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Alee took a deep breath, inhaling the Force and, with it, much-needed calm. She opened her eyes and met the black gaze of Mace Windu. The way he leaned forward, elbows resting on knees, keeping his gentle expression focused on her, invited Alee to confide in him. She ignored the rest of the Council and concentrated on the dark-skinned Jedi Master.
"And now," Mace said, "I sense you wish to speak to us regarding something other than your mission, Alee. Feel free."
A weak smile died quickly on her lips. "I wish to make a stopover on Tatooine. On my return trip, of course." Alee paused. "I feel led to pursue a mission of a ... somewhat personal nature."
"What business have you, outside the Republic's boundaries?" Yoda asked. "Doing something for Qui-Gon, are you?"
At the almost sarcastic way Yoda had pronounced Qui-Gon's name, Alee's attention shifted to the head of the Council. She took in his flattened ears and narrowed eyes - sure signs of the master's disapproval. She knew the Council didn't exactly endorse her relationship with the Jedi Master, but they were willing to overlook it as long as it did not interfere with the training of Qui-Gon's Padawan. Yoda's censure had never been more pointed.
Alee inclined her head slightly. "No, Master Yoda. It has to do with ... my family."
"Your birth family?" Mace's inquiry pulled her eyes back to him.
"Yes, Master Windu."
"I was under the impression you had no contact with them," Mace said.
"I don't. Or I didn't. Not until yesterday." The weight of twelve stares lay heavy on her shoulders. She certainly had the whole Council's attention, now. Alee continued, "My mother sent me a coded transmission indicating she needs my help."
"How do you know it is truly your mother sending this message?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.
Alee glanced to Yoda's right and took in the thoughtful mein of the Cerean knight as he stroked his white beard. She looked into his deep-set eyes and replied, "As a precaution, she mentioned an incident that no one else has any knowledge of, save the two of us."
Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded his elongated head slowly.
"A trap this could be," suggested Yoda.
"Yes, Master. I am aware of that possibility," replied Alee.
"Why does she require your help?" asked Mace.
Alee paused to gather her thoughts. "My sister has been kidnapped by a rival family. She is being held hostage somewhere on Tatooine and will be sold into slavery to the Hutts if the demands aren't met by the specified deadline."
"Like this I do not." Yoda tapped his gimer stick on the stone floor. "Aware of this Tanaabian custom, I am. Take this foolishness off planet they do not."
Alee stiffened and met his glare. "It has been known to happen - when the ransom is very high."
"What is your family doing to solve this dilemma?" Mace's voice was soothing.
"They are being watched," clipped Alee. "They can make no move except to fufill the demands. My mother took a great risk contacting me."
Adi Gallia's soft voice drifted across the room. "Because of the kidnapper's reaction?"
Alee pivoted and met the black woman's serene gaze. "Certainly. But more because of my father's reaction. He would be furious if he knew I was involved."
"And that would be because ...?" Adi urged.
"He disowned me when I came to the Temple to be trained. I no longer exist in his mind." Alee kept the quaver out of her voice.
"Settles it, that does," Yoda declared.
Turning back, slowly and deliberately, to face the venerable master, Alee kept her silence.
Yoda studied her for a moment, then said, "Permit this, I will not."
Alee blurted, "But you must!"
"Must I? Know you so much that make my decisions, you can?"
"It's my family," whispered Alee.
Yoda pursed his lips for a second."Where lies your loyalty, young Jedi?"
Anger born of hurt pushed into her thoughts and Alee quashed it. "That's not fair. My loyalty to the Jedi has never been an issue. I am a Jedi, first and forever. But this is my family. I will not turn my back on them when they ask for help."
"Want your help, your father does not," Yoda said.
"My mother wants it. My sister needs it. That's enough for me," Alee stated.
"Defy the Council on this, you would?"
Alee's nostrils flared slightly and she tilted her chin up. She glanced at the Jedi flanking Yoda - Mace as he leaned back and stroked his chin, Ki-Adi-Mundi as he sat with hands folded peacefully in his lap. She narrowed her eyes and focused on the diminutive leader before her.
"Defy the Council, I will not. But you are only one member of the Council, Master Yoda."
Tension pushed at Alee from all sides. She held herself in tightly, refusing to relinquish her waivering self-control. The gauntlet was thrown and she would not back down. Heedless, she pressed on, "Few on this Council are immune to personal obligations. Ki-Adi-Mundi, you have had to rescue your daughter from a similar fate, and each of you would do the same in his position. I would honor my family by serving them in this small matter. I will retire and await your decision."
Without hesitating, Alee marched toward the large double doors and fresh air. She felt suffocated by the overwhelming convergence of Force-sensitivity, especially since it was all zeroing in on her, making her feel ... inadequate.
"Alee." Mace's voice stopped her at the threshold. Alee spun on one heel and regarded the dark Jedi Master with raised eyebrows. He asked, "If the decision goes against you, where will your loyalty lie then?"
Alee blinked away a pinprick of sadness. "I am a Jedi, first and forever. The better question might be: would I continue to have faith in the decisions made by this body?"
Alee turned away and slipped out.
Foolish. Foolish. Foolish. Alee berated herself as she paced outside the chambers. Why can't I just learn to keep quiet. Use gentle persuasion. No. I have to hit them over the head with a vibroaxe. I might as well have saved them the trouble and left my lightsaber on the way out.
Bracing herself against the window ledge, Alee leaned forward, tensing her muscles and concentrating on level, even breathing. Was is only 18 months since she had been punished by the Council for her actions on Keedad? Only 18 months since she had met Qui-Gon? She stared at the tapestry of traffic weaving through the skies of Coruscant. She wished Qui-Gon were here now, not away on another mission with Obi-Wan. His wisdom would help put this whole situation in perspective. But he wasn't here. What would he say? His deep blue eyes came to mind as his deep voice whispered, Trust your instincts. Focus on the moment.
The doors opened, seemingly of their own accord. Alee took a deep breath. The moment is now, Qui-Gon. I can feel the rightness of my choice. She strode proudly into the Council chamber and planted herself in the center of the exploding pattern of tiles that burst outwards from her feet. Like a soldier on parade, she snapped to the right and stared squarely at Yoda. His posture was stiff, his face closed, his skin a shade darker green than usual.
"We have come to a decision," Mace Windu said.
Alee pulled her eyes from Yoda and gave the other Jedi her full attention.
Mace stated, "You will be permitted to pursue this mission."
The tension began to leak from Alee's fingertips.
"But know this, you must," Yoda interrupted. His eyes were wide, insistent. "Agree with the decision, I do not. A fool's errand it is. Sense darkness lurking here, I do. By pursuing this path, nothing is gained - but lost, much could be. Heed this warning, you must, young Jedi."
Alee inclined her head. "It is heeded, Master Yoda. Thank you."
He tapped his gimer stick crossly. "Finished, I am not. Arrogant you are. And proud. Challenge this Council at your own peril, you do, Alee-Nedra cy Nerac. Seek to keep you from your family, we do not. Sending you into danger, we are. And for what? Serves this the safety of the galaxy? Guards this the peace?"
"It will bring peace and safety to one young woman. Isn't that enough?" Alee challenged.
Yoda's eyes became slits. "Qui-Gon's voice that is. Do without his influence, you could."
Alee bit back her sharp reply. She glanced at Mace. He was Qui-Gon's friend. Wouldn't he defend him?
Mace leaned forward, his dark eyes full of compassion. "Go in peace, Alee. The Force be with you."
Again, she fought the urge to say something. Speaking wouldn't help Qui-Gon, and it might lose her what she had gained this day. They said yes. Be content.
Bowing slightly, she murmured, "And with you, gentle Masters."
