CHAPTER THREE
As the Z-95 Headhunter Far Wanderer jumped out of hyperspace, Jaden saw five other starfighters, mainly modified X-wings, join him as they headed for the city world of Taris.
"I wonder how General Hawk and his men are faring against the Rakghouls," said the Zabrak Jedi Koria Tyrnak. "Has the Defense Force heard back from them yet?"
"Not that I know of," Jaden replied. "Although Senator Rolo has recently reported that the 'extermination', as he likes to call it, is still underway."
"So, if I get bitten by a Rakghoul, who do I blame?" asked Tal Natura, a male Rutian Twi'lek. "General Hawk's men for not doing their job good enough or Senator Rolo for not warning us?"
"Let's hope that it never comes to that," Jaden muttered as he steered his Headhunter towards the planet below. Once they had passed through Taris' atmosphere, Jaden was relieved to see that the planet- or at least its Upper City- was still populated by sentient beings. After finding a spaceport with enough hangar-space for all six fighters, Jaden and his team of Jedi- which consisted of Tal, Koria, Lexa Varr, Jovan Drark, and Naia- landed their ships and climbed out of them, leaving their respective astromech droids stayed behind.
Outside of the spaceport, the Tarisian Upper City bustled with activity, with beings of all sorts moving about. Everyone acted as if there was no Rakghoul incident going on, as if they didn't have a single worry in the galaxy.
"To be honest, I was expecting people running around in terror," Tal muttered. "Don't ask me why..."
"We should find Governor Al'rin," said the young female Kel Dor Lexa Varr. "Maybe he can tell us how the situation is going."
Jaden nodded. "Good idea. Let's go."
Just as the team of Jedi began exploring the ecumenopolitic world, a short, plump Sullustan ran up to them, waving his arms around frantically. Even as he pushed through the crowds, none of the pedestrians seemed to pay any attention to him.
"Thank goodness you're here, Master Jedi!" the Sullustan said, stopping to catch his breath. "The Rakghouls are becoming a very serious threat. We've tried contacting the Defense Force, but our communications are down and-"
Jaden placed a hand on the Sullustan's shoulder to calm him down. "Where is Governor Al'rin?"
The alien stared at him for a moment, with his wide, black eyes, before saying, "His office is in the Western Central, right next to the apartment complex. If you want, I can take you there."
"That would be nice," Jaden said. "Lead the way."
The six Jedi followed the Sullustan through the city and soon arrived at the governor's office building, its entrance guarded by a trio of Duros guards. After the guards scanned the visitors for any trace of the Rakghoul plague, they allowed them to enter the building and the Sullustan then led the Jedi to the main office.
Once they had finally reached it, they found Governor Al'rin pacing back and forth in front of his desk, his maroon robes sweeping across the floor. Nearby stood two others: a female Zeltron with a datapad and a burly human male who might have been a bodyguard.
"Face it, governor," the man was saying, his arms folded across his chest. "There's nothing we can do about this plague. General Hawk and his team have done everything they can. Either we evacuate the planet or we just watch everyone die."
Al'rin ceased his pacing. Eyes closed, the Bith sighed heavily. "I know you're right, Nik. I just can't stand having to live the rest of my life knowing that I have failed Taris and-"
Suddenly, the governor turned his head towards the doorway where Jaden and the others stood, as if just realizing it was open.
To the Sullustan, Al'rin said, "Elev, what is the meaning of this?"
The Sullustan nervously cleared his throat. "These Jedi wish to speak with you, governor."
Jaden stepped forward and bowed to the Bith. "Governor Al'rin, I have been told by an informant that an incident possibly involving a Jedi occurred here."
Al'rin's large, pupil-less black eyes widened slightly. "Er, are you sure this information is...valid?"
Jaden shook his head. "No, I am not, which is why I came here to speak with you. Was a Jedi sent here to help in dealing with the Rakghoul plague?"
The governor seemed to hesitate. He glanced at the human man, who gave him a curt nod in response. Turning back to the Jedi, Al'rin sighed and said, "Yes. Jedi Master Dolar Ven'sol came here to Taris to assist General Hawk's team in stopping the plague."
"What happened to him?"
"He and three of Hawk's troopers went down into the Lower City, which the Rakghouls have since taken over, to find what Master Ven'sol thought was the cause of the plague." Al'rin bowed his head. "They never returned."
"Did Master Ven'sol say what he though the source was?" Jaden asked.
The Bith shook his head. "For whatever reason, he did not. I do not know why..."
Jaden nodded. "Very well. Thank you for this information."
As the Jedi turned to leave, the human known as Nik suddenly spoke. "Before you go, I would like to let you know that the Lower City is on full lockdown, so I wouldn't go down there if I were you."
Jaden turned to face him and smiled. "Advice noted." And ignored, he mentally added.
With that, Jaden thanked Al'rin, Elev, and his advisors for their time. As the Jedi began leaving the building, the Rodian Jedi Jovan Drark whispered to Jaden, "We're going to try to get into the Lower City, aren't we?"
Jaden responded with a wide grin. "Of course we are."
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