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| - Lirah Norn bit her lip. She was reaching up to grasp her padawan braid before remembering it wasn't there. Already a month since it had been taken, she remembered, and yet she still kept the old habit. The others made fun of her for it. She wasn't the strongest of the Trio, as the other Jedi jokingly referred to them, or the smartest. But she was by far the fastest. She was a human, short by most standards, and unassuming. The Jedi robes hid her athletic figure. The other two weren't human. Zhed was a tall, heavy-set Zabrak, just shy of two meters tall. The final member of the Trio was thin, scholarly Nou'torn, an Iktochi. The three of them were already legendary among their peers for stopping the assassination of Senator Frin Terwun just days before. "Come in," came the call. Finally, Lirah thought. She took a deep breath. Third time facing the High Council in as many weeks. The Council was seated as usual, but something seemed very wrong in the room. There was a heavy feeling to the air and the Force energy at work was obvious. The High Council had not agreed on something just seconds before. "Lirah Norn, Nou'torn, and Zhed, known to some as the Trio," came the voice from Master Vrekon Shal. Barely two centimeters taller than Lirah, he stood, his tail draped over one arm. Nou'torn, unofficial spokesperson for the group, stepped forward. "Yes, sir." "We are aware that you three have distinguished yourselves recently. Your swift justice and capture of the assassin attempting to slay Senator Terwun was commendable." "Thank you, sir." Nou'torn blinked. "I'm sorry if I seem distracted. The Force is heavy in this room, and I am unintentionally hearing some of your compatriots' mental conversations." Lirah had to bite her lip again to stop from smiling. Leave it to Nou'torn to say something like that. Master Shal hid his irritation well--if he was trying to keep his emotions hidden from a Youngling. "Yes, well, what I am about to request of you three is highly controversial. In fact, even I, who suggested it, am not certain of its success." Nou'torn blinked twice. Lirah couldn't sense any telepathic conversations going on, but then Nou'torn's Iktochi nature helped. Then again, he could be simply acting. He was good at that, too. "Please stop lying, sir." The Force seemed to grow colder as the words echoed in the room. Nou'torn had lost his mind, Lirah thought. Why would he say such a thing? Shal raised a furry eyebrow. He had always been a very uptight Master, Lirah remembered. She held her breath in anticipation of his reaction. Waves of confusion were radiating from Zhed like the tide on Mon Calamari. "What did you say, Knight?" This from Master Gucoor, an even more traditional man than Shal. "I requested that Master Shal refrain from telling falsehoods. He has every bit of faith in his plan. In fact, he questions your sanity in not following his lead. His self-confidence borders on narcissism." "No, Lirah, I haven't. I've found it." Nou'torn was mad now. "You," he began, his voice rising, pointing his finger at the Council, each member in turn. "You have chosen us not for our skill but for our expendability. You want young Knights who the enemy will believe. What about you!?" he cried, gesturing at Shal. "What happens when they realize that you will never turn? When they turn the rest of the team and together they slaughter you? If these attacks show us anything, it's that no one can be invincible!" Gucoor turned to Lirah and Zhed. "Do you agree with him?" Zhed looked at Lirah with wide eyes. Lirah glanced back at him, then to Nou'torn. "I don't know, Master." She had answered honestly. Nou'torn grimaced. Zhed looked crestfallen. Shal glared at Nou'torn. "If you wish to decline our offer, feel free. You know where the door is." Nou'torn smiled and bowed. "Thank you, Master." Lirah ran out after him, suddenly not caring whether or not the Council was disrespected. This was unlike Nou'torn, the usually calm and confident Knight who wanted nothing more than to defend the galaxy from evil and corruption. "Nou!" she shouted. He had left the room calmly, but he was walking fast. He didn't stop. Calling on the Force, she leapt in front of him. The other Jedi seemed not to notice. "What are you doing!?" she hissed. Nou'torn raised his gaze to meet her eyes and she was shocked to see he was crying. "Their plan is suicide, Lirah. I saw it happen. I saw the Black Knights preparing to turn you all to the Dark Side." He stepped forward, grabbing her shoulders. "I saw you die." Lirah knew Nou'torn's innate Iktochi foresight was formidable, but this was by far the most dramatic claim he had ever made. "How do you know? The future isn't set in stone." She heard herself echoing the Masters who had taught them to meditate and warned them against believing everything that they saw in that state. Nou'torn released her shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes. "If you go on that mission, Lirah, your life is forfeit." Lirah swallowed. He was serious. Nou'torn blinked. "You have to make a decision, Lirah. Zhed will go on that mission regardless of what I say or do. But you have a chance to save yourself." "What happens if I refuse the Council's offer?" Nou'torn took a deep breath and turned away. "We leave the Order. Together." Something in his tone when he said together made Lirah's heart stop for a second. Was Nou'torn truly that confident in his foresight? "You know I can't leave the Jedi." She was watching someone else talk, now. He met her gaze again. "I know." He walked away, then, not waiting for a good-bye. Her face felt warm. Thirty seconds later she was in the Council room. Shal turned to her. "Have you made your decision?" She met his look with no doubts. "I have."
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