《Revan Between Worlds》


 World between Worlds

    Many legends are associated with Revan. He was a Jedi, a savior, a Sith, a conqueror, and one who was redeemed. To some he was even the one who held back the Emperor from devouring the galaxy. But the one who the Emperor captured and held for three hundred years was not the Revan he had first encountered. That Revan was his twin brother who had been infused with the memories of his brother the actual victor of the Mandalorian Wars. He had been a scout for the Republic and he was slowly given more and more of Revan''s memories.


    Bastila had not only the ability for Battle Meditation, but a previously unknown ability that linked her to Revan''s mind. Unknown to her, but known to the Jedi Council, the real Revan was still in a bacta tank deep inside of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant the entire time the recreated the path to the Star Forge. Even Malak, formerly Alex ''Squints'' Squinquargesimus did not pick up on the deception. By the time this new Revan had encountered Malak he had nearly all the memories from his brother pushing out most of his previous identity. This identity death was one of the most heinous crimes the Jedi Masters of the Dantooine council committed. One that Meetra Surik had no problem allowing Kreia to kill them as they were going to do something even more heinous by removing her connection to Force permanently.


    Due to the Jedi Purge of the time every single master that knew where the real Revan was vanished. Over the span of unknown years his body was restored and the Force kept him hidden. Then he woke to a darkened room with only the lights of the various machines to see by. He floated in the tank as his memories swam in his head and puzzled as to how he had gotten here. Instinct made him reach out to many of his old bonds he found not a single one and he knew the one bond that he had never broken had been suddenly severed.


    Flickers of memories that were not his came to him. Bits and pieces that made no sense to him. He flexed his muscles and moved all his limbs as he spread his awareness out with the Force. Feeling nothing missing he pushed upwards as he removed the mask from his face. As his head came out of the Bacta, Kolto mix he hissed in pain as the mask must have been in place for way too long.


    The amount of effort to get out of the tank left him exhausted. It was a feeling he had never had as he could run for days even without the aide of the Force. It was a quirk of his body that very few people had. One that had helped him endure on the battlefield. He took the time he needed to recover to infuse his body with the Force to further examine his condition and used the Force to help his eyes see in such dark conditions. He looked emaciated as if he had not been eating correctly and looking down, he saw the tube that entered his stomach. He disconnected it and the other cables and wires. The IV''s bled until he used the Force to heal those areas.


    He tried to verbalize his thoughts but he could not even croak out a sound. Slowly with using nearly just the Force he stood and climbed down the stairs. His movement tripped some sensors and lights quickly illuminated the area. His eyes slowly adjusted as he reached a dust covered chair to sit his naked body down on. He called on the Force again to heal himself as the effort to walk was painful. The tube was also painful and against common sense he slowly pulled it out as he shoved the Force into the long-term wound. The tube came out as pain lanced through his body. Further meditation closed the old wound completely, but it was far from healed.


    Reading several crates, he used the Force to bring one over to him and open it to pull out a bottle of electrolyte water. For the next hour he did nothing but take sip after sip as he sent healing waves through his body. He had to push his rising anger away at finding himself in such a condition. Who had put him here? Why did they do it? What could they have gained? How did it happen? When did it happen was the only thing he could vaguely answer as he remembered being on the bridge of his ship? The scene appeared in his head as a team of Jedi breached the main doors. He had known that this team was still not enough to defeat him. But then he remembered the hint of warning just before everything went black. Yes, that was the moment, but why did he have these other glimpses? Were they from his twin?


    He stayed in that chair drinking water slowly until his body signaled, he was properly hydrated. The need to urinate got him to stand and direct the stream at the medical tank. This even was a lot of effort but his muscles only barely complained. Sitting back down he used his feet and the Force to inspect several of the crates. Most were completely filled with empty concentrated food paste containers. He moved from one crate to the next and found a dead droid next to one of the crates that looked to be recently opened. Scanning the droid, he saw the main power converter had failed disabling the droid. He scowled at the canisters, but food was food, and he was regretting the removal of the feeding tube.


    Several hours later he had forced down the concentrate and meditated off and on. Further exploration revealed the next room was filled with more equipment that screamed that the patient was no longer being monitored. Using the Force, he shut off all the alarms and found that he had been in this state for years. From the number of crates that were empty he was sure nearly a decade had gone by. Though as he went over the data files, he found that none of the were dated. The code in place of the date was scrambled either due to a programming glitch or intentional. This began several days of healing meditation, walking, and eating. He found a few ration bars, but even after seven days his stomach could not hold them down.


    His attempts to reach out with the Force was met with a barrier somewhere around him. He could draw on the Force without issue, but he could sense no one for some distance. He could pick out others, but they felt very distant and without the Force, normal beings. He just could not feel a single Jedi or Sith near him. The small medical lab was inside of an even bigger warehouse. Slowly he came into contact with crates that held robes, pants, and tunics of the Jedi. Once he found under garments, he quick found what fit him before all this and something that he could wear now. He gathered enough outfits to bridge the gap as he would fill back out.


    This brought him to the large entry doors that from this side were sealed shut. He was not so concerned with leaving as the amount of dust showed that someone was not going to be opening those doors any time soon. It worried him that where he was that no one knew. Had he succeeded too well? Did Malak go too far and kill everyone off or was he just in an abandoned temple? He could feel the light side of the Force strongly but it felt as if it was moving to a more neutral feeling in the Force. He had to stop himself from raging every hour or so as his need to heal and restore his muscle would only stop. The dark side ate at you and he could not afford to use its power. Not before he was ready not before he could channel it to maintain his balance.


    So more and more he channeled nothing but the light side of the Force. Once he could run a hundred laps would he feel he was physically ready to leave this place. It would have done him no good to leave in such a weakened state. Plus, he had found much more than clothing. Uncut armorweave, standard utility belt items, some basic combat shields, and many other parts that would allow him to assemble several lightsabers or other equipment. Finding the blaster pistols was one of the better finds. Sadly, it must have been someone personal items as it was the first of dozens of boxes. He could feel that these beings would no longer need the items as they felt as if the owner had died.


    After a count of sixty days and several failed attempts to get the droid to function he finally looked to the large freight door to leave. He still did not any lightsabers, but all he needed was the Khyber. Another thing he had not found was a single face razor or pair of scissors. Even the pattern cutter had no usable blades in it. The medical section lacked any field medical kits that would have such blades. His usual last resort was not available either so he just combed and brushed it until it was all loose. This had been meditative and using the Force to braid it all was as well. The few mirror like surfaces hid the scars that having the breath mask on too long had caused. It would take months or a good healer to cut them out so they could heal properly.


    "Okay open up." He pressed on the panel and nothing happened. "Okay hard way." Using the Force, he searched out all the locks and one by one disengaged them and with a final effort spread his arms out as he shoved the doors to the sides with the Force. Long unused lights slowly brightened, others flickered, or did not come on at all. Again, he wondered where he was as he looked at the vault placard. He picked right as the numbers seemed to go up and that would most likely lead to the center or to the main entrance from what memory told him. After several hours he came right back to the spot he started from. This caused him to rage for the first time in the last sixty days. He focused the rage and shoved it at the door that had been across from his warehouse. The doors groaned and then they gave way before flying into the darkness.


    The dark side crackled around him as he calmed down, but it felt so good letting it all out. Yes, this was the problem with using your emotions. It was what caused one to fall as you chased the high your body gave you to compensate for using the Force in this matter. He took a moment to balance out his endorphins before sighing. The door he had ruined was the very exit passageway he was looking for. Walking down the hall led him to several lifts and stairwells that would get him off this level as he read the data plate it came to him that he was several hundred level below the Jedi Temple and not just any temple as if he was right this one suddenly felt like the one on Coruscant. Yet, something was off as he moves to one of the lift call pads. There was not light behind it but he pressed the pad just to make sure several times and he could feel no change.


    "I am not ready for stairs." He mumbled as he shoved the door open. The light was just enough to show that he was not going up this one. The second one still went up if her could jump the six levels to get to the bottom rung. He didn''t need the Force to tell him that was a bad idea. The third only went down. Open the fourth door made him jump to the side as a shower of water nearly soaked him in one second. The water did not slow and what he could see was not a single step.


    "Okay down we go." Each level was showing more ancient long-term storage and vaults. Several he felt the Force guiding him to explore. Though what he was supposed to find he did not know. Perhaps it was just the looking that mattered or opening the door. This really did not make much sense until he came to this mural of a circle surrounded by symbols and depictions of animals or beings. This mural lead to another and then another until he entered into a room that seemed endless. It was at this point he chuckled to himself before he finally sighed. The Force had never left him alone and here he was a Jedi or Sith out of time. It was not the first time he had found himself in such a room.


    That room he had seen many things pass and only a small portion had ever come true. Facing the Sith Emperor the first time was one of those points. The battle that they fought for days on end only to be twisted into his agent before being released on the galaxy. Had he never found those Sith and the Sith Emperor he would never have decided to prepare for war. He would have assumed that the Republic was way too strong as they defeated the Mandalorian Crusaders. This time he heard voices most from his past, but then many he did not know, but one that was his brother''s. Though it was not the free-spirited scout that he had known who had rejected the Force when he was young. No this was his brother sounding like Revan himself. Before he could grasp what was said it moved to other voices. Kneeling down Revan meditated on who or what was said.


    There was a point where he could feel that Force changed several times and then he could feel the Sith Emperor''s influence fading from the Force and the Galaxy. Over and over again the balance of the Force swung from one side to the other like clockwork never changing and he could see that if you just turned it just so it all fell into a great circle. A wheel of time that you could unravel to get to view certain points in time whether the future or the past. He disliked this place he found himself in and how time neither moved forward or back, up or down, or even sideways or half ways. He winced as a crack sounded out of place with all the voices. Then another as opened his eyes to see these cracks of light. More and more cracks developed until small chunks broke off and fell away. He stood need to move but there was nowhere to go.


    He still ran as the sound of collapsing rubble drove him to flee. It was not until he slammed into a wall and was engulfed in dust did, he know he was back in the world where time moved. He had learned some things, but many questions were raised. Opening his eyes did nothing to remove the darkness and he again focused on the light side of the Force to give him eyes to see. The hall he was in was blocked off on both ends, but the collapsed structure opened the way further up.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Okay great well looks like I have to climb." He put his gloves on and began a task that would take all of his energy and test him with his endurance in using the Force. Even with time moving again he was not sure if it had been an hour or twelve since he started climbing, but he was glad it was over as he entered a broken room that had a working light inside. Exhaustion took over and he slept for some time.


    Waking up he left the remains of this small room to enter a hall that ringed the mountain. He reached out and touched the stone and felt the Force shift again under his hand. This is what was missing before as he felt the presence of hundreds of Force users. This was a Temple that was in use. Glancing at the door to the room he came out of he hoped that it would not get big enough to swallow the Temple above. He found several signs showing he was a few hundred levels higher.


    It was not until he had reached a lift that he realized his hands had been balled into fists as he opened his hand to press the plate a stone fell. He used the Force to stop the stone to find that it was a Khyber crystal. Opening his other hand to grab it revealed a second crystal. He thought back and it was some point on his climb that he had found the crystals. However, it made little sense on how he could have held them in his hands and still been able to climb?


    "Karking Force." The lift opened and he got in. Looking over the crystals he found them resonating with his Force presence. With that fact he opened one then the other lightsaber and put the crystals in place. Though it would be some time before he would be able to test them as the lift was far too small. He could have, but the second reason was he never tested a new blade unless he was more than ten feet away. The lift came to a stop on level fifty and this level did have some activity as several droids had passed him on his way to the next lift.


    Another forty levels and he stepped out again surprised that this lift did not arrive at level one as its board had directed. Many more droids passed him as he moved down the hall. He could hear many sub systems working to support the Temple above. Pipes ran down the hall overhead and crossed through from other sections. He felt living beings were down here but none were close. The next lift was even more stubborn to get him to the top as it only covered five levels.


    It was here that the placards showed that these were training rooms or a lightsaber salle. Entering one such room the lights came on and it show an obstacle course that looked challenging. Here he shoved his two lightsabers away from him and the expected colors did not appear. He had expected a form of red for one as it radiated the dark side more than the light and the other, he was thinking a pale blue. The one that leaned to the dark side was nearly black with sparkles of yellow and the other was nearly yellow with tiny black particles two blades optically the opposite of each other. Not the most unusual colors, but nothing he had ever heard about before. He pulled them to him and with several trial swings he was satisfied they would do before attaching them back on his belt. With those finally tested it was time to find someone to talk to or fight. Though talking would be preferred.


    Leaving the next lift, he was hit with the living Force rolling off dozens of Jedi in the hall he came out of. Most were young or younger than him and their robes very different from the reinforced tunics he was wearing. Probably more comfortable, but he could not remember the last time he had gone without armor. The younger ones sped on by giving him small nods as they hurried to their next class he assumed. The older students would add a bit more of a bow to their nod as they passed him. Even the adults, knights, or masters, he did not know as they wore no symbol of their rank or status. Revan had not found any for himself not that he was ever going to wear the rank of padawan or a knight. He was a Sith, no not a Sith. Fallen yes, but more than the Jedi he had been before.


    These knights should have felt him and challenged him at least if not outright attacked him as he was not just radiating the light side of the Force though some of them felt tainted as they went by. All in all, this was what he had felt during the war. Could it be these Jedi were in some war with the Sith? He wanted to ask so many questions, but the Force urged him to wait. Finding a meal hall, he just joined the line and loaded up his tray with things he had not eaten in a long time. He hoped his stomach would not revolt on him as he ate. Fresh food beat eating the food paste or even ration bars. Even on his flag ship it was rare to have a normal meal. Food had lost its appeal a long time ago, but it came back with a vengeance as he ate.


    As focused as he could have been he observed. This gained him a lot of information. These Jedi felt nothing like the ones he had trained with. Their Force signatures were different. Calmer for the older students, a bit arrogant mixed in with the knights or masters, and the younglings were not exactly friendly as they had appeared in the hallways. He could feel their animosity to each other and their feeling either too meek or too full of themselves. It was not hard to pick out the Initiates from the Padawans. What shocked him was the ages that these children were at and how they radiated the training they had so far received training that should have waited until they were sixteen or species equivalent. The Jedi of his time had come from thousands of planets and at most there was a two percent human ratio, a twenty percent near human ratio with about thirty seven percent for humanoid species. Semi humanoid made up another twenty eight percent. All other type of sentient beings made up the rest about eleven percent.


    He had yet to see any non-humanoid or any flyers in this group. Semi humanoids were a small part of the hall and seemed to have a certain spot they gather according to dietary type with many of the humanoids mixed in with their groups. The rest were all near humans. Unless he stumbled into a hall that catered more to a human''s dietary palette it was way different from what he remembered but the Force was not urging him to think this as the hallway had been about the same. Where were all the species that were exceptional in the Force? Had they all died off?


    Now he really wanted to find out when he was as this could not have been the actions of a few years even a decade could not explain this difference. Once he was finished, he continued to listen to how they spoke and pronounced their words as Galactic Standard had been taught for thousands of years and did not seem to change, but there were many words he did not recognize. Not that he much trouble adapting to a new language but unless he pulled the meaning from someone head which he had done to a Sith on Dromund Kaas he would have to find the meaning for these new words he was absorbing.


    As the day went on, he slowly felt as if he was a ghost as no one even came close to talking to him. Sure, his braided beard and hair were really long and he had some dusk in places he knew he did smell so it could not be because he was unkempt. Maybe part of it was how old his tunics were? No maybe out of style that had to be it as he had yet to see anyone in armor except for the Temple Guard and he remembered their uniform had not changed. He had figured he had been in some type of trance so it could be possible a hundred years had passed. He thought even that was ridiculous, but it was the only way to explain the disparity he was seeing and the language shift. That was the case until he entered a hall that had more focus on learning and the time pieces had the full date and year in several different forms.


    7955CRC, 3255 LY, 3631ATC, 978ARR, 13GrS were the five different years posted. This stopped him in his tracks to the detriment to a half dozen students. The particular day was shown in five different formats except the last one was listed with the year first ending with the time. Not that it really mattered to him at the moment if it was three in the afternoon or in the morning. What had shocked him and froze him to the spot was the date of 7955 was almost exactly 4000 years from the last date he could remember. This put him at 4028 years old. He then felt the Force giggle which made him angry. He was so tired of being a tool of the Force.


    He heard the crunch of his fist hitting the wall the same time this initiate screeched in front of him. The Togruta if he was not mistaken had white and orange markers that he had not seen before. He pulled his hand away from the wall he had hit and was glad it had not been durasteel. The Force protected his hand from breaking, but durasteel was another story. He looked down at the young female and showed her a toothless smile. No need to be aggressive on top of being angry.


    "My apologies padawan, but sometimes my anger gets the best of me." I spoke in Shillian the language of Togrutans. The girl had no problem showing all her teeth as her feeling threatened was replaced with a feeling of pride and surprise.


    "Thank you, shaman elder. I should not have been so unaware." Then she sides stepped and hurried on her way. He had this feeling that he may have misspoken as the surprise felt like it was linked to him calling her padawan. She felt old enough for it and only those with hair wore such braids. He crossed his arms behind himself as he accepted the date was real and released the anger it causes him to the Force. It was something he had not done for a long time. Perhaps it was all his meditations on the light side that helped?


    Still, it did not explain how he had traveled so far into the future. He continued to wander until it was meal time again. Gaining some more food his observations remained consistent even if this was a new meal hall. This one contained many more Jedi than the last one and the feelings they leaked were very similar to what he felt earlier as well.


    For Jedi they should be much calmer than they were. This sense of unhealthy competition was something he had felt somewhat stronger in the Sith Academy he had formed. It was only missing the one who would fall to poison of some type during the meal. Evening meal had been known for the daily poisoning. Then again it was part of the training. If you could not purge an unknown poison then you died. Though only the most resent Sith that passed his poisons class would be targeted. Even then they still lost one out of ten. His last meal very few had sat on his table and not a one had sat close to his end. That changed the moment a Kiffar dropped down across from him his hair in a traditional twisted style. His black hair twist very similar to the braids that formed his current style.


    "I don''t think I have seen you here in the Temple before, and I know all the Kiffar, but I have to say I have never seen a pentagon facial marking before either."


    "Probably because I am not a Kiffar. I am from Dantooine." Which was not exactly a lie as he had trained there. "For what happened to my face let''s just say I spent a long time in a medical tank. For the last part it has definitely been ages since I was in the Coruscant Temple."


    "Oh, okay long-term shadow mission that went bad, or are you one of the wanderers?"


    "Wanderer." though this was not very truthful. Conqueror was more like it." The knight I could only assume felt a mixture of both light and dark. Definitely how a shadow should feel. He started eating and that silenced him for the duration. These were surely strange Jedi. It was almost to the point where his tray was empty that he settled his stomach with what passed for tea. It was not bad just that it wasn''t exactly good either. Then again it was better than just water. As he took his first sip another Jedi sat down followed by his padawan. The master was nothing special, but the padawan made him blink several times as the Force seemed to boil around him.


    Other Jedi had told him the Force swirled around him and while he was a Sith it others said he burned. This young man was as blinding as he was dark and the Force did not just boil but it screamed. The feeling diminished as the boy started to wolf down his food, and released Revan from the hold it had on him. Somehow, he had a bad feeling he was here because of this young Jedi.


    "So, Quinlan who is your braided friend?" The young master or knight asked the guy next to him who had long ago finished his meal to stare at his datapad.


    "Oh, him ya. Obi Wan meet the Wanderer. Wanderer this is Obi Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker. I am Quinlan Vos. I should have said that earlier." This last bit was a very open statement that would need to replied to with his own name. However, he could not just say he was Darth Revan, but he had given up his name and it was painful to pull up the memory.


    "See talkative." This Vos gave up waiting and made is little declaration.


    "Don''t be rude, Quinlan." Obi Wan then sipped his tea before setting it down as his face signaled it was too hot. Revan felt he would have to say something then the Force poked him hard enough that he remembered at least a name he would respond to.


    "Surik, my name is Rey Van Surik." His real name suddenly popped into his head but it was too late now."


    "An interesting name. I do not recall the last name of Surik. Are you a knight or master?"


    "Just a Wanderer." Revan picked up his tea and the act silenced the curious knight. Though his shields were tested several times, but he had them locked tight which these three could not match though Kenobi had the strongest shield and Vos his was weaker but that could be due to how it felt slippery. Skywalker''s shield was strong but leaked like a blaster shot riddled bucket. He had encountered shields like it before, but his felt natural. Either way his tea was finished and though dessert was a option he felt full enough and he did not really want to stick around, so he got up and left.


    "That guy is weird."


    "Anakin not all Jedi feel the same or even are as talkative as you can get." Revan smiles as he got that right. Revan only said what was needed and it had been ages since he felt the need for idle chatter. Not that he was one to hold conversations. Perhaps the archives next? The archives are impressive and way larger than he could have imagined them to be.

 Taking it Slow

    It had nearly quadrupled in size, but he was sure it was even bigger as data packets were getting smaller in size even back four thousand years. What had not changed was the fact he had forgotten he did not have access and the basic access told him nothing. He needed some type of access code to go further, but then he saw the Great Holocron. That he knew he only needed the Force to access it. It might not have what he was looking for, but it would be worth a shot. Taking a seat under the Holocron he began to concentrate. He felt himself slip inside and greet the first Gate Keeper Haune Tiar.


    "A long time has passed since you accessed the Holocron. What do you seek?"


    "I have been pushed forward in time. I need to know what is known about me?"


    "I have plenty of information on Revan and the Revanchists, Information on Darth Revan and the prodigal Knight Revan. Even his brief involvement in the Great Galactic War, but that Revan was not you."


    "My brother." Revan did not even have to think about it to know it was true.


    "Correct though even my vast knowledge is limited and not much more than the basics was left for you to find. The full records were transferred to the Jedi Archives on Coruscant."


    "This Holocron sits inside the very archives you speak of. Can you not just access it?"


    "No and I do not feel that you need to know the past, but one record there is for you to know." The imaged change to a little green master he had learned the most from.


    "This is Master Tokare. Long have we search for a way to defeat Darth Revan, but it has all but been for nothing. His body burned and twisted and his mind a chaotic mass of jumbled thoughts. It was not until his brother demanded to see him that we discover Bastila had another ability. In her seeing Revan''s twin in such pain, she made to console him and at her touch she nearly killed him we thought. I am afraid we did not make it any better as we found out that she had linked his mind with his brother''s. Forgive myself I cannot, about agreeing to use him to claim the identity of Revan himself. If this does not work, we have paid a terrible price and destroyed both."


    "That is the only recording on what directly relates to you. The only other note is that you were kept in medical stasis that one day they could bring you out of in this very Temple." Revan frowned at this. He had felt something like this so it was not a complete surprise. It was still shocking as the Jedi took advantage of something they would never have thought of if they were not at war.


    "That is fine. Now tell me what has gone on in the last 4000 years."


    "I hope you have the energy to be connected with me for such a long time." Revan nodded as he had eaten and gone to the refresher. He then moved himself into a hibernation trance just in case this last longer then twelve hours.


    The first person to not only notice Revan meditating under the Great Holocron was Master Jocasta Nu. She did not recognize the man so after being unable to rouse him from his meditation she took his image and searched the archives thinking that once she had his name, she would be better able to get him to leave the archives. This failed as the results came back listed dozens of Jedi going some three thousand years back but none among the living, and none that matched his image. She then linked in with BoSS as they held the largest identification data base and his image only came back with three possibilities and they were also listed as deceased. Had she looked at all known records she would have gotten a match after a few days for Revan''s brother. Several other identification data bases also failed to find a match.


    She made several more attempt to rouse the Jedi but even poking him with a stylus had not gained her a reaction. His clothing was of a style she had never seen a Jedi wear other than in the holocrons. His presence in the Force swirled around him and this she had never seen, but there was one other that radiated the Force and that was Skywalker, but this was not the same. It was a light steam compared to a raging inferno. Tapping his shields with her Force presence didn''t do anything either, so other than causing him out right pain to the point of drawing her lightsaber across his skin she was at a loss. It was rare that another Jedi could get her to relent if she was feeling stubborn, but this young man could be a soft statue for all her efforts. She called two Temple Guards to watch him as she went to rouse Someone from the High Council.


    Every single council member that was there in the temple tried everything to rouse this stranger, but nothing worked. Well, nothing worked that a Jedi would try. The only one that had not tried was Master Yoda who after the next just sat down and meditated opening himself to the Force and to the Gate Keeper of the Great Holocron.


    "Master Yoda it had been a while."


    "Short the time had been since last conversed with you I did."


    "Is there a specific request that I can help you with?"


    "Connect to you another is. Talk to him I will."


    "I am sorry he is studying the last thousand years and it would take you several real hours to get to the same level of consciousness he is on. I could relay a message."


    "Time is not important, but worried we are. Lost he may become if too long he remains. Stranger he is to us, his name I require."


    "He is, odd I do not have that information." Haune Tiar vanished only to come back a moment later. "You may call him Master Surik." Master Yoda looked down to think and then back up as the name clicked in his mind. The Great Holocron contained a wealth of knowledge but it was limited in it data matrix. It had a basic history of the galaxy and if you are a trained Force user or a strong untrained one you could learn many different abilities. This was one of the reasons it was restricted by tradition to only Jedi Masters, but not normally enforced as it would only give you access to what you were past ready to learn.


    Coming out of his meditation he quietly moved over to the closest access terminal. Master Yoda entered his code, Master Lahru''s and Master Pra-Tre Veter''s codes. A second screen appeared asking for another code and he imputed his Master''s code, Master Gormo. It as only after the third screen came up that he typed in several requests. His eyes narrowed as he concentrated on the ancient text. A language that had long ago died away and only one other knew how to read, that being Master Yaddle.


    However, the name Surik had been lost to time. Falling out of use just less than 4000 years ago. What was available was the recording of one Meetra Surik as she was exiled from the Jedi Order. He watched the holo in silence only glancing once to the meditating form. The Force danced around him taunting Yoda, but doubt clouded the truth he was being shown. Cautious they would need to be about this mysterious stranger. Master Windu came closer to him and he shut the file down. One day he would need to give Mace access to this archive, but the Force had not signaled it was time. Master Yaddle had access and it would be another fifty years before Grogu was old enough to learn, but never had this knowledge been passed to one not from his species. Only the need to one day crossed his mind from time to time.


    "Anything?" Windu knew not to ask much more than that. Even as Master of the High Council there was much that Grandmaster Yoda kept to himself. Had he known it was restricted to only his species he would have been more adamant about removing that restriction or destroying the knowledge.


    "Old his name is. Last used during the Mandalorian Wars it was."


    "At least you have his name?"


    "Surik." With that Revan opened his eyes as the over view of the last 4000 years ended. Three periods had gone by since his time with several wars in between. The Post Manderon Period included the Mandalorian Wars had turned into the Jedi Civil War followed by the Jedi Purge. Then a three-hundred-year restoration followed by the Great Galactic War with the Sith Empire and the Zakuul Empire as the beginning of nearly two thousand years.


    Then the Draggulch Period started with the New Sith Wars. This war rose and fell over the next thousand years ending with the Seventh Battle of Ruusan. Which after the Ruusan Reformation had been the longest period of near peace nearing the time of a thousand years. The Manderon Period had seen a lengthy period of peace, but had not given up its arms to then rely on only sector fleets. Even back then a sector fleets strength was only as big as its ability to maintain it, so the Republic would commission or decommission fleets depending on the needs and number of conflicts with rival governments or treaty clusters.


    Seeing how large the Republic had become after the complete defeat of the Sith and the lack of another splinter faction becoming the next group of Sith had allowed the Ruusan Reformations to remain unchanged since that time. He was sure it was what the Jedi had done as well that added to its survival. The first entry that made his anger rise was the Mandalorian Excision. A complete waste of life that the Jedi Order fully supported. He had grown to respect the Mandalorians and their way of life. The other point that had made him mad was the removal of the rank of lord and basically the confiscation of Jedi property around the Galaxy to the point where only the Temple of Coruscant was mentioned.


    The Jedi had always been part of the Republic except for the Pius Dea where they went into Recusal. Had they been as disarmed as they Jedi they would have never been able to leave. This was why the Jedi had always maintained separation as their loyalty was ultimately the will of the Force. Without the Jedi controlled systems they would have no influence in the Senate or any real power to counter corruption that had risen time and again in various governments. The Unification Policies was another point of contentions as the Republic had always stood on voluntary membership established by treaty and trade policies. He was not looking forward to what the Jedi Order has become.


    "Conscious of your surrounding you now are. Explain to me who really you are." Revan looked at the green master and it figured that the order still had these imps around. Master Vandar Tokare had been a good master but also a thorn in his side unable to acknowledge that the Jedi had to face the Mandalorian Crusaders. Though he was not the main hindrance to the Jedi entering the war to stop them.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Roketa the same always are you. Confusing your speech always is, when lack of context you create." Revan let a mild smile grace his lips as the Jedi master looked surprised at the name, he called him before he frowned. Though the name was a very short form of what they called their species. Nothing pronounceable really.


    "No need to be mocking the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order."


    "Why shouldn''t I? He interrupted my history lessons for my name."


    "Then who are you?" Master Windu did not like this man. He felt like a threat and it was not just his gut telling him as the dark side swirled around him as much as the light.


    "I answered him your next."


    "I am Master Mace Windu master of the High Council." Revan felt a liking to this man as he was not radiating just the light side. His mix of light and dark was similar to his own. Hopefully this would lead to him being the more practical of the two which he could better relate to.


    "Master Yoda am I."


    "You may call me Master Surik, Rey Van Surik." Revan stood and then stretched a bit. He looked to the chrono and was surprised it had not taken longer.


    "I suggest you surrender your lightsabers as you are not a Jedi of this Order." He studied Mace for a few seconds before Revan let out a laugh and stepped around the Holocron coming closer as the Temple Guards moved to better cover him while the two masters did not move, but it did not mean they had not increased their awareness in the Force. Knowing how Vandar had fought but only seeing one blade on this master it was a possibility he used a different form then Ataru. From the way the dark master felt and his relax stance showed he most likely used Juyo. Revan was not so concerned, but he had not come here for a fight even if he mastered all forms and was war tested by hundreds of Mandalorians along with Jedi and Sith.


    His arrogance rose inside of him knowing he had a good chance of walking out of here if it were not for the unknown of these Temple guards. Then there was the other knights and younglings that were right around the corners listening in. It would not be the first time he gave up his weapons, but he would not let them examine these crystals. He pulled the blades to float in front of him and they both seemed to explode into dozens of parts and then collapse back together as he secreted both of the crystals inside his gloves. He smiled as the masters had their hands on their blades along with all the others. The temptation to do the same to theirs was almost too hard to resist. However, convenient of a trick it had been on the battlefield. No need to reveal it now.


    "That was impressive."


    "Never seen that done before."


    "What a show off."


    "I can do that."


    "Shh, they''ll hear you." Revan could not see the ones speaking, and they vanished as several of the masters were distracted to look to see which of the younger Jedi was talking. Still, their curiosity made him smile.


    "Seems I have caused quite a stir." A temple guard took the hilts that floated in front of him. Looking them over for a moment before he gave them to a master who had yet identified herself. Master Nu looked over the hilts and their construction and found they had the feel of being freshly made, but the style was very old and favored function over craftbeingship. It was a design that was used during war utilizing the parts you had on hand or ones you could make. This gave the blades extra bulk and would have been awkward to use in a Makashi style.


    "You have and as exciting as this has all been I am sure Master Jocasta Nu will appreciate her archives returning to the peace it knows." He nodded to Jocasta almost a bow as Mace pointed her out. He wondered if this woman was like Atris. Though in his opinion she was in a class of her own. To think he would have... He shook slightly as he pushed the thought from his mind.


    "Any chance there is someone who gives free haircuts?" Master Yoda chuckled softly as Mace had snapped his mouth closed as this stopped his next sentence. Revan thought it was an honest question. Mace finally recovered as his scowl grew bigger.


    "I think you have a lot of explaining to do. Also, you could use a chance to freshen up."


    "Accomplish both we can. Listen to his story I will. Alone I must insist." Revan could feel the shook and wariness roll around the room. Yoda raised his gimer stick at Windu.


    "To your barber he will go. Your quarters best for this is." Revan looked at the bald Jedi and then back to Yoda before chuckling.


    "I need a haircut, but bald never suited me." It was meant and delivered just the way he intended as a true fact, but he noticed that it had affected Mace Windu. Why he could not figure as the Jedi looked good with his smooth nearly perfectly shape head.


    "Follow you both I will to another barber perhaps." Master Yoda did not pause as he walked out of the archives and then jumped up on his hover chair. The master continued moving and maintained a speed that had Revan and Mace stretching out their strides. His pace made many Jedi lose sight of them and only the four, temple guards had kept up. After a maze worthy trip Yoda flew into a hair cutter.


    "Find another cutter you all will." The initiates, padawans, and a few knights got up without a whisper leaving only the four barber droids. Revan took a seat as he concentrated on removing the weaving he did to his hair.


    "Shave my beard off first." He ordered and the droid began his preparations. A minute later he slides a blade over his skin and then several more times before the entire beard dropped away from Revan''s face. The droid took another fifteen minutes cleaning up the stubble and carefully shaving the excess skin build up and drained several pores. All this time Revan felt the master studying him.


    "Figured me out yet Yoda?"


    "Explain more you do. How you got here a good place to start it is?"


    "The simple answer is I walked. The more complicated the hazier it gets. I woke up not sure of where I was or how long I had been there. The slightest movement left me weak to where I had to use the Force to move around. Sixty some days before I was able to do even the most basic combat exercises. It is time I spent reinforcing my tunics to building my lightsaber hilts. From there I left the long storage unit and wandered the under temple. It wasn''t much different until I found the room between time. I am not sure how long I meditated but it ended when the room I was in crumbled. More I cannot tell you nor do I think I should." Revan with his hair now loose signaled the droid to cut his hair shoulder length. He had only thought for a second about keeping the full length. Or even cutting it short like he had done to wear his mask.


    "Troubling your arrival is. Silent the Force on this matter is."


    "Who are you really as I cannot believe you walked among us so easily. No one questioned you at all?"


    "There was Quinlan Vos he thought I was a Kiffar and then Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. I gave them just as much information, my name and that I am a wanderer."


    Where did you start out from?"


    "Level two fifty was the lowest number before, but the level I was on was four seven five. Doesn''t really matter everything is caved in or collapsed. Much of it was so dark even the Force had trouble showing me the way."


    "We''ll have to send one below. If the lower levels are collapsing then the upper levels could be at risk."


    "Investigate this we should." Mace gets up and leaves while Master Yoda continues to stare intently at Revan. The droid finally finishes and Revan stands.


    "Dangerous you are not, but danger you will attract."


    "Seems that is my life. If I can get a shower and a meal, I can find my way out of your order''s hair."


    "Leave you could, but feel you will stay."


    "I follow the will of the Force, Roketa." Yoda sighed before his gimer stick flicked out. Revan was not going to let this Master hit him with this stick as his hand blocked his harmless strike.


    "Don''t like the nickname for your species, Master Yoda?"


    "Unknown even to me that name is. derogatory does it appear to be."


    "I don''t think I can even remember half of the characters of your true name. Last time I attempted it I woke up two days later."


    "Better not to know it is. Quartermaster we shall go. Assign you quarters that being will." Revan got more than just quarters. He got a full knight''s issue as if he had lost everything. Several tiny items he didn''t recognize, but he would find out in time. The medical exam was one of the hardest as he had scars on top of scars before, but now most of the worst of the scars was gone. He could still feel some of the deeper scars, but nothing showed on his skin except his stomach hole and the mask impression.


    He had not made a very good first impression with Master Vokara Che as he over used the word classified. All he admitted to was a few lightsaber scars and a few deeper blaster scars that still showed up on scans. He needed a second shower after all the poking and prodding and he still had not had the first. By the time he got the evening meal the eating hall was nearly empty, so he ate in silence while going over everything in his mind. Things he had learned while in the holocron had been disturbing. The Jedi over all felt like Jedi, but this Jedi Order was nothing like the order in his day. They felt detached from their emotions to a point that it was not healthy. The only ones that showed some emotions were the initiates and Anakin. Though they were not in balance either.


    He needed more information and now he had a basic key code to the archives. For seven days he meditated, ate, or studied history, politics, economics, and governmental structure. Even his understanding of current Datari buying power was weak. The most disturbing facts leaned heavily into giving the current Chancellor more and more power and this Military Creation Act would make Sheev Palpatine a very powerful being. Dangerously so that the Force was also telling him to be wary. A feeling he knew very well. If his feeling was right this chancellor could very well be a Sith, but other than one suspected sighting ten years ago this man could not be a Sith. Revan would have to get near him, but he doubted that would be allowed even after they created an identity for him.


    It turned into a calm before the storm. Time that Revan needed to get back into top shape and he had been getting messages he was exceeding his nutritional intake by eighty five percent. Meditation, combat simulations, and utilizing Force techniques or reinforced walls was his daily routine other than studying the current politics. He was stretching in one of the larger training salle when he felt the whirlwind walking up closer to him. The only other thing was learning and integrating the newer lightsaber technology. Which strangely was behind on a few things from his time. He really needed to go out and find a few other crystals to integrate with his hilts.


    "Padawan Anakin alone?"


    "Master Surik and I came to work on my next series of Form V katas." Revan had seen him spar a few times and the urge to spar with him was tempting, but that he would have to use Juyo to keep up with the prodigy would not be looked on with favor. He thought for a second and changed his mind.


    "You need to use form seven."


    "Vapaad sorry I have been forbidden from learning it."


    "I am a master of all seven forms, and this Vapaad is not one of them."


    "It is the Jedi version of Juyo, created by Master Windu."


    "Ah that mess. Sparred with him the other day and he was not happy when I sent him to the mat twice and disarmed him the third time."


    "How?!" Revan just smiled not telling him that Vapaad relied on the dark side in another opponent. Their duel had moved with lightning in this very salle until Revan focused solely on the light side. A little Force sever and the duel ended every time. Anakin was still waiting for an answer that Revan was not ready to give, but then he could tell.


    "A Jedi does not know himself until they learn all they can. This can be as a consular learning the complexity of the political structure on a multi country world in order to come up with a treaty that would work. Or a healer learning the distinct biology of the Yavin gnat in order to understand how the Yule Fever is transmitted. Then there is the guardian Jedi who must face a Sith like warrior race. They use a form of Juyo and he has never studied it because he was forbidden, and on that planet, he cannot protect his charge and dies just before they do. Are you a guardian or a consular that does not need to master all aspects of lightsaber combat?"


    "I am a guardian."


    "Good then we are not going to learn Vapaad." Revan moved to pick several different training lightsabers. He settled with using only six blades. He brought them up with the Force and ignited them all. Anakin''s eyes grew large as all six blades surrounded him.

 The Council and the Senate

    Obi Wan had been looking all over for Anakin. He had called his comlink several times and left several messages and even had gone to several of his friends and still no luck. It was only after he went to Cin Drallig and used the Temple security net did he find his padawan. As he entered the salle he expected one of his epic kata sessions, but he then saw his padawan and this wanderer meditating in the middle of the salle. If it was not for the dozen or so training lightsabers flying around he would be impressed on how calm his padawan was for once. The flying lightsabers was a very rarely used technique and from what he could tell one was using nine sabers against the other three.


    Over five minutes go by and it is clear that much more is going on then just a fight between sabers. He sees that every saber is using a different form. A flurry of blades and the three lightsabers is reduced to only one, and several seconds later the last one falls as well. He expected them to open their eyes, but he waited as another five minutes went by. Obi Wan drew in the breath to interrupt them by clearing his throat loudly when Anakin laughed.


    "Master Kenobi you have got to try this." He takes in Anakin''s excited face that had replaced the calm concentration now that he was no longer focusing on holding all the blades in the air. Master Surik was as calm as he always seemed as long as he knew you were watching. Though Obi Wan had caught him several times looking sad as if he was missing someone.


    "Anakin what you find easy is something that many Jedi takes years to master. I also do not think you should be teaching him that form."


    "And what have you been teaching him? I just spent the last four hours going over every form and having to correct half of what he has learned. What I was just showing him was how the different forms work together. He needs to be shown his full potential and mastery of the Force. Stop holding him back because of some misguided adherence to tradition."


    "I know you mean well, but I am his master and I will determine when he is ready to learn something and not before." Revan tossed a training lightsaber at Obi Wan and he attacked as soon as he caught it. Revan had not fought Obi Wan yet, but in seconds he knew this was a Soresu practitioner. Good a test of endurance then. Drawing on the Force he countered Kenobi''s every defense with a strike and counter strike.


    Kenobi was instantly thrown off guard and had to scramble to maintain even the basics of defense. Surik was relentless and his forms rapidly jumped from one form to the next sticking with one for several moves or minutes before switching to another. Some moves were so random that he had to draw in the Force to keep up with the lightning fast strikes that stung his hands with the strength this man could apply. He pushed Obi Wan all around the room like a tooka chasing a meal. Obi Wan was sweating in minutes and after an hour he realized he was not as fit or prepared as he thought he had trained to be. His mastery of Form III had been challenged and he came up wanting as he was driven into a corner and tapped six times once in each of his limbs his neck and groin.


    "I rest my case." Obi Wan was panting as he watched Surik walk calmly away barely breathing harder than he had when he started. He had heard the man was a power house who pummeled Cin Drallig and Mace Windu daily after he worked through the other duelists in the order. This was not how he wanted to face him for the first time.


    "How?"


    "The simple reason is that you do not train to kill. If you faced a Sith then he would kill you." This made Kenobi nearly allow his anger to get the better of his tongue. He thought it better to ask a question instead.


    "And you have?"


    "I..." Kenobi watched the changes flashed over the man''s face which rarely showed any emotion. Then he felt a build up of the dark side that made his eyes widen in shock before it switched to feeling light. It was then that they locked eyes with each other and Kenobi understood. He may not know, but he understood that this man had seen things that few Jedi had. The biggest wonder was how did he know?


    It was only the first time that he found his padawan learning something from this master. In just a matter of a week Anakin seemed to settle down and was not so easily angered. He was calmer and surprised him by finally meditating instead of fidgeting the entire time. Their time sparing together, Anakin was unstoppable, but Obi Wan had upped his game as he was also sparring with Surik right next to Windu, Drallig and Yoda at times. How this unknown master could fend off all four of them with ease was a puzzle that he would eventually find out. The man seemed to have boundless energy. Many different Jedi went to him and he was at times other then in the dinning hall unreachable.


    Revan felt it even before Anakin came in the dining hall to get breakfast. The calm he had gained had been shredded by something during the night. He hid it well as his shields had gotten much stronger but as with any student that Revan had taught he could not hide from him. It was a skill he shared with Meetra and the reason his brother had left the order. He was more of a loner who could make fast friends but never wanted any deeper connection. He reserved these deeper connections for family. Revan had given up that luxury in order to form his empire and keep his subordinates loyal. He watched as the boy got his food and came over to his table. He kept his silence until Anakin took a moment to center himself enough to speak.


    "Morning Master Surik." He had not seen them for some time as they had gone to Ansion over some border dispute.


    "Looks like you didn''t even sleep. Bad dream?"


    "Several. I..." He then went silent as Knight Kenobi sat down looking as refreshed as he always did. Revan could not ignore the sudden shift. There must have been something else going on, but this was more of a trust issue and one that he had been slowly beginning to understand and it was not just between Anakin and Kenobi, but between many of the master padawan pairs. More so with the masters that interacted with Anakin that really bothered Revan. It was as if the masters were actively trying to suppress their students learning. That they were forcing them all into the same mold instead of bringing them to the breaking point or failure point and then teaching them to go beyond that.


    These were the methods he had learned and even taught to detrimental effect during the formation of his empire. True that these Jedi did not have to be in top form to go after normals, but to hold them to an impossible emotional norm was something he had felt was not in the best interest of the Jedi Order. Even the Jedi Council of his time would be shocked at how apathetic the Order had become. He looked to Kenobi and from what he could tell he had slept well and meditated at least for a few hours before coming to breakfast unlike Anakin who had most likely not slept at all.


    "The council is going to want to talk to you later on today Master Surik. They feel that you need to get a better understanding of the current political situation."


    "I do not need to see the Senate Zoo to understand current politics."


    "Well you are not wrong." Anakin chuckled slightly to this response.


    "Fine but I am not going to postpone my practice sessions."


    "That is why I said later on today." He began to eat and so the conversation moved to other topics that did not cover nightmares or troubling visions. Several hours later and after a fresh shower Revan felt something was not right as he headed up to the High Council chambers. He looked out one of the windows unable to see what could have been an explosion in the distance that he could feel had caused a few to die. It was not the first time he felt death since he arrived in this future but it was the first time the Force whispered in his ear. This caused him to contemplate if this was why he was hear so it took much longer to reach the chamber at the top. Sure he could have taken one of the lifts, but the time taking the stairs gave him time to focus and clear his mind. It was strangely convenient when he reached the top that Kenobi and Skywalker were coming out of the lift.


    We entered the chamber at the same time as I had a feeling we would be talked to together. It felt strange to be there having these masters try to ease by my shields and to find that I could push passed their shields while they could not touch mine. I do not think I could have gotten more cold stares from the council of my time. Though Master Yaddle smiled in my direction as she mentally slapped me out of her head. It was then we got a simple mission to guard a certain Senator, one that created a bit of surprise and worry in Anakin. It was a feeling that I instantly recognized. A feeling that most young men had. Except I had a feeling this was more than a passing crush as I remembered him telling his story on how he joined the Jedi Order.


    Anakin started to feel different. It was not until we started up the elevator that I understood. He had all the signs as he was fidgeting, sweaty, and even his voice was sounding different. It was as he adjusted his robes for the third time that Kenobi finally said something.


    "You seem a little on edge, Anakin."


    "Not at all." I grew a smile knowing where this was going.


    "I haven''t felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of gundarks."


    "You fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you, remember." I laughed openly with them but it was a bit forced on both of their parts.


    "You''re sweating. Relax. Take a deep breath."


    "Kenobi you are talking to a tree if you think he is going to relax." They both looked to Revan and he just glared at them before sighing.


    "What do you mean?"


    "This Senator Amidala is this girl, Padme?"


    "Yes." they answered together.


    Okay kid, this is the deal she is five years older."


    "Four."


    "Does not matter. The point is she is a Senator one who has a lot of responsibility and has had to live up to certain expectations. She is not going to remember you as you think she will. For all you know she will remark on you being a child at best. At worst she will not remember you even if she does." Kenobi seemed to get what I was saying but the boy was confused and I could feel his emotions rising to defend his crush.


    "She will remember me. I haven''t seen her in ten years and I remember her."


    "Don''t say I didn''t warn you." We entered the apartment for this alien to accost the two with jumping around as he was very excited. Luckily he did not try to do the same with me. Not that I would have stopped him as he seemed to be a walking clown. Thankfully he calmed down as we entered a common area through another door. I notice two females and a male, all human. The man had a distinctive eye patch and from his bearing in the Force he was security. The two females were close in looks to each other, but not like sisters. It was easy to pick the one with the gold hair basket was the Senator. I then looked closer at the other girl as our eyes met. My heart jumped for a moment as she looked just like Bastila. I could say I had an interest in her as the war started, but she never joined the Revanchists so my interest in her sexually did not last as I never saw her again after the war went on. I was so startled I nearly missed the woman remembering Anakin.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    "...always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine." I could not help snorting just a little bit catching how he grew a very embarrassed shade of red that hid his fury at me for my tiny outburst. I could feel that Kenobi found it humorous as well, but he could better control his reactions. She felt mildly embarrassed, but I could tell it was of a different variety as her words had been to mask her growing attraction.


    "And you are, Master Jedi."


    "Senator Amidala I am Master Rey Van Surik. I am here in an observational role."


    "It is a pleasure to meet another Jedi, but I do not think I need all three of you." Padme did not look happy as she glared at Captain Typho.


    I''m very grateful you''re here, Master Kenobi. I''m Captain Typho, head of her Majesty''s security service. Queen Jamillia has informed you of your assignment. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit.


    "Our presence will be invisible, M''lady, I can assure you."


    "I don''t need more security, I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me." She looked only slightly as angry as she was feeling through the Force.


    We will find out who''s trying to kill you Padme, I promise you." Uh oh, yup he is crushing hard as I felt him puff up with determination. Kenobi was quick to counter the boy, but he did have a point.


    "We''re here to protect you Senator, not to start an investigation."


    "We will..." I moved Anakin to the side as the others sat down forcing him to adjust as I took his spot and his words.


    "I think I could start this investigation while you two can focus on your mandate." I felt Obi Wan glaring at me. "As a fresh set of eyes on the enemies that you have gained as a Senator I am sure we could narrow down who."


    "We will do exactly as the Council has instructed, Master Surik."


    "And Master Kenobi need I remind you of proper etiquette." I glared back tapping his shields hard enough he winced.


    "Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now, if you will excuse me, I will retire." Revan had to smile as she had deftly defused the situation as well as I had blocked the possible argument that I had felt coming. Though I was sure I had started another. The tension did not abate as she left with her handmaiden one who I wanted to be introduce to. I knew it was silly at my age to be suddenly attracted to someone. Perhaps I should just pass it off as a past memory. I barely paid attention to them talking to Jar Jar.


    "Master Surik can I have a word with you."


    "Sure, and Anakin."


    "Yes master."


    "I told you so." Anakin blinked before his eyes grew larger as I chuckled. I slipped a wink in there only he could see as I felt his anger rise. I was going to have some fun with him if he was this easy to rile up. Kenobi was nearly visibly angry as he walked out on the balcony.


    "What were you thinking when you offered to start an investigation. The Council..."


    "Mandated that we protect the Senator. One that you know personally and so does your Padawan who was about to put both feet in his mouth to say the exact same thing."


    "Excuse me and what was with this etiquette reference?"


    "A master is to only show praise or thought out rebuttals to their padawans so that they are not seen as being put down but lightly chastised in front of others outside of the order and that goes double for arguments between masters."


    "You were in no position to offer to investigate as you even said that you were there to observe. I had to remind you of..."


    "Our orders? Kenobi you should know that orders are to be adhered to up until contact with the enemy. From there they are followed in spirit. What I did was show that we were and are there for her. She needed the assurance that something would be done."


    "It is still not what we are supposed to do."


    "Show compasion? Are you no longer allowed to show that you care or is it that this is just a job and that you are not required to care. Are you such a stickler for your code that you have no emotions." Kenobi nearly lost his cool as his next words came out very measured.


    "It is your code as well."


    "I learned long ago that I don''t do well with absolutes. I never understood why Master Odan-Urr changed the wording of the code. Then again his species was not very emotional to begin with. Natural lightsiders they were much like Master Yoda. I follow the classical code and so should you with the emotional padawan you have."


    "My padawan is difficult. He was not brought to the temple at the right time. He has attachments that he will not let go of. He still misses his mother and I can understand part of it is because he was raised as a slave."


    That could have made me angry as there was still slavery in the galaxy. It was a very lucrative trade and even part of many species cultures in some form or another. However, I came across the information and put it to the back of my mind as something to deal with in the future.


    "It is natural to miss your parents. They are family and I can see that you do not understand. You miss your creche master do you not and your former master?" Kenobi opened his mouth and then shut it as his hand stroked his beard. I could almost hear his thoughts on the matter as he felt as he got it.


    "I think I understand now. Perhaps we will focus on possessive emotions and how their negative aspects can be realized so he can better able to let go of his attachment to his mother."


    "You got most of it, but I believe you need to study it a bit more." Revan truly wanted to let him know that he had known his mother and missed her even now. It had pained him when she died more so then many of the other Jedi that had fought for him. It took him several weeks to stop trying to kill every Mandalorian personally for her death. He only stopped as he realized she had been there because of him.


    "Okay I will meditate on this subject."


    "Educate yourself or Anakin will always act in some part as a slave. You better check out their security set up."


    "True." Kenobi moved to the door before noticing Surik was not following. He still did not understand this man and he was hiding a lot from the council. He just wondered why he had been chosen to get Surik to reveal what he was hiding.


    "Are you coming?"


    "I have everything I need here." Revan held up a datapad as Kenobi nodded before disappearing back inside. It was not hard to get Amidala''s public history and with his codes he got the basic reports of the Invasion that Anakin and Kenobi had a large part in ending. He smiled at how the boy had destroyed the ship that controlled the droids. Mere puppets HK would have called them bouncing on unguided strings. It was here that he wondered if HK had survived these many millennium. He doubted it but if one could then that droid would do so. It was then that the Force hinted that his thoughts were true. Though how he would find the murderous droid was another issue for a different day.


    After several hours he moved to the security break room for some needed stimcaf. He had a list of potential suspects starting with Nute Gunray as he must be her largest enemy. Rune Haako was next on the list as they both had charges brought up against them that they had somehow not only avoided prison time but were still in charge of the Trade Federation. Several opponents in her system could have done so as well. But the one name that Amidala had suggested was this Count Dooku. Reading about him had taken the rest of the evening and the Force was screaming at him that he was the one behind her attacks. A former Jedi and one that was not silent on the Jedi Order''s strict loyalty to the Republic. He criticized the Order to the point that they were no better than obedient Akk dogs. Then he felt it as Anakin''s fear rose along with his anger.


    He rushed back up into the apartment to find the window broken and the two Jedi gone. He made a point of going to the window with one of his blades active. In case there was any other assassin near. It was not until he felt no more threat that he turned around to face the Senator and her handmaiden. He frowned as this was not the one he had seen before. How many bodyguards did she have.


    "Best to move to a more secure room. I will stay here until the other two return."


    "Come Padme. Thank you, master Jedi." He waited until the two were out of the room before picking up the strange bugs. After a brief scan the datapad returned with not only a name but full detail of the nasty bug. Kouhun came from a jungle world out past Ryloth called Indoumodo. They were used by assassins to kill targets that were hard to get to like the Senator was. Orn Free Taa was too new to the Senate to be a threat to her, and very few of the other systems in the region were controlled by the Hutt worlds. The next piece of info came from his Jedi clearance as the bugs were used by several Mandalorian bounty hunters, one of which came up as being allegedly linked to Count Dooku.


    "Hmm, so she instinctively knew who it was. Interesting."


    It was not until the next day that he met back up with Kenobi and Skywalker. He had to wonder what the Mandalorian was thinking in being near the one he worked with on the two assassination attempts. That he nearly revealed himself just to keep the Clawdite hunter silent was strange. That he would use a proxy was conflicting with Mandalorian honor as having another kill for you was an act of cowardice. That or his confidence in not being identified was high. He kept his opinion silent on who he thought it was until they walked into the Jedi Council.


    "And I have yet to find out anything about the toxic dart, or the Clawdite that was killed." Many of the masters looked concerned.


    "Track down this bounty hunter, you must, Obi-Wan." Master Yoda ordered before looking to Master Windu.


    "Most importantly, find out who he''s working for." I almost smirked as how could they not know.


    "What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting." Possibly, but there could be another reason one that Revan may have over looked. He started typing on his datapad ignoring several of the masters frowning at him.


    "Handle that, your Padawan will." Oh now that is going to turn out interesting putting the love struck boy with the endangered girl.


    "Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She''ll be safer there, and don''t use registered transport. Travel as refugees." Smart so long as no one sees them between her apartments and the space port. That they had refugees coming to Coruscant was surprising as they would not be able to afford to land on Coruscant.


    "As the leader of the opposition to the Military Creation Act, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the Capital." Nice point there Anakin and what I needed. Revan entered in the name and got several of his previous suspects linked in conflict with Amidala. Again those Neimoidians popped up. Why was that and another search revealed the Trade Federation still had a sizable droid military. If the Republic had a military then the Trade Federation would be disarmed. Though that is still speculation.


    "Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect." Yoda looked to Revan as he continued to ignore the council.


    "Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her." Wait what? How does this padawan have any influence with the Supreme Chancellor? The two bowed and made to leave.


    "Do you have something to add Master Surik?" Revan waved to Kenobi that they should go and he pushed Skywalker out with him.


    "I do have several points. One Senator Amidala should remain on Coruscant in order to be present for this vote. I get a feeling from the Force that this is the reason she has been targeted. As for the assassin there is only one type that uses jet packs and armor. That would be a Mandalorian. One I suspect as working for this Count Dooku. I have also a feeling that this Trade Federation would have the most to lose if the Military Creation Act is passed, so why oppose Amidala other than out of spite? They surely can not profit from being told to disarm. My best guess is that the assassin is the bounty hunter Jango Fett."


    The masters Revan could feel, were discussing his proposal silently as they traded concerned looks. It lasted several minutes as Revan was sensing the Force and getting a good feeling that he was right or at least close. Then Master Windu let a bit of his scorn leak out before he spoke.


    "That is some very damning points that we can not accept. Senator Amidala has plenty of supporters and her co-senator can vote in her place. She can give her guidance before she leaves as she is not the soul leader. It is how the Senate works. As far as Nute Gunray and the Trade Federation we could believe he is behind the attempts. Count Dooku was a member of this very council and a highly respected Jedi Master. It is not in his nature. We will pull up information on this Jango Fett, but again without solid proof we will not act until then."


    "Solid your investigating has been. More evidence we require before accept it we can."


    "Very well, masters." Revan did not bother to even bow as he had felt the Force disagree with these masters. Revan was sure of it. He would still need evidence and a lot more information to change their minds. He wondered if they could even think that this former master had turned to the dark side. To Revan it was nearly a given in his mind.

 Tatooine

    Instead of walking he took the lift and hoped to stop Anakin before talking to the Chancellor. He felt that something was very off with his relationship. As he walked by the meal hall, he glanced inside catching a glimpse of the very padawan as he was grabbing something to go. As he got close to him, he noticed he drained one cup of stimcaf before filling and draining a second.


    "You know in the time it will take that stimcaf to work you could have just meditated and used the Force to wake you up."


    "Master Surik, I could but I don''t have time." He took a large bite of the sandwich he had made.


    "Or have you not learned how yet?" Revan walked with Anakin as he moved out of the meal hall as he ate.


    "I do know, but I told you I have problems meditating."


    "Yes you said the Force is too loud. This makes it even more important to meditate. Sometimes even the Force is too loud for me, but when I meditate it realizes I want to listen and gets quiet." Revan looked to see that what he said was sinking in. The boy looked really tired.


    "Look I have to get going and convince the Chancellor that Padme, I mean the Senator needs to heed the council''s ruling."


    "I''ll come with, as I want to know how you know the chancellor. Plus, I see that you are not sleeping."


    "Chancellor Palpatine is from Naboo as well. He has become a father figure for me over the years. He has taught me a lot. As far as me not sleeping it is because I am having dreams about my mother. I left her on Tatooine and I have not seen her since. Maybe I am dreaming about her since I met Padme again." Revan took this in and then he felt his anger rise as what he was not saying. He needed to know more so he just asked.


    "Is your mother still a slave?" A deep sadness and a hint of buried anger radiated from the boy to make him concerned. This was not a good thing if something happened to his mother and he could feel it. Something was telling him he needed to find her for Anakin.


    "I don''t know. I can''t even send her a letter." That made up his mind. This boy still had his attachment and until he learned to let go of the ones, he loved he would be vulnerable. Revan was not sure why he wanted to help as he had his investigation, but the Force was suddenly screaming through the dark side with glee. Yes, the dark side wanted this boy to fall.


    "Here write down how I can find your mother, but I will need a ship." Anakin grabbed his datapad and his fingers flew over the touch screen.


    "I have just the ship for you. Been working on it and the embedded droid too. I hope you can fly a fighter and oh come on." Anakin nearly ran from there telling him everything he wanted Revan to tell his mother. As he rushed into his room and then back out he handed him a credit stick he was to give to his mother. With that Revan went to requisitions and asked for his stipend and an allowance for his investigation. Getting several thousand dataries and told to account for every penny. He didn''t even have to mind trick the young clerk. He went back to the meal hall ate his fill before retrieving the newer lightsabers he had built to replace the two that were taken. He liked these much better as they slid into the hidden slots without issue.


    An hour later he climbed into this blue and white Delta 7 fighter. It had different weapons and what looked like future engine replacements behind it. As he walked around the fighter the droid came alive and showered him with questions that he did not feel like answering. It was not until he climbs up the side that the droid did not shut up only to then start to scream.


    "Oh, be quiet. Anakin said you were a motor mouth." Revan tapped a code on his data pad and the canopy opened. Getting in the fighter was a shock and a surprise as the controls had not changed in thousands of years. As his hands flew over the different controls firing up the repulsorlift he was shocked that there were really no changes in the quality of fighter technology. As the ship rose in the air, he pointed it to the exit door.


    "Okay droid, Arthree. Anakin wants us to find his maker or mother in this case. Ready to go to Tatooine?" The droid beeped and the display wrote out its response.


    "Anything for my master."


    "Good can you open the hanger door?" The droid didn''t make a sound but the door opened and a flight path to the nearest hyperring appeared so Revan followed it. Not a single peep came over the comlink and Revan did not mind at all. As the ship linked into the ring, he felt a bit freer. He took one look at Coruscant before Arthree finished the hyperspace calculation and Revan saw nothing but the dark side shadowing the planet. The instant the ring''s power engaged he felt as if a weight lifted off his body. It was a feeling that he had not experienced before to such an extent. He had felt it when he faced the emperor, but this was not directed by any one being. This felt like the result of thousands if not millions.


    It was also a good thought to contemplate as being stuck inside a small fighter for the trip to Tatooine. He had spent some time on Tatooine in his first trip there. His mind bringing forth the location of the one-star map. He wondered if he should again seek out the Star Forge. For all he knew it was long destroyed. Then again if he remembered correctly the station was self-repairing in some form. This also brought back his words and thoughts that he left on that flawed holocron. Yes, if for nothing else he needed to go back to the Temple of the Ancients and retrieve the holocron or build a new one. He thought back as his words came to him.


    ''True power can come only to those who embrace the transformation as there can be no compromise. Mercy, compassion, loyalty, will prevent you from claiming what is rightfully yours. Those who follow the dark side must cast aside these conceits. Those who do not will fail by their own weakness. Those who accept the power of the dark side must also accept the challenge of holding on to it. By its very nature the dark side invites rivalry and strife. This is the greatest strength of the Sith, it culls the weak from our order. However, this rivalry can also be our greatest weakness. The strong must be careful or they will be overwhelmed by the ambitions of those working beneath them in concert. It is inevitable due to our social instincts. That is why each Master must have only one student.''


    He had been very right at the time, but where his other words lead to the inevitable destruction of the master as he with holds knowledge to forestall this end. No, the dark side was no more the solution than the light side had been. Both sought power and only their goals differed as one worked to protect and the other to dominate. Revan in his choice had to push aside his morality to win a war that could afford no compassion. His enemy valued only strength over another and he had met them equally with force. After seeing the true Sith for what they truly were he knew that the Jedi were nowhere near the strength to face such an unstoppable force. A force that only desired consumption.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Revan then found the Star Forge and learned to destroy at the same time he protected. A lesson that Malak never learned from what little history survived from his time. He attacked the Republic the Jedi and meant to turn them all into an empire that would meet this unstoppable force with an unmovable object. He was not sure what had happened after he was beaten, but he knew that the True Sith had been stopped. Something happened to remove this lust to consume the galaxy from the True Sith. Was it Nihilus that had nearly killed the remaining Jedi that redirected the Sith? Could it have been his brother''s actions or Meetra''s? Did anything he do back then really matter? Could it have stopped the endless war for the last 4000 years or started an even more devastating time.


    The hours went by and he was no longer at solution to how the Force had brought him here. He did not even know why the Council had even been so willing to let him be with such a story that lacked information. Then again, he could not claim to be Revan now, could he? Then he wondered had the Sith taken his thoughts literally. That would explain the complete lack of finding this Sith Lord. If there was only two instead of just a dark lord over every other Sith then that was an extreme that was strong, but flawed as all it would take is for the master to die before the apprentice is strong enough to learn on their own. They were not looking for a group of Sith and thought they ignored this former master Revan did not. His speeches were filled with his hunger for power. That was for sure.


    Looking at the timer he stopped his thoughts to review where he would be landing. Mos Espa was a very large town probably the largest city on the planet. The junk trader that had owned Anakin and possibly still owns Shmi lived on the out skirts of the city. Most likely giving Jawas access to his yard to trade with him. The light changed just before he came out of hyperspace to stop nearly on top of the planet. This was either lucky or that hyperspace calculation was much more precise. Once he disconnected from the hyperring he flew straight down to Mos Espa without a single contact. As the fighter''s holocom linked up with the local network he was able to find a landing spot right next to Watto''s shop.


    The heat hit as the ship started to power down and the canopy opened. Several of the locals were yelling at him for nearly landing on top of them. He tapped their minds with a hint of urgency at the same time he made adjustments with the Force to handle the heat. Everyone in sight suddenly had the urge to be somewhere else as Revan walked into the shop. It was only a bit cooler inside. He could feel only one life force inside as his eyes quickly adjusted to see nothing but junk filling the shelves and counters. A fluttering drew him to look at the small Toydarian that felt frustration as he worked on some part.


    "If ya need something outlander I am not selling to the likes of you."


    "Perhaps I came to collect on a debt." Watto''s eye narrowed at this stranger.


    "Never saw you before, so I know I don''t owe you no money."


    "I am looking for a slave you own. Shmi Skywalker?"


    "Sold her long time ago."


    "To who?"


    "Don''t remember, don''t care." The snap hiss of a lightsaber igniting made the old Toydarian take flight.


    "It may have sounded like a question, but it was a directive."


    "I die you get nothing. Now with a bit of coin..." Revan smiled as he grabbed the alien with the Force and pull him close.


    "Greed is not your only language, but I have many and I find pain works much better." To anyone who came close to the shop instantly turned and went the other way as several screams could be heard through the open doorway. It lasted for several minutes until the street outside made the city look abandoned. Revan came out a few minutes later. He maybe a former Sith Lord, but he had softened a bit. The damage he inflicted was healed and he even healed the Toydarian''s old leg injury. Leaving the former slaver alive was a kindness he was not often known for. A minute later he was heading to Anchorhead. There he refueled the fighter and flew out to the Lars homestead just as a few speeders joined another group. About thirty in all with them looking up as he landed the fighter. Most showed angry faces and a few fearful. Only a few felt curious in the Force as the canopy opened.


    "Are you lost outlander?" One member of the group asked. A man that rolled with anger fear and sorrow moved away from the group with a long blaster in his hands. There was a threat that he could train it on him in a blink of an eye so strong was the sense of murderous justice running through him.


    "I am here to talk to Cliegg and Shmi Lars. I have a message from her son, Anakin."


    "Are you a Jedi?"


    "I am Master Rey Van Surik, do you need my assistance?"


    "The Sand People raided the area and took one of our family. We want her back." Something felt wrong, and he felt they did not want his help.


    "I am not here to help you. Only to talk to Shmi and give her Anakin''s letters."


    "If you want to talk to her then you have to help us find her first." That was what was wrong and he now had no choice but to get involved.


    "Very well, but you will follow my orders. I have experience dealing with Sand people so first you all must completely cover all skin. Any visible skin is considered taboo worthy of death."


    "We don''t want to talk to them animals. We are going to kill them!" Revan felt that most of them thought this way and the Force warned him that they were all going to die but for a few of them.


    "Will covering up really help?"


    "It will. Are you Cliegg?"


    "I am." A protocol droid came out of the homestead with a large container of water.


    Then we will go free her. The rest of you can go home."


    "Go home? A Tusken raiding party is not two or three or those vermin."


    "More like twenty at a time!" Another yelled from the back.


    "The Force is with me and I don''t think I can carry more than one of you on the fighter." I took a hold of the container and moved it to the fighter with the Force. I opened the storage area of the ship and put it inside. Many of them backed away, but only about half. Revan pulled on the Force and let a disturbance form before letting it go as it tore up the dirt for over a hundred meters.


    "I said just Cliegg and I." It was not hard to rig up a seat for one of us on the outside of the ship. We took off near dusk as one of the two suns were dipping below the horizon. The Force told Revan enough to fly directly to where Shmi was being held. Many voices screamed on Tatooine. Some in anger, some in pain, some in fear. However, Shmi did not scream with her voice, but with the Force. As we landed the blaster fire started and Revan had to jump the sixty or so meters to the desert floor reflecting the bolts and blocking the bullets. Once the fighter landed the sand people paused just long enough for Revan to scream out his challenge to their chief. This stopped their possible renewal of attack and the screams Shmi let out stopped as well as a Tusken came out of a large tent that most likely held her.


    Revan pulled the water container out of the ship and set it down in front of the chief. Revan looked them all over feeling them in the Force knowing that he would have no trouble killing them all. A fate he felt he was somehow sparing them.


    "Water for woman." The twenty-liter container was worth its weight in gold out in this desert. One female came forward and tested the water before talking to her chief. He signaled and another went and pulled out Shmi from the tent. They brought her closer, but did not release her.


    "More worth she." Revan reached through the Force and one by one linked all the natives together.


    "Go get your wife." Some of the Tusken lifted their Gaffi sticks, but a mental attack you cannot block. Cliegg jerked in fear as they all suddenly began to scream which spurred him on to gather his wife who had collapsed to the ground. He picked her up and carried her all the way back to the ship as Revan maintained control of the Tuskens with the Force.


    "Arthree return to the homestead of Cliegg Lars. I will follow behind you." The droid beeped and whistled his confusion, but complied as Cliegg set Shmi inside the cockpit and fastened himself to his make shift seat.


    "Are you sure?"


    "The Force will sustain me."


    "Okay droid take us home." The droid let out a sad sound as the ship lifted off. Once it was out of sight Revan looked back at the chief.


    "You will now tell me who all decided to take that woman."

 Nightsister Padawan

    Palpatine was many things and hasty was not one of them, but now he felt he had to do something. The problem he did not know what it was he needed to do until a tendril of the dark side came to him and revealed that a certainty was now denied to him. A bit of searching with the Force and it revealed a door to the path he had been grooming Anakin for had closed. He reached out with the dark side and found those beings he so easily influenced were dying one by one.


    The dark side rolled as giggled in glee, but it was not the feeling he had expected and much too soon to be Anakin as he was still on board the refugee ship for Naboo. He searched a bit more beyond these creatures deaths and found the spark of life in the woman who gave birth to Anakin and feeling their weak bond still tethered between the two. No longer was fear and intense pain pulsing down the line to infect Anakin''s dreams with horror. Only the pain of injury and a sense of relief. Then it flared in happiness and love such disgusting feelings weak and pathetic. Who got involved? Why was the dark side laughing? He delved into the dark side and all he could see was this mask. A mask he had seen before, but had no reference, Mandalorian, yes that was it. Did those poor farmers have enough to hire a bounty hunter? Impossible, but yet.


    Perhaps not all was lost as he reached down the hidden bond to see what Anakin was thinking. He could tell he was talking not understanding much other than the emotions the boy was feeling. The closest datapad flew through his office and shattered against the far wall. Anakin was feeling relief and hope on top of the compassion he was receiving from the girl. It was partially good as he was growing closer to the girl, but without the loss of his mother the dreams became meaningless. No she still needed to die, and he had a contingency just for that. Several hours later.


    "What is thy bidding, my master?"


    "Tyranus I have a mission for your new apprentice."


    Revan took the time to go out to the cave that held the Star map that he had seen so long ago. The entrance had long been buried and it took time to pull the sand out of the way with the Force. As he slid down into the cave he was bombarded with flashes of memory that were not his. They had the feel of his brother and if it was not for the googles the tear that formed in the corner of his eye would have escaped. The air was much cooler in the darkened cave with only the small hole letting in the light. His white lightsaber snapped on and showed the ancient speeder they had moved into the cave. Wait no his brother had move inside.


    He inspected them and they would have some value if they could be removed, restored, and then sold off planet. Even if they were not restored they were worth a lot. Not that he really cared for wealth, but having credits smoothed a lot of things over. What he did find useful was the personal shields that he found on the skeletons. They would need to be cleaned and recharged as they would come in handy. It was also surprising that they had not been looted and the cave stripped clean. Though it could have been intentionally buried and being so far out in the dune sea it was just too hot for anyone other then someone in a cooling suit or a Jedi as even inside the darkened cave it was still over forty degrees compared to the sixty degrees. Add in a metal plate and it would be hot enough to cook Bantha steaks.


    Moving further inside the cave he found the large bones of a long dead Krayt dragon. Touching it gave him another memory of his brother harvesting one of two pearls from its stomach. By the time he reached the back of the cave this device suddenly illuminated the area as it powered back on and opened up. With his datapad he recorded the map image before plugging in the pad to the ancient relic. He typed away as the computer translated the operating system and he got the map to switch to several different views. He now had the current hyperspace location of Lehon where the Star Forge was, the Droid Foundry, and the World Former. He had been to each of those and he got the feeling that his brother had retraced his steps at one point. Then a forth entry appeared with a name that he did not know the meaning of.


    Though the Force was hinting that it was something to do with creation. Then again each of the stations created something or another. Part of the World Former was on Kashyyyk, but if he could get to it and move it the possibility to turn desert world back into vibrant worlds was very tempting. Not that he would find the stations as he was sure his brother destroyed them or they got destroyed in the 3000 years of war. Still, he might just go to each again. There was a lot of knowledge that the galaxy could use from the computer data banks on Kashyyyk. The Star Forge was too far out of balance even if it functioned and the foundry just made droids and weapons small enough for beings to carry.


    "Better go back." He mumbled as he found the switch to turn it off again before he headed back to the farmstead. Perhaps some day he would go to each of the locations to remove the star maps. They were too dangerous to leave to chance though if they survived this long without being discovered then perhaps he didn''t need to. Not like there was anyone other than him who understood the Rakata language. If anything it was something to do someday. He reburied the cave before getting back into the fighter. Glad that the ship cooled him down as they flew back to the homestead. He planned to meditate while he cleaned and recharged the shields he recovered. The Force flared in warning as the ship touched down.


    The canopy barely opened before a ship dropped out of the sky as droids dropped from either side. These droids opened fire as soon as they recovered from their fall. Igniting one of the sabers Revan had no issue sending the bolts back to the droids. The tan ones fell apart easily with one shot but the darker gray ones took several of their own blaster bolts before failing. It was not until these red rolling droids rolled off the ramps of the ship that he let go with enough raw Force to chain destroy these newer threats. He watched as the gray droids allowed the lightning like bolts to jump to these droids that even with their shields up they jerked and shorted out.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    "You''ll pay for that!" Two red blades came to him as he ignited his black blade as well.


    "Ah such anger, so you must be a Sith."


    "That is right and I am going to enjoy destroying you." Revan smiled and then shoved her away from him. He then created two spheres of the Force one dark and the other light.


    "Let''s see how you handle the full Force."


    "I can handle you in my sleep, Jedi." Revan laughed as he sent both of the spheres to float between them. Not knowing what they were this female avoided them.


    "I am no Jedi."


    "Well you don''t feel like a Sith."


    "I am no Sith either, but more."


    "Nothing compares to the power of the dark side." This female now enraged powers through the dark sphere as Revan pulls up the counter to the sphere around him. As she get close enough that their blades meet she is shoved back as if Revan himself exploded. He lets another dark sphere form before letting it go.


    "Fight me!"


    "I am, but you are but a child compared to me. Show me your mastery of the Force." The woman screams and shoots two streams of lightning from her hands. Revan let the one sphere intercept the lightning coming for him and it flashes as it is destroyed.


    "My turn." Revan rises up into the air and unleashes a Force storm that engulfs the woman and nearly her ship in lightning. Then he drops down to the ground and sends several disturbances at the young woman. Had she not used both of her blades to block she most likely would not have survived. However, she was still smoking as Revan kneeled down and took her blades.


    "The dark side is only part of the Force that we can use. The Sith are just as weak as the Jedi as there is nothing that the Sith can use that the Jedi can not use also, and the same goes the other way. The full power of the Force is much more then either of their sides."


    "No, you are wrong, and I will kill you, Jedi." Revan touched her head and ran his hand to the side in a caring gesture as he delved into her mind. Her shields were no match for his as he searched for her master. He then found two. One who used lightning on her before he sent her here and a Jedi that died in her arms.


    "You are not a Sith. Fallen with a mistaken anger. You were a Jedi padawan once until your master died. What was his name?" The woman fought him vainly as her head thrashed back and forth.


    "I''ll never tell you."


    "But you will, and you did, Asajj. Knight Ky Narec died in front of you." Revan pushed further into her mind seeing glimpses of the path that she had taken.


    "Get out of my head!" She growled and Revan smiled at her sudden burst that did push him out.


    "The Jedi know me as Rey Van Surik, the Sith of the past knew me as Darth Revan. You may call me master."


    "I have a master, Darth Tyranus."


    "Not for long. Tell me where is your master now?" Revan pushed back into her mind harder this time and the girl collapsed into the sand as if she was physically shoved.


    "Get. Out. of. My. Head." He tapped a part of her brain and she passed out. He had his information as her master was very close. A mere parsec away in another system.


    "Is she dead?" Owen asked as he came up behind him with a long blaster.


    "No just unconscious. Too dangerous to let her go, but I am unwilling to just kill her. She could be useful and she is strong in the Force if barely trained. Revan easily pulled each of her lightsabers apart making Owen gasp. Once the crystals were clear he wrapped his hands around each. He felt their history and the sadness that these were not this girl''s Khyber but another that had died. He pushed the light side of the Force into each of the gems until they felt clean and no longer bleeding in the Force. Placing both on the temple of the sleeping woman he helped form the bond that she would need to fully integrate with the crystals. At some point Owen had left his side and as he put the lightsabers back together Asajj opened her eyes as the blade ignited over her body.


    Revan felt her fear before he felt that she was conscious. He maintained the blades over her frozen body as he studied her again. Fear, hopelessness, and pain greeted him and a tiny sliver of curiosity.


    "Are you afraid you will die?"


    "Yes." She whispered unable to take her eyes from the blades.


    "I have felt that emotion many times, but it was always companion to my resolve. What I always also had was hope. You don''t have any hope, but I will give it to you. All you have to do is kneel." He saw as her anger rose within her as he gave her just enough room to rise up on her knees. Slowly she shifted not wanting to provoke Revan into removing her head. For minutes on end she knelt wordlessly until she finally came to a decision as all she could see was her death.


    "I submit, my master."


    "Good, but not enough." He moved the blades to either side of her head and she dared not move even if the Force was screaming in her head.


    "I, Rey Van Surik take Asajj as my apprentice. I will teach you everything I know as long as you have a desire to learn. I will protect you, give you my trust, respect, and truth to teach you to give the same. I may not tell you something, but I will not lie as you may not be ready or it is not my place to tell."


    "What is to stop me from leaving or killing you in your sleep?"


    "Nothing but the Force. You can leave now, but do not return to this false Sith. For if you do I will show you no mercy. As for killing me you have little chance unless it is the will of the Force."


    "What do I have to say?"


    "Nothing as words are meaningless with out your honesty."


    "I will submit to you and strive to learn from you until you have nothing more to teach me." Revan opened his mind fully to her and as he gave her a friendly tap she hesitantly did the same. Asajj''s eyes grew as she saw things that she never dreamed of flash between their minds. She felt his determination his resolve and his Beskar will. He gave her a glimpse of his pains and his joys, his defeats and his victories. Then as their bond formed he chuckled driving all knowledge of what he showed her from her mind leaving behind only the feelings. He was just as broken as she was once. Then as if Tyranus died her fledgling bond with him shattered as this new bond grew.


    "We are going to have an adventure you and I." She heard him in her head clear as day as she got up from the ground. A moment later he handed her the white blades he had at her throat. It was not until she felt the hilts that these were the same blades Dooku had giving her.

 Reunions of Several Flavors

    Dooku felt it as he sat at a desk. It was a punch to his chest as the bond he had formed with Ventress had snapped. Like a light going out she was gone. He sighed as he tugged at the bond he had with Sev''rance Tann. She would know what that meant as his comlink beeped once. He picked it up even knowing what it said.


    "On the Way, Master. Unlike her I will not fail." She better not Dooku thought. No matter he thought as he got up and moved to the viewing ledge. He had the exact words to say to the representatives of the various corporations coming later on.


    Anakin walked up to the old shop that he had spent so much time inside of as a slave. It somewhat surprised him that there was some type of line to get in. One door held a line fifty deep and another showed beings leaving with arm loads or droid loads of parts. Business had never been this busy. Padme was standing next to him closely and he did not mind. She provided a cooling sensation even if she heated him up with her kiss. She held on to his hand meant more than anything in the galaxy. For as long as the line was it was moving quickly. In less than an hour they entered into the shop which was cold enough to shiver.


    "Chut, chut, Watto."


    "I have no time for you. Go find something you want and buy it. Going out of business." Anakin was sure he did not hear right, and as the next being shoved him to the side and Watto suggesting a price that was way lower than he would ever charge and the being then talked him down further.


    "Mi boska di Shmi Skywalker." Watto waved the next customer up.


    "I sold her, go talk to Lars he by her, but you''re not the only one to ask about her."


    "Ten wupiupi." Watto held out his hand to take the coin for a part that would have gained him a hundred.


    "Who where?" Watto handed him a tablet that seemed stuck on the coordinates of some homestead out in the middle of the wastes.


    "Friends of you Jedi. Not very nice both tortured me the other hissed that she was Sith. If you are like them then do me the favor and just kill me." Saying the word Jedi got the ones inside to look at Anakin and his visible lightsaber and the word Sith got them to all rush out in fear. Padme held to Anakin closer and gasped as a few had not left but drawn blasters. Anakin wanted to draw his lightsaber and attack them but Padme was her and her safety was paramount. He thought for a second and wondered what Obi Wan would do.


    "You want to go home." He pushed hard on their minds through the Force


    "I want to go home." four of the five, put their blasters away and left leaving one shaking in their boots. With a flick of his hand the blaster flew out of the being''s hand and to Anakin''s.


    "You can keep it." The Rodian spoke in his own language before racing after his friends. Anakin followed the being with his eyes.


    "Greedo?"


    "Who?"


    "Nothing probably not him. Watto what did you mean I should kill you?"


    "Both of them tortured me. The first some how healed me the other didn''t." He tapped his healed leg, but also pointed to the distinct markings as if he got struck by lightning. The branching burns were as pretty as they were disturbing as they cover nearly every inch of his exposed skin. For the Toydarian was only wearing a light thin vest that Anakin had only ever seen him sleep in. This finally alarmed him as he glanced at the datapad again.


    "My mom is in danger." He pulled Padme out of the shop and did not slow down until they were getting into their ship. It took a minute for Padme to catch her breath as Anakin flipped switches with his hands and the Force.


    "A Sith like the one that killed Qui Gon Jinn?"


    "That or worse." The ship lifted off and then rocketed away hitting the speed of sound just at the edge of the city. This rattled the walls of every hovel around for a kilometer.


    Thirty minutes later Anakin came out of the ship with his lightsaber already lit. He had expanded his presence in the Force and was just now feeling the life forms inside the homestead. He locked onto his mother as the only presence he recognized before another a bit further away revealed itself.


    "Master Surik?"


    "Who?"


    "An older master. Really strong one of the wanderer Jedi. He defeated Master Windu and Master Yoda in a duel." Anakin reached out as he turned his saber off to let Master Surik know that danger was near. All he got back was a laugh in the Force not unlike a giggle. As they got to the stairs Master Surik came out of a side building with a hooded figure.


    "If you are looking for assassins then I found her. That is there was only you?"


    "I was the only one sent."


    "Good, now Anakin your mother is waiting for you. Something about making your favorite dessert."


    "Pally pockets." Forgetting that Master Surik was somehow with an assassin he ran to the door he had pointed at dragging Padme with him.


    "Don''t tell me that is the Chosen One and his girlfriend? I thought Jedi could not have lovers."


    "Oh we can have lovers. Spouses is another story. A spouse is the type of attachment that can divide a Jedi''s loyalty, but could also ground them to protect those he loves. It is a fine line that few can follow. One I used many times to turn one away from the light side of the Force. Only the strongest could resist and that was true love."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "How disgusting."


    "Come you have much more to tell me and I you."


    "Time travel, do I really need to know?"


    "Perhaps not." The two went back into the repair shop leaving the family reunion to the family. It was several hours before dinner had been finished. Anakin had his arms in the air telling of one of his adventures.


    "So there was my master screaming in panic after he had jumped down not realizing the cave we were in was the nest of a family of Gundarks." Padme had heard this story already so was not completely paying attention when her comlink vibrated. She pulled it out and read the message from Artoo.


    "Anakin."


    "Yes."


    "Artoo has a message from Master Kenobi. He says he is in trouble."


    "Is it serious?" Shmi wondered as concern crossed her face for only a second as it could not reduce her joy at having her son with her all grown up.


    "Knowing my master it can be, but I am sure it is nothing we can''t handle. We better go listen to it." Padme and Anakin got up together.


    "Yes, it was so nice to meet you all." Padme said as Anakin moved closer to his mother.


    "You are coming back inside if you have to go?" Beru asked.


    "If it is serious then he would have to go. We will see them again. Stay safe and I want to be at the wedding." Cliegg declared. Padme turned very red and Anakin froze as he was hugging his mother.


    "Cliegg shame on you." Shmi scolded as Anakin released her looking as red as Padme. They shared a glance that did not lessen the level of embarrassment they were showing.


    "What?! I am not blind."


    "Papa, he is a Jedi and she is a Senator." Owen reminded him.


    "So? Big deal doesn''t mean they love each other. I loved your mother and I love Shmi just as much, but if I let her being a slave dictate on whether I should date her then I would be still miserable and not one happy man."


    "You''re right. I apologize. If Beru was a Senator I would still love her."


    "I love you Ani don''t do anything foolish saving Master Kenobi. Show him you can handle duty and family. I am so proud of you all grown up." Anakin hugged his mother again and she kissed him on the forehead after pulling his head down. She let him go to hug Padme and refused to cry until the door shut. Then she let the tears flow as her boy was worth the loss of water. Anakin had trouble holding his tears as well as he was sad and ashamed to show such emotion not just in front of Padme, but in front of Master Surik and this bald female as they came out at the same time though he was hopeful they did not see as it was getting dark.


    "I have a message I need to view on my ship. Probably nothing."


    "If it was nothing the Force would not of told me it is time to go. I will listen with you, but I will not interfere unless I have to."


    "Yes, master."


    "Rey or Rey Van. You can leave the master for when we are with others."


    "Revan? Why does that sound familiar?"


    "Don''t know Anakin." He winked making the boy''s frown grow. Revan knew he had not said the two names together, but the Force and the boy was not stupid. He looked to Asajj as she just shrugged. Anakin turned and headed up the stairs with Padme in tow.


    "I really don''t like him."


    "He''ll grow on you like a fungus, cause I am sure he is a fun guy." He felt her roll her eyes even with her hood concealing everything. He then pointed in the direction they went and followed her. Revan was many things and he was very aware that this girl could turn on him, but what she didn''t know is that the bond they shared was way more open then she knew. They entered into the other ship followed by the ever curious droid, Threepio. Before they have a chance to sit down the holocom becomes active. Obi Wan is suddenly there.


    "Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Send this message to Coruscant." Padme turns and reaches over to a control board and taps on one of the screens to transmit the message. The signal shows another connection as another screen shows the council chambers coming into focus.


    "Padawan Skywalker has something happened to the Senator?" Master Windu asked.


    "No master we have a message from my master. Playing it now." A double image appears in the council chamber of Obi Wan.


    "I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis. I was able to view several corporate leaders in conference with Count Dooku. As of right now the Trade Federation is to take taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala."


    Anakin and Padme share concerned looks and then look to Asajj who still had her hood up. Revan was wondering what was truly going on as there was a lot more that the news and his access to the holonet had excluded. He felt the concern crossing the members of the Jedi Council as Asajj quietly sneered.


    "The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an... Wait!... Wait!" The view changed to show several Droidekas rolled in and opened fire as soon as they unfurled. In seconds the view goes out as Obi Wan''s fighter is destroyed. Revan watches the exchange of looks between master Yoda and Mace Windu


    "More happening on Geonosis, I feel, than has been revealed."


    "I agree." Mace replied. "Anakin, We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority."


    "Understood, Master." The hologram switches off.


    "That was sudden. I did not even get to report the threat to Senator Amidala is passed or that your mother was targeted as well, young Skywalker." Padme is looked at the readout on the ship''s control panel as Anakin looked confused and held a hint that his anger was rising. Revan held back a smile that Asajj was enjoying. They were very much alike in how they reacted.


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Oh relax padawan and open yourself to the Force. Asajj tell him."


    "Do I have to? He is feeling so good right now."


    "I do not think taunting him will gain you any favor Asajj."


    "Very well, master. Darth Tyranus gave me an order to find and kill Shmi Skywalker. Master Surik convinced me that was a bad idea."


    "He was right. They would be be nothing to stop me from hunting you down."


    "Oh so Jedi like."


    "Asajj, be nice. Anakin focus on the code I showed you. Regain your focus and maintain control."


    "If I must." They both said together causing Revan to chuckle. Padme cleared her voice and got everyone''s attention.


    "They''ll never get there in time to save him. They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look, Geonosis is less than a parsec away." She started to hit buttons and flick switches. Anakin puts a hand over hers, which stopped her. She then stared at him.


    "If he''s still alive."


    "Use your bond with him. I feel he is alive you should too."


    "I do feel it, but by the time we get there and then find out where he is they could kill him."


    "Annie, are you just going to sit here and let him die? He''s your friend, your mentor."


    "He''s like my father, but you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here."


    "He gave you strict orders to protect me, and." Padme pulled her hand free and ran her hands over the controls until the engines fire.


    "I''m going to save Obi-Wan. So if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along."


    "I suggest before you take off on letting us out. I believe someone will know just where to land and has the proper clearance codes." They all look to Asajj and she sigh loudly.


    "Fine but I am flying and you will follow my ship closely."


    "Not a problem it will be as if I am attached." They both grin as Revan and Asajj leave the ship. Within a minute the other ship comes alive and the Lars come out of the homestead to wave. Anakin held back his emotions as he waved back as both ships rose up together before rocketing up into the air. A minute later a series of sonic booms roll across the dry valley leaving a happy yet sad mother to cry into the silence.

 Diplomacy and Force Bonds

    The two ships exit hyperspace at the same time. Silence holds except for a few beeps as systems adjust. A reddish planet comes into view as the ships maneuver into the atmosphere after bypassing the asteroids that ring the planet.


    "So how are we going to find Obi Wan?" Padme asked over the comlink.


    "We will land by the Petranaki arena. If any where that is where he will wind up." Asajj replied. Anakin felt a chill go down his spine as she answered before he said anything.


    "The main thing we are going to have problems with is staying out of sight."


    "I think we will go right in the front door." Revan felt all their reactions as being unreasonable.


    "What?!" Anakin was the not the first that wanted to question the statement as Asajj was quicker.


    "This is a planet with their own government that most likely is not with the Republic anymore. If we sneak in then several things could and will happen as once discovered it will cause a flight or fight reaction to say out of being captured. Now if we walk in the front door we get brought to the one in charge and can then negotiate for Obi Wan''s release. They won''t have a thing to charge us with that way and as a Senator you will have the legal authority to make a deal."


    "Like that is going to work. You heard my master. Nute Gunray wants her head and I am sure he is still here."


    "That is a problem and a possible advantage."


    "I am not going to play prisoner."


    "She is right and I don''t approve."


    "Padawan, you do not have the experience. I do and this will work. Maybe." Revan could feel the argument the two were having as he felt that Amidala was seriously thinking about it. A small smile formed on his face as he looked at Asajj.


    "I know Count Dooku. He is a Sith though he might make a deal, but this snake Gunray will not stop until that Senator is dead."


    "True, but I think I would be a much bigger prize one he can not pass up if all else fails."


    "What makes you so special?"


    "Nothing, but the Force." Asajj rolled her eyes not wanting to hear such a blatant statement.


    "Dooku must think I failed. I felt our bond sever. He will not expect me to come back and definitely not with prisoners or a diplomatic party. Infiltration is the best course of action."


    A door raises open as Count Dooku walks into the cell that is holding Obi Wan Kenobi. The force field held him stretched out and slowly turning. He looks at the young Jedi who his former dead padawan did not want to train.


    "Traitor!" Dooku pauses not fully expecting such a response, but he had his words planned.


    "Hello, my friend. This is a terrible mistake that has gone too far almost to the point of madness." Obi Wan resisted the urge to roll his eyes.


    "I thought you were the leader here, Dooku." He continued to circle and the Count continued to walk around.


    "I am the leader of the CIS, but this has nothing to do with me, I assure you. Geonosis is an independent state as are all the members of the Confederacy. You broke their laws that I will petition immediately to have you set free." Obi Wan paused to think of his response and could not come up with anything useful. He needed more information.


    "Well, I hope it doesn''t take too long. I have work to do." Ah ever the joker to hide his fear. Yes it will not be too hard to sway him. Time for a side question.


    "May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis?" Obi Wan did not hesitant to answer.


    "I''ve been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?" Ah so he had seen something. Jango told me he had taken out a nosy Jedi. He was not one to miss. Better to mislead him here.


    "There are no bounty hunters here that I''m aware of. Geonosians don''t trust them."


    "Well, who can blame them, but he is here, I can assure you." He knew that the Count knew Jango was here. He felt the Force nudging him that Dooku was not fully honest. The dark side was also whispering around him adding to the feeling.


    "It''s a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi Wan. Qui Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he were still alive. I could use his help right now." Dooku let his grief out and hit Kenobi as he tried to state otherwise making him falter in his conviction.


    "Qui Gon, would never, join you." It did not wound as strong as it could have been said. Good perhaps I can convince him.


    "Don''t be too sure, my young Jedi. You forget that he was once my padawan as you were once his. He knew of the corruption in the Senate, but he would never have gone along with it if he had known the truth as I have."


    "The truth?" Dooku hid his smile yes I have him as he is doubting himself even more. Now to reel him in.


    "What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lords of the Sith?" More doubt rolled of the young Jedi. Yes this might just work.


    "No, that''s not possible. The Jedi would be aware of it." Disbelief is a hard shell to crack as his is near the breaking point.


    "The dark side of the Force has clouded their vision, blinded them. Hundreds of greedy Senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious." The hook is even farther inside now.


    "I don''t believe you." Dooku pulled hard on the rod setting the hook in place.


    "The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious, but he was betrayed ten years ago. He came to me for help, to tell me everything. I tried many times to warn the Jedi Council but they wouldn''t listen to me. Once they sensed the Dark Lord''s presence, it would then be too late. You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy this Sith."


    "I will never join you, Dooku." The Count smiled knowing he caught his fish. Either way it was a win. Too bad he did join him. Kenobi''s tenacity would have been made things so much easier. He then turns to leave as he stops walking.


    "It may be difficult to secure your release." He added for good measure to lock in Obi Wan''s choice. As the door opens his comlink beeps.


    "Yes?" A droid appears as he brings out the comlink.


    "Your excellency a chromium plated ship has been spotted next to your apprentice''s ship approaching the city."


    "Interesting, let them land." He then turned to see Obi Wan''s face reflect the sudden worry he felt through the Force before the door closed shut. He turned and instead of going to speak further with Poggle the Lesser he would meet the very Senator that Sidious wanted dead more than Gunray did, but there was a plan for her so having her killed outright was not a priority, but if it came to pass it would not spoil much. Anakin would most likely be with her and he was not going to let a potential rival live if he could help it. Even better if the Geonosians killed them both for him.


    He passed over the very factories that were making droids by the hundreds. Droids that would push against the Republic and leave behind only darkness and suffering. He was fully prepared to burn the galaxy of all the greed to replace it with order and submission with only the Sith on top. He had long ago gave up removing the Sith he had hunted as he had joined them as his surprise at finding out Palpatine was the Sith that the Jedi had been looking for all these centuries. There had been another, but he was killed the same time Qui Gon lost his life. It was not a fair trade in his opinion, but one he had to accept. He walked out on the large landing field as two ships were turning around as they came to rest. Both their landing ramps came down as four Magna guard droids, several Droidekas, and a platoon of regular droids marched up behind him.


    "Make a corridor for these guest to walk through. Keep the droidekas aimed at the ships. Magna with me." He ordered the droids.


    "Roger, roger." The droid turned. "Make two rows facing each other." The droids started to move and Dooku ignored them. It was a risk to come out here along, but his apprentice had yet not arrived. A pair of feet appeared in the one entrance and a pair of droids in the other. Dooku reaches out with his senses and finds his other apprentice is not dead, but she has changed as her presence is more focused. The droids come down the ramp as the appeared to argue with each other. He then turns back to his apprentice and the figure next her. There is no signature in the Force from this man and one slight touch allows him to know that this man''s shields are even better than Sidious''s. That peeks his interest as he did not recognize this master. Though his robes were dark and oddly constructed. He looked back at the Chromium ship as a white cloak catches his eye to reveal a moment later the form of Senator Amidala with the taller figure of Anakin slightly behind her.


    "I am impressed that you would greet me personally, Count Dooku." He looked at the Jedi next to his missing apprentice and found it hard that she would tolerate a Jedi so near her.


    "I was just shocked at how quickly that you have appeared. Not that you will be able to do much here Senator. Geonosis is not a part of the Republic."If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "It is not that easy, Count. You know as well as I do that the Unification Policies are still in full effect. Until they are repealed not one system can voluntarily leave the Republic."


    "Perhaps there is something that can come out of this, but I assure you Geonosis has never been a part of the Republic. Your presence here might help out one the Jedi Order''s own. Seems Master Obi Wan Kenobi was caught spying and reporting back to the Jedi Council."


    "My master is no spy!" Anakin moved forward only to be stopped by Revan''s hand.


    "Anakin Skywalker is it? My my, you have grown. The last message I ever received was from Qui Gon on how he discovered you."


    "He was a great Jedi, not a traitor like you."


    "Harsh words young padawan, but Qui Gon might as well have been my son as he was my padawan so long ago. He would have been a good master for you had he not lost his life."


    "Count Dooku Obi Wan Kenobi is an officer of the Republic. I formally request that you turn him over to me, now." This was the fiery Senator he had seen on the Holovids.


    "I am truly sorry, but he will most likely be convicted of espionage, Senator. The penalty of such a crime is death."


    "You can''t do that."


    "No I can not and I did make my opinion clear, but the Geonosians do not recognize the Republic here.


    "This feels all nice and I am not one for playing politics as it never was my style, but you have someone we want freed. What we need to find out is what you want in exchange."


    "You are?" Dooku had a sudden dislike of this Jedi. He talked like he was a leader a commander. One who was followed without question. A dangerous combination as he stood in front of Ventress. A position telling he trusted her fully.


    "Rey Van Surik and this is my apprentice. Formally belonging to a Tyranus." He shot a look at Ventress hoping she could hear his mental promise. By how she took a step back as her arms twitched told him she understood.


    "I see though I have not met a master of your caliber in a long time and I know all the current masters of the Jedi Order."


    "I never said I was part of the Jedi Order." This claim was the pure truth as it shocked Dooku as much as the claim shocked the young Jedi and even the Senator. Asajj confirmed this as she laughed in her way that annoyed him.


    "As far as I can see the only chip to secure Kenobi''s freedom is the Senator herself. Viceroy Gunray is on planet and if she is seen there will be no stopping him. It is that or that the Chommell sector perhaps just the system of Naboo to join our alliance would promote enough clemency."


    "That is not going to happen." Anakin''s protectiveness flared as he stepped in front of Padme.


    "Jedi Skywalker you are not helping." Padme scolded him as she turned back to the count. She was truly considering this, but she knew the queen would never allow it even if she could rationalize it to be in the benefit of Naboo.


    "The ideals are still alive Count, even if the institution is failing."


    "And failing indeed. The Chancellor means well, M''lady but he is just one being. In the last ten years nothing has changed it has just gotten worse. It is only a matter of time before even the pretext of democracy is gone."


    "I can not believe that. Your treaties with these big corporations and commerce guilds are not government. It is business becoming government. There is no freedom there."


    "Then I am afraid there is little I can do. Though tomorrow you might have a window in freeing him during his execution. I suggest you do not tarry my control of these droids is limited to these few. The planet is covered in them." Count Dooku turned and walked away smiling. He got the feeling of despair from Amidala as she would have to sacrifice herself for a Jedi which made Skywalker despair at the thought of loosing her and loosing his master. He felt Asajj''s fear as he had no need to tell her what her fate would be.


    Only this Rey Van Surik was a mystery. This mysterious stranger was dangerous. His power well hidden from the boy, but Dooku was not a master for nothing. He saw his stance, that a warrior and not a Jedi. Perhaps he had given his speech to the wrong Force user as that man would have no problem joining him even if Dooku had to follow him instead of Sidious. Such a strange thought one he felt he needed to meditate about. He could feel them talking as he reached the nearest door back back into the hive compound. They would be very foolish indeed.


    Jango Fett removed his buy''ce in all his time alive he had never had such a feeling before. He had recognized not only Senator Amidala her droid and Asajj Ventress, but the padawan Anakin Skywalker. He was also sure that the boy would hunt him as he hunted the girl. It was the unknown being that bothered him the most. It was as if the Ka''ra was telling him something. Something about his voice that brought him to think back to Jaster Mereel as he was being taught about the Resol''nare and the history of Mand''alor and the Mando''ade.


    The man had barely moved and barely spoke, but his hands were always moving, and they spoke as if he knew that he was being watched by a Mandalorian. It was the same hand signals he had been teaching his son and many more that had little meaning on the battlefield, but had been a part of learning the Resol''nare from the armorers. Who was this man who dressed like a Jedi but stood like a warrior. He even wore Beskar under armor of the Neo''crusaders which was nearly impossible to recreate. He shook his head as they walked away as the last thing signed meant ''I''ll be back.'' For this Jango rushed back to the ship.


    Revan and Asajj left the bucket that she had been flying behind as Padme''s ship was much better. Anakin had not been too happy with the change as Revan was sure this boy was madly in love with the Senator. Not something he was going to get in between, but he would have a word with him later. Instead of leaving the planet they landed in an exhaust stack. As Padme was shutting down the ship Anakin turned around as Asajj dropped her hood to clean her mouth after eating something. Their eyes met and suddenly Anakin had his ignited lightsaber out.


    "Get that thing out of my face." She calmly ordered.


    "You''re a Sith."


    "No I am fallen."


    "She is fallen and you will put your lightsaber away, Skywalker." Anakin''s rage spikes as Revan pulls his hood down.


    "She is dangerous. Did she trick you or something."


    "Padawan Skywalker she is my padawan now and she is going to reform. So no she is not a danger to you. Not any more and I am fully in her mind not the other way around."


    "How can I trust you?"


    "Asajj sleep." The nightsister suddenly slumped in her chair and slipped off to settle on the floor in a very uncomfortable position.


    "You can do that?" Padme was completely shocked as she rushed to the other girl and straightened her out. Which did not wake her up at all.


    "Yes, that is what a training bond is for. Does not Kenobi have the same power over you?"


    "Our bond is nothing like that we share a few emotions and such. Maybe a word meaning, but he can''t just put me to sleep."


    "Then you do not trust him and he never trusted his master and on and on or was never taught properly to form their bonds." Anakin shut off his lightsaber looking confused but thinking hard as he sat down. Padme set something under Asajj''s head before she returned to her seat.


    "So what now?"


    "We infiltrate this place so we are in position to rescue your master in the morning. Asajj get up."


    "Yes master, and how did I get on the floor?"


    "You slid down. Asajj''s how well do you know this city hive?"


    "I can get from Count Dooku''s suite to the hanger bays. I do have a map." She pulled out her datapad and after a bit of tapping she displayed a 3D version of the complex underneath the ship. From there they discussed several different routes and most likely holding cells. All were centered around the court of sentencing and the Petranaki Arena. It took several hours to come up with something that was workable.


    "Good now Padme you need to take a nap while the three of us meditate."


    "Meditate we should have gone several hours ago."


    "We do not know where your master is because you do not know where he is. So you are going to meditate on your bond and I am going to try to follow it. Asajj is going to be meditating using the light side techniques to guard our position to rouse us if those droids find this ship too early."


    "I don''t know if I can trust her."


    "You don''t have a choice. How can I know to trust you?"


    "He does have a point Anakin. I going to take a nap." Padme walked out of the small lounge as Anakin watched her leave until she was out of sight. He then sighed as he shifted into a more comfortable position. He knew he would not be able to meditate not while his master was in danger.


    "Okay let us begin." Master Surik nodded as Anakin looked at him and he saw the man''s eyes shift just before his mind touched his. Then his shields were attacked from dozens of different directions at once. He drew on the Force, but as he added strength to them they just shattered that much faster. He tried to pull his eyes away and failed as they closed without his permission he heard the fallen girl giggle wickedly.


    "Can you hear me?" Surik sounded in his mind.


    "Yes and get out."


    "In time now this is proper mental communication and I am going to teach you the next meditation technique." He did not wait for Anakin to give him permission as he dove right passed his broken shields. Then Anakin realized his shields were down. He should have thought it was a trap as his mind leaped over to the master''s. There he was shown over and over again several meditation techniques and the one being used against him was not one of them. It slowly merged together with a partial link to Asajj as in some strange way they started to think with the same thoughts.


    "Good, excellent, now search for your master''s bond with you." Anakin did without any resistance and pulled on it like a rope feeling the frustration of his master as he needed to relieve himself and unable to. This made Anakin smirk at the same time he felt the urge to go. Surik on the other hand took the bond out of his hand and pulled the string open like it was this ever expanding hose.


    "Anakin are you outside the door? Get me out of here come on hear me."


    "I hear you fine master, but I am only on the same planet."


    "How is this possible?" Kenobi spoke out loud in new frustration.


    "Master Surik is with me. He well opened our connection."


    "That should be impossible. Did you relay my message?"


    "We did even tried to get you freed, but Count Dooku wanted Naboo to secede from the Republic to get you free."


    "Dooku is a Sith. I am sure of it. He told me there is another on Coruscant."


    "I felt his darkness. He has yet to fully chose the dark side or fully fall as he is still in control, but that could be an act."


    "Master Surik how can you talk to me as well?"


    "Obi Wan there are abilities that must have been lost and only forcing them on you will you learn. It is how Anakin should have been learning from you. By example is best to learn to use the Force. Now that your bond is open and I have passed the knowledge on to you. You will always know where your master is or where you padawan is. It can be closed or blocked to maintain privacy."


    "It can?" Anakin was worried that Kenobi would know what he had been feeling for Padme and then these emotions that were very similar flowed into his mind of some woman named Satine.


    "Anakin think of the code!"


    "Obi Wan you should too!"


    "Now you both have girlfriends one in the past and one current. I trust you both can do your duty?" Surik chastised them both. "You are not the first Jedi to fall in love and you will not be the last or they might not be the last lover you have either. You can contemplate your feelings later when you are at peace and not when duty calls. As master and apprentice you can not have any secrets from each other. This applies to both of you outside of learning different techniques you might not be ready for. The code is a guideline not a law."


    "Yes master." He heard from both of them.


    "Good and can you find your master now?"


    "Yes Master Surik."


    "Excellent now teach your master the meditation techniques I showed you. We leave in an hour to get him." Revan broke his connection to Anakin and entered Asajj''s mind to let her know what was going on. She was fully floating in the light side of the Force and it was a start to getting her back into balance. He increased his presence in the Force diving deeply to feel the currents of this planet. It was then he felt that things were going to affect the entire galaxy.

 The Battle That Never Was

    The other thing that was rocking his beliefs was that his connection with Kenobi was a hundred times stronger and neither could hold back the memories of the other. All Anakin''s fights and brushes with the dark side his view of the Force as it screamed at him was countered by Obi Wan''s troubles and fights and even his abandonment and slavery before Qui Gon took him as his padawan. Obi Wan had never told him that he had been a slave. This changed everything in their relationship. He was not just his Jedi master, but a fellow slave and a true brother. It was these failings that traveled back and forth between them that showed that neither was perfect and that neither had to live up to the expectations of the other.


    Anakin still had much to learn and now was more than ever eager to learn. On the other hand Obi Wan now knew how much he and the order had failed Anakin and he swore that Anakin would learn as fast as Kenobi could teach him. They would push the limits of the Code and he would chastise any master that looked down at Anakin. He also knew that there was so many things that he should have been taught first.


    Anakin and Padme entered the droid factory following behind Master Surik and his new apprentice Asajj. Anakin did not like her in the few minutes that they had talked. She was not impressed with him and it didn''t take long for him to figure out she had never heard of the Chosen One or that it was him. She truly disliked him more for who she saw then any preconception she could have been given. He had received scorn from many of the Jedi, but her honest dislike was refreshing. They split up as Anakin went down a different hallway with these strange realistic sculptures carved into the walls.


    "Anakin they are waking up." Padme got closer to Anakin as the Geonosians were untangling themselves from each other.


    "Uh oh, the bugs are waking up."


    "Run Anakin don''t attack push passed them to the door."


    "But master."


    "You woke them up. They are attacking on instinct." Anakin Force pushed them or pulled them sending them down the hall as they rushed to the end. Soon enough they came to the door. As soon as they got through the door it closed. The ramp they were on retracted dumping them both on one of the conveyor belts.


    Some how they both survived the assembly line only to get captured. Though Padme nearly got melted and Anakin lost his lightsaber as it got cut in half. Revan had a bit more luck or should he say skill as soon as they separated he cloaked both himself and Asajj in the Force. Not even the machines and sensors could detect them.


    Asajj guided him around the vast compound. He noted several figures that had come up on his studies of current events. Most of the ones he recognized were from different corporations. It was an hour before Anakin got captured along with Padme. This lead both of the to a section of cell blocks and he could feel Knight Kenobi''s presence not that far away from Anakin''s and Padme''s location. They went several different directions and found pathways that lead to a hanger and then back to the prison cell and to different locations under the arena. Several spots they rested and after those hours he had figured out how to turn many of the droids off. It became easy to walk into a room turn the droids off before searching it and then turning them back on once he left.


    Asajj had helped him gather interesting bits of information and though he was not a dedicated slicer between the two of them he had gathered some useful information. They were moving back to the arena when he felt the Force nudge him toward this hole in the floor. It showed a large room with dozens of work stations lining the outer walls and a large holo table in the middle. The room was completely empty other than droids and one being completely concealed in a cloak on the holo projector and one Count Dooku.


    "...the execution at that time. You do not want them to arrive too soon or too late."


    "It will be done master."


    "Good, with this attack the Jedi will be blamed with starting the war. How goes our other plan?"


    "The design schematics are complete and several virtual tests have been made. I have no doubt that with time it will prove to be a viable weapon."


    "There is one thing you have withheld from me."


    "One of my acolytes has sworn herself to a Jedi, a Rey Van Surik. I do not recognize him and he did claim not be a Jedi."


    "Find him and kill him. The Force is telling me he is too dangerous to even be allowed to live. Do not fail me in this. Make this Senator suffer in front of young Skywalker."


    "They will suffer in the arena as their attempts to fight will prove futile."


    "Good, good. Keep me informed." Revan looked to Asajj and she was looking slightly paler than she normally is. Revan did not fault her for her fear as he felt the strength of this Sith. He was hiding much, but what was easy to feel radiated from the holo terminal. With the image gone the dark side was gone as well. Count Dooku marched out of the large room and it was a good minute before other beings rushed back to their stations.


    "That''s the Sith?" Revan inquired as he felt her emotions.


    "Darth Sidious. I have never seen him in person and never will I want to unless I know I can defeat him." Asajj whispered once we were far enough away.


    "What of this weapon?"


    "Don''t know they have several weapons planned. The stupidest one is some large hyperspace capable station." This made Revan think as he had come across several space stations in his time and the Star Forge was the most prominent. Each had dealt with mass destruction to a nearly planetary scale. From what he over heard the execution was to go hand in hand with the Jedi starting a war? From what he could see this planet was a fortress and the Jedi would be lucky to bring maybe two hundred here to fight. Not enough to start a war, but then again he could be wrong.


    He wanted to search their network for these plans, but the Force was warning that they were running out of time. It was close as the two of them arrived at the arena as Kenobi was being dragged out of one of the tunnels. The crowd of Geonosians sounded like a hive of bugs that was suddenly disturbed as they cheered in their way. He heard but did not understand the charges being declared. Not that he didn''t know.


    "Here give this blade to Kenobi and your second to Skywalker."


    "I don''t even see Skywalker."


    "He and the girl are close. I am going up to the podium. We can end this before it starts." Asajj was not sure what her new master had in store, but from how the Force swirled around him it was going to be not to Darth Tyranus''s liking. It was nearly a full five minutes before Skywalker and Padme were hauled in and put on two different carts. She raised her arms as she reached through the room to connect to every being there.


    "Don''t be afraid." Anakin said as he was being secured to the wagon.


    "I''m not afraid to die. I''ve been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life." Asajj rolled her eyes as she continued to concentrate.


    "What are you talking about."


    "I love you." Oh brother they are both clueless.


    "You love me?! We can''t fall in love. We can''t live this lie. It will destroy us..."


    "I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. My love for you is a puzzle, Annie, for which I have no answer. I can''t ignore it, and now I don''t care to. I truly deeply love you." Asajj had to pull her finger out of her throat it was so gag worthy. They strained to kiss as Asajj releases her hold on the Force. The ten or so bugs in the alcove sudden burst apart sending goo everywhere. Both of the kissers get covered in the goo from their drivers.


    "What?!" Anakin yelled looking around at the near dozen spots of bug goo. Two lightsabers fly into his hands.


    "Give the one blade to Kenobi." Asajj then flicks her wrist and Padme turns as her hands are pulled out in front of her. There is a flash of white and her arms are free as a blaster flies into her hand from one of the dead guards. High up in the stands Poggle the Lesser is giving a speech as Revan felt the guards die through his bond with Asajj. Then the leader pauses as the crowd goes silent.


    "What are they waiting for? I want to see the fear on Amidala''s face."


    "Patience my friend. This is perhaps a bit of suspense before they are brought out." They move a bit closer to the edge to see and instead of two prisoners coming out of the tunnel two lightsabers fly out and circle around the arena taking the heads off several guards. One blade heads back into the tunnel as the other spins around one of the pillars in the arena above Kenobi''s head cutting the chain holding his arms over his head. Then Kenobi takes the blade flipping it cutting the chain between his hands. The few guards that did not die started shooting at him only to have the bolts redirected back into the ground as he made a dash for the tunnel.


    "Fett get him he is getting..." Gunray suddenly was choking. Fett had made to move and was now frozen in place along with the other corporation leaders who were going to watch the execution. Only Dooku remained free as he removed his lightsaber from his belt.


    "K''oyacyi, ba''slanar, Mand''alor. Ib''tuur jatne tuur ash''ad kyr''amur." The invisible hold on Jango suddenly released and though he wanted with all his heart to kill this Force user he did not. The way he said his words in perfect Mando''a was chilling and he only nodded slightly as he rushed into one of the tunnels as an image of a red and black buy''ce imposed itself over the man''s face. It was for the briefest of moments, but had he not started moving that would have made him flee. Jango was not afraid of any being, but ghosts terrified him. Boba raced after his father.


    "You are much more than you appear to be, Jedi." Dooku ignites his saber as he begins to pull the Force inside of himself to reinforce his muscles and bones and to release it as lightning at his new enemy.


    "I''ll say it again I am no Jedi." Dooku''s hand started to crackle with lightning.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "No matter." Dooku then released the Force lightning on the other only to have it reflected into those around him. Gunray, Poggle the Lesser, and Rune Haako scream in pain. Dooku''s eyes go wide as first Gunray head then Rune Haako''s head exploded. Poggle the Lesser just dropped to the ground smoking.


    "Oh it matters, for I am Darth Revan." Lightning shot out from Revan''s hand and Dooku caught it with his lightsaber. He did not stop there as his black blade ignited a second later to swing at his head. The red and black blades clash in a blur until the Count goes flying out of the balcony. The crowd incensed seeing their leader so wounded or killed floods the balcony a moment later and another group piles on to the fallen Jedi''s form just as he lands on the arena floor.


    The two Geonosian piles are dealt with differently as Dooku just pushes them away in all directions adding Force lightning to the mix. Revan on the other hand not only pushes them away but they disintegrate with the remains catching on fire. Something Anakin, Asajj, and Obi Wan can only feel as they are moving away from the arena. It is here that the hive suddenly erupts into flight to escape the arena at the cost of the slower Geonosians.


    Blue purple lightning shot up at Revan as pure white lightning cascaded down to the arena floor. Even with the color and power difference they both held their own as each type had a difference in use. Sith lightning was more directed where as Revan used more of a Force area lightning, but as the seconds grew to a full minute Revan''s expanded until he slammed into the arena floor.


    "Your mastery of the Force is impressive, but I doubt you can handle the full capabilities that I can bring to bear."


    "I am more than capable of fighting the likes of a pretender such as yourself. Darth Revan died thousands of years ago. You are no Darth Revan."


    "We''ll see." With that he charged forward so fast that had you blinked it would appear as if he teleported. Faster and faster Revan''s Juyo clashed against the pure Makashi of Dooku. It was only his age that forced him to retreat as his stamina was not what it once was. Revan was breathing heavy by the time that the arena was over run by droids allowing the Count to escape. Revan then focused on the droids and a different type of lightning storm covered the entire arena as the Force ionic charge jumped from one droid to the next.


    Dooku fled not only Revan but many of the Geonosians that had heard he was the cause of Poggle the Lesser dying. He barely escaped to his ship later on. Revan did not have to deal with a concentrated effort to kill him by the Geonosians, but many more of the droids. As he reached the hidden ship the Jedi Star fighters were just now landing after clearing the skies of Vulture droid starfighters. They rushed to the arena only to see the devastation of the likes of a battle that had not been seen in a thousand years. Mace came out on the balcony to find Poggle the Lesser limping away.


    "What happened here?" Poggle''s clicks and trills translated into only a few words as Master Windu helped him stand.


    "Demons have been unleashed." Poggle pointed to the arena. Mace let him go as he looked over the devastation. Geonosians corpses and destroyed droids laid everywhere. Master Windu''s comlink whistled as he pulled it from his belt.


    "Mace here?"


    "Knight Kenobi has been freed. Anakin and Senator Amidala are now leaving the system with him."


    "Have them turn around and dock with one of the Acclamator assault ships. I want a full debrief on what happened."


    "Too late master they just jumped to hyperspace."


    "Fine, all Jedi regroup back at you fighters. We''re leaving."


    "Master Windu take this system we must." Master Yoda voiced his counter.


    "No the Shatter point is not in our favor if we remain. Our pretense of being here has passed." The few Jedi that had revealed themselves vanished back inside the many passageways of the undercity. Not a single Jedi lost their life after leaving the arena area, but a few had close calls that made them rethink their chosen lightsaber form. The fleet of Acclamator ships had just now arrived in system. By Master Windu''s order to retreat the First Battle of Geonosis never happened as not a single clone trooper or ship got close enough. As the fighters rocketed back to their hyperdrive rings the Republic fleet turned and jumped out of the system as a CIS fleet arrived to guard the various Lucrehulk ships that were rising from the surface.


    Two ships a bit more than an hour later landed outside of the Lars Homestead. The elegant Nubia ship was contrasted by a very plain looking block of a light freighter that had seen better days.


    "I still can''t believe this." Kenobi nearly yelled as he came down the ramp of the ship. Anakin following right behind him.


    "Master I can explain." Kenobi rolled his eyes wondering what could possibly say to fix this.


    "You have been but you made a vow to the Jedi Order. I told you we needed to follow orders." Revan walked right up to Kenobi and tapped him on the forehead.


    "And you allowing all of this." Revan just shook his head slowly.


    "You don''t get it do you?"


    "I get plenty, he broke the Jedi code and will get most likely expelled if not censure for a long time."


    "So let the High Council do so. It is they that do not follow the code." Kenobi looked completely shocked as his anger started to rise. It was Anakin that voiced his confusion.


    "What?!"


    "We are to follow the will of the Force in all things. I have heard of several Jedi doing just that. I also heard they never return to the Jedi Temple unless they have to. Master Fay, Master Jon Antilles, Master Nico Diath, and Master Knol Ven''nari are the only true Jedi I see."


    "How can you say that? There are ten thousand Jedi Knights." Kenobi asked now that he was more puzzled then angry. Though this would not get Anakin off the hook.


    "Fools all of them. The Republic has no need for Jedi Knights. Not for several hundred years since the Ruusan Reformations and the Unification Policies. You are, everyone of you, pawns to the Senate."


    "Than what should the Jedi be?" Padme looked concerned but Revan felt out of all of them, she was the one who was understanding what he was after.


    "The Jedi Order was there to train Force sensitives in the ways of the Force to then send them back to their birth worlds or to another as Watchmen, Consulars, and Diplomats. As healers, farmers, and guides to new worlds and settlements. We have temples around the galaxy to help the people grow and survive."


    "That is what the Service Corps are for?"


    "Really? When was the last time the Service Corps ever come to Tatooine?" Revan looked to Kenobi and then to Skywalker. He then looked at Padme.


    "When was the last time you helped a system other than Naboo?"


    "We have a successful refugee program that has aided many and it was just last month that we were able to free a few more slaves here on Tatooine." Anakin looked completely stunned. The amount of raw joy and love for Padme hit both of the other men like a wave from an ocean. It was only his Jedi social training that prevented him from rushing to her and covering her in his arms. Then the shame hit as he had not been here to help with her efforts.


    "Ah then how many have you helped?"


    "Not enough, but anymore and the Hutts would have got involved."


    "Sounds plain to me."


    "What does?" Shmi asked as she came up to the group. Cliegg was right behind her.


    "We remove the Hutts." Shmi put her hand to her mouth as fear took her. Cliegg showed he was worried as he knew his wife. His frown grew as he looked at Anakin and Revan. It was Kenobi that had been rubbing his beard in thought.


    "It is not our place to remove the local government. It would cause more chaos and destabilize the local sector. It is why we do not go around freeing slaves in general. It is done, but there must be a structure to replace it with."


    "They can do it."


    "Anakin with what funds, food, equipment and training? Sure they run things that they are allowed to, but the next crime boss would just move in."


    "Well then maybe you really don''t know the resilience of the people on Tatooine. You think just because us farmers let those in the city do what they want that we can''t kick there ass." Cliegg spit on the ground and Anakin''s eyes grew as he knew what that meant.


    "I am sure if properly motivated you could do just that, but the fact you never have puts you in the same position as the Jedi." Cliegg laughed sourly at Kenobi.


    "Come on inside as I have a story to tell you." Everyone walked in to the home as Cliegg continued. "I was seventeen when the Hutts moved in and took over the local government putting their thugs in place. Most of us moisture farmers didn''t notice until their enforcers tried to come out into the desert and take over our farms. The first family spread the word after all their water was taken. We killed those thugs and gave back the water. The next group came and they died the slow death as we stripped them and sent them out in the wastes. Though it did not stop until we cut off all the water and food we made."


    "That is a horrible way to die isn''t it?"


    "Not really as being sent out in a sand storm is worse. That is the quick way. The way most slaves are punished as you don''t always die right away." Shmi added as she passed out glasses of tea. "Many a time we had to go out and provide mercy."


    "I remember those times. We ate better the night you came back. I didn''t know until just before I left. I am so sorry mom that I did not fight to get you free as well." Anakin just stared in his cup as his emotions rocked Obi Wan. Since Surik opened up their connection he could not stem the waves of emotions coming from Anakin. Emotions that he had thought he had given up long ago.


    "So what happened?"


    "Not much more then several dozen thugs tried to just take it from us and they failed. They soon found we would sell to the cities and stations that did not try to extort us, so they then went after them. We tried to rile up a resistance in the cities to drive out the criminals, but unlike us moisture farmers the city folk couldn''t protect themselves and any resistance was met with death or slavery."


    "That is a harsh reality on top of the hard life many have on this planet. For the Hutts it was so simple to just wait us out." Owen added as he pulled out a bottle that was a bit more than tea.


    "So the Hutts leave you alone so long as you don''t restrict the water?"


    We learned the Hutts and their thugs would just take the water from those who could not afford the higher prices. If we completely cut them off most of the population on Tatooine would die or be enslaved just to survive. There are not enough fighters for that." Cliegg shook his head as he took the pro offered shot from his son.


    "Even if all the farmers created a militia the Hutts would just bring in pirates and mercenaries." Beru stated. "My father would be more than willing to lead one."


    "Come enough of this useless talk. My son has honored me twice. Once by coming home and another by bringing his master to me." Kenobi noticed that they shared several hand signs that meant much more as he blushed when they both looked at Padme.


    "So right and I know I want to hear all about it. Kenobi you tell us how you got into that predicament, and Anakin can tell us how you got out of it." Cliegg declared as he slid a shot glass over to Obi Wan.


    "Well this seems as if this is a family affair. Come Asajj let us go back to the ship." Revan got up as this was uncomfortable for him. He had lost his family and everyone he had grew up around. He had taken them to war and either they died or they turned. Only a few survived, but now even the most ancient had only read about those times.


    "You are staying here. Your ship is going to be a furnace if it is not already." He then frowned, but sat back down. Asajj laughed as a shot glass was set in front of him. They should not give him drinks. He picked it up and threw it back instantly regretting it as he coughed violently.


    "Someone has lost their tolerance."


    "I didn''t see you drinking yours yet." Revan taunted and Obi Wan slammed his back. His eyes grew as he sucked in some air and his cheeks turned red, but he only let out one little cough. All the women laughed at their boldness. So Kenobi began to tell the tale from the moment they were assigned to guard Padme. Anakin adding in a bit here and their. Almost arguing at one point. Several hours passed before the story ended with a very redacted version of Revan''s fight with Dooku before they all found their beds.


    "You have failed me Darth Tyranus. Not only did the war not start on Geonosis you have lost the support of the Geonosians as the Archduke thinks you tried to kill him."


    "Everything was going perfectly to plan my master. This Master Surik got in the way. He is one of those wandering Jedi." Dooku was in no way going to tell him that the man claimed to be Darth Revan. Such a possibility was impossible.


    "I discovered that myself, but there is nothing more than his name and assigned quarters."


    "I came up with the same and there is nothing in the restricted files."


    "Tell me about him, no better to shown me." Sidious moved to Dooku in a flash, but the mental attack was even worse. He gave in knowing that to resist was to loose his mind, his memories. He showed all that he could from the brief meeting as Amidala tried to negotiate to the battle in the arena. Then Sidious dug deeper as Dooku lost consciousness.

 The Course of Fate and Reports

    Kenobi woke with a headache that was unforgiving. It took a good five minutes just to meditate long enough to push the pain to the side so that the water he drank would replenish his system. He took a sonic shower with his robes and that got most of the stink and sand out of them, but not all of it. He walked out of the spare room and found only Shmi cleaning the kitchen.


    "You are the last one up, so that is your breakfast under the cover." She pointed to the table with the plate that was in her hand.


    "Thank you and any tea?"


    "No tea, but that cup will help with the hangover you are feeling. I see it in your eyes." He looked at the food not wanting to eat. Experience told he had to. The spice hit him after the second bit which got him to drink the disgusting brew she had placed next to the tray. Slowly with each bit he needed the Force less and less to handle the pain. It was as he cleared the plate with the last bit of bread that she placed a cup of tea in front of him.


    "Thank you this was most unusual meal." She turns just enough to see her smile.


    "Best I can do after a night drinking. If Cliegg didn''t have things to do he would still be in bed."


    "What about Anakin and the others?" She put the last item she had away and came to sit down with her own cup of tea.


    "He was up much earlier. He and the other two Jedi meditated for nearly an hour after breakfast while Padme kept me and Beru company. They left not longer than an hour ago. Cliegg and Owen are out fixing the various vaporators that went down last night." Kenobi took a sip of his tea as it sunk in that Anakin had already left.


    "Where did they go?"


    "Back to Naboo. Seems they were eager even. Though he said a proper goodbye. They make a perfect pair those two. I could not ask for a better daughter in law."


    "Jedi are not allowed to marry."


    "Annie told me you would say that."


    "Or to form attachments."


    "Master Surik said that you would say that as well." Kenobi looked at Shmi as he she seemed to have a counter for everything he could say. He raised his hand as he opened his mouth, but she cut him off.


    "And if it came between his happiness and the Order he would choose what makes him happy. Now if you would leave I can keep my mouth shut."


    "He would leave the Order? It was everything he wanted to be."


    "He has been chastised, ignored, scolded, and abandoned. Forced to call you all master knowing what that means to a former slave. No matter what you say it means, it will always be taken the other way. He told me any time he needed you, you told him to let it go, give it to the Force, or some other comment that told him you do not care. He needed your understanding and for you to teach him. Show him praise and direction to help him do the right thing and not to feel as if nothing he did was right. You never openly confronted the other masters that scolded him and did not teach him. Punishment without explanation is useless. Shall I go on?"


    Her anger was rolling through the Force as if she was actively controlling it. He felt and understood more than he ever could had he not had his connection to the Force. From what he could pick up she could go on for hours. Qui Gon had told him she was a quiet woman and her strength was hidden. Now he felt her scorn that reflected only a part of the strength she had.


    "We have had a difficult relationship. He is not like any other padawan."


    "Then stop treating him the same."


    "I have learned a lot I did not know in the last few weeks and we are working on it. More I can not promise you. You have to realize attachments can lead one to the dark side and do horrible things in their lack of judgment."


    "Then be the rock he needs to tell you what is bothering him without threatening him with punishment if he does tell you. Master Surik told me that he feels Anakin can not trust you. Stop being his slave master and start being the teacher you claim to be. Now get out of my house."


    Kenobi had thought he would have time for a rebuttal, but she picked up some kind of roller. He could have stopped anything she tried to do, but he did not need to infuriate her any more than he seemed to have already. He stood, finished his tea, and then bowed.


    "Then I will do my best to change." It was all he could say as she raised the roller high in the air as he rushed out of the homestead. As he came out above he noticed that the only craft left was the nightmare that was Anakin''s fighter.


    "I need to report to the council."


    Kenobi found that Anakin''s fighter was a dream to fly. It had a few quirks, but it handled much smoother than the other fighters he had flown before. As soon as he went into hyperspace he fell into meditation. He needed guidance more now then ever if this other Master was not going to stop interfering. He had to find a new starting point with Anakin and perhaps just tell him everything. Their bond was stronger than ever before and it was confusing most of the time now that it had calmed down a bit. He was learning things about Anakin in bit and pieces and he needed the entire picture if he was ever to be able to understand his padawan.


    It was also how he would see Anakin understanding what he was leaking to him. He had thought a lot about Satine and if his memory did not fail him he was sure he talked in length about his time on Mandalore protecting Satine. He remembered vaguely why he started talking about her was to dissuade Anakin from pursuing a relationship. Though he had a strange feeling he had only made it worse. Hopefully it might add a bit of reservation and thought to get through their emotions. For everything he had felt for her there was this knot that he had never been able to get rid of. He began to wonder if he had stayed with her what would have become of her efforts? Would he have helped or hindered her cause and that of her people?


    He knew in some way had he stayed he could not have remained silent if he was to truly support her. Being older now he could only think that it would have not gone well, but on the other hand it could have. He inhale drawing the Force inside of him and accepted that this was of the past and there was no way to truly know what would have happened. At this point he lost himself to the Force letting all his worries go and urged the Force to give him the guidance to make the right decision.


    As the fighter came out of hyperspace Obi Wan calmly opened his eyes being at peace for the first time in months. He piloted down and landed in the hanger allowing Arthree to land back in its berth. He wasted no time going back to his quarters showering and changing into new robes before heading straight to the council. It was dark as he walked in and nearly turned to leave before he spot Mace and Master Yoda.


    "About time you showed up. Where is your Padawan?"


    "On Naboo by now. He escorted Senator Amidala home. I have much more to report about Count Dooku."


    "Tell us you will."


    "He told me Darth Sidious controls hundreds of Senators in the Senate. The Force is telling me this is no lie. He also wanted me to join him to the point of even suggesting Master Jinn would have joined him knowing what he knows. Nute Gunray knows who this Sidious is as he was the one to influence them to attack Naboo ten years ago."


    "Nute Gunray is dead along with Rune Haako. Saw their burnt corpses before I left Geonosis."


    "You were there in the arena?"


    "What happened there. All was saw was the dead." Mace looked at Kenobi with concern. Obi wan really could not say what happened.


    "They had declared my conviction and then two lightsabers came flying out of one of the tunnels. They flew around killing every one of the guards in the arena except for a few. One of the blades freed me and I had only enough time to block the blaster bolts coming for me until I reached the tunnels. From there we ran into a never ending wave of droids. I felt the dark side pulsing above as I felt those beings die. More I can not say as we were too busy fight to really think about it. Then it was Anakin''s crazy flying as we left stopped any idea of trying to pick up Master Surik. It was not until later that he had his apprentice with him, Asajj."


    "Unknown to me her name is."


    "I don''t remember that name either."


    "She is different, like a quiet smoldering fire. The only time she really talked was about her deceased master. A knight by the name of Ky Narec."


    "Lost to us he was long ago. Never found he was, but felt him passing I did."


    "What else can you report?"


    "Master Surik is much stronger in the Force than in just combat. He somehow opened the bond between Anakin and I. It is nearly like we have merged our thoughts as it first happened. Later he taught us how to close the connection down to a more silent roar. He has taught Anakin how to meditate and Anakin showed me how as well. It is different. Refreshing, I feel as if I had just eaten and drank my fill, woke up from the best sleep, and energized in the Force ready for anything."


    "Introspection that is. Can lead to vanity in can. Stop you from aging possible it is if used too much."


    "It is a healing technique that helps you focus the Force and increase your endurance in battle. Outside of battle it can be addicting. Used as a crutch."


    "Continue to befriend him. Do not trust him. Where is he now?" Mace asked as he looked out on the window at the night view of Coruscant.


    "I do not know. What of all the droids on Geonosis? They have billions from what I understand."


    "Started a war we nearly did. Accepted these clones the Republic has."


    "They will at least bring us victory?" He absently stated as he also looked to the skyline of the city.


    "Victory? Victory, you say?" Obi Wan turned his head back to Yoda to see for the first time sadness on the normally calm Master.


    "Master Obi Wan, not Victory. The shroud of the dark side had fallen. Begin this Clone War will."


    At the same time Bail Organa is standing with other Senators and the Chancellor as Clone troopers move in neat formations. Transport ships land letting out more troopers as assault ships land to be filled with these clones. He had tried to prevent this from happening, but a proposal from the most unexpected corner came from Jar Jar Binks giving the Chancellor the authority to by pass the need for the Military Creation Act.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    From the reports he read of the millions of droids being loaded onto Lucrehulk core ships he could no longer resist such a measure or the fact that war was most likely inevitable. He only had one conciliation that the war did not start on this day.


    In a rose-covered arbor overlooking the sparkling lake, Anakin and Padme stand before a Naboo Holy man. Threepio and Artoo stand by, watching, as the Holy man blessed the happy couple and, amid gently falling rose petals, they kiss. Padme''s family rushed forward to happily accept the boy into their lives as a holo of a crying but happy mother and a stoic Cliegg holding onto his wife Shmi. He turns to her and gives her a kiss. It was a quiet affair for such a wedding, but it was not as quiet as the wedding that happened in the wee hours of the night.


    Shmi thinks back to the argument she had with Master Kenobi and wondered if he would ever remember presiding over the ceremony they had right there on the farm. Then again he passed out not long after it happened. Master Surik and Asajj had left not long after and had not returned but from what she had heard from one of the other wives things would be changing on Tatooine.


    Had she known what was happening she would have been a bit more worried than she was. Revan was rushing down the street, Asajj right next to him as they rushed from one thug to the next. Not a single one showed much of a challenge. She was smiling, a feral smile one that you would use as you were hunting. Hunting they were as they flew through the night killing any who would dare raise a weapon against them. Gardulla''s old hotel was burning along with several other buildings. The Force had been their guide as the dark side left its mark. Mos Espa did not have a single criminal that belonged to the Hutt cartel among the living.


    Revan had gathered pieces of information, offers of bribes, and other things in order for these scum to somehow survive. However, he was not in the mood for compassion for those who had none. The freighter they took from Geonosis crashed on top on Jabba the Hutt''s palace as they landed meters away. It was not hard to clear the building from the top down. Jabba pleaded only for a second before being dropped down to feed his own Rancor. All that survived their wake were the slaves. Revan was not sure what the B''omarr monks were as the dark side urged him to leave them alone. This urging by the dark side made Revan decide to destroy them all.


    Thousands of brain jars were found in a deep chamber. The mental assault on both their minds was nearly deadly. Had Asajj not released Force lightning in the center of the chamber they would have most likely joined these monks. Three days later they fought their way out to take a data pad filled with all of Jabba''s business dealings on Tatooine. In the end there was not a single gangster left on Tatooine, Hutt or otherwise. That same nondescript freighter lifted off and traveled for the first time to Coruscant.


    As they entered the system his datapad updated and he read through several messages including the full report given by Master Obi Wan Kenobi. He had to pause as he thought he was only a knight. Did that mean that Anakin was to be knighted? He turned back to the report to stop on one particular part.


    "Tyranus? Asajj you did say that Count Dooku is Darth Tyranus?" She turned from the pilot chair to look back at him.


    "Yes he is." He continued reading and was impressed with the depth and detail Obi Wan had used. He wished he had access to the council''s notes on his report as that would reveal how they took this information. He then turned back to his report as it was going to have to be even more carefully crafted. Their was much left out about the fight with Count Dooku, though he did have a most of the fight properly explained.


    The report of the elimination of the Hutt Jabba an his entire network on Tatooine was written as well, but he highly doubted he would have to use it. That would only happen if the Council had some how linked his activity to them vanishing. He just hoped that the survivors could use their donations to stabilize the planet. Then again he could always go back.


    "Do you think they will accept me?"


    "Keep your focus on the light side and continue to maintain your void in the Force and you will be fine." He put his datapad away as he stood behind Asajj noticing that she did have hair. He stood there until they landed in one of the hangers. As they walked down the ramp, Masters Saesee Tiin and Oppo Rancisis were already waiting for them.


    "Master Surik we have heard disturbing things." Oppo declared as he stopped before the ship.


    "Such things could be explained."


    "Masters Tiin and Rancisis are you here for a report or just to escort me to the High Council Chamber?" They looked at each other before looking at Asajj. Rancisis began first.


    "We were informed that your new apprentice was a known associate of Count Dooku." Revan mentally sighed as he looked to Tiin.


    "With that we have to place her under arrest."


    "Master can they really do that?" Asajj surprised him with her demure presence. Revan chuckled.


    "She is my apprentice now. Come Asajj let me show you the Temple like Ky Narec would have if the Council had searched for him." Master Tiin took a step to block us as I moved to go around them.


    "I knew Ky Narec. He was lost to us. No one was able to discern where he had gone. I personally spent six months looking for him, but you have to follow the orders of the council." Revan did not like this one any more than the others. He could respect their position, but she had not even been seen by the council.


    "And what will happen to my apprentice if I allow you to take her away?" Something did not feel right.


    "Since she is not part of the Jedi Order she will be turned over to the Galactic Army of the Republic to be held as a prisoner of war." That was it. With her intel she is a threat to this Sidious. If he does control the Senate or a good portion of it. Then there would no problem to have her silenced. He may not be right on this but he could not take the risk. Plus the Force was urging caution.


    "That is where you are wrong. Knight Ky Narec took Asajj as his padawan nearly ten years ago. By that action and with no objection from the council she is a full member of the Jedi Order. As that I have taken her as my padawan I demand that proper protocol is followed. I would gladly accept your escort to the High Council to hear our reports. They will be most enlightening."


    Telling them this put them off balance and they had to rush to catch back up. Revan was not going to let them take her away from him as she had a lot to get over and he had planned on a slow tour of the Temple to get her comfortable being here. It would not be a good thing if her attitude got through the calm facade she was presenting. AS they walked he felt his anger rising and had to hold it down otherwise he would truly give them cause to have her arrested. Not that he would let them as he was sure they lacked the defense needed against what Force powers he could bring to bear.


    "Wait here." Master Tiin ordered as he and Master Rancisis went into the council chamber.


    "It was a bad idea bringing me here."


    "Perhaps, but I would rather you face this head on then have to hide. In any case I doubt once I make my report that they will be worried about you, my padawan."


    "I still don''t like the Jedi."


    "I thought you hated them?"


    "You, I don''t hate. Anakin is okay for an arrogant fool. Kenobi is too full of himself with how proper he attempts to be."


    "Keep your open mind I would dislike it if you closed it again."


    "Yes, Master." They waited in silence that after five minutes he meditated. Asajj did as well as a member or two poked their minds out here to gauge our moods. They felt almost surprised how calm we both were. Though that was well hidden behind our voiding. A padawan opened the door and wave to us.


    "They are ready for you." Revan got up and moved smoothly into the chamber stopping in the center. Asajj followed and took up a position close to my left arm.


    "Masters, I would like to report on my last mission."


    "Are you not here to present a rebuttal to prevent Asajj Ventress from being turned over to the military police?" Master Piell questioned.


    "Not yet. My report has priority in this case and it will give you time to examine my padawan." Revan pulled out his datapad. "Now for the first point..." He started from the time he left for Tatooine, what happened there, and the rescue mission for Obi Wan Kenobi. As his report developed he presented articles and different stories that linked together and he gave his full opinion on Obi Wan''s report.


    "...so in conclusion the Force has guided me that though Master Dooku has fallen his revelation that Darth Sidious his new master is in control of Senate in part if not in full. That the very clone army is suspect as Padawan Asajj has admitted that Darth Tyranus is Count Dooku and Tyranus is the one who ordered the Clones to be made."


    Revan felt all of the masters and most of them were furious behind their thoughts. They were most likely going to ignore what he reported and continue to use the clones and even accept to be generals for a war that would lead further along to the dark side. To him he could say he really didn''t care, but there was no point in this war.


    "Put together well your report was. Meditate on it I will. However, trust the truth of Dooku''s words we can not."


    "Ignoring them is the utmost foolishness." Revan interrupted.


    "We will be watching the Senate closely, but several battles have broken out and we are ill prepared to counter the attacks." Adi Gallia stated.


    "Once things have settled we will investigate the initial order for the clone army. But as it is now our hands are tied." Mace added.


    "We will still need to discuss you taking Asajj as your padawan. Ky Narec was a good friend and I feel his presence in her. I move that she be formally recognized as part of the Jedi Order. This will give us time to confer and weigh the information she has provided us." Master Plo Koon surprised most of them.


    "I still feel that she should be detained properly. Being an acolyte of a Sith can not be so easily escaped." Ki Adi Mundi stated without a bit of emotion. Revan could feel he cared for nothing.


    "Her fate is to be discussed later. Master Revan you are to take her to the quarter master so she can be properly outfitted. You will then take her to eat if need be and then to your quarters. There you will remain until we can make a decision."


    "Understood. Though I have one more point for the High Council to discuss. I may invoke the Right of Denial if you continue to allow the use of clone slaves to fight for the Republic. Slavery is outlawed as well as cloning. Such laws can not be ignored even in the time of war. Additionally the sentient that was hired to be the template was hired by a Sith, the very leader of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and the Mandalorian in question was reported to have killed six Jedi with his bare hands. If the High Council does not call for a Recusal from this war I can guarantee you will all fall."


    Asajj was the first to inhale in surprise at his words. The rest of the masters either did not understand or were feeling angry. For Revan he did not care as it gained him the knowledge he was seeking. With that he could judge the High Council. Revan turned and marched for the door.


    "If you invoke the Right of Denial you will have to turn in your lightsabers." Eeth Koth said halting Revan at the door.


    "You will find that will not be so easily done as the last time. I do have one more thing. I have read that you have allowed the commissioning of every knight to be given the rank of general and their padawans the rank of commander. If those padawans are not of legal age for their species then that is another law you will be in violation of."


    "What are you trying to do?"


    "Nothing that you have not already done. I will only be following the will of the Force and it is screaming that there is more going on and you can not see it." He turned and walked out of the door with Asajj right behind him. He remained silent until they were descending in the lift.


    "Blind, completely blind. In my time they were too blind to go to war and now they are too blind to see that war is not the answer. If those systems want to govern themselves then let them."


    "Master, you did not give them much room did you. I will not allow myself to be arrested."


    "No I have a plan for that. One that they will not be able to ignore. Come we have some supplies to gather, and a coup to plan." The door opened and he marched away from his stunned apprentice. He could feel her shock and confusion, but it slowly faded as she started to think about it.


    The next few hours was getting Asajj her robes and basic gear and a few new items for their quarters. It was as if he had not challenged the High Council at all as he busied himself with getting Asajj enrolled into several classes and had her begin a placement test that she looked at as if it was beneath her but she had started it anyways and soon was lost inside the datapad.


    Revan had pulled nearly six different references in the Jedi Order''s charter with this New Republic that emerged from the Ruusan Reformations and he also marked all the laws that the Jedi Council would be willingly ignoring if they went along with this war.


    What the council had not expected was that Revan messaged nearly every master he had spared with or talked to along with every knight that he had given a bit of instruction to or had given him their name. He had only been around for several months, but it would be enough as his challenge was solidly against the Jedi Order entering this war as combatants. That the knights and masters should decline their commissions based on the fact they knew nothing about commanding soldiers. In the end he indirectly suggested a call for the removal of every member of the High Council.


    With fighting any organization you needed to use their own rules against them. He challenged every Jedi to search their feelings and that of the Force if they truly lay down their roll as a peacekeeper and pick of the banner of a soldier. He reminded them all that a Jedi is to defend and not attack and if they lead troops that is how they would have to act. That if the Senate is being controlled by a Sith then how could a Jedi in good conscious follow the orders of a government that was controlled by our very enemy.


    By the time they went to eat dinner the meal halls were filled with Jedi discussing his challenge to the them and the High Council. He took Asajj on the tour he had planned before and the archives were packed full of Jedi initiates and padawans. Their knights and masters right behind them. He had expected the council to send the Temple Guard to have him arrested, but he felt that they were just too busy. The Jedi of this Order maybe cut from the same mold, but he found out they were not stupid. Nothing may come of this, but it was something that had to be done. The Force was screaming at him to stop their folly. The Emergency Powers Act was all the evidence he needed that the Chancellor was being directly controlled by this Sith or was the very Sith the Jedi failed to see.

 Reactions to the Report

    Master Yoda looked as tired as he felt. Master Surik had not been quiet and the Force seemed to agree with every single point. His report was well written and everything in it felt like the truth. His insight on what most likely was going to happen if the Jedi accepted their commissions and went to war. His report brought over two dozen masters to the High Council and half of them demanded the council resign. That some of these masters were serving on the other council''s gave their demand solid footing.


    Jocasta Nu being the head archivist and silent member of the Council of First Knowledge was one of the few that did not make that call. However, she revealed something that was not going to please anyone. If it was not for the Force being in agreement he would not believe what she had brought to his attention. He sighed and focused on the Force again and for the first time in a hundred years he used introspection. The aches and pains of his age slowly faded as he felt his body being renewed over and over again. He did not worry what others would think as he was now beyond caring. He knew it would not be long before those masters would sway more to their side.


    As he got up from his meditation cushion he stretched and seemed to gain height he did not have. With one hand he brushed his scalp removing all the old hair from his head. A very short stubble would be evident after a few days, but it would not be noticed in time. He moved around the room before going into his sleeping quarters and pulling out old tunics that he had put away long ago. Being the Grandmaster had its privileges, so other than maintenance coming in from time to time to inspect the clothing washing unit he had yet to use it. Three outfits went inside the washer and he carefully packed other items. When the machine was finished he put on the one outfit and packed the other two.


    Jocasta Nu might be correct and the Force might be telling him it is also true, but at one point he had seen an aberration. Perhaps he could coax one out of Revan''s tomb. Like a thief in the night master Yoda walked quickly through the temple and took a small transport against the will of R2-D7 that had been preparing the ship for another mission. He had left his comlink in his quarters after leaving a message that he would be back.


    "Deeseven plot a course for this planet. To there we will go." Yoda sighed. Hundreds of years he had spoken with inflection on the meaning of his sentences. The habit will be hard to break. Not impossible, but hard. Even Master Yaddle had picked up the habit from time to time. As soon as the ship reacted the hyperspace jump point it vanished.


    Master Yaddle yawned as she woke up from her nap. She then meditated while she changed her robes with fresh ones. It was after she got finished that she recognized that her place of napping had been moved. Spreading out her awareness in the Force she was mildly surprised that Master Yoda was on her ship. His presence was one of sleep and it was then that she realized she had slept for a very long time as she checked her comlink''s chrono. Her personal droid would have sent her a message to wake her, but if they were in hyperspace that message would have been lost.


    It would not be the first time she had slept too long, but this was the first time no one checked the sole cabin before taking off in her favorite napping spot on one of several small transports. Lowering herself to the door as it opened she walked out into the rest of ship and to the cockpit to see that Master Yoda was indeed asleep and looking as young as she was. Though his new hair was short, it was noticeable. Deeseven whistled quietly a greeting that she responded to with a nod. She knew what he had done, but wondered what was so dire that he needed to be young again to face it? It seemed that he would not be facing it alone.


    Mace Windu growled as his head was splitting apart left and right. Every Jedi he looked at seemed to be on the brink of a personal shatter point. He got blank looks, ones filled with anger, others with confusion, and some with concerned worry. Though seeing those inside the Temple created shatter points the news and the reports were even worse. All of the knights and masters that could drop their missions had been called back to the Temple.


    The Service Corps leaders made it clear that their missions came first. That they would help where they could as far as using the Exploration Corps as scouts, and the Judicials as part of the military. Some of the Medical Corps assigned members to the battalions as medics and doctors, but only on a voluntary basis. The Agricorps only promised to increase food production. Their reasoning they were farmers not warriors. This division in the ranks of the Jedi Order was tearing the very order apart.


    He reached Master Yoda''s apartments and knocked but did not feel his presence inside. This was the last place he come to find him and he could not fathom that he would leave. Flicking his hand released the simple locks and he found the apartment as it always was. Only a comlink on the table revealed something was not right. He moved to it and pressed the blinking symbol to have a much younger looking Yoda appear.


    "Master Windu found this message you have. Leave I must to discover a truth. I do not know when I will return, but stay out of this war Master Surik demanded. Against the our decision he has stood and I want to agree with him I do."


    "Evidence enough he has presented. Protect the Jedi Order you will. Investigate the Senate you will. Find this Sith we must. Uphold our duty to the Republic we have to. Ask only you will. Help the GAR the Jedi can. Lead them, do not."


    The message ended with Master Yoda dropping his gimer stick on the floor. Mace picked up the comlink and went to the council chamber as he now knew what to do. The hardest part would be getting the other masters to agree as there would be resistance to not fully going along with the Senate mandates. Mace went to the communication hub and activated a full recall of all masters and knights. A full conclave was needed.


    "This Master Windu calling all Jedi Knights and Masters to return to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant for a full conclave. You are to break away from your current missions unless the risk of death is too great. You have ten days to return to the Temple or to a major holonet hub under the control of the Galactic Republic."


    He hit send and had it repeat every hour on the hour for the next five days. In that time he was sure they would have most of the order back at the Temple. From there he moved to the council chambers. The looks he got from the nine members were a mix of anger and confusion with some concern. Plo Koon was the first to break the silence as Mace sat down.


    "Where is Master Yoda?"


    "I have a message from him and I don''t know where he has gone."


    "Master Yaddle has left on her mission without the two Jedi who were going with her." Adi Gallia explained Master Yaddle''s absence.


    "Perhaps Master Yoda took the ship she was planning to take. I will find out." Even Piell busied himself with his data pad.


    "What did Grandmaster Yoda say?"


    "Let me play it for you." Mace moved to Yoda''s chair and placed the comlink down. He hit the play button and Shaak Ti and Depa Billaba both gasped as they saw his younger form.


    "Master Windu found this message you have. Leave I must to discover a truth. I do not know when I will return, but stay out of this war Master Surik demanded. Against the our decision he has stood and I want to agree with him I do."


    "Evidence enough he has presented. Protect the Jedi Order you will. Investigate the Senate you will. Find this Sith we must. Uphold our duty to the Republic we have to. Ask only you will. Help the GAR the Jedi can. Lead them, do not."


    The council was quiet as he spoke and remained so as they each absorbed his words. Oppo Rancisis normally so silent moved from his seat and did several circles around the chamber before returning to his seat. Coleman Trebor was swaying left to right as he started to glow with the Force. Saesee Tiin was the next to glow with the Force. Ki Adi Mundi appeared to be looking from one to the other and it was almost as if he was growling until he too closed his eyes. Each of the nine masters slowly joined the others in Introspection. Mace could see the their shatter points shifting as he to enter this form of meditation. It was Oppo Rancisis who broke the silence first.


    "A hobby of mine is to study war and the tactics used in hundreds of conflicts. I am sure I can come up with effective strategies. I will accept the title of High General in the Galactic Army of the Republic as I resign from the Jedi High Council. Regardless if there is a Sith in the Senate or not, I feel the Force is guiding me in this."


    "You do not have to resign the council, Master Rancisis." Plo Koon stated.


    "I do as my focus will be on this war and not as a Jedi, but as a general."


    "Do you have a suggestion for your replacement?" By Mace asking this question he accepted the Thisspiasian''s decision.


    "Kit Fisto would make an excellent addition to the council."


    Mace nodded as he typed away on his datapad.


    "Master Yoda was seen entering one of the shuttles that Master Yaddle entered several hours earlier. Not long after he entered the ship left the hanger and Coruscant on a Perlemian Trade Route vector. No flight plan recorded." The slightly younger looking Even Piell suddenly revealed.


    "Agen Kolar, Cole Kcaj, Eno Cordova, Halsey, Luminara Unduli, Obi Wan Kenobi, Stass Allie, Sta-Den Eekin, and Tho-Mes Drei are to be considered for the High Council as well as Nejaa Halcyon of Corellia. They will be considered replacements for all of us." Mace declared as he felt many of them were shocked. Ki Adi Mundi more so than the others as for once he felt anger coming from the Cerean Master. He did not remain silent.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "You can not be considering to bend to those other masters calling for our removal?"


    "I called for a conclave of every member not just of those who can easily walk away or postpone their missions. Master Surik made it very clear in his report that we can not jump into this war without investigating the cloners on Kamino, the identity of Tyranus as the one who hired Jango Fett as the template, and that Darth Sidious has a large influence on the Senate. I do not agree with those he has marked as potentially being this Sidious, but seeing as they are very close to the Supreme Chancellor we can not just ignore them either." Mace looked to Adi Gallia as she spoke next.


    "The Chancellor and the Senate is going to expect and even demand we follow the mandate of the Chancellor to become generals." Several of them nodded in agreement as Mace thought of his answer.


    "That question will be brought up during the conclave. We have ten days to come up with a plan of action that this Order will follow during this war. Jedi masters and knights who have shown to be strategists or graduated from Academy of Carida will be the ones to be offered general ranks on a voluntary basis."


    "What of Anakin Skywalker? As the Chosen One his fate will be tied to the Order."


    "Master Yoda and I had discussed his successful mission in protecting the Senator of the Chommell Sector and helping in the freeing of Master Kenobi without pulling the Republic into open conflict with the Geonosian Government, and starting the war with the Separatists. I recommend him for the knight trials."


    "The war has started. Just not so sudden as a battle on Geonosis would have. I have been seeing dozens of conflicts cropping up near systems aligned with the Separatists." Saesee Tiin got up once he was finished and looked out the windows. "We have been in conflict with Allenteen and Gamor in the past."


    "Master Tiin highlights several different issues by making a reference to his home system. Other Jedi will have such thoughts even if they know nothing of their home system or species." Shaak Ti added as other than participating in a rite of adulthood she knew little of her people.


    "Then let us get to work." Mace nodded as well as Master Koon. All of Master Surik''s points would have to be covered and countered during the conclave and since they decided serving in the GAR to be voluntary then they decided that one of the main points to the conclave would be the forming of a new service corps.


    Anakin was exhausted as soon as he had finished his report Master Kenobi came back from the archives with several data cubes. These cubes contained a ton of information and Anakin was forced to study them with Obi Wan as they headed to Ilum. Though to be honest once he learned the first technique offered and one that Obi Wan did not know either it became a contest who could perfect a new technique the fastest, or to show the most accuracy.


    Since Surik opened up their bond nothing seemed to be off limits. Though as much as this had been increasing and improving his abilities he felt he was losing himself to Kenobi. They had talked about this and he was thinking about it just like Anakin was. The bond was doing so much, but the cost was losing ones sense of self to the other. It was all that Obi Wan could do to close off the bond. Anakin had tried as well, but all it did was incense his rage. It was a thing that he does not even begin to understand and one he could only come from the outside, but he no idea why he thought this way.


    It was as if it the bond was the only thing keeping the dark side away. It was the strangest thing that he did not understand. His connection with the light side of the Force was growing stronger every day. He could meditate now for several hours and he felt so refreshed, stronger and faster than before. He and Obi Wan had dueled for eight hours straight and still felt ready to keep going had they not needed to land on Ilum. Now he was deep into the crystal tunnels as he searched for a new crystal. No he needed several now. No longer would he have the time to come to Ilum if he ever lost his crystal again with a war ravaging the Republic.


    His thoughts were suddenly broken as the first of a vision appeared to him. Every time he had come to these tunnels he had seen a different vision. This first had included the very Sith Obi Wan had killed so long ago. This time Anakin stopped as he saw two men standing before each other. He got closer and they ignored him as he listened. One man was tall and had two blue stripes tattooed on his bald head the other was hooded and even if he turned he knew that the man wore a mask. All of his studies and he did not know who these two were, but he felt that they had been important at one point.


    "Do you really think that you have all the answers? Do you really think that the Sith Emperor would so willingly let us go? This was all part of his plan. One that he has thought about for a thousand years."


    "It matters not what the Sith Emperor has planned. Without the Star Forge there is no way he can stand against the might of the Empire we are creating. With every victory against the Republic. We are closer to creating an force capable of meeting them head on."


    "We should be destroying the Republic not chasing them around the Galaxy. So many planets you have allowed to escape our wrath."


    "Worlds that are slowly seeing that only we can stand against the Sith. Sith for Sith. One with the power and the other to covet it. If you do nothing but destroy it would be us who will covet the power. No they are needed as without the light the dark can not exist so too can the dark side not exist without the light. The Sith Emperor is nothing but the dark and with that he is weak."


    "What you propose is madness. No one Sith or Jedi can serve both the light and the dark. One will always have power over the other."


    "There is only the Force. Dark and light are only in our minds. When we set our focus to combine the two only then will it become reality."


    "Then you will only be weak."


    "Perhaps, but I will not fail. My success will make me stronger than anyone." The taller man suddenly attacked the other and they fought in a blur of red light. Both looked to have fallen far to the dark side as lightning danced around their battle. Then slowly the masked one''s color changed from a red to purple and his lightning grew as it turned pure white. With a flash both vanished leaving Anakin alone again. In his hands he found three crystals. Each of the Khyber crystals were mostly blue but he could see flecks of red.


    His hands moved quickly as parts began to fly around himself. The lightsaber he had built came apart as he added and adjusted the new crystals. When he turned it on it was at first blue, but as he studied the blade it had a white center with a blue that deepened to a purple. He had chosen a hilt length of thirty centimeters for added leverage and some how that translated into a longer beam length. It was nearly twenty centimeters longer than a standard blade, and it appeared thinner. The better copy of the blade he lost had the same color, but did not change in length. The third blade could be attached to the second making it a dualsaber.


    He then set to make certain adjustments to find that the blade length of the first was not fixed as he raised or lowered the power setting. For normal dueling it was at the standard one meter length. At full power it was the twenty centimeters longer and if he added more power it grew up to two meters, but he knew it was not capable of maintaining such a length. He liked the blade, but now seeing how it performed he would be making a dozen changes.


    He set out to return boosting his body with the Force as he got up from his position. If his position was anything to go by just walking would take several hours. He smiled to himself as he liked the new color. It was different from a normal blue or green as most of the order had. Sure there were plenty that had yellow as well it was just not as common. Those three colors were dominant if you got your crystals on Ilum. Some got theirs from other planets even Tatooine had a crystal that could be used other than a Krayt dragon pearl. Though finding one small enough was considered difficult as a Krayt dragon that small only had a small chance to have one.


    "I was about to get worried, padawan mine."


    "I was wanting something different." He ignited the blade showing Obi Wan and it was then that he realized that he didn''t hear him in his head.


    "Ah I see a tint of purple. Though the white is strong." I was waiting for the other comments that would flow through our bond, but the only thing I noticed was exactly what he said.


    "Is there something wrong with our bond?"


    "Oh, ah then it must be working."


    "What is working?"


    "Can you even tell if I am projecting the Force in anyway?" Anakin opened himself to the Force and focused it on Obi Wan. For several seconds he felt nothing, but then he go a hint of the Force from Obi Wan. As he studied him for a full minute he was feeling more and more like he was a normal person without the Force.


    "That is the void in the Force ability?"


    "Mostly, but I have found it can be detected, so I have been working to modify it and strangely enough it allowed me to also close our bond down back to the way it was. Anakin staggered as suddenly Obi Wan was fully inside his head with a tone of random thoughts followed exactly with how he used his newly learned still. Anakin focused on it and soon he felt Kenobi fading away as his active senses diminished until it was as if he was not a Jedi. Though he could still detect Obi Wan''s active use of the Force. It was as Anakin was fine tuning his void presence in the Force when Obi Wan''s comlink went off. He looked at it and Anakin saw the concern cross over his face.


    "What is it, master?" Obi Wan suddenly looked at him with a growing smile just before concern resumed its place.


    "They are calling a full conclave. Also I have been designated to be one of the twelve masters to preside over the the conclave."


    "You are my master but officially you still are not a full master, right?"


    "Officially yes, but I have been studying for the master''s trials. Nothing like your knight trials will be like which you will start as soon as we get back."


    "They are going to knight me? How can they I am not ready and m I not too young?" Obi Wan chuckled as he shook his head.


    "That depends on your point of view. Just stating you are not ready is a good sign that you are either right or you are ready."


    "But, I just turned nineteen. You didn''t become a knight until twenty four."


    "True, but that had more to do with my master and our success rate then anything. We were the Jedi to call upon when they wanted to make sure the mission got done. Many other teams would have four or more Jedi to get the same results. Though I think it was one of the things that lead to Qui Gon''s death."


    "You don''t still blame yourself do you?"


    "Annie, that will never truly go away." Anakin was shocked. He had rarely used the short version of his name. He hid his smile as it was not appropriate for the seriousness of the conversation. "I do have to ask your forgiveness. I was not prepared to be your master not after losing mine. I should have insisted you stay in one of the creches to learn what you had not while I dealt with my loss."


    "No need living in the past master."


    "Obi Wan please. Time you got used to not calling me master. Though strange that you finally accept our meaning of master at the time you will no longer be required to use it."


    "Ah but then you will be a full master and I just a knight. Would it not still apply?"


    "In the presence of others outside of the order yes or in front of the council."


    "Right, so we better get this bucket in the air."


    "Hopefully, it will fly since you did not crash it."


    "Hey, that last time was not my fault." Obi Wan chuckled as the ramp to the ship closed behind them.

 Pieces to a Greater Puzzle

    Yan Dooku''s eyes opened and he inhaled sharply. He was cold and naked lying as if dead on top of a bare mattress. He could feel the ache from the torture and the scars of broken memories flying around his head. Memories that haunted him. Komara Vosa begging to be trained or to practice her katas. Then her last words being whispered as he choked the life out of her. Then the many who died at the urging of the council, or to their fool pride in thinking they could face the Jedi on equal ground. Galidraan had been one of the worst failures of the Jedi Order in following the corruption of the Senate. These were his failures as well as they came to mind every time he woke up.


    Komara Vosa was solved as he killed here and the other somewhat once he had joined Darth Sidious. It was not hard to figure out as plan after plan was enacted and the results came to bear linking them together in every political gain that if looking from the out side was random in scope. However, knowing some of the future actions he could more than see where things were going. He slowly moved as he came to his feet as he was channeling the Force.


    He was controlling the pain that Sidious had given him and fueling his rage to build enough power to heal. He had not thought that Sith could heal, but he had learned they could and it was very effective and addicting. Still, it took a lot of effort to reach his ship. That took nearly all the energy he had even while banking on his anger and hate. His pain drove him to move, but it was just enough to get him inside his ship.


    "Take me to Serenno." He did not see the droid nod its mechanical head before the darkness took him again. Just before it did he called on the Force one last time. His body sank slowly to the deck as the hibernation trance took hold.


    He did not come out of his trance until he reached Kamino. Once he was there he had not time to himself as many of his duties needed to be taken care of and messages from the CIS council and the Assembly needed to be answered. It was not until the next day before he could get to more military focused needs.


    Sev''rance Tann had been successful in acquiring a new vehicle for the Confederacy. One he would have better use of once it was reverse engineered. Wat Tambor will be thrilled to get a hold of the weapon. He recalled Sev''rance Tann assigning a tactical droid to take Sarapin. He read the report that General Grievous was ready for combat and was on his way to defending Hypori as it had the highest probability of being attacked. He then sent Trench to defend Muunilist and Whorm Loathsom to prepare to take Christophsis in several weeks.


    He then reviewed dozens of different battles as old and ancient conflicts started up again as systems left the Republic in the wake of The Confederacy of Independent Systems declaring their independence from the Republic.


    It is then that he came across the report of the Jedi Order recalling every Jedi for a full conclave something that had not happened in decades. Sidious had said that the Jedi would so foolishly enter the war as the clone generals, but it seems this failed to happen. He had studied the last conclave and the absolute silence that was maintained until its agenda was completed. He smiled as this must be infuriating to Sidious to have the Jedi just up and close their doors. This brings a smile to his face as he leans back into his chair to read other reports.


    Palpatine was stunned he had received acknowledgment of the Jedi High Council to accept their commissions and as the judicial chiefs of staff were assigning certain Jedi to command each of the Clone battalions a declaration of a conclave is called from the Jedi Order. He did not think anything of it, but when only Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis reported to take command he had tried to personally call the High Council to ask why and his call was not even answered. He did not even wait to listen to the recording that had been left to excuse the lack of response. He then called in High General Oppo Rancisis to explain.


    "...So you see once a conclave is called the Jedi Order will shut completely down to prevent any unwanted distractions." Master Rancisis finished without a hint of concern.


    "What of all the missions currently assigned to the Jedi knights on assignment?" Palpatine tried to show a bit of confusion and worry in his aura, while hiding his growing anger.


    "Suspended, canceled or assigned to the nonjedi in the diplomatic corps." Cold and completely unexpected. Many of those missions were designed to push a system away from or towards the Republic. Now it was up in the air and would cause issues if they had to fight to get certain systems back.


    "I do not understand. The Republic is on the brink of war. Hundreds of systems are on the precipice of leaving the Republic or are prime targets of the Separatists."


    "It was one of the concerns of the council, but the with the current amount of evidence they determined the need to fully discuss this with the entire Jedi Order being physically present." It would have been more useful if he had shoulders to shrugged with the amount of indifference he was showing. He needed more. Perhaps another attack on the Temple would get them to open up?


    "I must confess my ignorance in such a process. Tell me when can I expect the Jedi Order to reopen communication with the Senate and the Chancellery?"


    "There are several more days before the conclave starts and it could last a day to several weeks. The end results can vary to fully supporting the Republic in its efforts to Recusal."


    "Recusal? What is that?" Palpatine had an idea, but for the life of him the memory was not coming to him.


    "It is where the Jedi Order will remove themselves from the Republic for a time. They did this during the Pius Dea Era. Though I doubt that would be the case here as there is much that can be done before such a drastic measure is needed."


    "That is a sobering prospect, but I must say that it would not go well for the Order if they make such a decision I am afraid." Palpatine was showing worry even as he was planning this master''s death. He so wanted to kill him where he was coiled. A Recusal would put the Jedi out of his grasp and prevent him from ever declaring himself Emperor. The Jedi had no attachment to any world and they could go straight for him if need be or shut down the Senate as they did during that same era now that he had a reference to go by.


    "Chancellor you have little to worry about I doubt such a decision will be made. Most likely the Order will remain as the Peacekeepers that they are and allow those with the knowledge to help lead the GAR as I will be doing."


    "Master Jedi that will be a problem as the all the Jedi are needed once it becomes war."


    "Chancellor the Jedi are keepers of the peace not the Jedi Warlords of old with their system worlds and their armies to stand behind them. The Ruusan Reformations prevent the Jedi Order from directly supporting this war if it comes to be. Even with the Military Creation Act it does not remove the restrictions on the Jedi Order."


    "Then perhaps you can pass on the Senate''s orders to the High Council." Master Rancisis rose as he slid off the chair looking no different than before.


    "I resigned my position in the Jedi Order to lead the war effort once hostilities commence. I am a Jedi Master only in name. I believe I have taken up too much of your time and I have nothing more to tell you that will make any difference. Only time will gain you access to the Jedi Temple. Good day Chancellor Palpatine."


    "Good day, Master Jedi." Palpatine waited until he could barely feel the Jedi before he let even a sliver of the anger he was feeling crack the surface. He needed the Jedi to get caught up in this war and to feel the loss of each life until they are numb to it. Plus the loss of Jedi would thin out the Order to the point they could only react and not think of the things they were doing. He was also angry that this would prevent Anakin from visiting him as he really needed to probe the boy on his encounter with his mother and what he did on Geonosis. Dooku had left much out and his memories were mixed with a bunch of fantasy. As if Revan could come back from the dead thousands of years after his death.


    Sidious sent the code to Dooku''s comlink to start the war. If the Jedi could not be framed for starting the war then so be it. Their hesitance to attack Geonosis would allow the CIS to use those droids against another planet and kept the factories on Geonosis running. In a few days while the Jedi hide in their sacred Temple the Galaxy shall fall into war.


    Anakin had to land the shuttle on the large expanse of the Temple Grounds as the many hangers inside the Temple were full of returning Jedi transports. As open as the grounds were it took time to get to the temple. Both of them looking in awe at all the Jedi and even none Jedi that were camped out. Inside the Great Hall was just as packed as even more Jedi that neither one of them knew not that Anakin expected to know any of them.


    What was surprising to both of them was the amount of laughing and feelings of joy and happiness. Sure there was other feelings being projected, but they were also positive over all. Then there was not the open affection or displays of affection, but it was felt through the Force. Anakin could tell that most of the Jedi here were not Temple Jedi or had not been in the temple in a long time.


    "I have to say master this is not what I would ever expect. I mean I thought all of you lacked such emotions."


    "Anakin you know we feel emotions like any being, but you also know we do not let them free like you are feeling. We give them to the Force."


    "Don''t feel any of that here."You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "I would think not. Notice that these are not knights or masters and they from what I gather are seeing old friends for the first time in years."


    "And what of those who are in love?" Obi Wan chuckled. What could he really say to that. At least they were keeping the visual clues hidden, but just barely as he did catch quiet a few hands being held or similar limbs. It was as they covered about half of the way through the Great Hall that Kenobi suddenly stopped.


    "Kenobi?" He turned to see someone he had never thought to see ever again.


    "Aalto?" The man smiled brightly and then force Obi Wan to clasp arms. It was in his grip that Aalto''s face changed to one of regret.


    "Yup in the flesh and first off I want to apologize for when we were younger. I came to realize I followed Bruck without question and I should have followed you. I mean Jedi Master of the Chosen One."


    "Not quiet a Master yet, but soon and Anakin here will take his trials." Aalto looked Anakin over and even probed him a bit with the Force. Then the man clasp hands with Anakin as he felt being accepted.


    "Thought he would be shorter." Anakin blinked before seeing Aalto laugh.


    "He had a resent growth spurt. Unlike you as you seem to have not gotten any taller."


    "Ah Obi Wan had an accident with some equipment. Nearly lost both legs, but with the Force and some luck they just got a bit shorter."


    "Well I am glad that you are well and I accept your apology." Aalto blinked before his smile looked to consume his face as he blinked several tears out of his eyes. He then bowed before disappearing into the crowd.


    "Who was that exactly?"


    "He was the friend of a bully when I was an initiate. In the end he was tricked into using the dark side and fell to his death as we dueled."


    "You know the Order really has to change that. You know I did not have a lot of friends."


    "I know and I could have helped with that."


    "No you couldn''t have."


    "Perhaps. Now let''s get through this circus before another of my past friends appear." Obi Wan such not have said anything as nearly a dozen former age mates found him and pulled him in to meet their friends or even a spouse or two. Anakin slowly got to see an entire different side to Obi Wan. One that was not this perfect Jedi, but one who had been struggling for years to be perfect. It also made him see how uncomfortable Obi Wan could be as he face these happy faces or those that seemed happy.


    Their bond was stable, but enough leaked through that Anakin could see that Obi Wan was human and capable of making mistakes. That he had never really had felt and now it changed much of what he had been trying to teach him. That he could almost believe that Obi Wan was afraid on not teaching him correctly. Anakin''s pride in his master grew and he enjoyed meeting all these different Jedi that had influenced Obi Wan and made him who he was. The only person in the Order that he knew that knew Obi Wan was Bant Eerin and she had never revealed anything about Obi Wan''s past.


    Four hours later they finally made it to their quarters. They changed and straightened up the apartment as best as they could though have the common room was a work shop along with most of Anakin''s room. Once everything was clean enough they went to eat. The dining hall was full with nearly the entire Jedi Order in residence. The Force was vibrating with all of them here. Anakin closed his eyes half way through his meal and just felt how different the Temple and this room was. There was the over all calm and on top of that was the joy of reunion with so many Jedi that had not seen each other.


    What Anakin felt over all was how the feeling of the Temple had changed. The calm quiet environment geared for learning was still there, but this anticipation for what was going to happen and the fact that most of the Jedi present were knights. Where as the groups on the outside and in the great hall were happy and festive there were more serious Jedi here in the dinning hall and the Temple proper. The Force was nearly a tangible presence as it swirled around every being. It was then that he spread out his senses looking for Rey Van and Asajj. They were not in the hall and from what he could feel they might be in the archives.


    "Anakin are you going eat? Your food is cold and I am finished." Obi Wan tapped his tray to add to the need to finish.


    "Right sorry. Just so many Jedi."


    "Yes indeed, tighten your focus and your shields and it won''t be so distracting."


    "Right." Anakin returned to his cold food and shoveled it in. He barely avoided a lecture on proper manners. It was as he was putting way his tray that he saw Asajj just sitting there alone at one of the tables. A quick glance and her table was the only one that was so empty. Then he looked back and she was gone as a groups sat where she had been.


    "Anakin are you coming?"


    "Yes master." He took a few hurried steps to catch up before Obi Wan moved out of the hall and towards the lift.


    "I wonder where Master Surik is? I just saw Asajj I think."


    "After he released his report to the entirety of the Jedi Order I would assume that many will seek him out like before. He is one to draw attention to himself without even doing something. Now that he has I doubt he has found any peace." As like every time that Obi Wan has returned to the Temple he made his way up to the High Council chamber.


    "Odd." He remarked as he moved from the lift to the doorway. The padawan that would normally be there was not. As he spread his senses out he felt no one past the door which made him throw it open. He glanced around the room to then look out on the growing sunset.


    "Where is the council?"


    "That is a good question. Perhaps Master Windu has an answer." Obi Wan turned as Mace stepped into view.


    "They are meditating. With no missions to guide or reports to hear it is time to focus on something we have been ignoring for decades." Obi Wan turned back to the setting sun as Anakin moved to his side.


    "I doubt that."


    "Oh but it is true. So long we have been playing politics with the Senate. So long we have bowed to their requests and demands. So long we have ignored the very being of this Republic for their greed. Now that it has all stopped I can see it. We have been ignoring the Force and so it has gone silent."


    "Silent, Master Windu it screams at me."


    "I know and that is what makes me not trust you. I see it talking to you. Screaming at you pleading for you to understand, what I do not know but should." Obi Wan looked at Anakin as his head sank and the defeated look of the Master of the High Council. Yet, his face was not without hope. He was just pausing. This was a truth that Anakin would never had heard. Such honesty from one he had never trusted and was always on guard against.


    He was like many of the masters as he grew up and who had demonstrated time and again that they thought he was not good enough. That his best efforts were only bad attempts. This high impossible standard that the Chosen One was held up to. Now he felt the regret. He felt that Master Windu would no longer hold him to this standard that was impossible. He felt anger at this and puzzled at the same time at the source of the anger. He suddenly thought of Sheev and the council he has provided over the years and it felt hollow.


    "Perhaps this conclave is what the Order needs." Kenobi rubbed his beard as his eyes focused on the sun.


    "Good cause you are going to lead it."


    "What?!" Mace only gave a weak smile before walking out of the chamber. Just before he reached the lift he turned his head back.


    "You really should read all of your messages." The lift opened and Obi Wan stared as if frozen as the master walked in and the doors closed.


    "Master? What did he mean?"


    "I am leading the conclave, but what of the council?" He pulled out his comlink and went to the last message. Quickly he swiped from message to message and finally stopping on one.


    "Master Kenobi as you are not part of any council it has been determined as the newest master of the Jedi Order that your insight will be critical in the current time. Eleven others have been selected and due to the abruptness of the forming of the conclave your padawan has been elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight pro tem, which will become permanent after completion of his trials." He was not sure who was speaking, but he had heard the voice before.


    "Seriously master?"


    "It seems that way. I am to report to the conclave chamber to meet with the other masters to compile an itinerary for discussion to be released for all Jedi to lend their opinion. Once I enter we can not leave until we have held the conclave."


    "That does not sound good."


    "No, but there is a full refresher there so we will not have to experience discomfort, but it will mean we will be there for a minimum of three days. I need to go."


    "What right now? We just got back and you didn''t sleep as it would be night soon."


    "Introspection it is. I would still go to the knights tower, Anakin. I am sure you have a similar message in your comlink and there are certain things that you will need to due to study for your trials. Meditating is one of them." Obi Wan left him standing there and soon Anakin was the only one left in the High Council chamber. He felt a sudden cold as he heard a phantom cackle of glee. One that made him look to the Senate Rotunda for some reason.


    Revan and Asajj were in one of the deepest parts of the Temple. It had been weeks since he had crawled back to the surface of reality and due to his arrival there was power and lighting as hundreds of droids moved building material or made repairs. He was following a hint in the Force and it lead him to one of those ancient storage rooms.


    "What can we possibly find down here?"


    "I am not sure, but the Force is urging me here."


    "I don''t see anything but crates of clothing and boots."


    "What we seek is a bit farther in, and you are not reading the more important items. Armor and other items of war. This is from a time I believe a thousand years ago or less."


    "I see that. The date near the door on the wall, 1 ARR to 100 ARR or 6978 to 7078 CRC."


    "That was two sections ago this section is from the time of the Mandalorian Excision." He moved from crate to crate feeling the lives that had once owned the armor that was now stored here. Armor that did not belong to the Jedi. Armor that had been taken from the Mandalorians that had surrendered or was taken from their shrines and museums. Revan stopped at a certain crate and with a deft swipe with his lightsaber he opened the ancient crate. A flick of his hand and a helm that he had last seen with a gold gilding came into his hands. The gun metal gray of bare Beskar could not hide the dings and slights dents of hundreds of battles.


    "Canderous Ordo you were never one for flashy, but I would sense your mark anywhere." Also the mark of Mand''alor the Ultimate. Though he remembered it looking much differently, yet, he could see it through the imprint that Canderous had left on it and the slight mark that his twin had left as well. It would never be the symbol that would bring the Mandalorian warriors together again, but why else could the Force have moved him to come down here?


    "Who was he?"


    "Canderous was the leader of Clan Ordo. Not sure of what happened to him after I killed Mand''alor the Ultimate, but from his mark on this buy''ce he became Mand''alor at one point. I really should have destroyed this, but I did not. My twin must have gotten the memory of where I hid it."


    "So we came all the way down here for some dusty helm?"


    "I am not sure. The Force is telling me that I have not found it yet." He scooped out the rest of the crate finding nothing before moving the crate out itself. There behind the crate was a disc.

 Final Conclave

    Master Yoda and Yaddle landed on an unmarked planet. One hidden from the rest of the galaxy for hundreds of years. One that had seen battle after battle and had seen the rise of the Sith and the down fall of Sith. Many times it had played its part. Many times it may yet replay such a role, but long gone relics were of no interest to the current Sith. The ancient tombs and temples held no one, but the beasts and the plants of a thriving world. This was a world that had seen the true Sith modify themselves and those Sith go extinct just as their more normal cousins. It was hear that the Sith Emperor lost the connection with the realm of the living.


    The destroyed Force engine was no more than an over grown mound of rubble. As they rounded the base of the mound they came to a clearing made into a series of ever smaller circles and that the life of the planet was wary to reclaim. Only a light covering of green moss covered the otherwise ornate stone lying underneath. In the center was a bulge that some how did not belong, yet had been there several thousand years itself.


    "What is this place?"


    "Moon of Yavin we have landed on and this is a grave. A jedi died here one not himself. If the Force is telling the truth. Master Rey Van Surik is not who he says he is. This place will tell us." Yaddle looked around and felt in the Force for what Master Yoda was hinting at, but she felt nothing. Only the Force as it moved through the rain forest.


    "Light and dark rest here. This mound feels no differently. That temple over there feel the dark side I do."


    "True that is, but here lies the Revanchist, or Revan as the ancient records have stated."


    "Revan the one who both destroyed the Jedi and saved it?"


    "Yes terrible things he did and even more terrible things he stopped. Though if the records speak true even more evil was done by the Jedi Council of that time."


    "I feel a story you do not tell the younglings about to hear I am." Master Yoda moved around the tiny mound and then settled on one cleared spot.


    "A story I could tell, but know the truth I do not. Perhaps the Force can tell us, show us." They both closed their eyes as they opened themselves to the Force. At first nothing happened but slowly the Force grew and they saw bits and pieces. They heard words from dozens of languages and felt the feet of many who built the very ring they sat in the center of. They saw the battle of one fighting many who worked together to see a mask fall from man who dropped to his knees. They saw another ghost come closer and they talked as one. Two souls split, but not the same. Twins in all but body. It was a lie, yet somehow the truth.


    "That is not Revan." Master Yoda opened his eyes to see a glowing form.


    "Revan it must be. Lie the Force can not."


    "From a certain point of view."


    "Ghost who are you?" Master Yaddle asked.


    "Bastila Shan I once was known as. A fragment of her I am now. Tied to this spot where my husband finally died."


    "Husband? The Grandmaster of the Jedi Order married?"


    "A difficult time it was. Love is not as dangerous as you think it is, but it does have its down sides."


    "Not Revan this was then who?" The ghost flew around and then came to the other side. With a wave of her hand two young boys appeared playing. Running and jumping, laughing and screaming as children do, but they showed the skills of those gifted with the Force. The two boys circled each other and it was clear they were twins. The scenes moved fluidly from year to year until one got on a ship to leave the other behind as a faceless master lead them away.


    Though from time to time they came back together as others came into their lives. If either Jedi knew the face shown they would have seen a younger version of Meetra Surik. Other faces came and went until the twin who became a Jedi fought their first Mandalorian. He wore a mask much like the Mandalorians and the other the common wear of a spacer far from the war and battles that raged.


    Then they saw Bastila Shan and a group of faceless Jedi board a ship and fight their way to the bridge only to be caught in an explosion of light and fire. From there is was flashes of images as one was removed and taken to the Temple at the same time the twin showed up looking for the other not realizing what his brother had become. Then the scene darkened as the faceless Jedi looked to the twin.


    It was there that the twin was taken in by the Jedi, by Bastila and slowly from battle to battle the once free spirited twin turned slowly into the Jedi he never wanted to be. This was the truth that was concealed and at the same time the evil that the council hid. Yoda looked at Yaddle and she shared the same sad face. A face that held guilt as the ability to imprint a person onto another was a skill they both knew naturally. Only Master Tokare could have done such a thing with the help of the rest of the council.


    Benar Surik and Reyil Surik were twins as Meetra Surik was their younger sister. Reyil was the Revanchist turned Revan and later Darth Revan. Benar became the Prodigal Knight Revan against his will as the real Revan faded into darkness. This explained some of the truth that had been hidden in the past but did not solve how Revan or Rey Van Surik survived to the present. The ghost of Bastila sighed as the scene shifted to one of a medical bay with a single bacta tank. Inside was the burned a twisted body of who had once been Revan and a shadow form that neither Jedi could deny was that of Bastila as the ghost hovered around her.


    Master Yoda knew what was happening at first, but then the shadowy form walked out and did not come back for some time. Then it was as if she never left for a while to then vanish as the person was tended by droids. The six or so droids slowly stopped working or did not come back into the medical bay. Then the vision stopped as both Jedi were tossed on their backs.


    "Survive for thousands of years a being can not."


    "Pulled forward in time this Revan was. Warn the Jedi we must. A full Sith he is. One more dangerous than we can know. Yoda looked to the mound and felt the Force urge him to move it and so he reaches his hand out and the large mound was a rock and once lifted it revealed a preserved box. Master Yaddle pulled it to her and it opened with a touch as if it was only placed there the other day. Inside was a damaged black and red buy''ce, the Mask of Revan.


    "Proof this is. He will not be able to hide once this is returned to him." They moved back to their ship, but it had not been easy to get to the planet. The hyper lane that had brought battles to the planet had shifted and made it take much time to arrive at the system. Though as they left they found the new hyperspace entry point. It had taken several weeks to find the system and the planet. As the two masters returned to the core they came across blockades and choke points of the hyperlanes filled with ships on either side of a war that had started not long ago.


    They were even more surprised as they landed on top of the ziggurat that was the Jedi Temple. It was a spot reserved only for the Grandmaster of the Order and one he had never had to use until now. The two Temple Guard in fully functioning armor came racing up to the shio as its ramp came down. A far younger looking Master Yoda and Yaddle came out of the ship and both the guards bowed dropping their combat posture.


    "Masters, it is good that you have returned." The one said.


    "Yes, cause the conclave is about to start." Yoda looked to Yaddle and they nodded to each other.


    "Then go and Watch the conclave we shall."


    Asajj felt the strain as they carried this large disc. Even using the Force did not do much to relieve the strain of how much it weighed. Way more than two fit Jedi could handle or Sith as Asajj was not really certain that he was a Jedi. Though he could be neither and he had not claimed either. He had denied being a Jedi and not claimed to be Sith. He had been training her in the ways of the Force that she had been week in with no correction on whether she should use the calm of the light or the rage of the dark. He only taught until she managed to be successful. Though much depended on her control and she tended to be too rash and bold if she called on the dark side.


    It was why she was pulling hard on the light side of the Force as this disc might have been easier with the dark side she would have tired much faster without being able to cycle her anger effectively while also trying to maintain a void in the Force to keep herself safe. It was what she was telling herself as she moved around the Jedi Temple. A place that she had vowed to kill everyone who lived inside it for forgetting her first master existed, but now she knew better and that part of the long story Revan had pulled out of her with all his very deliberate and focused questions he had learned nearly everything about her. She looked up to her newest master and she could say she barely knew anything about him, but he had told her his life story as well.


    Her thoughts were brought back to the present as the y entered the conclave chamber at the same time as some thing dangerous and threatening to her and her master. Obi Wan stood from the chair he was in on top of the stage and came to look both down on them and Master Yoda with Yaddle.


    The snap hiss of two lightsabers activating brought a hundred eyes to bear down on the two masters who face two others trying to hold on to a large disc. They watched as with effort the disc was propped up against the stage so the older of the two turned to bow to the aggressive Grandmaster and his species mate.


    "Surrender your weapons to us you shall. A request this is not. Refusal will be met with deadly intent."


    "Master Yoda you must at least explain a part of your reasoning."


    "Darth Revan you are. A Sith forever you will be."


    "Jedi Sith neither of those titles apply to me." Without even touching them his lightsabers came off his belt and floated up to Obi Wan.


    "A servant to the dark side you became. Forever will it dominate your destiny."


    "I did not serve the dark side. Nor does it control me. At one point it controlled me, but I learned there is much to the Force and only the balance matters."


    "Lie you can not."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "Why lie when the truth is that much more powerful." Revan turned the disc around and revealed its facing. It rose up in the air and as if it was constructed just for this shield a darkened indention took the disc as Revan settled it into place. There on the disc for all to see was a depiction of three beings. One in the center holding the hand of one who radiated the light and another hand on the other side who was covered in shadow. Both stood on plates that in such a way looked as if the formed the shape of a scale. A scale that leaned heavily to the shadow even after Revan turned it so that the central being stood straight. Every Jedi in the great chamber saw that the beings represented their species or were just three glowing bipedal forms. To Asajj they were more than that as one was a winged goddess and the other was the fanged god. In the middle was a form that sent chills over her body.


    "I am not controlled by the dark side no more than your fear of change holds you to the light."


    "Master Yoda even I know that Darth Revan is long dead. How can you be so certain? Time travel is unheard of and extremely rare dealing with events that can not be changed." Master T''ra Saa glided to the front. Master Yoda sighed extinguishing his lightsaber.


    "In search of answers on who Rey Van Surik truly is lead me to Yavin IV. On a moon there we visited the final resting place of Revan the Prodigal Knight." Master Yoda started to then let Yaddle take over.


    "Experienced the ghost of Bastila Shan. Showed us what she did to defeat Malak and his Sith. Benar Surik and Reyil Surik were twins as Meetra Surik was their younger sister, the Exile. Benar was mind wiped to be Revan. While Reyil the true Revan was put away deep below the Temple." Obi Wan hopped down to take up a position by Master T''ra Saa. He studied Rey before looking to the disc placed high above the stage as Master Surik shook at the revelation of his true name. Then he calmed himself and used a standing meditation to balance his emotions.


    "That name I have not heard in a long time. A name that I gave up to become the Revanchist and later shorting it to Revan as I butchered the Mandalorians. Once I encountered the Sith Emperor I became Darth Revan. I was Forced at first to use the dark side and I truly thought I had fallen, but then decided it should not control me. I gave in to this sacrifice to build up the Republic by remaking it into the form that would survive against the horde that the Sith would have been. I was sure that was the only way to have the galaxy survive the Sith as they tried to consume the Galaxy. Malak attacked me and my goal was lost and my brother took my place and not only stopped the Sith, but allowed time to change them. I am no longer Revan, nor Sith."


    "A Jedi you are not." T''ra Saa stated to clarify to the others and herself.


    "No. I am neither Jedi nor Sith. A darker version of a Jed''aii perhaps, but neither the light or the dark has power over me. Just the Force, and the Whills." Master Yoda thought for some time and then pulled out Revan''s buy''ce his mask. With the Force Reyil took it and examined it closely feeling it with the Force as a thousand memories invaded his mind at once. While under the influence of psychometry a Jedi initiate came forward followed by a Togruta female of the same age.


    Anakin was suddenly vary aware of the girl as he came up behind them to pull them back as he felt the Force was telling him it was not safe. Ahsoka turned her large eyes on Anakin and gave him a sly smirk that did not fit in with the situation. As he touched her he felt a spark from the Force that gave him insight into Ahsoka and her him. A bond was formed one that neither understood and one that Master Yoda noticed before turning his attention back to Revan. Revan looked to the boy first once his attention was no longer being consumed by his old mask. He stepped to the boy and handed the mask to him.


    "One day you may need this mask. A day that will come about if they do not change their ways. What is your name boy?"


    "Jerik." The boy answered as he took the mask from his ancestor. Obi Wan moved to take the boy to the side.


    "Jerik what?"


    "Jerik Shan." Revan nodded knowing that a sliver of his brother''s blood flowed inside his veins. His last name of Shan was of no surprise either as he had witnessed his brother''s relationship with Bastila Shan. Obi Wan felt a connection to the boy nearly as instantly as Anakin felt one with Ahsoka. Unlike Anakin he knew what this connection was and would become. Obi Wan smiled and wondered as he knew this boy would be his next padawan. Obi Wan looked to Master Yoda and then to Master Surik or Revan if he could believe it. Though as he thought about it, the report Surik gave of the incident on Geonosis and the Clone Army he saw the general he had been and key comments that could only come from one who knew the Sith.


    He moved back to the stage and then to the podium. Using the Force he reached out to all that were present and all that were watching from the Grand Hall as there just was no place to house all the Jedi in one place unless they had hired a stadium. He looked to the large disc and knew that it was an accurate depiction of the balance in the Force. There was a story behind it and how it fit so perfectly in the place above the stage and how it blended right into the symbol of the Jedi Order''s rising winged sun.


    "Master Yoda and Yaddle much has changed and Master Surik has shown nothing but a willingness to say what needed to be said and to restore a part of the Jedi Temple one that shows how far we truly are from the light and the balance of the Force. As Master of the Conclave I will have to ask you to hold your accusations until after the Jedi Order has determined a course of action in the coming conflict."


    "A Clone war this is. Started already it has."


    "That may be, but again will you defer." Obi Wan was joined by the other named masters who neither held a council position nor sought one. Then Yoda saw several Jedi he had not seen in years as Master Jon Antilles walked up behind Master Surik.


    "Step down as Grandmaster I have not. Called this conclave I also did not."


    "But I did Master Yoda. Picked these master to lead the conclave the High Council has while you and Master Yaddle were away. Revan''s report calls for the Jedi to change and only the entire Order can bring about this change." Mace Windu came up behind his friend and mentor.


    "Meditate on this I will. Accept the decision of this conclave I have yet to decide."


    "Then have a seat." Windu pointed off to the front row to the other masters of the High Council. The conclave started and the full topics revealed. There was really only one true question and that was whether the Jedi would enter the war and fully support the Republic or do something else. Though the war slowly started to spread as the CIS began to take poorly defended key systems. The Jedi were oblivious to the outside world as they had slowly become over the decades. After a week the Service Corps Jedi took off in their ships while the Jedi bound to the Republic remained though when they got in their ships the Temple was left with only a few Jedi. Everyone a long time master and near the end of their days.


    Revan smiled as he walked to one of the bridges with Asajj Ventress at his side. The ship they flown in was given to other Jedi to complete their missions. Anakin had been knighted along with Obi Wan officially becoming a Master. Each took on a padawan before going out on a mission. He looked up to see a transport speeder taking the High Council to the Senate chamber. A conversation he truly wanted to listen in on. Though it most likely would be broadcast across the Galaxy.


    Palpatine was miserable and on the verge of a complete rage taking control. So many Jedi so many lightsiders just radiating the Force which was pushing back against the natural and unnatural presence of the dark side on Coruscant. He felt it in so many different ways that was already showing if he just looked at the local reports. Murders and other violent acts dropped drastically while arrests of every violation rose as these Jedi caught them in the act enough to call in local security forces to have them arrested. Now that they were inside the Temple the arrests dropped back to normal.


    Only his busy schedule was keeping him partially sane enough to resist falling into a dark side fueled rage. With so many lightsiders on the planet he could not even go to his shrine to meditate on a course of action that would negate what the Jedi were doing. The risk of some of them noticing was too high. The Coruscant Jedi were numb to the dark side of the planet, but these others were not. Individually they could not stand against him, but more than once the lone Jedi Service Corps member had surprised him by detecting him. Luckily they never lived long enough to survive to tell anyone.


    Two weeks went by before a second mass of ships took off from around the Jedi Temple. The event interrupted the current session of the Senate just before the first Jedi entered the Senate Rotunda. Palpatine was not happy as Jedi appeared on the senatorial pods reserved for the Jedi Order. He felt the Force surge around him as the Jedi projected calm. The Senator from some nonseated system was drowned out by the greetings being exchanged as the Jedi appeared.


    "Order! There will be Order!" Mass Amedda pounded his staff which slowly silence the chamber. The Senator looked infuriated as his plea was ignored. Palpatine stood and made the center platform rotate slowly. The dark side was silent, but wary so perhaps this was not necessarily a bad thing.


    "Senator you will have to defer to a different time as I see that a more pressing matter has developed. I do hope the Jedi will not disturb this session much further. I hope Master Yoda or Master Windu is present?"


    The Jedi pod moved to the center of the Rotunda showing that all twelve of the Jedi High Council was present. Palpatine looked at the Master Jedi and resisted the temptation to snarl at him. His features were normally dour, but today he looked happy which he felt was a bad thing in itself.


    "Master Windu I expect this signals the end of your retreat inside your Temple."


    "It does and as Master of the Council I shall be speaking as I will report on the current disposition of the Jedi Order. I will also disclose how the Jedi will assist the Republic in the future." Palpatine could feel the temperature dropping around him. He was getting a warning from the dark side to be very careful to not deviate from his chancellor personage.


    "Oh has something changed? I am sure you will support the Republic in all aspects as you have in the past."


    "Not if a war is caused by our actions."


    "Were the clones not ordered by a member of the Jedi High Council?" Palpatine smiled to himself as the master lost a bit of his happy demeanor as his face returned to looking dour.


    "That has not been confirmed, but what has been confirmed is that the clone template was a Mandalorian hired by someone name Tyranus. This Tyranus has been confirmed to carry a distinct title of Darth Tyranus. A title that is synonymous with the Sith." The reaction was varied from the Senators, but mostly one of confusion.


    "The Ancient enemies of the Jedi were wiped out nearly a thousand years ago. Surely you must be mistaken."


    "Supreme Chancellor it is true the Sith have not risen again, but it was confirmed ten years ago that some of that order survived. It was also confirmed that Count Dooku the leader of the newly formed Confederacy of Independent Systems is the very person that hired Jango Fett and is also known as Darth Tyranus." Shock pulsed through the Senate as those two names were put together. Palpatine nearly had to sit down from how the Force reacted.


    "Count Dooku the former Jedi Master who at one point was on the High Council? Surely you can''t be saying that one of your own is now a Sith?"


    "It is how most of the Sith Empires have formed. Still, that is not the purpose of revealing what we have discovered about him, but to inform the Senate that the very Clones that have been acquired to serve as the main force of the Galactic Army of the Republic are not only slaves in the eyes of the Jedi Order but have been created through deception by the very government that they will fight against."


    The Senate chamber broke out in chaos that did not last as the Jedi present radiated calming waves through the Force. Palpatine knew he would not win any concessions today and he was on thin ice if he tried to sway the Jedi to reconsider. The dark side was also warning him that the other shoe was about to drop. The Senate went silent by itself so Master Windu continued.


    "We also have evidence that a certain Darth Sidious has influence over hundreds of current Senators. That such a situation can not be tolerated, nor can the Jedi follow any mandates from the Senate until this Sith is revealed and removed from the Republic."


    "What does the Jedi Order plan to do? Is not the Sith a religious order? Such a thing is not against the law?"


    "If a Sith is influencing the decisions of this governmental body than any decision that you produce is suspect and not in the best interest of the Republic. For this those Jedi that have studied strategy and previous wars under a voluntary basis may assign themselves to sector defensive fleets. The Jedi Order will not lead or serve under any Kamino clones."


    "Then I am afraid that my hands will be tied if you refuse to defend and serve the Republic."


    "We will serve the Republic, but as you can see the Jedi Order is much smaller than it was before. In fact we are all that is left of the Jedi Order."


    "The Jedi Order has over ten thousand active knights."


    "The Jedi Order decided to follow the will of the Force to restore the balance. The Society of the Whills was created by merging the Jedi Order and the Service Corps into one. The Jedi Temple is being turned into a museum and hospital as we speak."


    "I do not understand. What does this mean?"


    "It means the Jedi will not be led by a Sith."