"Well....this is earlier than I like, but you are rather persistant. To tell you the truth Jedi, I am not the Senator you were sent to protect. I am a copy of her made to fool you long enough for my people to get her off the planet so that we could hold her for ransom. By now they are on their way to the docking bays, so there is little you can do for here anyways."

"What docking bay is she in now?"

The imposter shrugged.

"Tell me!"

Shade whipped out his comlink and got in touch with the GJO and notified them of his situation. He looked up at Spada and to the Senator.

"Well. I guess this is going to be an even longer night. Spada I want you to watch her and when the representatives from the Temple come for her wait for me at the place we picked her up from. I am going to talk to an old freind who may be able to help us."

[spada]

Spada nodded and turned to the imposter, placing his hand on the lightsaber hilt inside his cloak.

"Ill be fine. Go quick."

He kept his eyes glued on every movement of the imposter, but still kept his senses sharp around him.

[Shade Magus]

Shade walked out of the restraunt and called for a taxi. He gave it directions to a local antique shop and sat back. The guy he was going to see was a good source of information, but the last time he and Shade had met, they hadn't taken to well to each oter so there was no way to tell how this outcome would be.

[spada]

Spada kept a close eye on the decoy, keeping his hands unassumingly in his cloak, not wanting her to know that he had a lightsaber. Spada roughly commended the decoy,

"Sit."

the woman complyed quickly and Spada stood beside the table, making sure that noone tried anything in the restaurant. He then stared at the woman and entered her mind. The intensity and speed at which he moved through her mind was so fast that a glazed look crossed her as the memories passed by her and into Spada's head. He was looking for something in particular, and he was about to find it when she suddenly fell off the table and curled up on the floor.

"No!! No!! Leave me alone!!"

Spada walked over to her and grasped her shoulder. Helping her up, he placed her back in the chair.

I'll leave interrogations to the Jedi. But I got enough to help Master Shade find the senator.

Spada sat on the opposite chair and waited for the Jedi to arrive.

About an hour later, a group of hooded men walked into the restaurant and talked with the person who did the seating. Spada stood the decoy up and walked her over to the Jedi. They grasped her arms and carried her off onto a transport, one Jedi leaving her to the other. The Jedi walked into a cargo hold of the Temple and came back out soon after with Spada's speeder bike.

"Thanks." said Spada quietly, mounting the bike and turning it on, the engines revving under him.

He peeled out of the landing pad and onto the streets of the city, not quite sure where exactly he was supposed to go. He dodged frightened pedestrians, using the force to guide him to the spot Shade told him to go. He suddenly veered off, feeling as if something told him to go that way. Now on a ramp, he rode up onto a landing platform which connected to the restaurant where they found the decoy senator.

So that's what it feels like when the force guides you. I have to practice that.

[Shade Magus]

A bell rang as the Jedi entered the store. The owner looked up and grimaced.

"What do ya want Jedi?"

"Why I am hurt. I thought we were freinds?"

"Not after getting my ship blown up."

"Well the Order paid for it."

"What about sentimental values?"

"Ok..ok...I am sorry, but I am here on business now can you help me or what?"

The shop keep looked Shade up and down once bfore slowly nodding.

"If the price is right. What do you want?"

"I need information on Senator HAthye. It seems she has been kidnapped and I need to know where she is."

"Well......it'll take awhile, but I can get you the information."[

"Good.....here is my number contact me once you find anything out."

Shade placed piace of paper down on the table between the two. Next to the paper he placed a stack of credits down. He hesitated and then put down another smalled stack.

"And I need this now."

The Jedi turned to leave. He wasn't that far from where he had told Spada to meet him so he vouched to walk. After a few minutes he could see the Kel-Dor and walked over to him.

"Good you are here. Did the woman in the restraunt say anything to you that mihgt help us?"

[spada]

Spada dismounted from the speeder and leaned against it until Shade arrived. He listened to Shade's question and answered,

"I tried to read her memories because i didn't think she'd tell the truth. I got some memories, but the strain was too much and she broke down."

He filtered through the memories and said to Shade,

"I will send you her memories."

he stared at Shade and many memories from the decoy passed into his mind as if he was the woman,

She was sitting in a chair as a man paced back and forth, holding a datapad. He constantly bombarded the woman with questions pertaining to the Senator. She faltered on one and the man began to yell at her. She started to cry and the man's voice became louder, but it only came as a muffle.

Suddenly it shifted to another memory of her standing in a terminal of a transport, people walking all around her and the man, who still bore the grim expression as before. The man's voice said, 'You will accomplish your mission. If you don't, then we will get you. You will regret ever living if we catch you.' a robotic voice from the transport said to people exiting the ship, 'Now disembarking at Umgul City Spaceport. Next stop, Coruscant.'

The images faded, but were imbedded as if Shade experienced it himself.

"Wait a minute, did you hear that in the background? Now that I hear it again I caught it. The announcment of arriving at Umgul City. Thats in Corellia, right?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade thought for a moment.

"Yes. I believe it is. I even recall visiting once before. Good job Spada. Now if they are on Corellia we need to get there. Come let us go to the temple. I have a ship we can use."

[spada]

Spada nodded and shrugged towards his speeder bike, signaling that Shade get on with him and mounted it,

"I have a modified A-Wing I picked up on my way to Coruscant if thats needed. It's a piece of junk and the weapons are mostly stripped, but it's still fast. But if you have a ship for the both of us, thats fine."

[Shade Magus]

"I appreciate the offer, but I think my ship would be better, because I sense that when we return that we'll need a little more room than an A-wing can provide."

Shade hopped on the speeder and signaled that he was ready.

"Let us go, but before we go to the hangar I suggest that we go to our rooms and grab what provensionals we will need."

[spada]

Spada nodded, revving up the speeder with the brake on before launching off from where they stood. He dodged and weaved around pedestrians in the quickest route back to the Temple entrance. He did a turning stop and dismounted from the speeder, swiftly talking a few steps from the bike.

"So where should we meet, or will we stay together now?"

[Shade Magus]

"Go get whatever it will be that you might need for this journey and meet me in the hangars at loading bay B5H."

Shade spoke as he went to his room. There wasn't must he needed to get but a few things that might come in handy.

[spada]

Spada nodded and ran off to his room, quickly entering the code and grabbing a small pack in a drawer. He rushed back out, down a hallway marked "Hangars". He quickly walked down the larger doorways until he reached BH5. He waited by the doorway, figuring that Shade probably was getting more equipment.

[Shade Magus]

Shade opened a small desk drawer in the corner of his room and withdrew a metallic cylinder and clipped it to his belt. He also grabbed a spare breather and on his way out grabbed a bag of extra robes.

"Well time to get going."

He hurried down to the hangars and went in past Spada calling to his Padawan over hsi shoulder.

"Go tell the hangar managers that we will be taking off soon and then meet me on my ship. I am sure you can't miss it."

That much was true because Shade, while on his quest away from the GJO had come across a Sekotan ship. It was very rare indeed. He walked up the ramp and straight towards he cockpit runnign diagnostics and a pre-flight warm up.

[spada]

Spada pulled his comlink out of his cloak and switched it to the "Hangar" channel. He then said into the comlink,

"Hello?"

"Yes?"

"We are taking off from hangar BH5, Shade Magus' ship."

"Yes, thats a beautiful ship. Wait one moment... alright you're cleared for launch. May the force be with you."

"May the force be with you also."

he shut off the comlink and turned around, walking through the BH5 Hangar doors and saw Shade's ship, saying to himself

'Wow, I've read about these but never actually saw one. Its amazing how you control it and how it is organically grown. Almost like it is alive.'

Spada walked up the ramp and into the ship, looking for Shade.

[Shade Magus]

Shade glanced at a monitor and saw Spada enter the ship. He turned on the comm.

"Spada, go to the dining area and strap yourself in. I'll be back there momentarily."

Shade glanced at the board infront of him and smiled. Green all the way across. The ship eased off the ground and Shade moved it across the floor until it was at the launch pad and off they went. Courscant was growing smaller as they went farther away. When they were out of the atmosphere and far enough away from the planet, Shade set in their cordinates for their micro jump and the stars turned to streaks as they made their jump. He unbuckled from his seat and went back to the area Spada was in.

[spada]

"It's a nice ship, master. Now whats the plan for getting her back?"

[Shade Magus]

"For now it is just reconissance. I want to learn this gang's layout and where they go before doing anything else. We must be careful because they are probably expecting something like this, so we must go undetected for as long as possible. Tell me, at the Kel-Dor Gaurdian Academy did they teach anything about spying or recon?"

[spada]

"Unfortunately, no. They figured that people so large are not meant for stealth. However, I could use my mental abilities to throw off the guards. Do you have any recon training?"

[Shade Magus]

"Yes. Growing up on the planet I did, it comes naturally, because of the untamed Forests. You always had to sneak about."

Shade was silent for a moment as hundreds of thoughts processed through his mind.

"Ok. I have a plan, but it is risky. You will have to have absolute trust in the Force and will have to put on one hell of a show. When we get there I want you to go around and start openly asking questions concerning this gang. If they are as big as you mentioned then they won't like it when someone starts asking questions, and they will probably send someone for you. I will be following you and when they do, we will have to take whoever they send and get the location and any information we can out of them. I know it is dangerous, but do you think you can do it?"

[spada]

"So I am going to bait someone to come to arrest me and we'll capture him? Sounds good. I don't know a great deal, but if I start to read his thoughts I can convince them that I am affiliated with the gang while I'm asking questions. If that happens, maybe I can distract them while you go in and get information. But that might be riskier than your plan."

[Shade Magus]

"I am not sure. I would rather not go in alone, or leave you alone for too long. You never know when something might go wrong."

[spada]

"I agree. That would be much too dangerous."

"Now we have to find out where this base is in the city. Any leads?"

[Shade Magus]

"None, but I do have a few ideas. First, this is a state promoted gang which means that the goverment would support them and they are in the upperclass areas. Second, the goverment doesn't necessarily support them, but neither do they try to shut them down. This might put them in the middle class areas. Last, the goverment is hunting them too, which would put them in hiding. This would mostlikely have them in the lower class areas. The first thing we should do is find out which category they fall under, hence you asking around. If they are a common name then it shouldn't be to hard for people to answer you."

[spada]

"Good plan. Where do we start asking around?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade pulled a small datapad from his cloak and pushed a button. A small map of Umgul City appeared. Shade studiied it for a moment and then pointed at an area on the north side of town.

"This looks like a farily decent sized market place. I believe that we should start there."

[spada]

Spada looked over the map, nodding and waving his hand out for a cab.

"Thats the trouble with not bringing your own transportation. Finding another way can be a pain."

[Shade Magus]

"It can, but it can also be fun cause you'll never know what the Force has in store for you."

[spada]

A Rodian in a speeder finally stopped in front of the two Jedi, allowing them to climb in. Spada commanded,

"Take us to the marketplace."

The alien nodded and flew off towards the Umgul City Marketplace, asking,

"So why are you two here? I can't think of a reason other than smuggling why a person would come here."

[Shade Magus]

"Well...we're in the information business you might say. Always keep an ear out, that's my saying."

Shade glanced out the window.

"Well Spada, maybe after this, we could ome back to this little place and do a little browsing. Looks like they have a lot of variety down there."

[spada]

Spada nodded and looked down at the streets.

"So who runs business around here?"

[Shade Magus]

"Mostly local spice runners, but ocassionally you get a big name."

Shade glanced around.

"Driver this is a good place to stop."

The driver nodded and set down the speeder. Shade paid the Rodian as the got out and took a look around. The Jedi pulled his hood up over his head and started to look around at the various tents.

"Well, we better get started. I'll be close if you need anything."

[spada]

Spada nodded and also pulled his hood over his head.

"I'll give you a buzz if i need you." he walked in the other direction, taking notice of the markets selling various things.

He walked to a man who had various blasters for sale, most of which were chipped and scarred from useage.

"You come to see my merchandise?"

"I come for information."

"Hey, this isn't some visitors center, you gotta buy something first!"

Spada looked at this things and picked up a small power cell.

"There, now I want you to tell me if you've noticed anything strange happening lately. Like gang activity."

"Well, now that you mention it, there have been many shady looking people walking through the markets. They usually walk in that direction, but thats all I see of them."

"Alright, thanks for the info."

Spada walked in the direction given to find more people.

[Shade Magus]

Shade was a few tents down looking through what the merchant caled antiques and what Shade called junk. He watched Spada walk towards another direction and put down the necklace he was studying and went the same way, hanging back so that his Padawan was just in his sights.

The Jedi felt a little bump and looked down to see a child staring back at him smiling. He reached down and patted the young boys head and turned to walk away, but before he did, She held out his hand and a small puch with the two Jedi's emergency credits floated out of the boys pocket and into Shade's hand.

"Run along now."

Shade could hardly contain a smile as the boy looked at him before bolting the other way.

[spada]

Spada continued through the markets, walking into a 'traffic jam' of performing Twi'lek in the street. He waited for the people to thin out, but he had the strangest sense that something or someone was watching him. He looked around and did not see anyone. He began to feel very paranoid and focused his mind on Shade's who he noticed behind him.

'Master, can you take a look around me? If someone'e watching me, then catch up to me.'

He kept his hands in his cloak, nodding off salespeople who lugged chunks of scrap around the streets with hopes of finding a fool who will buy them.

[Shade Magus]

Shade heard Spada's call and went towards him.

Don't worry I am coming.

[spada]

Spada casually glanced around and noticed Shade walking towards him. He turned to look back and noticed a man quickly turn his head away from him and down to a market stall. Spada walked over to an exotic fruit stand and waited for Shade to walk over to him.

[Shade Magus]

Shade walked past Spada and stopped at the next stand. using the Force he carried his words so that only Spada would hear.

"What is wrong?"

[spada]

Spada telepathically replied,

'I think that someone is watching me.'

he nodded his head in the direction of the man who he caught looking away before.

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded.

"So it would appear. I'll stay closer, but keep going the way you are. He migt just be the key we need to finding these people."

[spada]

Spada turned away from the market stand and began to walk farther in the direction that the salesman pointed out. He sensed that someone was keeping an eye on him, but entrusted that Shade would look out for him.

[Shade Magus]

Shade picked up an older model blaster and was about to put it back when the handle fell off, hoping the owner didn't see that, Shade put the other peice down, turing to leave, trying to avid a scene, but unfortunately the owner did notice.

"HEY!! You gonna pay for that or am I going to have to call the cops!"

"Ohh....sorry here..."

Shade reached into his robe and pulled out a few credits and handed them to the merchant. His complink beeped and the Jedi answered it.

"Shade, hey it is me. The people who kidnapped that Senator of yours, is apparently holding up in an apartment somewhere is Umgul City on Corellia. I couldn't get an acurrate address, but I know they are somewhere in the northeastern quadrent."

"Thank you my friend. Take care now."

"Yeah, don't mention it, but you owe me big for this one!"

Shade switched his comlink off and sent out a message in the Force for Spada to come to him.

[spada]

Spada felt a message from Shade that came in the direction of one of the markets. He wheeled and walked over to his master inconspicuosley and asked,

"Has something come up?"

[Shade Magus]

"Yes. I recieved a message from a source that I saw before leaving Coruscant. It appears that the Senator is apparently held up in an apartment somewhere is Umgul City on Corellia. I couldn't get an acurrate address, but I know they are somewhere in the northeastern quadrent. I suggest that we start heading that way, and I don't think we are that far from the residency area."

[spada]

Spada nodded, gesturing that he lead the way.

"You lead. I'll be nearby."

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded, and wondered down the isles of stands. After about thrity minutes of walking, the two Jedi, finally came out of the maze of markets and Shade took a deep breath, finally freed. He looked around and nodded to another street.

"I think we should go this way. It seems to have a lot of apartments so it...WHOA!"

Shade jumped back, his green lightsaber blade flashing as he hit a blaster bolt back the direction it came.

"I think we might have been found."

[spada]

Spada too pulled out his lightsaber, igniting the green saber and looking around to see their attackers.

"Do you see them?"

A blaster bold came towards his hip but was swiftly deflected by a downward twist of his lightsaber.

[Shade Magus]

Shade spun his lightsaber in a slow circle, looking around.

No but I think we are getting close. Come on lets get over there under some cover."

The Jedi went over near the building and hide under the hangovers. Shade pointed down one street and nodded.

"I think they came from that way. Did you see anything from another street?"

[spada]

Spada shook his head,

"No, I didn't get a glimse of the shooters. Lets go that way."

He kept his lightsaber ignited, keeping alert in case another shot came at them.

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded, walking slowly from under their protection, and seeing no more blaster bolts headed towards them at the moment crossed the street and walked in the direction he thought the fire came from.

"Keep your eyes open for anything."

[spada]

Spada followed Shade in a slight crouch, looking up at what appeared to be an abandoned apartment,

"Maybe they are up there."

[Shade Magus]

Shade sent out his Force awareness in the direction Spada indicated and shook his head. He was about to withdraw when he felt something else. A familiar presnce close by.

"No but I think we are close though."

Shade walked down the street sending out his awareness. he could sense what he believed was the Senator they were looking for. The Jedi Knight walked forward, the feeling getting stronger. He turned left down another alley and stopped in ront of a lock door.

"This is it. I can sense our Senator in this building, but there are others in here too. We must be careful. Now is not the time for carelessness."

The soft glow of the green blade gave him enough light in the alley's shadows to make out the locking mechanism. The young man reached out with the Force and felt for its weak point. Sensing it, Shade gave a slight tug with the Force, pulling it out of place. The door opened ever so slightly.

"Let us go."

[spada]

Spada nodded and slowly opened the door just enough so that he could enter. He took 2 steps slowly inside and froze in his tracks.

"I have a strange feeling that there is a security system in here." said Spada telepathically to Shade.

He slowly lowered himself to a crouch and deactivated his lightsaber. His Kel Dor vision allowed him to see colors in the dark, and he looked to the wall, noticing a small red dot.

'There is a tripwire here.'

He looked up the wall a bit more and did not find any other dots. Slowly stepping over where he believed the lazer was, he looked back at Shade and telepathically said,

'Maybe you should lead now. I'm not great at sneaking.'

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded. He slowly crept over the spot Spada had, and moved in front, deactivating his own lightsaber. Maybe he couldn't see as well, but the Force would guide him.

"Keep your eyes open for more traps and follow me."

The Jedi pair moved forward, then they took a left down one hall, a right down another, and then they came to a dead end. Shade frowned. The Force was telling him to go this way, but there was a wall in front of them. He reached his hand out, only to confirm that the wall was real. He sent his Force awareness out again and yes the Senator was behind the wall, and they was also three, maybe four others. All of them seemed on edge, agitated.

"Well, our Senator is behind this wall alright. I can't gather exactly where though, but I do have an idea. Spada, I want you to cut along the edges of the all over there and I will do the same here, but hold off on cutting the top ok."

[spada]

"With our lightsabers? I'm not sure, master. What if they hear us coming and run, or even worse?"

He looked around at the walls, looking for a solution,

"But it may be the only way in for us."

[Shade Magus]

"The wall is too thick for them to hear the sound of our lightsaber, and maybe I should have been a little more specific. I don't want you cutting all the way through. Hopefully when the edges are thing enough we will be able to use the Force to pull the wall away and be able to surprise them."

[spada]

"Alright, Master. I should have known you were smarter than that."

He ignited his lightsaber and said to Shade,

"Use your awareness and if any of them become excited or surpirsed, tell me."

He slowly pushed his lightsaber into the wall, judging the thickness. He stopped pushing it in and slowly made his way down. He went most of the way around and stopped at the other side, leaving the top alone as ordered.

"Before we knock this down, let me speak into her mind warning her. If she gets out of the way, maybe we could push this wall down and maybe knock some of the guards by the wall down."

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded. He then set his mind into the Force and grabbed hold of the wall.

"Tell em when you are ready."

[spada]

Spada concentrated on the wall. He had never done telepathy through a wall, or to a person he had never been in contact with. He concentrated on a mind which he found to be similar to the decoy he had mentally probed in the restaurant. He then communicated telepathically,

'Look out, were here to help you.'

He nodded quickly to Shade, not knowing if she had gotten the message.

[Shade Magus]

Shade pulled with the Force. The wall came crashing down and dust floated in the air. He pulled his lightsaber from his belt, igniting it. As he eneter the rom he stopped short when he saw a ferret looking creature staring at him.

"What the...."

[spada]

The Jedi and kidnappers stood in shock of one another for a while until Spada said jokingly,

"You've gotta be kidding me. This is your ex-wife Shade?"

He noticed a woman behind the ferret creature and rolled by him, ending up alongside the captive woman.

[Shade Magus]

"Which one?"

Shade noticed the Senator roll her eyes and smiled.

"Don't look to happy to see us."

Shade held his hand out in front of him and the three captors rose into the air.

"That was easy enough."

[spada]

Spada helped the Senator stand and motioned her towards Shade. He moved back to Shade, saying,

"I was looking foward to a bit of fighting. Now what?"

[Shade Magus]

"Now we leave."

Shade threw the three characters against the wall and started backing out of the room, holding his hand out for the Senator to follow. Then something caught his attention out of the side of his eye.

"Get down!"

In a flash his green lightsaber was out, the blade sweeping low across the air as he hit a blaster bolt back.

"Well Spada. Watch what you wish for."

[spada]

Spada dove in front of the Senator as more enemies arrived and began to unload their power cells on the 2 Jedi. Spada, not being the most skilled jedi, was concentrating heavily on stopping the blaster bolts and didn't notice the ferret looking creature pounce through the air until it was almost on top of him.

His reflexes sprang into action as he slightly crouched and swang up at the creature. The green saber met its mark and sliced from the enemy's left shoulder to its right hip. The now dead creature still flew through the air and landed on Spada, who was knocked over by it. He pushed the carcass off him in a shocked manner and looked down at the creature. He understood in that moment why Jedi were peaceful and why they never attacked in anger. A blaster bolt grazed off his arm and he winced as it broke him from the trance.

Spada tried to shake off the feeling he had before and yelled to Shade as he watched out for blasts,

"Lets get out of here before the whole base comes to kill us!"

[Shade Magus]

Shade swung around and batted another bolt away.

"Indeed."

Shade walked forward a little, so that he was in front of Senator Hathye. He continued batting bolts away, which were coming faster and in superior numbers. He could no longer take the time or prescion to direct them back to their owners, but could only knock them out of the way.

[spada]

Spada said back to Shade,

"Lead the way." as he watched the blaster bolts fly by them.

He backed up through the opening they created and noticed the firing slow and stop. Suddenly, a ferret creature walked by the line of people and stopped in front of the line. It wielded a long, silver vibroblade with a red hilt. The sword appeared to be a ceremonial weapon, and the creature seemed to be the leader of the group. It hissed out of its sharp teeth,

"You will not take our prize so easily."

Spada glanced to Shade and whispered,

"What should we do?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade thrust his hand out towards the ferret and the small creature tumbled backwards.

"We have worse things to worry about than a little pest."

Shade brought his lightsaber up in his other hand and deflected another shot, while pushing two more gaurds back.

"Spada lead the Senator out of here the way we came. I'll cover you."

[spada]

Spada nodded and motioned for the Senator to follow him. He sprinted behind the woman and as they reached the main door, He remembered the tripwire too late. He was about to shout and dove foward, knocking the Senator out of the entrance just as a mine detonated, caving the entrance in.

Spada made sure the Senator was alright and held his hand out, focusing the force in and around the pile of rubble. Concentrating on manipulating the force, he applied a force on the bottom of the pile, causing it to rise quivering and float to the right side of the door. He released his concentration and the pile fell with a crash.

He stood on the outside of the entrance with his lightsaber and concentrated on 2 people who appeared in the door shooting at him. He tried his best to deflect the bolts so that they did not hit any civilians, but they were all cleared out from the noise. Glancing at the rubble for a moment, he watched out for blaster bolts as he concentrated on a piece of debris on the top of the pile. The piece rose and from Spada's guidance, suddenly shot towards one of the guards, glancing him in the head and knocking him unconcious. The other man continued to run towards Spada, holding two blaster pistols and firing them rapidly in his direction. Spada held his hand out to him and concentrated the force on the man's neck, choking him for an instant. The feeling caused the man to pass out with no harm, and Spada released the grip soon after.

He hoped that Shade would not be angry that he had done a power associated with the dark side, but he felt that it would have been the only way to quickly immobilize the man.

[Shade Magus]

Shade had gotten stuck behind the collapsed rocks and sighed. There was nothing else on this side of the rubble, but on the other that was a different story. Well I hope they are ok. He deactivated his lightsaber and clipped it back to his belt, and began backtracking looking for another way out. He came to a flight of stairs and went up.

At the top Shade looked around, spotting a window. The Jedi walked over and looked out he could see Spada and the Senator below with flashes or red and green from various blasters. He used his lightsaber to cut the window away. He backed away and used the Force to push it out of the wall. It fell onto two oncoming gaurds. He jumped oout and landed beside Spada with his lightsaber flashing, batting away a couple of stray blaster bolts.

"Miss me?"

[spada]

Spada's vision shot towards Shade who pounced beside him in a blur.

"What took you so long? Never mind, lts get out of here."

[Shade Magus]

"I agree," Shade said as he swung low and batted a bolt away. He started back stepping, moving towards the direction of the hangars. He looked over and saw the Hathye smile at him as she blasted one of the thugs with a stolen blaster.

[spada]

Spada looked back as a bolt flew by his head.

"Good. You're not afraid to get your hands dirty."

He turned back to see a bolt heading towards his head and he stabbed his bolt foward in the nick of time. He backtracked to the front of the group and said,

"Shade watch our backs. Senator take the middle and I'll lead us...somewhere."

[Shade Magus]

"Alrighty then..." Shade replied. He moved gracefully, allowing the force to control his movement. Now that there were less thugs than before he was able to aim the shots back at their owners making the numbers and odds much better.

[spada]

Spada ran through the streets which they came from and passed by a few shocked merchants who did not want to abandon their stands. One man behind a stand suddenly revealed a repeating rifle and lauched a hail of blaster bolts at the group. Spada shouted to the others.

"Take cover!!" as he dove behind one of the merchant carts and shouted to Shade,

"Pull the weapon out of his hands and lets move!"

[Shade Magus]

Shade kicked off with his left foot and spun in the air batting away blaster bolts and reaching through the Force and yanking the man's weapon away. He then felt a surge through the Force.

"Spada! Behind that wall. My ship is behind there. Cut it down with your lightsaber." Shade shouted as he landed, holding his green blade down, the thugs had stopped firing and now they and the merchant's whose stands had been ruined were closing in on them them.

[spada]

Spada nodded and brought the saber to his right hip. Pointing the saber outward, he jabbed it foward, stabbing into the metal and sending a small trickle of melted ore down the hole. He pushed upwards and began to cut a circle into the wall. He came about 3/4 of the way through and removed his blade. Holding his hand out, he pushed the section out of the wall with a sudden pressure from the force. The circle fell with a thud and when the dust cleared, Spada could see Shade's ship.

"We're in business! Lets move!!"

[Shade Magus]

Shade waited for the Senator to duck into the hole and then went in himself. He called ahead, telling the ships automated controls to start the preflight warm up and to lower the hatch.

[spada]

Spada stood at the ramp near the bottom of the ship and waited for the two to enter, watching out for the thugs who were on Shade's heels. Spada waited until the Senator was onboard and Shade was past him and flowed the force through his hand, launching a powerful push which knocked the thugs back enough so all 3 entered the ship.

[Shade Magus]

Shade ran for the cockpit and once he entered, junped into the seat, yelling over his shoulder for the other two to buckle up. He lifted the ship off the ground and flew into the atmosphere, soon after making a jump into hyperspace. Once the stars stretched across the sky the Jedi Knight let out a sigh of relief. They had made it.

[spada]

Spada stood and silently walked out of the cockpit and into a room in the shuttle with chairs. He settled into the chair and sat in a comfortable position until he fell asleep. He awoke later and did not know what time it was, but the ship was not moving. He walked to a window and saw that they were on Coruscant. Striding into the Cockpit, he said,

"Alright. Where do we go now?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade leaned back in his chair and relaxed. "Now we take the Senator here to her ship and we can go home. "

Hathye frowned. "What no dinner for an old freind Shade?"

"After chasing you through the glaxay I think we have had enough excitment for one day." But he could feel her dissapointment through the Force. "Maybe next time Hathye, but right now Spada and I are tired from all the running around today."

He saw the shimmer of a smile on the blue woman's face. "Promise?"

"Yes." Shade reached up and took his comlink off of a small self and used it to contact the air taxi service. "Well, your ride will be here in a few minutes. Spada could you escort the Senator outside while I finish shutting down the ship?"

[spada]

Spada bowed, replying,

"Yes, master."

He walked in front of the Senator and made sure that there were no traps. He stood at ease, but held his hand in his robe just in case. He looked over at the Senator and said,

"So, do you know why those people kidnapped you?"

[Shade Magus]

While the two of them exited, SHade finished the shut down procedures and allowed himself to slip into the Force, connecting imeadately with his ship. The Sekotan ship responding with a gentle Force nudge. Then something slightly stronger as an image os Spada appeared. Yeah I know. He did do good today. He is strong with the Force and will become a good Jedi one day. He felt the ship's presnce grow warmer, as if nodding her agreement. I have to go now, but I'll be back later.

The Jedi stood and walked outside and found the two conversating. He walked over and nodded in the direction of the arrival of their taxi. "There we go. We should be leaving now."

He lead them over to the taxi and held the door open as spada and then Hathye entered, himself being the last. He gave the driver directions and off they went. It was a realtively quite trip, as the three of them being tired. When they arrived, the Senator's honor gaurd rushed over, filled with worry until she was able to convince them that everything was ok. She then turned to the two Jedi and bowed.

"Thank you very much Master Jedi Magus. And remember you promised me dinner next time." She then turned to Spada and gave a bow. "And you, listen to Shade and you'll be a great Jedi someday, and don't try and grow up to fast. Learn to have fun sometime in life."

Shade returned the bow and smiled. "I'll remember."

[spada]

As Spada and Shade departed from the Senator, Spada said,

"Master Shade? I don't know if I should ask, but the decoy Senator was telling the truth, right? The two of you did have a relationship?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade nodded. "We did. A long time ago, before I became a Jedi Knight. Why do you ask?"

[spada]

Spada began to feel uncomfortable.

"Well... it seemed... it seemed like she was really happy to see you. It does not appear that she ended the relationship. Did you?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade smiled at Spada. "No I did not. It was ended on mutual grounds. There is a reason that many Jedi do not have relationships, and it is because even though there is nothing worn with them, a Jedi can not become attatched to a person. Senator Hathye and I shared strong feelings for each other, but neither of us want to stand in the way of each other's dreams and goals. Because of that he opted to remain as freinds instead of struggling to maintain our relationship and risking damage to it."

[spada]

Spada nodded,

"I see. So now what do we do?"

[Shade Magus]

Shade opened the door to the air taxi and got in. "Now we can go home and relax for awhile."

[spada]

Spada nodded, ducking into the cab.

"Alright. Well, I'd say that this was a pretty productive mission. Though I didn't get to find out who was behind it..."

[Shade Magus]

Shade smiled at his Padawan. "You really must keep up on current event Spada. We met the leader of the gang. And it was you, I believe, that took care of him."

[spada]

Spada was meaning to bring it up.

"About that. I didn't want to kill him. It's just that he caught me off guard. I don't think I acted very Jedi-like in that situation."

[Shade Magus]

"You acted accordingly, and that is all that can be asked of a Jedi. Maybe there was another way to handle the situation, but you chose and acted. There is nothing else to concern youself with. later when you have been through more training you may be able to make a different choice in a similar situation, but until that time comes, just know you di great toay."