12 Emerald Jade (1/2)

An Theta-class T-2c shuttle thundered through the atmosphere of the planet of Naboo. Having left the main hanger of the Star Dreadnought in synchronous orbit above Theed, the craft was making its way down to the planet surface.

Sitting in the co-pilot seat, Tobias Rune stared out towards the clouds as they passed through them. The weather was getting better after an entire month had passed since Operation Cinder. There was little that needed repair and unlike the planet of Vardos, there was no ash covering the surface. The ecosystems, human and gungan habitats weren't in trouble.

A small smile was pressed across his lips as he could see the City of Theed. His eyes centered on the Royal Palace. However something else grabbed his attention as he was listening closely to the force. While his sensitivity indeed concealed, it didn't mean he couldn't sense someone else.

The personnel transport would begin its landing processes as it hovered over the main starport in the city. As it settled down the wings would fold and it gently came to rest.

Two members of the Royal Security Force came walking out to greet them as the loading ramp lowered. Yet as they did so, they paused half way there as the Grand Moff came walking down slowly on his own. His hands folded behind his back with a stern expression on his face.

They were rather confused for the expression as he waved them off. As if saying, he didn't need an escort and were thereby dismissed.

At the wordless dismissal, the officers would make their way back towards the Royal Palace to make their report. It didn't seem like his immediately designation would actually be the Palace.

Out of everyone in the crowds parading in the streets, he was the only man wearing an Imperial Uniform out in the open. It was clear he was trying to lure someone out. His eyes watched feathery hats as they brushed by. He found the fashion on the planet to be rather strange, possibly questionable. Everything was flamboyant.

He clearly knew this before he landed, since he had knowledge of this world prior to landing. Amidala's dresses were far from normal in his point of view. Tobias shouldn't have suspected any different from the local populace.

Each step echoed in his mind, like a silent room with a dripping faucet as he selectively pressed his senses through the crowds. That was until he heard someone else's shallow breath mere meters away. Leaning against a building along the main avenue.

Cutting between buildings, he made his way through the crowds, effortly slipping passed people without touching them or knocking them over. However he made it all seem natural. As if he was using this route to get ot the Royal Palace. As if he was just going for a casual stroll. Though this might set off flags to anyone watching, this was clearly the point.

Entering the Avenue, he would begin walking slowly towards the Royal Palace. His hands still folded behind his back, militarily, with a blank expression on his face. He was clearly thinking, but his mind was shielded from being probed from a distance.

The shallow breathing changed in pace, he heard someone else's footsteps behind him. His eyes narrowed forward as he increased his pace. The steps behind him also increased rapidly.

The feet sounded dainty, small. Their build was petite, agile. Tobias was making the assumption that his pursuer was female, relatively young, probably around his own age group. He could feel the force from the person behind him. She was closing in quickly, she was augmenting her natural speed.

After a few minutes of this pursuit, he ducked into an alleyway, standing there for several more minutes after that. Suddenly, he could sense the pursuer and he blinked a few times. Slowly he turned his head to the side as he felt the air move above him. His eyes caught a petite female figure adorned in a black attire. A silver saber at their hip. What made him turn around to face her however was the emerald green eyes and red-gold hair, accompanied by a freckled face.

She stood under five foot four, she appeared to be just under a hundred and thirty pounds. From what he had seen, she was acrobatic, flexible. Her walk she displayed made her out to be a skilled fighter.

A small smile tugged across his lips as if felt the girl use the force upon him, attempting to charm his mind. He knew exactly who this was, it was none other than Mara Jade.