A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

STAR WARS: SECOND LEGACY

With DARTH CAEDUS, formerly known as Jedi Knight Jacen Solo, now defeated, the galaxy find itself once more trying to recover from the devastating aftermath of war. LUKE SKYWALKER, Grand Master of the Jedi Order, has been exiled for ten years from Coruscant--or until he can determine what has caused his nephew's fall to the Dark Side. Anti-Jedi sentiment is raging, and the few who remain struggle to keep order in the midst of the chaos and hatred all around them. The Jedi's one last hope, BEN SKYWALKER, has accompanied his father into the great unknown and thus is unable to guide his comrades toward peace and resolution.

In the midst of everything, conflicted Jedi Knight CHETYRA VEK is trying to come to terms with the fact that ADMIRAL NATASI DAALA, now Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance, has seemed to betray it by banishing the brightest light in the galaxy and therefore condemning it to live in shadow. Will she risk everything, including her own exile and imprisonment at hard labor, to try and bring Luke and Ben back--or at least contact them? Only they can counter a new Sith threat, which has emerged closer to home than either Skywalker--or even Chetyra--has ever imagined possible...


*****************************

Chetyra Vek hated conflict. The Jedi Knight had been taught to believe that the way to solve one's disagreements was to discuss them rationally and peacefully, being careful to be fair to your opponent and suspend judgment.

That was not what was happening right now.

Darth Caedus, formerly known as Jedi Knight Jacen Solo, was dead. He was not only dead, but defeated, and the legacy of his new Empire had been shattered. Sadly enough, Admiral Natasi Daala, the new Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance, had punished neither Caedus nor his former followers. Instead, she had turned against the one hope the galaxy'd had during the time of his reign: Luke Skywalker, Grand Master of the Jedi Order itself.

She had betrayed it, and him, sending Skywalker into ten years of exile.

According to the Admiral, Luke was to blame for not discerning his nephew's fall soon enough, and not discovering the cause of it before it was too late. She had never trusted the users of the Force, Jedi or Sith, and she placed the full weight of the punishment for Caedus--Jacen--upon his stalwart uncle. Who knew where Luke, and his loyal son Ben Skywalker, were now?

It wasn't fair. Chetyra Vek knew it wasn't fair. Yet, all she could do was listen with the other Knights and Padawans in the main Council chambers as the Masters argued fruitlessly. One particular Master, a female, stood in the midst of the ring of chairs, her silver head humbly bowed. Who was she?

Who else would she be? If the brother has vanished, then blame the sister...

"How could you not have sensed it before, Master Solo? Your own son!"

"What kind of a Jedi doesn't try to end a Sith where he stands? Answer!"

"Leia. I can't believe this. You used to be so certain, and so sure of yourself in the Force, but now...I can barely sense you. What has happened?"

"Why has Master Skywalker been exiled, yet you've been spared? Tell me!"

"I wish I could help, but...I can't...Caedus was yours. Didn't you know?"

Shame flooded the Jedi Master's face. It was all over. What could she do? Her son was dead, and her daughter, the one who had slain him, was deemed both a hero and a rogue by her colleagues in the Order. Leia Organa was no longer the beautiful Princess of years past. Instead, she was a near-outcast, a fallen figurehead who was left to withstand the fallout from her son's tyranny. Why had Admiral Daala chosen to punish Luke, and not her? Indeed! She was the boy's mother. She had raised Jacen from a child. How could she not have seen, how could she not have sensed, what he'd become?

"You are disgraced." This from a Jedi Master. "You should step down, Leia."

"Step down?" Her meek voice raised all eyes. "I must continue to serve."

"You may think we need you to deal with the repercussions of your son's actions, but we don't." The Master's voice was cold. "Luke was not the only one to blame. Resign, or we shall vote to take your Mastership from you."

This was more than Chetyra Vek could bear. She lit both silver lightsabers.

"Shakh!" she cried. "Check! I challenge you to a duel. You will sooner see me dead than you'll see Leia Organa Solo cast down!"

Her blue eyes blazed with fury, and two black ones watched from the shadows...

"That won't solve anything, Chetyra, but neither will forcing Master Organa Solo's resignation. I for one, vote against revoking her Mastership." Arren Kaltas, a Jedi Knight in her late twenties, spoke up. "If anyone is to blame, it is Vergere, and the Yuuzhan Vong. Their actions are what pushed Solo to the Dark Side, not Master Skywalker's teachings."

The Zabrak Jedi Master, Jagar Kord, was mentally distanced from the uproar. The issue at hand was not one of unimportance, but assertion that Master Solo must be stripped of her rank seemed to be unchallenged... That is, until one female Jedi Knight stopped all voices with the ignition of two lightsabers.

Kord looked up. The Knight challenged one of the Masters, and soon enough, someone else tried to calm the girl.

"If anyone is to blame, it is Vergere, and the Yuuzhan Vong. Their actions are what pushed Solo to the Dark Side, not Master Skywalker's teachings."

Intrigued by the statement, Jagar took the opportunity to speak. "We cannot blame the enemy any less than ourselves. We must all carry the weight of fault, for our order is still flawed. Conversely, it is foolish to blame any one Jedi. As long as our teachings and standards remain unchanged, there will always be a Sith threat. There will always be a Darth Caedus." Jagar hoped the words would reach the other Masters before their aimless arguing continued.

"Shakh!" she cried. "Check! I challenge you to a duel. You will sooner see me dead than you'll see Leia Organa Solo cast down!"

Dray nodded his head in agreement at the Padawan's words he agreed with them but prder had to be restored.

"Calm yourself Padawan. Anyone who wants to see Solo cast down will have to go through me first."

The Echani battle-Master's eyes were closed but the message was clear.

"That won't solve anything, Chetyra, but neither will forcing Master Organa Solo's resignation. I for one, vote against revoking her Mastership."

"I agree as well. Revoking her Mastership would deprive us of a valuable ally in these trying times. We can't afford to lose her."

"We cannot blame the enemy any less than ourselves. We must all carry the weight of fault, for our order is still flawed. Conversely, it is foolish to blame any one Jedi. As long as our teachings and standards remain unchanged, there will always be a Sith threat. There will always be a Darth Caedus."

"Listen to this man's words. He is the one among us who makes the most sense."

The Master who had spoken to Chetyra now gazed down at her with the expression a parent has when their child has failed them miserably...as Jacen Solo had failed his mother and father, his uncle and aunt. He had murdered Mara Jade Skywalker, Luke's wife and Leia's sister-in-law, in cold blood. He had turned the Galactic Alliance into a police state using his command of the GAG, or Galactic Alliance Guard. He had even seduced Jedi Knights, notably one Tahiri Veila, into joining his side until the final confrontation. More than anything, he had forsaken his lover, Tenel Ka, and had kidnapped his own daughter, Allana. Jacen had destroyed not only the galaxy during his reign, but himself. He had sacrificed his humanity for power he'd eventually lost.

It was the same kind of power Master Pandol Bruis saw Chetyra wanted.

"Do you honestly believe you can defeat me in a duel?" he sneered at her. "Your combat marks are not the best, Padawan Vek. In fact, they are some of the lowest in the entire Academy. You're not weak, but you're slow. I suggest you stand down before you get yourself into even more trouble."

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, Chetyra deactivated her sabers.

"That's the way. As for you, Master Organa Solo, I ask you the question that so many of us have put to you before, but you've not said a word. How is it that you have raised Jacen Solo from a boy, and yet you did not sense...?"

"Jacen was very good," Leia answered, "at hiding himself in the Force. We both thought--my brother and I, that is--that it was only a part of his training against the Yuuzhan Vong and for the Galactic Alliance. If he had not learned how to conceal himself in this manner, I doubt he could have survived for as long as he did. He cloaked himself in Force shadows, Master. Even I, his own mother, could not easily discern his true motives--"

"Until it was too late!" Master Bruis was livid. "A fine excuse, Master Solo."

"Your brother has been exiled," a colleague of his, Master Jowyn, chimed in. "Why do you think that Admiral Daala chose to condemn him, and not you? Why are you still here, but our Grand Master's been sent away?"

Leia shook her head. "It is not my place to speculate upon her reasons."

"Perhaps if you had done a bit more speculation," chimed in a third Master, a female Twi'lek, "then you could have stopped Jacen in his tracks, as soon as he stopped hiding and started taking some responsibility for his actions. Instead, you chose to ignore the fall of your son because he was your son. That is why the Old Order outlawed marriage and family creation between members of its own ranks. They knew attachment could lead to such folly."

Chetyra Vek stepped in quickly to stand in the middle of the circle next to Leia. "Could is the operative word here," she said bluntly, her voice shaking. "That does not automatically mean that two Jedi professing their love and marrying will automatically lead to the next Darth Vader--or Darth Caedus--arriving on the scene. It is not love that leads to such folly. Rather, it is hate, it is anger, it is the lust for power--all of which Jacen had. In my own opinion, you are not looking for answers. You're not looking for justice. You're not even looking for solutions. All you want is someone to punish, and someone to blame! You've singled out Master Solo as a scapegoat!"

"That's enough!" Master Bruis hissed angrily. "We've had enough deliberations. Padawan Vek? I would demote you to a Youngling if you weren't far past the age. As it stands, we'll decide a course of action in regards to you later. Right now, we must choose what to do in the matter of Master Organa Solo and her place within the Jedi Order. To chambers, all."

The Masters retreated to deliberate, both those favoring Leia and those against her.

Leia Organa Solo gave Chetyra a long hug. "Thank you, Padawan," she said, "but I fear it is no use now. You are right, but how can one hear the truth when all one wants is retribution? I sincerely hope enough of my friends and comrades-in-arms vote to keep me. Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do."

Chetyra didn't quite know what to say. She could only return the motherly embrace as she saw Loru Tsana, Leia's bodyguard, step into the circle.

"I'm here," she said. "If any one of them tries to attack, I'll stand with you."

Leia nodded. "Agreed, Loru. You have always been my most faithful guard. You may not be a Jedi, but you can outfight any enemy in your own right. In a way, I am glad you do not sense the Force. You can survive where most Jedi cannot, simply because you do not hear the Force as we do. We Jedi rely on a power beyond our own, but you rely on yourself. Keep doing that."

Loru nodded, and it wasn't long before all the Masters returned to the circle.

Master Bruis stood and read off of a holographic datapad. "Out of twelve Masters of the Jedi Order," he announced, "by a vote of seven to five, your own rank as Master will henceforth be revoked. We are sorry that this sentence must be passed, but you have been derelict in your duty as well as your brother...our Grand Master. If you had been the Jedi that you had been in the past, you would have curtailed Jacen Solo's activities for the GAG before he had a chance to become Caedus. However..." Bruis trailed off.

Loru Tsana kept a grip on her vibroblade, prepared to defend her mistress.

Chetyra Vek kept a grip on her lightsabers, prepared to charge at will.

Leia Organa Solo kept a grip on her emotions and her voice. "I understand."

"Your lightsaber. Surrender it to us." Bowing her head again, she did so.

Bruis closed his eyes. He didn't hate Leia. He only hated Caedus, and the fact that such a woman, as strong as Leia was, hadn't been able to stop him completely because of her love for him. That kind of love was weakness.

"This meeting is adjourned." The Masters then departed slowly--all but one.

"Padawan Vek? Why are you still here? Why haven't you returned to class?"

"I'm not the one who needs a lesson," she said coldly. "I still challenge you."

"Out of twelve Masters of the Jedi Order by a vote of seven to five, your own rank as Master will henceforth be revoked. We are sorry that this sentence must be passed, but you have been derelict in your duty as well as your brother...our Grand Master. If you had been the Jedi that you had been in the past, you would have curtailed Jacen Solo's activities for the GAG before he had a chance to become Caedus. However..."

The Echani's eyes slowly began to open as he turned toward Pandol Bruis, his eyes the only sign of his rising anger.

"Excuse me? Is this what the Jedi Order has come to? We are throwing this woman out of the order because she made a mistake?

He slowly stood up and walked toward the master who had spoken.

"I will not lie. I hated Caedus. The crimes he has commited will be remembered by many if not all, If Caedus were still alive I would agree with this type of punishment but he is not. Master Solo tried to stop Caedus. She failed. It is unfortunate that she failed but that is no excuse to revoke her masterhood."

He brought his hand down on the table, sending a large crack down the middle of it.

"You are nothing but an arrogent fool "Master" Bruis. And were it up to me you would be the one who's masterhood would be revoked."

Even as all the Masters began to leave, he heard a voice behind him.

"I'm not the one who needs a lesson, I still challenge you."

The Battle-Master nodded his approval at her words. Bruis was nothing but an arrogent fool, and even though the Padawan was no match it would still show that he was not invincible if she managed to hit him a few times.

Jagar Kord watched the scene from the door, as the Jedi named Vek issued another challenge to Master Bruis. This one was a fiery spirit, the kind that seemed all too prevalent in the Order.

A duel would be unnecessary. However, Jagar was not one to act and stop things before they've had a chance to play out a little. Perhaps the duel would be good for the stoic Master Bruis and the rebellious Padawan Vek. Jagar walked along the wall of the room, and kept his lightsaber at hand if needed. The duel could very well get heated beyond safety.

Sam'kil watched Olo's blue cheeks become slightly purple from blushing.
"Sam'kil, stop, it's embarressing!" Olo protested half-heartedly. Someone came running in. "Bruis is challenging someone to a duel!!" He said, his emotions flowing out of control. Mostly, it was excitement.
"Olo, my dear, care to join me? I need to see this!" Sam'kil said, holding out his arm.
"Sure, my shifts over" Olo said, barely holding back her own excitement.
After a ride up the elevator, they entered the main hall of the council room.
Leia walked by, her head held low.
"Go on babe, I'll catch up!" Sam'kil said as he went to Leia.
"Hey, Master Leia, what's wrong?" He inquired.
"I'm no longer a master, according to Bruis..." She responded.
Sam'kil tried, and failed, to hold his anger in check.
"The miserable Schutta! When I get my hands on- Wait, that's why soemone challenged him? Perfect! I'm in!" He said, running towards the middle to watch the fight unfold. He couldn't wait to see if Bruis gets slaughtered, metaphorically ofcourse, or if he did the slaughtering.

Arren rolled her eyes as she watched the spectacle unfold. Idiot She thought about Chetyra, when a man wearing a long brown coat, and a wide brimmed hat approached her. "Your friend's pretty reckless." He told her. "She's not my friend. She's just an idiot Padawan." Arren replied. "More to the point, there's no way she'll win that duel, but if she lives, tell her I can get her out of here. Name's Rolan Shain. My ship's in Docking Bay 94." He explained, and with that, he just walked away.

Ghel Thek slowly rose from the rear of the room, one of the very last to leave. He had silently voted for Leia Organa Solo, his Mother-in-Law, to continue her Mastership.

"I'm not the one who needs a lesson, I still challenge you."

He walked over to behind his padawan and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Padawan, this is not the time nor the place. Come with me. We have some things to discuss."

Chetyra trembled. What was she doing? Here she was, challenging a Master that had at least double her skill in combat, sparring or not. True, she was strong in the Force, but not that strong. Somehow, the words idiot Padawan--had she heard them, or just imagined them?--stung her mind. She knew she was not the best at anything she'd ever studied within the Order. She was just--mediocre--and she knew it. However, what she lacked in power and skill, she made up for in...idiocy? Bullheadedness? Sheer force of will, which always had been misdirected? Whatever it was that had possessed her to challenge Bruis, it was more than the anger she felt at Master Organa Solo's demotion. More than anything, it was anger at herself.

This was not the first time others had doubted her intelligence, and Chetyra suspected it would not be the last. Why had she even joined the Order? It was because she wanted to do good and help others, but she certainly wasn't helping anything now. She deactivated her silver blades, knelt, down and crossed her lightsabers in the middle of the floor. Her greatest move.

"I surrender," she said slowly and humbly. "I didn't really want to duel you."

Master Bruis gazed down at her, his eyes cold. "Those are the two smartest words you've said this week, Padawan Vek," he stated. "Keep them in mind."

She stood up, fighting back rage and tears, and turned to her Master.

"Indeed. That was not my proudest moment. I haven't had a lot lately."

"Those are the two smartest words you've said this week, Padawan Vek Keep them in mind."

That is it. Master Bruis needs to have some sense beaten back into him.

The Echani battle master's eyes flashed at Master Bruis's words. "Master Bruis. I would like to have a word with you in private. At once."

Arren approached Chetyra. "Listen, I'm sorry about the 'Idiot Padawan' comment. I agree with your views on this whole situation, just not your methods of dealing with it." She explained. "There's something else. A smuggler by the name of Rolan Shain wants to speak with you. He's waiting at Docking Bay 94." Truth be told, if this smuggler was planning to take Chetyra with him, she wanted to go as well, and hopefully find some dirt of Daala, or anything to exonerate Master Skywalker.

"Of course." Master Bruis turned to his colleague, and they departed. Once they were in a section of the Temple deemed "neutral ground" for heated discussions and meetings that could turn ugly, one way or the other, Bruis gestured fluidly toward his surroundings. "The Atrium. A place of peace, of quiet reflection. Let us sit here and talk this over, as rational beings should, without resorting to sparring or duels." He sat down in a chair near one of the Thousand Fountains, admiring the good work the gardening droids had done. "If this is about Master Organa Solo's demotion, I do not regret my decision. She needed to step aside, and step down, for the good of the Order. Anti-Jedi sentiment is raging, and Jedi like Leia would only abet it."

In the Council chambers, Chetyra Vek smiled at Arren. "Apology accepted," she said quickly, extending her hand for a shake. "Although, you were right. I was being an idiot, going against Master Bruis and challenging him to a duel. That's not the Jedi way. That's more the Sith way--Caedus' way." She had almost said Jacen's way, but she'd caught herself just in time.

"Master?" she asked, turning to Gel Thek. "Docking Bay 94, or your office?"

"If this is about Master Organa Solo's demotion, I do not regret my decision. She needed to step aside, and step down, for the good of the Order. Anti-Jedi sentiment is raging, and Jedi like Leia would only abet it."

"Although I feel your decision about that matter was wrong that is not what I have asked you here for."

His eyes narrowed.

"The Padawan. I feel that you are being far too strict with her."

Sam'kil was PO'd. He'd wanted to see soemone at least get a hit in on Bruis. But, nooooo, Chetyra had to back down. Sam'kil never doubted Chetyra, she was a padawan, and as such needed time to learn, but, come on! One of the best lessons anyone will ever learn is to stand by what they believe in and to not ever back down.
Then again, with the Jedi's luck lately, some reporter would be hear to see it all.
Sam'kil had almost jumped in, about to ignite his own saber and see if Bruis would stand against him. But Olo pulled him back, knowing what he was thinking.
"You'd only get yourself hurt." She'd said to him. But he wasn't listening. For once, he was completely ignoring Olo. He was thinking of a way to prove Bruis wrong, to show the Council that they weren't the law, that they were as dumb as a Tach at sometimes, not looking out for the people of the republic, but for their own images. Where's master Skywalker when you need him.

The lower levels of Coruscant were darker then usual, the Dark Side still emanating greatly from the ruins left by the Yuuzhan Vong war...but it had spread.

Vek Das'tak, Mandalorian Knight, felt this. He had hoped with the defeat of the New Republic's Darth Caedus would have brought peace to the unrest in the Lower levels...but it seems that things had gotten worse.

Vek walked quietly through a dark alley, lit only by a small light at the far end. The floors were covered with an organic flesh-like substance, another item left behind when the Yuuzhan Vong were pushed off of Coruscant...the Mandalorian force senses told him of the pain that still echoes from that time, and how it has gotten worse.

"If only if the arruuetiise listened to the wisdom provided by their Jetti comrades..."

Vek didn't like the Jedi one bit, but they had offered solutions that could've prevented the war and destruction that had plagued the Republic these past years. They had earned a small amount of respect in Vek's eyes because of that.

If only the Jedi would pay more attention to what was happeing right under their very noses...instead of getting involved in the politics of the galaxy...

Mandalorians were warriors, and they always were direct in how they did things, no political walls could stop them, and that is why the Mandalorian Knights were so effective, but also why there were so few left.

Vek shook his head, he needed to help the less fortunate people of the Lower City...and for the galaxy for that matter, and spread the good word of Mandalorian acceptance. Boba Fett, had he known what was happening with his most loyal force of Knights, would be pleased. But not even Mandalore knew that the Knights even existed.

But that was besides the point, Vek would need help in order to deal out justice...and right now, the Jedi seemed the right option. They could help him to help others, if they listened, and through that, he could finally atone for his crimes.

"It's time I visited their temple..."

He sprinted forward, leaping off the edge of the alley and into the space lanes, landing ontop of a speeder that happened to be going upward, hopefully in the Temple's direction.

He beganed on the window just to be sure.

"I'm sorry...but it seems I'm going to need your help..."

The Barada inside didn't seem to have the same opinion, taking out a blaster and shoving it out the window, preparing to take a shot.

Vek moved fast, grabbing the creature's arm and pulling him out, then dropping him onto a nearby alcove. The Mandalorian could've killed the Barada, but instead chose for a much more peaceful option, he had no idea whether or not the alien was truly an enemy.

Vek jumped inside and immediately began piloting towards the temple, reaching the Upper City in minutes...and not too far from the Jedi as well.

The Upper City was considerably brighter, and more positive then the world below, and it made perfect sense to Vek. He knew that this 'caste' system so to say simply put the rich and fortunate in a brighter place like this.

He began his landing descent, right onto the Temple's steps.

Master Bruis narrowed his charcoal-gray eyes. "If I am strict with Padawan Vek, it is because I need to be strict with her," he said deliberately. Measuring his words as if they were ingredients in a gourmet recipe, he continued, "She is strong in the Force--very strong--but so was the former Darth Caedus. In her I see impatience, rashness, intractibility. These are the very same traits that led Jacen Solo to fall to the Dark Side. He was eager to increase his knowledge of all Force techniques, but at what cost? Instead of tempering his newfound abilities with compassion and empathy as well as strength, he let his lust for power overtake him. He was even willing to let Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith, become his mentor despite his upbringing.

"As long as I stand watch as a Jedi Master, another Darth Caedus will not emerge. Chetyra Vek shows the signs, and I want to extinguish them before signs become symptoms, and symptoms lead to suffering. That is why I did not spare her when she sought to challenge me. It was a foolish act."

A Jedi Padawan courier suddenly burst into the office, panting heavily.

"There seems to be a...a Mandalorian, Masters...upon our front steps."

Bruis scowled. "Hold your tongue! We'll deal with this." He signaled for his colleague, the Echani battle master, to come and rise to this new occasion.

****************************************

Leia Organa Solo, who had been a Jedi Master merely two hours before, sank her head into her hands and cried. Of course it was only natural for the Order to want to sanction someone after what had happened to the galaxy. Of course it was only logical that they would choose Caedus' own mother to blame. Of course it was only a matter of time before she'd be reinstated...

Wouldn't it?

What would she do now? She couldn't contact Luke and Ben, even through the Force. Galactic Alliance Chief Natasi Daala legally forbade it, on pain of imprisonment or exile to hard labor. For what seemed the millionth time in her life, one of the most powerful Jedi Masters of the Order felt absolutely powerless. She could not change the Council's decision any more than she could change the actions of the son she'd lost. All that Leia could do was try to adjust to civilian life as quickly as possible. Perhaps she could become a diplomat, in no way affiliated with the Jedi, and do some good in that role.

She shut her eyes. Politics was a dirty business, and she wanted none of it.

Leia had dismissed her servant, Loru Tsana, for the rest of the evening. It was true that more and more people, especially on Coruscant, wished for the Jedi to disband and never return to meddling in the galaxy's affairs again. After all, out of ten Jedi, it was rumored that at least two eventually became Sith. The lure of the Dark Side was just too powerful for some to resist.

Or, were those who yielded to its power too weak? No one knew for sure.

The only thing she knew for sure was that she must find her brother and nephew...before it was too late, and the Sith had time to regroup.

*****************************************

Loru Tsana loved to meditate. As Master Organa Solo's bodyguard, she knew that being aware of one's surroundings, being mindful, was just as important as knowing the latest techniques to terminate what she called hostile targets. Unfortunately, she could not have made one move or said one word to stop the most hostile targets of all from revoking the Mastership of her dearest friend. By a vote of seven to five, Leia had been cast down.

Division. Disunity. Discord. These were tactics of the Sith, not the Jedi. If the five who had stood with her mistress had managed to convince the other seven well enough of the necessity of keeping Leia on as a Master, this heaviness would not weigh upon her heart. They had forsaken her, just when they needed her the most! How dare they presume that a mother was at fault for the actions of a child who had no longer wanted to call himself her son? It was this arrogance, and this lack of unity, that drove Loru to tears.

Tsana. She heard a hissing voice inside her mind. Loru Tsana.

"Who is it?" she snapped out loud. She was not frightened. She was angry.

I wanted to unify the galaxy as well, to make it mine and make it bend to my will. I was wrong--I was a Sith--but I know that you can make it right.

"Who are you?" The lovely bodyguard's voice dripped with caustic hatred.

I am the one you loathe, the one that you despise above all others. Listen to me, and I shall show you how to avoid what I've become. You do not have to become Sith to expose the flaws of all the Jedi. I shall make you see...

Loru stood. "No. I won't have it. You're not supposed to have returned to the Force! Those who fall to the Dark Side always die, and die permanently!"

You're not listening. I have returned so that you will know the truth.

"What is the truth?" Loru Tsana spat upon the ground, not caring for manners.

There is one who can travel back in time...see the mistakes I've made. She can sense the present and the past, and distant glimpses of the future. If you have her on your side, she can help you unify the galaxy, Tsana.

"And if I refuse?" She stared icily. "I am a servant of the Light, you know."

When the time comes...it shall be too late to refuse. Better to consent.

"If I do not?"

Then the galaxy shall be divided as always--and you yourself with it.

Jagar had intended to follow Dray and Bruis to hear their discussion in attempt to better understand their perspectives, but stopped to see a speeder descending upon the steps of the temple. An armored man was piloting it.

A soldier? Mercenary? Strange.

After examining the man closely for a moment, he heard a voice from a nearby room.

"There seems to be a...a Mandalorian, Masters...upon our front steps."

The two masters he had been following had been summoned to greet the Mandalorian, but Jagar didn't want to keep him waiting. A Mandalorian coming to the Jedi Temple was not an everyday event.

Jagar walked through the hallway, and outside onto the magnificent staircase below. He approached the Mandalorian.

"I hear there's a Mandalorian arriving. It is not an uninteresting affair. My name is Jagar Kord." he said, holding out his hand. Jagar did not expect kindness from a Mandalorian, but hoped that he would at least be hospitable.

Vek wasn't surprised when he saw two Jedi Masters come forward to greet him. Mandalorians were definately not your usual guest.

"Well, it seems the Jedi Council is still polite...to be expected. Which masters did they send to greet me?"

He could sense a slight feeling of annoyance coming from them, he had a good idea as to why.

Vek had devised a short plan, beginning with enlisting himself as an Ally of the Jedi, and from there he could operate from the inside, and perhaps make the system work for him. The Mandalorian had always been very good at that. The Jedi had always been the natural enemies of the Mando'a, at least since the War.

Now was the time to use a new tactic, something very subtle, the Jedi themselves would never know until it had already happened, when they had already assisted in a Mandalorian grab for power. Through this, Vek would help who he could.

Another Jedi came forward.

"I hear there's a Mandalorian arriving. It is not an uninteresting affair. My name is Jagar Kord."

Vek simply nodded.

"Who are you, sir?" asked Master Bruis. "I am Master Pandolf Bruis, of the Jedi Council. As you probably know, Mandalorians are not common visitors to our humble Temple. What brings you here, and what can we do for you?"

He had chosen the word we very carefully. Not only did he not want to get too closely involved with this helmeted stranger on a personal level, but he also had the sudden feeling he might need allies--Jedi allies--in case the situation regarding their guest got out of hand. It did not take one mere man to subdue a Mandalorian. Mando'a, as they called themselves, were warriors, and it took a person of highly-uncommon strength to fight and defeat one.

A Jedi. Bruis knew that if their newest visitor posed trouble, he would fight the duel that Padawan Chetyra Vek had so recently (and wisely) declined.

"I am Master Pandolf Bruis, of the Jedi Council. As you probably know, Mandalorians are not common visitors to our humble Temple. What brings you here, and what can we do for you?"

Dray nodded to the Mandalorian.

"I am Master Dray. Echani Battle Master and the man in charge of teaching the younglings the way of battle. What brings you to the temple?" He asked pointedly ignoring Bruis as he was still angry at him for being such an annoyance

Jalok Betra stepped out of one his ships. It was an Imperial Star Destroyer from Darth Vader's fleet. He smelled the fresh air of Coruscant. He brought 20 guards with him as he walked to the Jedi Council Chambers. He attracted the attention of several people, but he didn't care.

His guards were arranged with 5 guards at his left and right side, 6 at the back and 4 at the front.

He walked inside the Jedi Temple.
"Take me to whoever's in charge. I have important information regarding the abduction of one of you Jedi."
The Compeer grinned. It was he who captured the Jedi, after all.

"I am Master Pandolf Bruis, of the Jedi Council. As you probably know, Mandalorians are not common visitors to our humble Temple. What brings you here, and what can we do for you?"

"I am Master Dray. Echani Battle Master and the man in charge of teaching the younglings the way of battle. What brings you to the temple?"

"Hmm. Well, glad to be of acquaintance."

Vek could sense that Master Pandolf Bruis was being careful, no doubt trying to avoid trouble. The other master was trying the same way, though emanating an annoyance...though it didn't seem directed at Vek.

"I am Ve'ker'nac Das'tak. Mandalorian Knight. I have simply come here to offer my services."

His quick answer was an example of Vek's way of doing things. He loved being direct and effecient. This seemed the best way, so far.

((Uh...Darth Vader is long dead. And I don't think anyone has been abducted yet.))

(It was part of Vader's original fleet. An antique if you will. And I'm introducing this storyline by myself, though you guys can feel free to join in. Maybe your character is a friend of the abducted Jedi?)
The Compeer brought out a holo and flicked it on. A young woman appeared, she was bound in Molten Carbonite.

"I am serious. Call whoever is in charge now!"

((I don't think anyone is in there right now. Bruis has control of the order I believe and He and Dray are on the temple steps meeting with CQ's character.))

Master Bruis was intrigued, to say the least. "What kind of services? The last time I checked, Mandalorians were bounty hunters. Unfortunately for you, if you are a bounty hunter, we have placed a price on no one's head." He smiled wryly, the way a cantina waiter would if you had handed him a credcard that was ten units too short. "We're Jedi. We don't do that."

He gestured toward the interior of the Temple. "Why don't you come inside? We can offer you some caf or other refreshments if you'd like."

"Why don't you come inside? We can offer you some caf or other refreshments if you'd like."

Vek cocked his head to the right. He didn't like this, going into the temple, hundreds...thousands of Jedi in-between the exit and himself.

Of course, he'd had worse odds before, but odds never matter. Not to a Mandalorian.

"So be it."

He immediately disliked Master Bruis, for a Jedi, the way he was acting was more like a Coruscanti Mob Leader. They obviously didn't like having unexpected company like Vek.

((Oops, guess I've been holding up Padawan Vek's story a little bit here.))

"Master? Docking Bay 94, or your office?"

Ghel didnt really like the idea of his padawan running off to meet an unknown smuggler.

"My quarters. We need to decide where we go from here."

"I agree." She followed her Master toward his private office in the Temple, which was far away from Masters Bruis and Dray--and their Mandalorian guest. As far as Chetyra was concerned, she hadn't even seen the newcomer, and truth be told, if she would have seen him, she would have been more than a little bit alarmed. Boba Fett may have trained Jaina Solo in the finer points of wiping the floor with her Sith Lord brother, but as far as the young Padawan was concerned, all bets were off when it came to Mando'a. They intimidated her, not least because they mistrusted the aruetiise, and more specifically the jetiise. As she walked toward the west wing of the Temple, she made a decision about her next step.

"Before we go anywhere, Master Thek," she replied meekly, "I'd like to visit Leia Organa Solo tonight. I want to offer her my sympathies, and tell her that if there's anything I can do to help her get reinstated, I'll do it." She almost added or find her brother, but quickly decided against it. Going after Luke meant a hard line from Admiral Daala--and hard labor, possibly.

((Let Chetyra visit Leia. That'll stir things up, and let someone infiltrate...))

(Made a mistake, was supposed to be the temple.)

(I can work around that)

Fortunately for her, Arren was a Jedi Knight, and only had the Council to answer to, and she wasn't on good terms with them anyway, so she decided to go to Rolan in Chetyra's place. Arriving at Docking Bay 94, Rolan said, "Where's your friend? I was expecting her." Clearly he wasn't impressed. "I don't know. Maybe she thought it was a bad idea. Fortunately for you, I agree with her about this whole rotten business, but I'm more experience and level headed." Arren explained. "Experienced in more ways than one. Who's the kid?" Rolan inquired, noticing that Arren had a small child with her. "My son Alkonium. Is that a problem?" Arren asked in response. "No, just get on board." Rolan replied, slightly annoyed.

To understand Kal's past would be like trying to read a book in a language that's never been heard of. The truth is Kal's past is a mystery and no ones sure where he came from. One day he wasn't there and the next day he was. Kal was a nomad, always moving around never in one spot. He doesn't know why he moves around, its almost like its embeded in his soul. What he does know is that he must help others as it is the honorable thing to do. Its that same sense of honor that Kal follows that gave him respect from and for the Mandalorians. Its from the Mandalorians that Kal was given his name. He knows various fighting styles from the places he has been to and has always been skilled with a blade. His armor is just as mysterious as him. Its mainly orange and blue with gray touches on the helmet and arms. In the center of the helmet is a small red visor no bigger than an eye. He carries a katana like vibrosword as his weapon of choice. Its been modified to the point where it can not only counter a lightsaber but block a blaster shot. This is all that is known about Kal's past, his present however is a different story. Kal moved through the streets of Coruscant. For some reason something felt right here. He continued through the streets looking out for anything that stuck out as odd. While it wasn't exactly what he was looking for he indeed found something different. An armored man moved through the streets no more than a few feet in front of him. Within seconds Kal knew the man was a Mandalorian. He followed the man until the Mando stopped at the steps of the Jedi Temple. Kal had respect for the jedi, they were noble warriors who were always doing their best to help out. However he had no buisness with the jedi and would be considered an intruder. There was something inside the temple that drew Kal to it, or perhaps someone. With that in mind Kal walked up to the steps and noticed the Mandalorian conversing with two Jedi. He bowed to all three of them and then kept his head down.

"My appologies to disturb three great warriors, my name is Kal. I felt a connection to this place and wanted to know where it was coming from. It would be a honor if I could be in the same place where noble warriors give their lives for others."

"I'd like to visit Leia Organa Solo tonight. I want to offer her my sympathies, and tell her that if there's anything I can do to help her get reinstated, I'll do it."

Ghel smiled. His padawan may not have been the wisest of jedi, but her heart was in the right place.

"You may, padawan." he said. "But as soon as your done, I want you to pack your things."

Through their force bond, he sent her a quick message.

We're going after Master Skywalker.

Loud and clear. Padawan Vek returned the message. I'm with you.

She departed the Temple as quietly and unobtrusively as possible, not wanting to draw any undue attention to herself. As she exited, a few of her fellow students wanted to know about the near-duel with Master Bruis, but Chetyra only smiled and shrugged and told them she'd eventually declined. A few of them were disappointed, but most said she had done the right thing.

After hailing a small airspeeder for a nominal fare of ten credits, she found her way to a nondescript apartment in the middle of an equally-nondescript high-rise complex. Even though Jedi were some of the most powerful beings in the galaxy, they frowned upon ostentation and conspicuous displays of wealth and power. Modesty and moderation were the Jedi way, and besides, the sheer blandness of the surroundings would help to protect the former Master Leia Organa Solo from the eyes of bounty hunters or assassins.

When Chetyra knocked on the door of Unit 7B, the voice of a security droid commanded: "Identify yourself." It was standard protocol for any visitors.

"Chetyra Setareh Vek, Jedi Padawan. I've come to see Master Organa Solo."

"Come in," replied the droid matter-of-factly, and another presence opened the door. It was a woman, roughly forty to forty-five years old, who had not yet lost the beauty of her younger days. Her silver hair--silver, not gray--was swept up on top of her head in a stately twist. She smiled at Chetyra.

"My name is Loru Tsana. We've met earlier today. Please, sit down." Once the Padawan had done so, she continued, "I'm Mistress Leia's assistant and bodyguard. One moment--I think she might be in her quarters, meditating."

Tsana retreated toward the rear of the apartment, and when she returned, Luke Skywalker's illustrious sister stood by her side. "Padawan Vek?" she asked. "Were you the one that challenged Master Bruis to a duel today?"

"I was," replied the girl sheepishly, lowering her eyes. "I did that because I didn't want you demoted, Master. The Council had no right to revoke your rank, or your leadership role within the Order. The vote may have been seven to five, but I suspect Master Bruis had more to do with swaying the other members' votes than he's letting on. That's really why I challenged him."

"Indeed?" Leia shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry that you felt it had to come to that. Combat, in the eyes of the Jedi Order, is a tool, not a weapon."

Chetyra cringed. "I know, and I apologize. I surrendered before it began."

"Smart move." A smile played at the corners of her lips. "Now, then. Why have you come to see me? If you're offering caf and sympathy, I'll take it."

Loru Tsana withdrew to her chambers. Something felt odd about Chetyra...

"My appologies to disturb three great warriors, my name is Kal. I felt a connection to this place and wanted to know where it was coming from. It would be a honor if I could be in the same place where noble warriors give their lives for others."

The statement seemed strange at first, coming from another Jedi. They just seemed to be flocking here.

But there was something...strangely familiar, or a better word being friendly, from this Jedi. He didn't seem like the rest of the aruetiise. Vek decided to acknowledge him with a Mandalorian greeting.

"Su'cuy gar."

"Su'cuy gar."

Kal turned his head to look at the Mandalorian. He stared at him for a few seconds and than chuckled.

"Vor'e! Me'vaar ti gar?"

It was always good it talk to a Mandalorian, it was one thing that made Kal happy.

Korran dropped out of hyperspace above Coruscant. He commed the spaceport near the senate building, and they came back with some osik about Mandalorians needing special clearance.
"Special clearance my shebs!" he shouted as he shut off the comm. "I'm getting down there whether they like it or not."

Korran activated his engines and sped past cargo ships and comm stations as he neared the planets atmosphere.

I guess this clearance garbage doesn't apply to the Mando'ade on the surface, he thought,

As he neared the lower atmosphere a pair of Coruscant Security Force fighters pulled along side his ship. He had pieced his starfighter together from all kinds of spare parts, and it was one of the fastest ships in the sector. But that didn't exactly give him an edge over the CSF starfighters.

"Halt your engines and remain where you are!" The pilot on the right broadcasted into his comm.

"You first!" Korran said back as he gunned his engine and sped ahead of the CSF fighters. They obviously weren't expecting his bucket of bolts to do that, but they got over their shock and gave chase.

I was wondering when the fun would start!

Rolan's ship, the Silver Eagle took off from the Temple hangar, with its two new passengers, though it wasn't exactly welcome there to begin with.

"How exactly can you help exonerate Master Skywalker?" Arren asked Rolan, sitting in the cockpit's passenger seat.

"Exonerate Luke Skywalker? Impossible, at least with Daala in charge. He was knowingly punished for someone else's crimes." Rolan replied. "The only way to get him back is to get rid of Daala."

"Why do you care, exactly?" Arren inquired, finding it odd that a smuggler would care so much about the Jedi.

"The Galactic Alliance is not too inclined to crack down on smugglers like me, but with Daala in office, that could change. We both have something to gain from eliminating her." Rolan explained.

"I am not killing anyone, not even a schutta like her." Arren retorted.

"I didn't say anything about killing. What I meant by eliminate was to get her removed from office." Rolan clarified.

Two Jedi approached the Exchange Compeer.
"What do you know about our Jedi?"

Jalok Betra smiled. "I happen to have her in my possession."

"What do you want for her?"

"You have somebody who owes me. His name is Rolan Shain."
Jalok pushed a button on his comlink.

"Terminate the Jedi after 24 hours unless I say otherwise."
He pushed the same button again, only this time with a grin.
"Clock's ticking Jedi."

(criminy, is this what happens when I dissapear for a few days?)
Sam'kil had decided that Master Leia needed some consoling, she'd barely been holding it together when he saw her.
To heck with the councils decision, I'll still call her a master.
Sam'kil rented a speeder and asked to go the the area of Leia and Han's house. The guards let him in after he told them he was a Jedi, and then it was a quick ride up the elevator.
Leia's personal assistant was looking distraught, like she'd seen a ghost or something. He bypassed her, she was probably as depressed as Leia.
"Leia, it's me Sam'kil." He said into the intercom.

The CSF fighters continued to gain on Korran as he neared the Coruscant cityscape. As they began to build speed, he suddenly made a sharp turn past a Correllian Corvette and between two skyscrapers. The CSF fighters were going to fast to make the turn, and one almost crashed when he tried.
I think I might have lost them, Korran thought to himself, Too bad, I was having fun...

It didn't matter now. He had a meeting that he didn't intend to miss. He hoped Master Organa Solo wouldn't be mad when he was late...

Master Bruis felt his temples throb. Too much chaos, too many people...

"Enough!" he cried, stamping his foot in cantankerous indignation. "What in the Force is going on? Other than the Mandalorian, who are all these other people that have suddenly invaded the sacred space of our Temple? Just because I demote one of our greatest Masters, the entire galaxy suddenly finds itself on our doorstep?! If you want to help the Jedi, I am sorry to inform you that no Sith threat has yet raised its ugly head. Darth Caedus and his followers have been defeated, and they're going to stay that way in the near future. As for bounty hunting, we do not participate in that foul practice, and as for dealing with crime, we leave that to Coruscanti police. Unless you can give me information or intelligence on new threats, begone!"

***************************

"So what's your next move?" asked the former Master Leia Organa Solo.

"I'm going to find Luke," said Chetyra quickly. "Grand Master Skywalker."

"Do you know what that means, Padawan? If Admiral Daala catches you..."

"She won't. I'll be traveling with my own Master, Gel Thek. I'll be safe."

Leia shook her head. "You'd better be careful. Even I..." She paused for a minute. "Even I want to try and find my brother and nephew, but if I do, you can bet that a whole fleet of Galactic Alliance ships will be trying to track me down. I've had enough of being arrested, imprisoned, and tortured. My son did his work well. He was not a bad leader. He was a fantastic one. His only flaw was that he turned to the Dark Side, embracing evil over good." A tear threatened to fall down Leia's right cheek, but she brushed it away.

Chetyra paused for a minute. "Mistress Organa Solo, do you ever...?"

She raised her silvery head. "Say what you must. Don't leave it hanging."

"Do you ever regret that you were Jacen's mother?" The Padawan cringed.

Leia did not bat an eyelash. She simply smiled and nodded. "Every single day."

She heard a sudden beep over the intercom. "I'm sorry," she said to Chetyra. "Enter!"

Jalok Betra smiled after the outburst of the Jedi Master.
"Jedi Master, are you aware of any 'missing' Jedi lately? I have in my possession a Jedi of yours. I require something else in exchange."
He brought out a comlink, flipped it on. It revealed a man.
"Rolan Shain. Send him to my office in Nar Shaadaa, or the Jedi will pay the consequences."
Jalok threw a comlink at the Jedi Master.
"Proof of your missing Jedi's capture."

Master Bruis shivered. Here he was, honestly believing that none of the new arrivals at the Temple constituted a genuine threat! So much for first impressions and basic assumptions. He should have known better. As it stood, one of the Jedi had indeed been captured, and now this--menace--was holding her for ransom as a prisoner! He stared down the visitor icily.

"Have you ever played dejarik, sir?" he asked. Then he shook his head. "I didn't think so. You're not smart enough." He flicked on the comlink and heard the last plaintive interjections of a student that--wait--was that Rianna? One of his own Padawans, who had just been promoted to a Knight? Indeed...

Continuing his lecture, he said, "We Jedi do not negotiate with terrorists. Neither do we sacrifice our own as pawns for some highly unworthy cause. I have good reason to suspect that if I did send Rolan Shain to your office, I would never see him or my student, Knight Rianna Tabris, ever again. You think it is the Jedi who will pay the consequences? You are wrong. It is you."

Sam'kil entered the room.
"Oh, you have a guest, I am so sorry. If I should come back at another time..." He said, but Leia shook her head.
He fully entered the room and sat down, across from Leia and Chetyra.
"That was a pretty bold move there, Chetyra. Bravo, I must say, I wish you had continued. I'm probably not the only one who agrees that Bruis needs a good talking to." He began. "But, I'm glad you stopped, too. With our recent luck, we'd have some reporter who'd be there to catch the fight."

To hell with Bruis. We need to find Master Skywalker at all costs. Only he can bring the order back together.

Dray took out his comlink and punched in the numbers that would allow him to talk with Master Organa-Solo.

He waited while the comlink tried to get in touch with her.

Jalok Betra, Exchange Compeer grinned. He then threw another comlink to the Jedi Master, this time containing a clock.
"You have 24 hours, Jedi Master."
He then brought out a detonator from his pocket.
"My minions have taken the pleasure of planting bombs all around the temple amidst all the distraction. Now, If I don't detonate this, someone else will. I have instructed somebody to detonate all charges in the Temple if I do not get out of the temple in 5 minutes. Now, farewell master and remember, the clock is ticking."
Jalok laughed as he began to walk to the exit, his two guards clearing the way.

As Korran neared the Jedi Temple, he was commed by his contact:
"If I comm you again, you'll know what to do..." Jalok Betra said with a slimy grin obvious in his voice. Betra had hired him to do a job, to press a button of all things. And he had payed him more than enough to do it.
"I don't even know what this kriffing thing does, "Korran said as he held the device in from of his T-visor, "Eh, what the frack, I'm getting half a million creds for it."
Korran removed his helmet and clipped it to his belt as he entered the temple. It just wasn't the same as it was before the Yuuzhan Vong War. Just thinking about it made him want to halve one of those crab-boys.
"Ah well, "he sighed, "changes happen."