Hello, all. Welcome to the first in a series of eight mini-sequels to "Dark Desires: an Old Republic Story". Each of these mini-sequels focuses on one of eight particular characters, each one representing a certain base class and setting up each protagonist's involvement in the TOR class storylines.

Side note: For complete understanding of characters and events referenced in this story and those following it, you may want to read "Dark Desires" before reading the DOTOR series.

DISCLAIMER: I own most of the characters in this story. Any other names of characters or planets are owned by Bioware and Lucasarts.

Days of the Old Republic I: Shalanna

Chapter 1:

Deep within the ruined Jedi Temple on planet Dantooine, a young woman with her blonde hair tied into two buns sat upon the floor, meditating. As a devoted Padawan, this behavior was critical to her. As a Jedi, focusing on the Force was vital to her training.

And yet her meditation was troubled.

Her master, Ovan Zeeloss, had trained her for years. He had been a constant source of the guidance and training she needed. But a recent incident brought her master's integrity into question.

Her name was Shalanna Zolus. In recent days, she had allied herself with a fellow Jedi-in-training, her now-estranged older sister, and a Mirialan smuggler, all alongside her master. Their efforts were focused upon defeating a rogue Sith Lord who had been conducting experiments on a space station in the vicinity of the gas giant Yavin. Though the Sith Lord had been stopped, his experiments halted, Shalanna's mind was plagued with doubts and questions.

First, the smuggler—Jaxx Vorro, she believed his name was—had proved to be…obstinate. He was insistent upon remaining behind while the rest of the group went to fight. Master Zeeloss had countered that all should join in the fight, including Jaxx. When Jaxx refused, Master Zeeloss attempted to use the infamous Force technique commonly dubbed the "Jedi Mind Trick", seeking to manipulate the Mirialan's will to coerce him into fighting by their side. Though the attempt failed, the fact that it was launched in the first place brought surprise to Shalanna. Jedi did not seek to force others to fight on their behalf; rather, they sought to negotiate, something Jaxx had been doing prior to Master Zeeloss' mind trick attempt.

Second, the Sith Lord had hired a plethora of bounty hunters to safeguard his station. One of them was quite young, roughly around Shalanna's age. He had brutally beaten Shalanna, and to her horror, he seemed to actually be enjoying her pain. When she asked why, the hunter claimed that her master had slain his parents simply because they had refused to allow Master Zeeloss to take him into the Jedi Order. This could easily have been a lie, given that Shalanna had not sensed strength in the Force from that hunter. Her studies, however, had led her to the tale of Meetra Surik, also known as the Jedi Exile, who had been cut off from the Force following her decisions in the Mandalorian Wars nearly three hundred years ago. If the hunter spoke the truth, there was even more reason to doubt Master Zeeloss' dedication to the Jedi Code.

Third, the Sith Lord's apprentice—a hulking Sith Pureblood—had apparently been slain. By her master's hand or by his master, Shalanna knew not. Regardless of his killer, the Sith Pureblood's dying words to Shalanna were that she save his son. But, who was his son? She promised the dying Sith that she would, and Jedi never go back on her word. She confided to her master regarding this matter, and his words remained in her mind:

"Leave it be, Shalanna," he had said. "Sith like him are a blight upon the galaxy. They deserve whatever fate awaits them."

"There is no emotion," Shalanna whispered to herself, "there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death…there is the Force."

"That is the way of the Jedi," a voice came, and her grey-haired master entered. "We must follow the Code, and protect the galaxy."

Shalanna rose and gave a bow of respect to her master.

"Hello, Master Zeeloss," Shalanna said.

"Hello to you, too, Padawan," Zeeloss nodded. "I need you to come to the landing platform. A visiting Jedi from Taris wishes to speak with us."

"Of course, Master," Shalanna nodded as she followed her master outside. As they walked, they began to speak.

"Do you know of Taris, Shalanna?" Zeeloss asked.

"I have heard it mentioned many times," Shalanna replied, "but I know little of it."

"Once, three hundred years ago, Taris was considered the Coruscant of the Outer Rim," Zeeloss began. "But, during the Jedi Civil War, a Sith made the decision to destroy the entire planet. Not one building over two stories high was left standing, and millions of people were slain."

"That's horrible!" Shalanna remarked.

"Just as the Jedi seek to bring harmony to the galaxy," Zeeloss said, "the Sith seek to bring chaos. No Sith can be trusted, as they only serve themselves."

Shalanna kept quiet, knowing better than to question her master. Despite this, the thought of the dying Sith Pureblood was still etched into her memory.

"The Republic has endeavored to rebuild Taris," Zeeloss continued as they arrived at the landing platform, "but thanks to the Empire, progress has been slow. But, let us not dwell on the negative. Let us instead welcome our guests."

A ship landed on the platform, and the door opened. A brown-skinned humanoid with brown hair and golden, cat-like eyes emerged from the ship.

"Master Ryen," Zeeloss said to the Cathar. "A pleasure to meet you at last."

"Master Zeeloss," said Ryen, "the pleasure is mutual. And this must be your Padawan, Shalanna."

Shalanna again bowed respectfully.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Master Ryen," Shalanna said.

"And yours as well," Ryen nodded.

"Tell me, Ryen," Zeeloss began, "why exactly have you come here? A cordial visit can be dangerous in these times."

"True," Ryen nodded, "but we aren't here for a cordial visit. Ashara?"

"Hang on a minute, Master!" a feminine voice called from within the ship. "The sedative is wearing off, and—hey, let go of my arm!"

A loud stream of growls and snarls burst from the ship, prompting Ryen to dash inside while Zeeloss and Shalanna could only look at one another in confusion. Ryen soon came out with two females; orange-skinned Togruta and a red-skinned Twi'lek, the latter having apparently tattooed her lekku with intimidating-looking patterns. Ryen and the Togruta held the Twi'lek's arms back, their efforts successful despite the Twi'lek's legs and head thrashing about in all directions, gnashing her teeth and bellowing out all manner of primal noises.

"Keep her steady!" Ryen commanded.

"That's not exactly going to be easy, is it?" the Togruta cried.

"What's going on?" Shalanna asked, only for the Twi'lek to suddenly lash her head towards the blonde-haired Padawan, screaming in a throaty voice as saliva spilled everywhere. "Er…is she all right?"

"Does she look all right?" the Togruta snapped.

"Calm yourself, Ashara," Ryen admonished before turning to Zeeloss. "Master Zeeloss, if you could help us sedate her?"

"Oh, of course," Zeeloss said, and with a wave of his hand, the Twi'lek's eyes dulled as she finally fell limp.

"Ugh, and I thought Rakghouls were crazy," Ashara muttered.

"What was that about?" Zeeloss asked.

"I believe it may be best explained while we take our feral guest to a room," Ryen suggested.

"A room?" Shalanna repeated, bewildered beyond words.

"As I said, I will explain everything," Ryen said. "Ashara and Shalanna, I believe that you can escort our guest without incident?"

"Not if the new sedative wears off," Ashara retorted.

Shalanna shot Ashara a slight glare of warning, attempting to silently admonish the Togruta for her rudeness, before looking back to the Masters.

"It shall be done," she said.

"Good," Ryen said. "Come, the explanation may be somewhat long."