CHAPTER TWO
"By the right of the council, and by the will of the Force, I dub thee Knight of the Jedi."
Jedi Master Xanus Baran ended the Knighting Ceremony with a saluting gesture of his lightsaber. The rest of the Jedi Council did the same as Lexa Varr rose to her feet and bowed to the Grand Master.
"Thank you for this honor, masters," the female Kel Dor said.
Baran smiled. "And thank you for your services to the Jedi, the Alliance, and the will of the Force."
Lexa bowed once more and walked out of the Council Chambers. Once the doors had closed behind her, the gathered Jedi Masters deactivated their lightsabers.
"And now another one of Master Gaaraddik's students has completed their training," Master Corran Horn said with a smile. "It is unfortunate that he was not here to witness the ceremony."
Baran nodded in agreement. Along with Masters Kro Sadoon and Kyle Katarn, Gaaraddik had left with Anakin Solo, Commanders Naar and Jokar, and their teams to investigate mysterious signals found on Dantooine, Kashyyyk, and other worlds.
"Nonetheless, I am sure he would be proud," Baran said. "Once we regain contact with Gaaraddik and the team, we will make sure he learns of Lexa's knighting."
After a moment of silence, his expression grew solemn. "Now then, I have interesting news. News that I am sure you have all heard of by now."
The others signaled for him to continue. "According to several academies, at least half a dozen Jedi have vanished from each of them, quite a few of them being masters and knights."
"Indeed," Corran said sadly. "A similar thing has happened at the Jedi enclave on Corellia. Two weeks ago, Master Viron and his apprentice went on a mission to the Mid Rim and have not sent back word ever since."
Baran frowned. "This is indeed worrisome, which is why I have formed a search party to find them and the other missing Jedi."
"Is that a wise thing to do?" asked the Togruta Jedi Taana Di. "What if they disappear as well?"
"I have faith in them," Baran replied. "The team will be led by Master Katarn's apprentice, Jaden Korr, who is skilled and powerful enough to be considered a Jedi Master. And in addition, Admiral Sovv will send two Alliance platoons and a small fleet to search for them as well."
"I do hope that will be enough," said Master Van-Sar-Nodan, stroking his white beard. "Let us hope that it is nothing serious that is causing these disappearances."
"Sometimes, old friend," Baran murmured, "that is all we can do."
* * *
Captain Wallen Nix never found his life easy in the Galactic Alliance Security Force. More often than not, he was given petty crimes and mysteries to solve, with the resolution to the case coming very easily to him. Sometimes, it frustrated him so much that it made him wish he was ten years older so he could retire.
And today's case was no exception to any of the above.
Captain Nix stood in the office of Senator Versanus of Eshan, doing his best not to look surprised by the Echani senator's request. Nearby, Lieutenant Xemer stood idly at the door, tilting his head with slight skepticism. After a few seconds of silence, Wallen cleared his throat.
"Did I hear you correctly, senator? Are you saying that Senator Ulur kidnapped your son?"
"You indeed heard me correctly, captain," Senator Versanus replied. "Moog Ulur and I have met before and we have always shared a...bitter rivalry."
"And so you believe this is Ulur's way of trying to undermine you." Wallen shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir, but there's not much evidence to go upon, other than your own accusations."
Versanus' silver eyes narrowed into slits. "Is it not your job to find more evidence, captain? You are an investigator after all, aren't you?"
Wallen shifted his feet. "Well, yes, but-"
"Then I suppose you better get started. An example must be made of Ulur for committing such a detestable crime."
Wallen nodded stiffly. "Agreed. I will see what I can do."
With a nod of farewell, Wallen turned on his heels and strode out of the senator's office, with Xemer close behind. Once they had walked at least ten feet from the closed door, Xemer spoke quietly to Wallen.
"Are you sure Senator Versanus isn't lying?" the Kel Dor lieutenant asked. "I've heard that he's not exactly the most trustworthy person in the galaxy..."
"A lot of people are like that," Wallen muttered. "Besides, we don't have any evidence to prove Versanus wrong, nor do we have any to prove him right."
"So are we sure we can trust Senator Ulur?"
Wallen shrugged. "I can't say I am. But in this case, we don't have much choice."
Xemer nodded in agreement and remained silent as the two of them moved through the hallways of the Senate Building on Coruscant, which the Galactic Senate had just moved in to three days ago. Wallen was rather surprised by how quickly the senate settled in and made themselves comfortable.
Well, they were really itching to return here for so long, he thought.
As he and Xemer reached the corridor which held Senator Moog Ulur's office, the lieutenant spoke again. "What exactly would someone get out of kidnapping the child of their rival?"
Wallen smirked. "That's the one-million-credit question, isn't it?"
He slightly knocked on the door and it was opened by a young Rodian female. "Can I help you?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, I am Captain Wallen Nix of the Security Force, and this is my lieutenant, Xemer. We would like to speak with Senator Ulur, if that's not too much trouble."
"I'm afraid he's not here," the Rodian replied. "He's just left for the Galactic City Spaceport."
"Do you know where he's heading?"
"He's going to Christophsis to negotiate its membership in the Senate." The Rodian eyed the two investigators warily. "Why do you ask?"
"GA security business, that's all," Wallen said, turning to leave. "Have a good day."
Wallen and his lieutenant walked back down the corridor and waited until Ulur's aide closed the door before speaking. "Christophsis," Xemer murmured. "That world's been independent ever since the New Republic's founding, hasn't it?"
"From what I know of it, yes," Wallen said.
"So how come the senate wants it to join now?"
"I have no idea, Xemer. And right now, that's not important. Our main goal is to speak with Senator Ulur and sort out Versanus' problems with him."
Xemer nodded. "Odds are, this is going to be another boring, uneventful case."
"Makes me wish I was a hotshot Corellian pilot," Wallen muttered. "At least then I could just ignore those odds..."
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