Kidnapped

Several days have passed and my Padawan is finally on a slow way to recovery. Although she has not spoken she is at last responsive to the treatment and I the possibilities of complete recovery are very likely. I have left a small bouquet of her favorite flowers by her bedside and many cards and little trinkets from her friends. With a last look I leave the Med Ward and proceed to the council chambers, wondering what it is Master Yoda wants from me.

My thoughts have been with my troopers as well. I know that the commanding office is a capable man but still I need to be out there with my men. Unfortunately the council does not seem to share my thoughts and keeps prolonging my return. With slight frustration I knock and enter the council chamber. To my surprise only Master Windu is present instead of the other council members.

"Good for you to come." Mace greets me and it seems he will come straight to the point.

"Good Morning Master Windu." I reply with a slight bow.

"Master Jahura." He gives me a short nod. "I will not beat around the bush with formalities since we have an urgent matter to discuss." He offers me a place in one of the chairs.

I sit down, marveling not for the first time at Coruscant's magnificint skyline. "Go ahead Master Windu."

"Thank you." He regards me with his dark eyes. "Two younglings disappeared on an outing this morning. What should have been a trip to explore the life in one of the lakes turned out to be a nightmare. The Jedi Master who led the group has no recollection as to what happened until she noticed that he had younglings missing." He pauses shaking his head.

"I am sure he tried to look for them?" I wonder who the Master is.

"He did thinking that the younglings had wandered off on their own but all the efforts made did not produce any results." Mace reaches into the folds of his tunic. "This was left on the front steps of the temple." He hands me a small data pad with a sigh.

With horror I listen to the message: "I know you Jedi won't let one of your own die, and I have two of them in my possession. How does that feel, eh? I am sure you are pacing that council floor wondering who I am and what I want." I hear sarcastic laughter in the background and the voices of the two younglings. "Wait for more instructions tomorrow and don't even think of sending a task force to find them little buggers. I have them safe and secure in a Force blocking environment." the message cuts off.

"This is not good at all." I can't help but thinking that the voice sounded somewhat familiar. A female with little education but tenacious enough to committ such an act.

"My thoughts exactly. Here is what I need you to do." Mace takes a deep breath. "I need someone out there looking for those younglings, someone who has a special connection to these children. And I know how they respond to you, Master Adana, when you teach or talk to them. We will give you all the information we have. I know it isn't much but I have a hunch that they are not far from here on Coruscant.

I bow my head for a moment. Master Windu seems under the impression I have the power to do the impossible. "I will help you in any way possible. When do you want me to leave?"

"Once we received the next message, tomorrow morning. I will contact you as soon as we got it." Mace rises. "I know you have a sick Padawan and your troops certainly need their commanding officer back but this has precedence at the moment."

"I am aware of the urgency." I stand up as well. For a short moment Mace's lips curl into a small smile.

"I appreciate your understanding. May the Force be with you."

"And with you also." I leave the chambers more thoughtful than ever. I stop at the mess hall to take some food to my quarters. After a short conversation with Commander Bly who reassures me that things are going well out there I make necessary prepareations for the following day.