Finally the doors opened and a Jedi sentry allowed you in.

As you entered the room, you noticed all Council members were present.  And there was a tall, stately looking Kel Dor in Senator's robes standing near Master Plo Koon.

"Welcome Master Tabret and Padawan Jubali," Mace Windu said in greeting.

"Thank you Master," Sonora replied.  "And may I say I was sorry to hear about Master Qui-Gon."
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"He was...the best of us," Jubali said, find herself suddenly choked up.  She'd had a soft spot for the maverick Jedi for some time.

"Indeed he was," Mace agreed.

"But now, trying we are, to prevent another untimely death," Master Yoda added in his odd manner of speaking.

"Tell us, what do you know of the planet Dorin?" asked Master Ki-Adi-Mundi.
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"Uh..." Jubali wracked her brain to try to remember one of the innumerable planets that existed in the galaxy.  "It's where the Kel Dor are from and has a toxic atmosphere to most outsiders?"

"Correct, you are," Yoda complimented.

"Master Tabret, can you fill in any more details?" Master Windu queried.

"Certainly, Master," Sonora replied.  "First, to build on what my padawan has already said, the reason Dorin's atmosphere is toxic to non-Kel Dor is because it is composed of helium and native gases, with very little oxygen.  That is also why Kel Dor not living on Dorin require breath masks.  Dorin is situated between two black holes, and so was not discovered until several centuries ago.  Also, though Kel Dor are generally altruistic and helpful, their justice system is very swift, sometimes surprisingly so to visitors of that world who break their laws."

"Yes, very good." Master Windu admitted.  "It is in relation to this last point that we have called you here.  Senator Uuln?"  Mace gestured to the back of the Council room and a stately looking Kel Dor dressed in senatorial robes stepped forward.  "This is Senator Kon Uuln from Dorin.  Senator, can you explain why you've come to us?"

"Certainly," came the Kel Dor's voice, filtered through his breath mask.  "Our justice system is set up such that our judges are essentially the political rulers of our world.  We recently had an election in which three brothers were running for our most distinguished position, chief judge.  Shortly after the eldest brother, Pahor An, was elected, he was murdered.  The middle brother, Payan Kai, seemed to be the obvious suspect: he has a short temper and it was rumored he was going to lead a coup to take over the position by force.  He has already been arrested and was going to be quickly executed, but I managed to convince our judges to hold off until a second investigation could be conducted.  The youngest brother, Pakyu Meni, has taken over as chief judge in the interim until another election can be held.  I believe that is all."

"Thank you Senator," Mace said.

"Your assignment," Master Mundi explained, "is to go to Dorin and investigate the chief judge's murder.  Determine if the murderer really is Payan Kai or if something else is at work here.  Do you have any questions?"
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"Local government intrigue," Jubali said, furrowing her brow.  "It does sound like a mission requiring a neutral third party.

"At your service, then."  Jubali bowed to the Senator.

"I have a few questions, if I may," said Master Tabret.

"Certainly," the Senator acquiesced.

"Perhaps it is just ignorance of Kel Dor culture, but why do these three brothers not have similar last names?"  Master Tabret asked.

"I thought that might come up," Senator Uuln admitted.  "The brothers' father was Pahor An, a very popular chief judge before he passed away from old age.  His eldest son was named after him and kept his name.  The other two brothers wanted to make their way on their own merits and so changed their names.  The middle brother combined his first and last name, and then added a strong last name.  The youngest simply changed his last name.  It is not an uncommon practice among our people, but usually only happens among those with notoriety."

"Thank you for that explanation," Master Tabret said.  "I do wonder Masters, why Master Plo Koon has not been assigned to this mission?"

"A valid question," Master Mundi admitted.  "Even though Master Koon is a Jedi, Senator Uuln did not want even appeared bias on this mission, so a Kel Dor Jedi was out of the question."

"I see," Master Tabret conceded.  "I know the Jedi usually are considered neutral, but couldn't sending only Jedi be perceived as biased?"

"Indeed it could," Master Windu agreed.  "That is why we have also assigned two Antarian Rangers to work with you.  I believe you've worked with Ranger Dane Cardosa before, haven't you Master Tabret?"

You noticed a slight flushing in your Master's cheeks as she replied "Yes, Master Windu, he's a very talented Ranger."

"Good," Master Windu nodded.  "He and his trainee, a Bothan named Traest Kaslon, are waiting for you in the hangar with your transport.  If there are no more questions, you are free to go."


"Thank you for this opportunity Masters," Master Tabret said, bowing.  "We will discover the truth to this mystery."  She turned and walked out, heading towards the hangar.

Jubali smiled knowingly and when she was sure no one would hear she turned to her master and bumped her with her shoulder.

"You liiiiike the Antarian Ranger!"  Jubali never took the "No love" rule seriously.  As long as it didn't get in the way of doing what was necessary.

Master Tabret looked around to make sure no one had heard what Jubali said or seen how playful she was being.  She straightened out her Jedi robes, and then admitted "It is true, I admire Ranger Cardosa.  As I said to the Council, he is a very talented Ranger.  He is half Ubese, so he is very perceptive," she continued, each sentence spoken more quickly than the last.  "He was orphaned as a child and so has learned to survive through almost any circumstance..." there was a break in her rambling.

"That's so sweet!"  Jubali giggled.  "Oh, don't worry your secret is safe with me."

"Padawan," Master Tabret said in a stern voice.  "There is no secret.  My relationship with Ranger Cardosa is strictly professional.  Now come on, we have a job to do."  And she picked up her pace.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:56, Wed 14 May 2014.

Jubali smiled roguishly and followed after her master.

As you walked into the hangar, you saw a freighter with a side-swept wing with a laser cannon turret on the end, one folded wing underneath the first with a laser cannon on the end of it, and another laser cannon turret just above the cockpit. 

Standing in front of it was a dark-skinned being that looked almost human, except for the mask over his mouth and nose and the glasses over his eyes.  He had on a camouflage poncho and combat gloves, with a blaster pistol held in holster on his right hip. 

Standing next to the man whom you assumed to be Ranger Dane Cardosa, was the tallest Bothan you had ever seen, easily 1.75m.  Though his muscles were lean, you could tell he could stand his own.  His skin was a tan color, and his fur a slightly darker shade of brown. He also had a camouflage poncho on, with a utility belt around his waist that had 2 hip holsters on it: the right one holding a blaster pistol and the left some sort of knife. 

As you approached, Ranger Cardosa called out, his voice heavily filtered through his breath mask.  "Sonora, you're looking beautiful as ever."

Master Tabret turned red and you could see her face scrunch up in frustration.  "Dane, please," she pleaded, nodding her head towards you.

"Oh, right, right.  Well tell me then, who is this very capable-looking Padawan?"  Dane asked.

"This is Jubali," Master Tabret said.  "And Jubali, this is obviously, Ranger Dane Cardosa."
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"Nice to meet you," Jubali said.  As she walked up she ran a hand through her hair to give it a roguish, unkempt look.  "Who's your friend?"

"This is sort of like my Padawan.  Jubali, meet Explorer Traest Kas'lon."  Ranger Cardosa then turned to his trainee, and after realizing he was staring at Jubali, slapped him hard on the back.  Traest swallowed the gulp he had been holding, and then said, "I apologize Padawan Jubali, it's just that Ranger Cardosa did not tell me that Master Tabret's Padawan was as beautiful as she was."

Jubali laughed, then struck a pose.

"Well thank you," she responded .  "You're awfully tall for a Bothan."

"Yes, I've never really fit in on Bothawui," Traest admitted.  "Not personality wise either.  That's one of the reasons I became an Antarian Ranger."

"I see you've taught him to be just as incorrigible as you were," Master Tabret pointed out.

"This whole exchange reminded me of when we were Explorer and Padawan," Ranger Cardosa replied.

"Except that I did not encourage you on purpose," Master Tabret scolded, also throwing a glare Jubali's way.

Jubali laughed at Master Tabret's glare.

"That's what makes it all the better," Dane said.  "You didn't even have to."

Master Tabret let out a sigh.  Then, trying to change the subject, said, "Well Traest I know Bothan names are very important; tell me, what does your name mean?"

"Traest Kas'lon means Enthralling Sentry or Enthralling Guard; and I am from the Alon clan," Traest explained.
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Jubali added to Tabret's question.

"How did you get so tall?  Were your parents tall?  Are you, like, part Wookiee?"
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"I am not part Wookiee," Traest said, chuckling slightly.  "Most of the Alon clan are slightly tall, but even for them..."

"He's an exceptional specimen," Dane finished.  "Though he's too modest to admit it," Dane added.  "Well, shall we give you a tour?" Dane asked, indicating the ship.

"Sure," Jubali shrugged.  She always loved checking out the layout of spaceships.

"She's a G9 Rigger that we've named the Eclipse," Dane started.  "It's not a new ship, and she's a little slow, but she's got some punch."

"A double light laser cannon and two light laser cannons, to be exact," Traest chimed in.

"She only takes two to crew and can hold up to 6 passengers." Dane finished.

"Let's see our accommodations." Jubali said, eager to see where she would be living now.

"I'm afraid it's nothing fancy in that regard," Dane admitted as you all walked aboard.

"Just 4 rooms with 2 bunks each and 2 'freshers." Traest clarified.

The Rangers showed you around the utilitarian freighter pointing out each of its features, including 70 tons of cargo space, the bulk of which was taken up by two X-34 landspeeders.

"We did upgrade the hyperdrive to a class 2." Dane said apologetically.

"Well I'm excited," Jubali said.  "Let's get going."

The comforts may have been nil but at least she was out and about.  Plus the slow hyperdrive meant time to hang out with these two guys.