Chapter 73: 74. Chapter

Tatooine.

Not far from Jabba's palace.

---

-From the perspective of Padmé-

---

I found myself alone, back in the room, yet my mood was far better, than before Luminara and her padawan arrival.

-Maybe I can sleep at last. 

I spoke in my lightened mood.

I was about to turn in for the night, so I stood up and walked towards the wardrobe to change into one of my night robes. Before I could open the door on the wardrobe however a strong pair of arms grabbed onto me from behind. Pushing a strangely smelling piece of cloth right over my face, covering my mouth and nose. In the moment of panic I took a deep breath of air as I tried to struggle free and scream for the guards, and the scent that must have belonged to some sort of sleeping drug hit me so hard, that I lost most of my strength in the matter of seconds. 

Soon my body turned completely limp. Strangely my consciousness didn't seem to slip away, not entirely. A strange brain fog clouded my mind, as a forced calmness fell over me. I could still see and hear, but everything felt dimmed. I could even move my limbs a little, but there was no strength in them, so I couldn't possibly stand up, or move my body in any meaningful way.

I felt as if I was floating in a large pool of water while a storm raged around me, I wanted to move, I struggled yet the waves were too strong tossing and turning my body however they pleased to. My efforts seemed meaningless and my limbs were growing heavier by the seconds. 

The sense of helplessness scared me, the knowledge that I was left at a stranger's mercy was terrifying. I felt tears appear on the edge of my eyes, as I pleaded for someone to come and save me... The first of that someone was obviously Anakin, but knowing that he was lost on some faraway adventure my thoughts quickly changed back to the mirialan jedi master... Who was more likely to come to my rescue. 

I didn't understand how the intruder managed to slip into the room, the door didn't open only when Luminara came in or left, but seeing that the intruder, was able to stay invisible even when our bodies were in contact it was likely that she slipped in shadowing the master. I never even heard of the existence of such a high level of invisibility gear, even now as I looked at the blurry form of the intruder. I couldn't even figure out if the person was a woman or a man... 

I felt my body being pulled towards the wall, the person had grabbed me by my arms and pulled me behind a wardrobe next to the wall... I couldn't help but wonder why they were doing this to me... I only wanted to fight for the betterment of the people, couldn't they see it? 

Soon I was propped up against the wall behind the wardrobe, the invisible person crouched down over me and I finally figured out her gender. 

An obviously feminine voice spoke up saying something that I didn't understand. It was in a strange language, yet the voice was clearly feminine. I didn't have to imagine what she spoke about, as an automatic translator device likely carried by the individual recognizing her voice pattern, immediately began translating her words to galactic standard. 

-I am ready, come pick us up. 

Stated the translator mod in a different female voice tone. 

-Roger. 

Came the answer immediately this time in the voice of a man from the other side of the radio. 

A few seconds later a small scale explosion shook the room. The windows blew up with a large part of the wall sending shrapnels of glass around the room. I closed my eyes in fear, as my ears ringed from the loud sound of the explosion. I heard the security system alarms blowing over our heads and I felt even more dazed. The only thing I remember, was that a large shadow stood over me, it picked me up easily and carried me somewhere.

I heard shouts, blaster shots some voices arguing around me, but all of them turned into a blurry mess of noises and lights. I didn't know what was happening, I was terrified, my body was shaking, finally, I lost my consciousness.

---

-From the perspective of Master Luminara-

---

I rushed out of the senator's room, to check on this strange girl Barriss had found in the garden, hoping that it was not some sort of misunderstanding. The balcony gardens of such buildings are not your average sized balconies. It was a large area, nothing less than a real garden, filled with a small labyrinth made out of finely cut bushes multiple decorative gardens, pavilions, places to eat outside or create gatherings among the politicians. 

All that luxury built on the tip of a skyscraper, internally separated from the building it uses as a base. It was a luxurious mansion raised kilometers above ground level hidden among the clouds. Luxury on Coruscant knew no bounds. The wealthy were wheatier than anywhere else in the galaxy, and the poor were also poorer than anywhere else. A great contradiction, yet true none the less. 

Five minutes later I reached the garden only to hear the argument of two young girls, one of the two voices clearly belonged to my apprentice. I stepped into the garden and reached out with the force quickly locating Barriss.

I headed towards her and behind a line of trees I finally found them, she was holding her ignited lightsaber in front of this unknown person. Why was she already threatening someone with an ignited lightsaber... force help me, this girl will be my end one day! I walked closer and saw the other girl called Lily currently sitting back to the wall of the pavilion. Her strange wings were clasped together behind her back, and her hands were put on display over her lap.

I listened into their argument while getting closer.

-Now, now Lily... Will you tell me why I saw two of those strange bugs clinging to your clothes just a few seconds ago? Hmm?

-... Coincidence.

Answered the girl with a completely straight face. Opposed to her perfect poker face, her eyes were looking around in a panic. It was a book like example of an obvious lie.

Barriss clearly caught onto this too, and continued her questions. 

-I see, that is indeed a possibility, one bug might be a coincidence but two is kind of suspicious you see...

-No, its not... I like bugs... they like me too. It's normal... Also, I need to go now...

-... Whatever, and you are not allowed to leave until you are cleared of suspicion. 

-I am not suspicious. 

-... That is exactly what a suspicious person would say... Come to think of it, you are acting way too obvious here... Are you trying to make fun of me? Is this supposed to be some sort of prank, a distraction, hmm? 

Asked Barriss with a sudden frown.

The other girl began to shake her head left and right with robotic precision denying the accusation vehemently. I saw her eyes grow comically wide when she heard the word "distraction". I had a bad feeling about this... Better finish this quickly and get back to the senator.

-That's good then. If you are not a bad person you will be free to go, my master will be here in any minute, so just sit there obediently while she arrives. 

The strange girl's head turned in my direction, seeing me getting closer. I looked at her suspiciously while I waved at Barriss who also sensed my presence. 

You are reading story Star Wars: The Way of the Grey at novel35.com

-Master, you have come! 

Smiled Barriss proudly at me, no doubt happy with her achievement. It was time to figure out what was going on. I walked closer to the suspect, leaving some free place between us if she might decide to attack.

I looked into the eyes of the thin girl clothed in black clothes, they were skin tight made from durable material, only her arm sleeves were made to be loose was she hiding a weapon in her sleeves? She was without a doubt suspicious, those large blades hanging on her appendages were quite threatening too. It seemed to be a racial feature of her race, but that didn't make them less dangerous.

-Now Lily, I am master Luminara Unduli, a jedi master, she is my padawan Barriss Offee, we are on official duty here. Now that you know who we are, it is time to tell me who you are, and I mean beyond your name please... What are you doing here, are you working in the mansion, perhaps a gardener or some nosy paparazzi, hmm?

-... 

I sighed, seeing that she hadn't said anything.

-Girl, I am trying to help you here, give me a reason not to call for the guards immediately. Try to be cooperative and we will put this behind us as quickly as possible. Alright? 

She looked pretty crestfallen right now, I reached out with the force lightly and was surprised because she was basically radiating with fresh guilt. Did you do something bad?

-... Sorry... 

Was the only thing she said while looking at her feet with remorse.

- So you did something after all? Well, I can see that you don't enjoy doing such things, that's pretty clear from your expression. We can continue this conversation inside, maybe with a cup of tea? We might even be able to make some hot chocolate if we ask around nicely... Doesn't that sou-... 

I felt a warning coming through the force, it made me pause in the middle of my words. I didn't have to wait for long to figure out what it was... A loud explosion shook the entire building, I turned in the direction of the sound, the senator's room was in that direction. Oh no! 

I was about to bolt back towards the room, when another sense of danger came over me. I turned towards the strange girl with surprise I saw her stretch forward her arms with a surprisingly quick movement. 

This was why I kept a certain distance between us, her arms won't be able to reach me... but if that was the case, why did I sense danger? I decided to listen to my instincts and reinforce my force shields also taking up a more defensive position. It proved to be the right decision. 

A wave of raw force energy crashed into me, forcing me to step back a few times even with all my preparation. I cursed in silence, as I realized the truth, she was a force sensitive! It was clear to me after experiencing that single technique, that she wasn't properly trained, but her force presence was quite formidable to pull off such an intense attack with so little control and efficiency.

Only if she had received the necessary training, she might have become a great jedi master. Alas she was too old to be trained now... Such a pity. 

-Are you okay Barriss? 

I shouted while not taking off my eyes from the girl who jumped up to her feet while spreading her wings in a very threatening way. 

-I am fine, master... 

Sounded a dazed voice from the bushes somewhere behind me. Barriss, was unfortunately taken by surprise and didn't react in time to defend herself from the telechinetic push. Therefore, she ended up in the bushes a few meters behind me. 

I heard a series of blaster shots coming from the direction of the senator's room, I hope the guards will be able to handle the situation... at least while we get things under control over here. I looked at the girl in front of me and frowned, so that was why she reacted to the word distraction. I felt kind of hurt, I wasn't angry... no, just disappointed in the seemingly kind natured girl in front of me. Was she deceiving me from the start, leading me by my nose. I guess, I am annoyed.

She seemed to sense the change in my presence and posture towards her. I saw fickle remorse and doubt in her eyes, she was uncertain of what to do. 

Maybe, she wasn't lying entirely.

I saw a small ship heading this way from the other side of the mansion chased by at least two hovering security drones, that were following them close by. I saw her eyes following the ship, she was likely planning to escape on that, but the ship was unable to come closer or to stop because of the attacking drones.

She also saw this which was the most likely reason why she didn't run towards it, they were too occupied battling with the drones to be able to come and pick her up.

It would work out fine, if we didn't confront her in the garden... No, the drones would still make that maneuver almost suicidal. She missed the only chance to get away, not that I would let her of course, but I still felt a little sympathy towards her.

I looked after the ship, the pilot clearly realized this as well, and without losing unnecessary time activated the afterburners and quickly disappeared on the horizon. Meanwhile me and my padawan, who had finally managed to crawl out of the bushes, surrounded the clearly confused girl. 

Lily seemed very conflicted at the moment, which wasn't that strange seeing that she was left behind just like that. Her spread out wings hadn't moved since she took up her initial fighting position. I felt her eyes turn towards me and she seemed sad? 

I heard a strange noise which I thought to be the blowing wind at first, but soon had to realize that it was caused by her. The blades on her wings began to resonate creating a high frequency and very irritating noise.

Just like vibroblades I thought... now that doesn't sound too good. 

I saw two police patrol ships, and a guard ship fly over us chasing the escaping criminals who were still followed by the drones. If the senate guards gave chase that likely means the senator was either killed or kidnapped. Let's hope it was the later... 

My eyes narrowed at the girl in front of me, she was obviously in cahoots with these intruders. I decided to give her another chance to give up. 

I steeled my voice, and stated.

-I won't ask you so nicely one more time, lower your limbs and surrender. 

Threatening her like this, didn't prove to be the best idea however.

- Urgh! What's that? B-b-b-bugs! Its gross!

Shouted Barriss in the genuine abhorrence which was so unique to teenage girls, who were unfortunate enough to come into contact with perfectly harmless roaches. 

None the less, I was also surprised as the girl's skin and face were slowly covered by large bugs, attaching themselves to her skin only leaving her mouth and eyes free. It was some kind of armor, it looked like fish or lizard scales in neatly organized raws beside one another. It was kind of pretty as the green light of my saber reflected on the black-purplish scales in the dark.

 

You can find story with these keywords: Star Wars: The Way of the Grey, Read Star Wars: The Way of the Grey, Star Wars: The Way of the Grey novel, Star Wars: The Way of the Grey book, Star Wars: The Way of the Grey story, Star Wars: The Way of the Grey full, Star Wars: The Way of the Grey Latest Chapter