Trial of the Spirit

[Lilla Syrin]

“Facing the mirror.”
― Even Piell

To pass the Trial of the Spirit, apprentices had to look deep within their souls, on a quest of self-discovery. This test was designed to pit a potential Knight against their most dangerous enemy: the darkness within themselves.

Often, apprentices did not like what they saw, and it could be a highly traumatic experience.

Because of this gruelling self-examination, this Trial was often known as Facing the Mirror. While bearing similarities to the Trial of Skill, this test did not involve moving at all in most cases; instead a Padawan delved deep into a meditative trance to combat their inner fears and demons. Because of the ultra-personal details of the test, it is one that not even the Jedi Council would dictate.

Sometimes a Padawan wrote the script for what will transpire on the journey. Because of the dangers of such deep meditation, a Master was always present to help guide a student back after they pushed them past where they least desired to go in their thoughts. The worst that could happen following a failed trial is awakening from meditation screaming and mentally broken.

Lilla hoped it would not come to that.

In fact, Lilla didn’t even know she was about to undergo the trial.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The first baton hummed past Lilla’s ear. As she ducked she anticipated the second one. Keil’Ar wielded a weapon in each hand, and he sure knew how to use them. Lilla was convinced her opponent had gotten faster since they last faced one another.

As expected, the second baton flashed forward, forcing Lilla backward and slightly off balance. Keil’Ar pressed his advantage, moving in tight, giving Lilla little room to manoeuvre. He raised both batons, preparing a double blow for his smaller opponent. Lilla ducked low and spun, twisting her body behind Keil’Ar, whose weapons hit nothing but air.

Lilla was now behind her opponent with the time she needed to strike. First a right, then a left pounded into Keil’Ar’s kidneys. The force of those punches would have been enough to bring down anyone, but Keil’Ar had two huge advantages. Built like a star destroyer, big and graceful and tough as old Jedi boots, he was also padded, headgear and all. The fast and powerful blows knocked Keil’Ar forward, almost forcing him to drop one of his weapons, but the large young man managed to keep his footing. He spun to face Lilla, lashing out with one of the stinging batons.

Lilla jumped back a safe distance, a grin crossing her face.

She hopped from one leg to the other, locking eyes with her opponent and allowing him time to recover. Keil’Ar breathed heavily, trying to regain both his strength and his composure. Lilla moved forward, taking the initiative. Keil’Ar braced himself, waiting for the attack. The strike came in low, Lilla feinting left then sidestepping to the right, easily avoiding Keil’Ar’s clumsy block. Her right came forward, hitting Keil’Ar just below the ribs. It would have been a staggering blow if not for the body armour. Keil’Ar might have dropped with all the wind blown out of him, but the force of Lilla’s fist just knocked him two steps back. Unarmed combat was one of Lilla’s favourite training sessions.

As Keil’Ar’s counterstrike swept down, Lilla dropped to one knee and rolled away. In a single fluid motion, she regained her feet, again hopping from one leg to the other. Keil’Ar shook his head, provoking another smile from Lilla, as though surprised at her own agility.

Lilla closed before Keil’Ar could regain his breath. Keil’Ar adopted a defensive posture, keeping his knees bent and both batons in front of him. Lilla was low, all the time keeping his eyes on the stinging weapons. When Lilla was close enough, Keil’Ar stepped toward her, this time thrusting forward with the baton in his right hand. Lilla easily deflected it and moved close to her opponent.

Grabbing Keil’Ar’s body armour at the collar, Lilla flipped him. The bulky padding made the already hulking Keil’Ar even less manoeuvrable, an easy victim for Lilla’s throw.

Keil’Ar struggled to his feet. Lilla leapt clear in case her opponent tried any dirty moves – the padding was necessary as they fought without any rules. And experience taught her that Keil’Ar was not opposed to attacking his adversaries unawares. As she once again hopped from the ball of one foot to the other, Lilla revelled in the spongy security of the mat beneath her. It felt comfortable and familiar. She felt truly at home here.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

After giving Keil’Ar the time to stand and retrieve his weapons, Lilla prepared for another attack, quickly deciding her moves.

Just before advancing, she glanced up at the wall behind his opponent. The clock suggested it was nearly meal time. Smiling at Keil’Ar, Lilla decided they’d had enough for one day.

Somehow Keil’Ar sensed what was coming and, determined not to end the spar this way, he screwed up his face and charged. Lilla had little opportunity to react to the unexpected attack.

The first blow came in high. Lilla could hear the hum of the baton, like a pesky insect. Driving the flat of her palm upwards, she hit Keil’Ar in the forearm before the attack struck true. The baton flew from Keil’Ar’s grip. Instantly, Keil’Ar’s other weapon came flying in at head height. Lilla ducked, forced to bend backward as Keil’Ar quickly reversed his strike.

Keil’Ar’s ferocity was beyond anything Lilla had seen from the big youth. Another swipe, then another thrust, was followed by a backhand attack. Each time Lilla found herself straining to avoid the humming baton.

The attacks, driven by Keil’Ar’s frustration, were ultimately predictable. As Keil’Ar came in with his final swipe, Lilla caught his wrist. With her other hand, she plucked the baton from Keil’Ar’s grip and, using her left leg as a solid brace, kicked out with his right.

Keil’Ar sailed backwards and, even before he hit the ground, Lilla threw away the baton. Keil’Ar hit the crash mat with a sickening thud, his padded armour accentuating the noise. He bounced almost a foot into the air, then finally came to rest.

Keil’Ar lay still for several seconds. Lilla knew he wasn’t hurt physically, but the loss count was significant. She approached gingerly, holding out a hand of friendship to her sparring partner. Keil’Ar was staring at the ceiling of the gym, not blinking, his face expressionless. "I’m glad we do this when the training hall’s empty," he said.

"Let’s eat, big guy," replied Lilla as she heaved her hulking friend to his feet. "We’ve just got time to hit the showers."

"Good idea. Only you haven’t even broken a sweat. Again."

Lilla didn’t answer, not wanting to add any further damage to the pride of her already wounded friend.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

They stepped off the raised combat area and headed for the shower room. Before they made it to the changing area, a Jedi entered with a flimsi in his hand. The man’s serious demeanour brought a certain tension to the relaxed atmosphere of the sparring area.

Lilla and Keil’Ar stiffened as he approached, bowing in welcome. The courier marched up and stopped before them, returning the bow curtly.

“Padawan Syrin?” asked the courier, unsure which was the correct recipient of the document.

“I’m Padawan Lilla Syrin.” The Jedi wasted no time in thrusting the flimsi forward. Before Lilla could thank him, he turned on his heel and headed for the door.

Lilla stared at the document. For several days she had waited for it. Lilla heard her friend breathing in his ear. She looked at her red-faced sparring partner.

“Well, are you going to open it, or do I have to take it off you?” asked Keil’Ar.

“You could try,” replied Lilla, opening the document. Lilla took in every detail except the actual words as her eyes scanned the page. Then she hesitated before reading. This wasn’t like her, but the weeks of not knowing, of waiting for this one communiqué, made her hesitate.

“To Padawan Lilla Syrin,” whispered Keil’Ar slowly, craning his neck to read the letter over Lilla’s shoulder. Lilla turned and stared at him, making her annoyance clear. “Sorry,” said Keil’Ar, stepping back.

“Since you’re so interested…” Lilla held the letter up like an ancient herald about to announce an edict from the king. “To Padawan Lilla Syrin. In response to your application for a posting as a Jedi Ranger, we are pleased to announce that after reviewing your recommendations, you have been accepted for an operational period of no less than three months.”

Lilla paused, soaking up the news. As she read further, a smile crossed her face.

“Well, what do you know,” said Keil’Ar. Lilla looked up to see him beaming with pride, as though Keil’Ar had just gained the assignment. “Standards at the Ranger Corps must be dropping.”

Lilla laughed and landed a punch on Keil’Ar’s arm. The thick padding absorbed most of the blow, but the look on Keil’Ar’s face suggested it was still painful. Lilla ducked away as Keil’Ar made a wild swing.

She backed off, beckoning her friend forward. Keil’Ar flung his padded helmet, but Lilla easily avoided it as she ran toward the showers, grinning all the way.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

At the packed dining hall, an endless procession of cloaked and robed figures queued, ate and chatted beneath the room’s high ceiling. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted across the crowd, and Lilla breathed deeply as he entered.

Never one for gastronomy, he saw the food purely as a functional necessity, the more nutritious the better. The smell still excited her though, meaning so much more than just a healthy meal. To Lilla the smell meant she was among her people. In a way, the mess hall was the boiler room of the Jedi, the engine that drove the Republic. Lilla felt proud to be a part of it.

She picked up a tray and joined the end of the dinner line, noting that several faces looked up from their meals, nodding to her in congratulations. Good news travelled fast. You couldn’t keep a secret in this kind of environment, and despite occasional rivalries, the success of one Jedi was the success of the entire Academy.

Lilla picked a meal of chicken, corn and boiled potatoes, then sat down at a vacant table. Within seconds two fellow Padawans who had been with her since the beginning of her training, slid into the plastic seats opposite her.

“So, Lilla moves into the big time,” said one, his sarcasm barely masking his envy.

“Yeah, I’m surprised you’re eating here,” added the other. “Shouldn’t you be getting some practice at eating your corn covertly?”

Lilla stuffed her mouth with a huge pile of potatoes, smiling as she chewed. Gracing them with an answer was not even a consideration. Besides, she knew they were both delighted for her. Envy was not a Jedi trait.

“Make the most of those portions. You’ll have to survive on half a canteen of water and a tube of toothpaste a month,” the second Padawan continued. Lilla tried to increase the size of her smile, chewing all the while.

“It’s a posting, a temporary assignment, that’s all.”

“But they must think you’re close to being a Knight to give you the opportunity.”

Lilla thought for a few moments. “My master says I have to try every potential role before he’d even consider me for Knighthood. So it’s just another rotation.” The words were for her friends – but deep down they were for her. What if she was close to being made a Knight? What if she made a mess of the assignment and ruined her chances forever?

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Walking purposefully down the corridors of the spaceport, Lilla felt ten feet tall. She had been wearing the robes of the Jedi for some time now, but today she truly felt right in them for the first time. After the intense training regime, one encompassing the very limits of her physical, mental and spiritual capabilities, she had more than earned the right to wear the robes. People on the outside, civilians, might idolise the Jedi as he once did, but only those who had been through the same training could truly understand what it meant to be one of them. She just hoped that her Padawan braid did not make her look like a raw, untrained recruit.

Finding the terminal station, Lilla turned from the main corridor and walked briskly to the waiting area. Between two stained glass windows commemorating a battle in the Clone Wars, the main window looking out onto the terminal’s landing area towered above her. On other occasions, Lilla had marvelled at architecture, but today, her attention was wholly consumed by the craft that lay motionless on the landing pad. Even stationary, it looked fast and poised for action.

As a trainee, Lilla had endured long lessons designed to familiarise her with the control systems and capabilities of the fleet ships. Today was different. She would enter this ship as no mere trainee but as second-in-command. Her heart raced to think of it, roaming her assigned portion of the galaxy in one of the most state-of-the-art vessels in existence, righting wrongs and bringing peace wherever she travelled. That, above all else, was surely what it meant to be a Jedi.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla knew that other Jedi would spend this time in quiet meditation until they were summoned aboard the ship. He shrugged to herself. There would be time for meditation later. Instead, Lilla continued to gaze at the ship, idly fiddling with her newly crafted saber at her belt. Her eyes swept across the graceful lines of the ship, from its sharp spearheaded nose, back across its curved hull. She continued past the wings and then on to the tapered aft section containing the drive systems that gave the vessel its unprecedented manoeuvrability and speed.

Everything about the ship spoke of potential. Potential speed, potential destruction, potential power. As a Jedi, Lilla would be tested to the limit on a ship such as this, concentrating that power into the most critical points where it would do the most good. This ship could alter the course of history – and had done so already, several times.

Lilla had no idea how long he had been staring at the ship before a chime sounded and a female voice announced that she was expected on-board immediately. Taking a deep breath, Lilla turned and headed toward the landing area. The time to prove her master and the Council’s faith in her was well placed. Time to prove she was worthy of the title of Jedi.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The boarding ramp beckoned her into the belly of the ship and a female officer waited patiently for her at its foot. Returning the salute with a slow bow of respect, Lilla followed the woman up the ramp and through the corridors of the ship, climbing higher as they made their way to the bridge.

It was not a large ship by most military standards, but the designers had considered crew comfort an important factor. A heavy degree of automation eliminated the need for extra crew, allowing more room for those who did serve on board. They say it could be piloted by a single well-trained individual even in combat situations, though the ship would never be at its best. The overall benefit was that ship could remain on station in the remotest areas of the galaxy for months at a time without crew fatigue setting in.

The bridge was just as Lilla remembered from her briefing and countless hours spent in the simulation suites at the Academy. Two helmsmen sat at the forward-most point of the bridge, just below the main viewport. Behind them in the centre was the Captain’s chair, flanked by the weapons control and interior systems stations. To the rear and sides of this central area were scattered other stations: sensors, analysis, navigation and communications.

All were arranged in slightly off-centre and off-line positions that seemed at first strange to look at, but which became oddly pleasing in an aesthetic sense over time. Lilla noted most positions on the bridge were crewed by humans, with a Gran officer in command. Captain Badreau, turned from where she stood in front of the viewport to receive Lilla.

Badreau was short and well proportioned with the physical toning common to smaller women of her species. Lilla was struck by her face, which even with her current neutral expression, seemed to imply both open friendship and mischief. Not that he was fooled in the least, for Lilla had studied her record as soon as she learned of her assignment earlier in the day. She was a veteran and was extremely capable, and she had Lilla’s immediate respect.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

“Ranger Lilla, welcome aboard,” she said in a quiet but steady voice that carried across the entire bridge. “I trust you will find everything you need once you have a chance to settle in.”

Llla was oddly pleased at the title bestowed on her and wondered if the captain did this by chance or – as she suspected – on purpose. Lilla was used to being introduced as a Padawan, and Ranger carried an authority the other title did not – especially if she were to be second-in-command.

“Thank you, Captain. I am honoured to have been assigned to your command.”

The Gran waved her arms expansively. “The Negotiator. You have been assigned to the Negotiator. You will find most captains give their ships names. Are you familiar with your orders?”

“I believe so, Captain,” Lilla replied. “I am to assist you in all missions undertaken by the Negotiator – following your direction at all times.”

Badreau looked thoughtfully at Lilla for a brief second, appearing to consider something before speaking. “I will be setting a variety of tasks for you throughout our missions and will monitor your behaviour accordingly. All actions of merit and incompetence will be noted in my report.”

She caught a brief look of worry on Lilla’s face. “Your training has earned you the right to call yourself a Ranger, and the crew of this ship will treat you as such. However, my report will determine how you might serve the Rangers in the future – if at all. Now, if you have gotten this far, can I assume it is your desire to work in the field and gain a command of your own?”

Lilla considered the question and the potential responses but, being a Jedi, decided the truth was the most sensible answer, regardless of what the captain might want to hear. “It is an option I am considering. But I believe I cannot make an informed decision until I have experienced, first hand, all of my options.”

The captain nodded, sagely. “Then I will ensure you are kept busy so that you may best understand the full range of duties.” She let a pause linger between them, which prompted Lilla to speak.

“So, Captain, what is our first mission?”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

“Well, let us first dispense with the formalities. Officially, you and I are equal in rank, if not in fact. So, from now on I will be Alisia and you will be Lilla. As for the mission, it is a delicate one.” She turned to one of the officers at a station toward the rear of the bridge. “Call up the system map.”

A shimmering hologram descended from the ceiling in front of the viewport, shaking briefly as the images coalesced into form. A system map showed several worlds orbiting an orange star.

“This system is in the process of being handed over – lock, stock and barrel – as part of war reparations. We are to take the Negotiator to this system and monitor the handover. We are quite sure neither side will do anything stupid, but officially we are there to ensure everything proceeds in good faith, that all equipment is accounted for and no booby traps are left for civilians to trigger.”

Badreau turned back toward Lilla and beckoned an officer forward. “Gammack will show you to your locker. As you should already know, you do not get your own quarters, just space to keep any personal belongings. The sleeping area is communal.”

Lilla was familiar with the communal sleeping arrangement – she was a Jedi after all.

“Gammack will also give you a quick tour of the Negotiator while we prepare for take-off. While on duty – and you will always be on duty while you are not sleeping or eating - you’ll be in charge of the weapons. Let’s see if your sharp-shooting in a real battle is as impressive as your test scores suggest. Any questions?”

“Uh, no, Captain. Alisia.”

“Very well. Gammack, you know what to do. I’ll see you back on the bridge after your familiarisation tour. Feel free to ask Gammack anything. I want you clued up and ready for duty on your return.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The quadrant in question had endured a short but violent history. No sentient species had developed on any of the system’s six planets, and only one of the stellar bodies held both an atmosphere and enough mineral resources to make colonisation worthwhile. Its chief value, however, was as a strategic conduit between two planetary governments. Whoever controlled the quadrant had a tangible advantage over the other in the event of war.

Once claimed, it was little more than a listening post, and the opposing government took every opportunity to vigorously complain about its existence – until the day they declared war and took it forcibly.

On this day, the quadrant was being returned as part of the reparations agreed. It would be an easy system to let go, as it represented billions of credits of reparations that no longer had to be paid, and in peace-time it was of virtually zero value to either side.

Lilla considered the system’s brief history as she gazed at its second and ‘main’ planet, steadily growing larger as the Negotiator sped through space towards its rendezvous with the politicians on its surface. She started slightly as Badreau’s voice floated up from close behind.

“Strange, isn’t it?” she asked. “A planet so dead and yet so valued by some. Is it, I wonder, worth the blood that has been spilt here?”

She turned to face her captain. ‘Well, the incoming government certainly think so. I heard they gave up billions of credits of reparations for this place.”

Badreau looked directly into Lilla’s eyes. “But why? Why do you think it is so precious to them?”

“Well, not for the resources…”

“Certainly not. Barely worth the effort when you have as many systems under your control as it does.”

“Its strategic position then.” Lilla posed it as a statement rather than a question. It was her belief, based upon the available data.

Badreau gave a small sigh – a little sadly, Lilla thought. “Yes,” she said. “Even now, they are considering the day when they will fight once more. I have heard it said that both governments are lost people, that the galaxy should just blink and let them pass. I have no doubt it would be easier for everyone concerned, and yet how can we take that seriously?”

“This arrangement may help keep the peace between them.”

“Will it?” Badreau raised an eyebrow and then shook her head. “We are here as peacekeepers, but I fear we are doing nothing more than giving over a position of advantage for the future. They will either use it or be fought for it.”

“Captain – Alisia. You seem…at a loss. You think this is, what, a fool’s errand?”

“I don’t know. We all do what we can and we are here to make sure the transfer takes place smoothly and the present peace is continued. I do not know what evil we serve in the future. I genuinely believe the Republic can be a force of good and that it can resolve issues. Except for this. Except for the enmity, no, the raw hatred they have for one another. It has gone beyond a racial thing. It has become bred into them, at a genetic level possibly. I don’t know how to even begin solving it. I do know that if a galaxy-spanning war ever begins again, it will start on this border. Perhaps even in this system.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The two stood in silence, lost in their own thoughts as they watched the brown and lifeless planet move ever closer. The crew worked calmly at their stations, decelerating the Negotiator and manoeuvring it into low orbit. When one of the helmsmen reported that the lone outpost had been located, Badreau gave the order to begin the landing cycle and returned to her Captain’s chair.

Retreating to her station, Lilla performed routine checks until one of the officers behind her reported that two contacts had been detected, also in orbit. Both sides had sent warships to monitor the transfer of ownership and, true to their eternal rivalry, neither had bothered sending a frigate when a much larger ship would serve just as well. The battlecruiser on one side and the destroyer on the other hung in space above the descending Negotiator, motionless but facing each other with, it seemed, barely contained malice.

Lilla could tell from her console that neither had powered up their weaponry, but she felt it an ominous sign that both governments had felt the need to send warships of this size. Few vessels in either fleet were larger or more powerful and yet, when all was said and done, this was a simple diplomatic exchange.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The Negotiator rocked gently, buffeted by the atmosphere of the desolate world. The crew on board felt little to no disturbance as the gravitic drive worked to smooth out all bumps and shimmies. The helmsmen worked skilfully to slow the Negotiator to a crawl as it approached the outpost’s landing bay, circling once before deploying the landing gear and making a soft touchdown between two shuttles.

Badreau stood from her seat and turned to face Lilla. “Well, we are here. Let’s see what good we can do.” Giving her normal standing orders to the crew, she left the bridge with Lilla following close behind. As they walked down the boarding ramp, they spied a representative of each government waiting for them by the outpost’s landing bay entrance.

“Remember, we are officially here to ensure neither side harms the cause during this transfer,” Badreau whispered. “However, don’t trust either of them completely. There is too much at stake for them – and us.”

The tall humanoid stepped forward first to extend his arms. “Welcome. I offer you the arms of friendship. I am E’land, representative of the Republic.”

‘The Republic?’ thought Lilla. A Republic more like! She did not take the slight, however. But she noted, from the man’s insignia, he was a low-ranking official. Was this intended as a calculated insult? That might not bode well, but if they limit themselves to this minor slight, this mission might still go according to plan.

“Thank you, E’land. I accept the your arms of friendship,” Badreau said as she clasped the man at the forearms. “I am Badreau, and this is my assistant, Lilla.” She turned to the short and stocky green-skinned man and saluted in his race’s fashion, a fist drawn against the chest while performing a slight bow.

The green-skinned man returned the salute and bow. “I bring the greetings of my regime for overseeing the long overdue, lawful transfer of this quadrant. I am Salientia. May I offer you refreshments after your long voyage?”

“Thank you, no. We ate just before we jumped in-system, and there is much work to be done,” replied Badreau.

“Of course. Please, follow me and I’ll give you a tour of our facilities.”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

As the large reinforced door to the outpost swung slowly open, Lilla noticed E’land staring quite openly at the Negotiator. As E’land turned to follow the party into the outpost, he caught Lilla’s eye and smiled.

“That is a nice ship. I have never seen one up close. I don’t suppose a reciprocal tour would be possible?”

Lilla was a little startled by his directness and cast a look at Badreau, but she was already inside the outpost. “I, ah, don’t think that will be possible.”

E’land shrugged. “Such is my luck. Sent light years away to sign away an entire system, and I don’t even get a close look at one of the most beautiful ships flying.”

He smiled once more. “Don’t worry. We are not here to take advantage of anyone. I am not going to cause you any trouble.”

After the recent war, nothing had been left of the original outpost but rubble. Having little to gain by picking over twisted metal and broken bodies, the new owners simply built their own outpost when they recovered the system. With a full war raging at the time, few resources were diverted into making the place little more than a relay station for communications between the invading fleet and their home planet. A nod had been paid to their love of creature comforts but, at its heart, the outpost was little more than several spartan living quarters, a maintenance bay and a power station bolted to an operations centre.

Even hydroponics were lacking here, and it soon became obvious that all consumables had been regularly shipped from more prosperous worlds. For a system that held little importance beyond the strategic level, and with neither side apparently keen to start a war any time soon, this must have seen this as an expensive luxury. Perhaps here was a clue as to why they had been so quick to relinquish control.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The orders were to ensure the peaceful transfer of the system, but this mission carried the implicit instruction to prevent any disturbance in the future too.

This secondary goal merely called for a studious attention to detail while they were in the system, until the treaty of transfer was signed. The first would be a little more problematic, Lilla guessed, if the ships high in orbit were to open fire upon one another. The Negotiator was one of the most powerful ship of its size in the galaxy, but a single vessel could do little if the two frontline warships engaged each other.

Fortunately, that seemed unlikely. Badreau was pleasantly surprised that the delegates refrained from snide and pointed comments aimed at the other, though there was clearly no love lost between them.

While she performed an extensive sweep of the outpost for potential booby traps, Badreau ordered Lilla to check personnel manifests to verify that all present were actually leaving. Nothing could be left to chance between these two governments. Anything could be used as an excuse for war later.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla’s duty was no more glamorous than Badreau’s, and she thought more than once that all those months training as a Ranger might have been wasted if this is what Jedi in the field spent most of their time doing.

Still, it was her first mission, and he had no intention of disappointing the Captain. No matter what duties she placed before her, no matter how dangerous, odious or just plain boring, she resolved to approach them all with the same zeal that had seen her through Jedi training.

The personnel check first took her to the operations centre, where she downloaded the outpost’s records onto a datapad. Cross-referencing the records with those given to the Republic’s intelligence raised no alarms, though she was aware that records on personnel could never be regarded as complete. She then arranged for all remaining people in the outpost to funnel through the access corridor to their shuttle, identifying each one in turn, then crossing them off her datapad.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Halfway through the task, Lilla grew uneasy. As she checked off the last few workers, she knew her suspicions were justified. With all personnel in the outpost now on their shuttle awaiting the Jedi’s permission to depart, six names remained unchecked on her datapad.

At first, she doubted herself, thinking she must have missed something, made a rookie’s mistake. However, a review of the process revealed no error on her part. According to the records provided, six were missing. Perhaps the information provided by the analysts was incorrect? She headed back into the outpost to find Badreau and E’land.

Intending to look first among the living quarters, where she had last seen her captain and the delegates, she caught the sound of laughter coming from the operations centre and changed course. She found the trio engaged in light conversation, Badreau evidently having finished her sweep of the outpost. She and E’land were smiling at some shared joke. Salientia looked a little…smug would be the word Lilla would choose.

Then again, his government was gaining a world they had bled hard for in the past with no more effort than the signing of a treaty. Badreau looked up as Lilla entered.

“Everything check out?”

“Almost. Ambassador E’land, I have just one query.” She knew she’d over-egged his title, but flattery may be the quickest route to solving the problem.

“Of course,” purred the man. “Anything to help our friends among the Jedi.”

“I’ve checked and double-checked the personnel here against the records, and it seems there are six missing. Your records indicate they were all scientists.”

“Let me see that,” said Badreau, suddenly serious. She studied the datapad as E’land spoke.

“Yes, I remember. A tragic incident.” E’land had adopted a sorrowful tone. “We were looking at the possibility of terraforming one or more worlds in the quadrant in the hope of establishing a more permanent colony. Those were the scientists directed to begin research here, but their ship met with a hyperspace accident, and they were lost en route.”

“So why wasn’t this recorded?” asked Badreau.

“An oversight on the part the outpost’s clerks, I would imagine. They must have recorded the ship’s destruction in the very least. Let me see.” E’land moved to a console and begun punching buttons on a display. “Yes. Here it is. Ah, sorry, let me translate it to Basic.” He typed in another command and moved aside for them to see.

Lilla scanned the text in front of her and, indeed, the names of the scientists had been recorded as those lost on board a transport bound for the quadrant. A malfunction of the jump engines had destroyed the ship as it attempted to exit hyperspace. A rare accident these days, but it did happen. Perhaps all the more likely if stories of the government’s ailing economy were to be believed, she surmised. He glanced at Badreau, and the captain gave her a quick nod.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

“Everything seems in order gentlemen. Unless there is anything either of you wish to bring to our attention?” she asked.

As one, the delegates shook their heads. Badreau produced her own datapad and called up the treaty that would formerly hand over the quadrant, then placed it on a nearby work surface. E’land and Salientia placed their own next to hers.

Badreau spoke first. “I witness the transfer of the sovereignty. I hereby declare all resolutions of the treaty have been observed by all parties involved.” With this, she pressed her thumb on the registration interface of first her datapad, then the other two.

E’land was next, but his words were simpler. “All resolutions have been observed.” He pressed his thumb to all three datapads.

Finally, Salientia spoke. "I bear witness to the quadrant being returned to its rightful and lawful owners. All treaty resolutions have been observed.” Lilla glanced at E’land as the diplomat added his thumbprint to the treaty, but the tall man did not seem to even notice Salientia’s less-than-diplomatic words. In fact, Lilla thought he looked resigned.

“Gentlemen, I thank you for your part in making this transfer of sovereignty quick and peaceful,” Badreau said formally. “Salientia, your people can begin landing as soon as E’land’s shuttle has docked with his ship. I hope you enjoy your duties here.” She gave the appropriate salute and, once again, it was returned. “E’land?”

“After you, my lady, please,” he said gallantly, sweeping an arm to indicate she should lead the way out of the outpost.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Salientia did not follow them out, and Lilla heard the operations centre’s main computer systems being reinitiated as they walked down the main access corridor. At the landing bay, both Badreau and Lilla exchanged the traditional greeting with E’land.

“It was a pleasure to meet the two of you,” the man said. “I never met a Jedi before today and heard many things about you, both strange and terrifying. Working with you today gives me hope that one day we might be allies.”

“On behalf of the Republic Remnant, I can honestly say that the door is always open ,” replied Badreau.

He nodded to Badreau and then turned to walk to his shuttle.

“Come on,” said Badreau. “It would be an insult if we gave close escort to that shuttle, but we can at least keep within striking distance.”

“Trouble?” asked Lilla.

“I don’t think so, but it would be stupid to let something happen now.”

They hastened aboard the Negotiator and took off quickly, shadowing the shuttle at a distance until it cleared the atmosphere and made its approach to the battlecruiser. Within moments, it had docked with the huge warship, which soon made a slow turn before firing up its immense engines and heading away from the planet’s gravity well, where it could make the jump to hyperspace safely.

Soon after, the Negotiator’s crew began to detect several shuttles leaving the remaining warship, all carrying personnel to re-staff the outpost. No doubt more than one of them also carried intelligence gathering equipment that would soon be penetrating deep into nearbyspace. Their mission complete, Badreau ordered the Negotiator to break orbit and open a jump point itself.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

he Negotiator was not long in hyperspace before Badreau called Lilla forward. “So, how do you think that went? And how well do you think you did?” she asked.

“Well, the mission was a success,” she said and paused to gauge Badreau’s reaction. When she continued to just look at her, he felt forced to continue. It was a trick her master used frequently. You never knew if you’d said enough or too much, so you had to go with your own instinct, not what you thought the other person was indicating.

“We were charged with ensuring a peaceful handover, and that is what we achieved. Neither party seemed aggressive towards the other, and the treaty was signed. One side left and the other took over.”

She paused again as she considered the day’s events. “Still…”

“Yes?” the captain prompted.

“Well, I didn’t say anything else while we were down there, as you seemed satisfied quickly. I figured you had your reasons. But those missing scientists are bugging me. It’s a loose end.”

“Ah, yes, you have it precisely,” she encouraged. “Now, what do you think is happening?”

Lilla thought hard. With just the information they had seen today, few solid conclusions could be formed. The training specific to Ranger duties had been taught her to speculate, however, though it had also been hammered into her not to rely solely on those conjectures. Imagination was not a trait that was knocked out of Jedi during their training, but it was something to be tempered. Did the captain have information that Lilla lacked? Possibly, but she knew she wasn’t expected to act on that, merely put the pieces she did have together.

“Well,” she began. “Sending scientists to terraform the system makes no sense. That takes years, decades even, and they must have known months ago that the quadrant was being handed back. These things do not get agreed overnight.”

“So that was a lie. The scientists were intended for something else. The ship destroying itself as it activated its jump engines is a possibility, given how much we have heard about the state of their shipping since the reparations started. On the other hand, if an assassination was planned, sabotaged jump engines would not be the first time it had been attempted. And Salientia did not push the matter, so either he believed the version of events, which is unlikely, or he assumed it was something relatively harmless.”

Badreau nodded slowly as she leaned back in her seat and propped her chin with a hand. “Good. You found the essential truth – that E’land, however pleasant he seemed, was lying. Your speculations are more or less on course as well. You missed one item of information which would push you in one direction but then, you weren’t primed to look for it.”

Lilla thought that Badreau would have made an excellent Jedi Master.

Lilla frowned. “What did I miss?” she asked, beginning to doubt herself for being inattentive. As a Jedi, she had been trained to pick up any pattern during analysis.

“All six came from the same clan. Two were using an alias of another clan, which is what threw you off, as there was no clear pattern. However, I am confident that when checking begins, we’ll find those aliases confirmed.”

“I am not sure I was supposed to have known that,” Lilla said, a hint of defensiveness in her tone.

“As I said, you had not been primed to spot it. In my briefing before we left, I was told that intelligence was being sought on this particular clan from all operating near the border. It was a minor thing, and you’ll find we get dozens of such requests with every mission. This time it might have paid off. Anyway, now you know that, what are your conclusions?”

Lilla felt she was on firmer ground now. “It has nothing to do with the government. It is a feud between clans. Intelligence must be watching the rivalries between the clans. These scientists were assassinated by enemies of their clan therefore.”

“I’ll go you one better. It still makes little sense for scientists to be sent to an outpost to start a project when the entire system is being handed over to another government. Consider this – suppose those scientists are not dead?”