+++++Part Three+++++
Early morning on Coruscant, the center of galactic civilization, was always beautiful. The sky, as usual, was filled with the flow of non-stop activity. The city-covered surface was home to the government of the Republic and the center of commerce. A plethora of businesses, both legal and otherwise, operated on this planet. The giant sun rose on the horizon. Master Curch Denas enjoyed the view as he and his apprentice stood in the moving elevator.
“I have a bad feeling about this, Master,” said Jared Rand.
Curch chuckled.
“It isn’t funny Master.”
The padawan stood next to his master in the elevator as it moved upward toward the council chamber. Jared was one of the most gifted young padawans Curch Denas had ever seen, from his perspective anyway. This young one already stood eye to eye with his master, was an excellent swordsman and, if he could ever master his control of the force, had tremendous potential. Yet, he could sense the anxiety his young apprentice was trying to hide.
“Control yourself. You always get nervous when we go before the council,” Curch said in a friendly, comforting tone of voice.
The elevator stopped. Jared took a deep breath, closed his eyes and exhaled.
“Relax,” whispered Curch.
The doors opened. They stepped out of the elevator and walked down a short hallway to a set of double doors. As the doors opened the hallway was filled with sunlight. Squinting, Curch and his apprentice walked into the council chamber. As their eyes adjusted, they saw two familiar figures seated, amidst the other empty seats. Curch and Jared walked to the center of the room, faced Ki Rahn and Yoda, and bowed.
“Hmmp, hmmp, welcome Master Denas, young Rand,” said Yoda, through a slight chuckle. “Young Rand, mind your master’s instruction. Release your anxieties you must.”
Frustrated, Jared glanced at his master.
“Don’t look at me, I arrived the same time you did,” jested Curch.
The padawan hung his head. “Forgive me for my lack of control masters, I will try to do better,” said Jared sadly.
Pointing at Jared, Yoda spoke in his usual authority, “this, never forget young padawan, do or do not, there is no try!”
“Yes, Master Yoda.”
After a slight pause, Master Ki Rahn turned the conversation toward the matters at hand.
“Master Curch, the reason we have summoned the two of you is because we have a very serious situation in regards to one of our own.”
“What type of situation,” asked Curch?
“Master Sariss Koth has become began down a dark path,” explained Ki.
Curch and Jared stood silent in shock.
“Disbelief, I sense in you both,” said Yoda.
Curch offered his thoughts, “You are indeed correct Master. I have known Sariss Koth for many years. I was even his padawan for a short time before he was chosen for his term on the council. It just doesn’t seem possible. What happened?”
Ki Rahn began, “Yesterday, during a discussion on the recent trade dispute, the entire council, with the exception of Master Koth, agreed with Chancellor Vimic that it would be in the best interest of the Republic if the Jedi did not get involved in this situation. Koth seems to believe that Chancellor Vimic is some sort of threat to the Jedi. He became enraged and stormed out of the council chamber. Later that evening, he went to the hanger, killed the mechanic Miles Ruskin and left the temple.”
“An error in judgment I made by letting him leave in such anger. If stopped him yesterday, I had, alive Miles Ruskin would be,” confessed Yoda.
Ki Rahn looked toward Yoda, “It was an error in judgment that the whole council agreed upon, my old friend. We are all accountable.”
“Is there any indication of either where he went or his intentions,” asked Curch, who was still struggling with this news about his former master?
“This, we do not know. However, this troubling information we do know, secretly studied the darkside Sariss Koth has,” said Yoda.
Another shockwave struck Curch.
Ki Rahn continued, “After discovering the death of Miles Ruskin it became very clear that we had a grave situation on our hands. After seeing what Sariss did to the mechanic on the security tapes we conducted a thorough search of Koth’s living quarters. Hidden behind a wall panel was a personal journal which revealed his studies into the darkside of the force. This information was not gained from studies in the Jedi archives and it seems he has been studying for quite some time. “
Yoda then spoke, his eyes facing the floor, “blind we have been to the darkside. Great trouble for the jedi Sariss Koth could create.”
“We want you and your padawan to pick up the investigation. Find Koth and bring him before the council. He is to be expelled from the Jedi order and stand trial for the murder of Mile Ruskin in a Republic Court. Use any resources necessary under our authorization,” said Master Rahn.
“Yes Master. We will begin immediately,” affirmed Curch.
Yoda then dismissed them, “May the force be with you.”
