Deadly deception

An every day mission spirals into a catastrophe that neither Jedi could predict... Or prevent....

Kari Neth was late, again. She knew her Master wouldn't be happy. They were about to leave on a new mission, and as she hurriedly made her way through the Temple hallways she tried desperately to think up an exuse, any exuse that would satisfy her Master; Kari knew that this would be no easy task. She had been thrilled when Master Ryse Mar had chosen her to be his padawan when she was eleven years old. That was nearly two years ago and since that time they had formed a rather unique relationship, but then again both the Master and the Padawan were very unique people.
Kari was actually surprised that Ryse had taken a padawan at all. She smiled as she thought back to their first meeting. Ryse Mar was a very tall, comanding man. A man that most people found intimidating. But Kari didn't. Mabye that was why he had chosen her; mabye it was because they both had completely different personality's. Ryse was gentle and quiet, while Kari was fiery and outgoing.
That's not to say that Kari was never intimidated by her Master. As she ran to the end of the landing platform she saw Ryse give a half turn. Kari could tell that he was not pleased, she had seen the "look" often enough. She tried no to let her apprehension show; lifting her chin she came and stood directly in front of him and waited for the speech that was sure to come.

good hanna good post the rest.

"Your late." Ryse said as he watched the pilot load their cargo onto the ship; He turned and faced her fully. He took in her shortness of breath as well as her disheveled appearence. Cocking one eyebrow he asked almost casually, " Have you been fighting again?"
Kari ducked her head and tried to look repentant, but she couldn't keep a grin from escaping. Looking up at him she nodded.
"You'd think that you and Bain could refrain from beating each others brains out at least one time when you're together." her Master said in an amused tone.
Ryse was refering to her best friend Bain Zann; The two of them were very close in age, with Bain being only a few months older. Though they were best friends, they were also the fiercest competetor's. Bain was the only student in Kari's class that came even close to matching her in lightsaber skills. And Ryse was right, it did seem that the two of them could only go a short time in each others presence before they were fighting in some way or another. "I'm sorry for my lateness Master." Kari said humbly.
"Don't let it happen again." Her Master said sternly, "Come, the pilot is ready." When they were both seated in the ship. Ryse began to go over the mission, "The president of Visalus has formally requested Jedi assistance. His Planet is currently suffering from a severe famine."
In her mind, Kari quickly ran over everything that she could remeber about the plantet. She knew it was a large, dark brown planet with hundreds of silver lakes and rivers. Its atmosphere was rich in nitrogen.
"I don't understand Master; since Visalus is largely populated by water, how is it then that they are are suffering from a famine?"
"That is why our help has been requested. Visalus's famine isn't due to a lack of water. The president, along with many prominate scientist's there are convinced that the famine is being caused deliberatly."

love the book so far hanna. good job.

Kari squirmed in her seat and tried to stretch her legs as far out as she could. This had been a tiring journey, and she could hardly wait to get out of the ship and move around. They were just minutes from landing but to Kari it felt as though it were hours.
"It is best to mentally prepare for a mission before it begins padawan." Ryse said calmly, "Impatience can cloud one's thinking, it can dull one's senses. A Jedi's mission can begin before he or she even steps foot on the planet."
Kari stifled a sigh. Her Master was right; she was impatient, It was one of her biggest weaknesses. She stole a glance at her master; as always Ryse seemed completley tranquil. She wondered if she would ever learn to control herself the way that Ryse did. She was grateful when the pilot landed the ship.
Kari followed Ryse closely and he walked down the landing platform. As he reached the end Kari saw her Master tense, and she saw that his hand went to his lightsaber hilt. Kari wondered at her Masters sudden change, but as she stepped off the platform it was then that she saw the ten assassin droids that were surrounding the ship. All of Kari's impatience left in an instant. Her hand went to her lightsaber; the droids weren't attacking, but as her Master had pointed out so many times it only takes a moment for everything to change. Looking past the droids Kari noticed a silver speeder with what appeared to be two officials standing beside it. She watched as the two men approached her Master. They both stretched out their hands as if trying to indicate that they meant no harm. Her Master though still wary, appeared to relax a bit; and he waited as they introduced themselves.

"We are honored to have the Jedi. Allow me to introduce myself; I am Lars Bendi the Presidents chief advisor, and my companion is Zhar-Mundi, also one of President Horth's advisors."
Kari took an immediate dislike to this man. Though her Master often warned her that making quick judments on people's characters was not always the wisest thing, Kari never could seem to help herself. To her, Lars Bendi appeared to be too smooth a person; he looked like a man who could talk people into doing just about anything that he wanted them to do. Looking around, Kari felt uneasy about the ten Assassin droids that were still surrounding them.
As though reading her thoughts Her master commented, "Quite the welcoming commitee." Ryse said almost sarcastically as he glanced at the droids.
"Oh, we just wanted to make sure that the Jedi arrived safely." Zhar-Mundi answered almost nervously, but seeing the look that Lars threw him, he immediately quieted down.
"Your President sent for the Jedi to secure not only his own safety, but the saftey of his Planet and yet you sent US protection?" Ryse asked curiously.
"What my esteemed colleague meant to say was, that since we contacted you much has happend on Visalus. We merely wanted to assure that you would arrive at the President's mansion without delay." Lars interjected smoothly. "But enough of this. I'm sure you are tired; and President Horth is eager to meet with you."

hanna this is a great book.
and when you become a famous autheress I'm going to say how you're first book on the internet whas on this site. we will have to change the name from jedi fan club to the hanna fan club. LOL

The Hanna fan club.... Now why didn't I think of that? LOL And thanks Grand Master, I'm glad you are enjoying it.

hanna post more of the book I am getting ansy.

The ride to the Presidents Mansion was an interesting one for Kari. Darthura, the Capital of Visalus was a beautiful city, or at least it had been at one time. Kari could see that Darthura had once been overflowing with life and prosperity, but now where beautiful blossom trees had once stood, giving beauty and joy to all those around- now there were just twisted stumps, a cruel reminder of times long since past. Buildings that once stood tall and errect now were cracked and crumbling, only adding to the sense helplessness. But the thing that Kari found most interesting was the lack of people. There were a few milling about, but no where near the amount that there should have been in a city the size of Darthura. Turning to Lars Bendi she said, "I noticed that there aren't many people around, and that the only ones who are appear to be young childeren and the aging."
Winking at Ryse, Lars said with a laugh, " Ah, your pupil is very astute is she not?" then without waiting for an answer he continued, "You are correct my dear, you will not see many people on the street during the day; everone between the ages of ten through sixty are required by law to put in a full days work. We all must do our part if Visalus is to survive this terrible famine."
"You force children as young as ten to work?" Ryse asked incredulously. "I would think that especially during a trying time like this, protecting and caring for the children would be of the utmost importance to your Planets Government."
It was clear that Lars Bendi did not appreciate the implication, with a slight flush he replied, "I know that it would be almost impossible for an outsider to understand our ways, but here on Visalus we believe that all must do their part; and while I will admit that children are usually excluded from this rule, I feel it important to point out that sice we are going through the most severe famine in our planets history, we all must do everything that we can."
Ryse and Kari looked at each other and saw that they both had the same feeling about their mission. All was not as it appeared to be on the beautiful planet of Visalus.

bravo,bravo. LOL

this is a great story hanna.

hanna where is the rest. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr write it NOW!

Grand Master, you can't rush an artist. You know how temperamental they can be. *Whispers* especially Female artist's. Just Kidding Hanna!!!

Ooh, you did not just go there. lol J/K

Oh, but he DID.

"Ah, it is a pleasure to finally meet the distinguished Jedi." President Horth was nothing like Kari had thought he would be. She was expecting a well built, comanding man. Someone who exuded strength and power. Someone who resembled a leader. President Jokov Horth was none of these things. He exuded neither strength nor power. He was a small, almost frail man. As the introductions were made, she noticed that he kept nervously looking toward Lars Bendi. Almost as if he were a child looking for comfort and assurance from his parent. Kari began to wonder who the real leader of Virsalus was.
"I am so relieved that you are finally here." President Horth coninued as he motioned for the to Jedi to be seated. "We have been almost at a loss as to how to find the person, or people behind this terrible famine." President Horth paused as if trying to compose himself before continuing, "The hardest thing of course is having to watch the people of Versalus suffer. It's gotten so bad in the last few weeks, that food is quickly becoming scarce."
"Why haven't you just had food transported to your planet?" Kari asked simply.
"It isn't only food that we are without my dear, we are losing our whole way of life! Up until this cursed famine, Virsalus was one of the leading planets that
produced food to hundreds of surrounding planets. Now that our food has become tainted, it will be many months, perhaps even years before we can convince other planets that our food is safe to eat again."
"But still, you could have food brought here now, so that your people would not have to suffer." Ryse stated firmly.
The President gave the Jedi a look of concern before turning to Lars Bendi. The President's aid interjected smoothly, "Of course that would be the ideal thing to do. Unfortunatly that is now out of the question."
"Why is that?" Ryse asked.
"Because, the entire plantet has been quarantined. Your arrival will be the last one to Virsalus for quite some time I'm afraid."
"I don't understand," Rsye said as he stood to his feet. "Why would they quarantine an entire planet for a disease that affects only plant life?"
Lars and President Horth exchanged nervous glances. It was the president who spoke up this time, "Then you don't know? It isn't just the our crops that are dying Master Ryse, in the last few days over seventy citizens of Darthura have come done with a mysterious illness. Only ten of them are still alive..."

this is a great story my love.


hey howecome tod and alvin dont complament it?

Mabye because were too nauseated by all your love gush.

But seriously Hanna, it is a great story.

dont be jealous tod just because i'm hannas love and you.............. are'nt.


oooooh burned.