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THE SUN BURNED DOWN ON Astaldo's shoulders as he walked over the courtyard, close behind the others. Senator Palpatine, flanked by his guards, led the way whereas the Jedi followed at a proper distance.

The dome-shaped Senate building grew in size and when they stepped into the shadow of it, the sun could no longer reach them and the temperature dropped a few degrees.

Astaldo looked on in awe, admiring the architecture of the building. Just like the Jedi Temple, it was one of a kind on Coruscant and it indeed demanded respect, simply by existing.

The padawan felt a bit nervous as well; the Chancellor definitely knew he and Aramis had been lying. Freia had vouched for them but now he was attending a meeting he had no right to. What if the Jedi Council found out? What if they kicked him out of the Jedi Order because of it? If he could turn it back, he would: becoming a Jedi was more important to him than racing with speeders. But it was too late for that now.

He took a deep, silent breath and hooked his thumbs behind his belt, trying to copy Aramis' nonchalant and confident posture. Astaldo just had to act like he belonged here, he raised his chin and his strides grew longer until he walked next to the Jedi Knights.

The guards opened the doors and they followed the Chancellor to his office. Their footsteps got muted by the red carpet and stone archways every few meters supported the high ceiling.

However, Astaldo froze in his step when he sensed something; like a pair of eyes resting on the back of his head. He turned around, but the hallway behind him was empty. Frowning, he took a step in the direction of the protruding archway.

'Astaldo,' Aramis called him. 'Come.'

The padawan cast one last look at the stones but then jogged back to the Jedi, falling in line with them. It had probably been nothing, maybe a curious senator. Besides, Aramis, Estel and Freia hadn't noticed anything.

Chancellor Palpatine took place behind his desk and Mas Amedda, the vice chair of the Chancellor, nodded they could talk. The Chagrian was rather imposing with his 6 feet and 4 inches, blue skin and radiant blue eyes, and Astaldo decided to stay at the background. This was not the time for his rash words and actions.

He focussed his eyes upon the skyline behind the Chancellor while Freia reported to him on behalf of the Jedi Council.

But when Freia told Palpatine they hadn't found anything of value in the documents confiscated from Dylkogh, Astaldo's attention shot back to them. Kai Ryder was his friend and Astaldo knew he was checking the schematics of the Force sensitive droids, but why didn't Freia tell Chancellor Palpatine that? Ryder was her padawan, surely she knew the truth too?

Astaldo opened his mouth to speak up, but confused he closed it again when Estel slightly shook his head to him.

'Is this true, Jedi Bariyaan?' Palpatine asked Estel. 'I have heard some rumours that claim otherwise.'

Estel stepped forward and inclined his head to the Chancellor. 'Jedi Alathfire tells the truth, Chancellor. The rumours are nothing more than that; gossip to cause disbalance between the Senate and the Jedi Order.'

Palpatine rested his chin on his folded hands and hummed. 'You are right, master Jedi. In these times of war, the Senate and the Jedi must stay strong. Only when we work together, we can bring an early end to the Clone Wars.'

Estel nodded his head once more to the Chancellor who then gestured they could leave.

'However, I do expect another report if you do find something of importance in the documents,' Palpatine added before they stepped through the door opening.

Freia turned around and bowed. 'Of course, Chancellor.' She closed the door and sighed, rubbing the temples of her head.

'It was the right thing to do,' Aramis said to her as they made their way back to the entrance, and Astaldo could no longer keep his thoughts to himself.

'I do not understand, why do we keep the truth from the Chancellor? It is not Jedi-like,' he spoke up after he made sure they were still alone.

'The Jedi Council ordered us to do so,' Estel answered and Astaldo gaped at him. He didn't believe his ears.

'We do not want to cause panic for something that might not even be true,' Freia explained further, reciting Master Windu's words.

'Surely the Chancellor would have kept it a secret if we asked him?' Astaldo said.

Aramis shrugged and opened the door that lead to the courtyard outside. 'The Jedi Council didn't want to take risk and we are sworn to obey.'

'I still think it is wrong. Our loyalty is to the Republic as well.' Astaldo stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air, but when they had all left the building and Aramis had closed the door, an alarm sounded from inside. Its blaring sound thundered through the air and Aramis tried to open the door again, but it wouldn't bulge.

A thick metal plate came down all around the building, slowly and with much noise, almost overruling the sound of the alarm itself.

'What is happening?' Astaldo asked. 'Why is the Senate going on lock down?' He peered through the glass door and caught the eyes of his master at the other side just before the metal plate shoved in front of it.

'What the. . .' He frowned in confusion, since when was his master, Miko Palmaran, back on Coruscant?

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A/N:

a bit of a boring (and short) chapter, sorry.
next chapter should involve more action once again, though!

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characters introduced this chapter:

Jedi Knight Miko Palmaran (mentioned only) by billysheiks

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