PROLOGUE

In ages of the New Republic and in dormancy of the Dark Side, Luke grows hoary in his advancing age. Still, he remains a fearsome Jedi, respected by all of the Light Side and feared by those who should challenge the peace he since has established. 'My councIl,' he said, his voice fitting his age. 'Kairo,' he went on, and so turned to the Corellian Human by name Kairo Fronz, he of light brown skin, and a short gallimaufry of hair. Kairo, a kage just as was Luke, smirked and gave a nod of acknowledgment. 'Salryyhn,' Luke continued in locking his gaze with that of the Kashyyyk Wookiee, Salryyhn, who bore fur white as lightning and full black lips. 'Nala,' Luke went on with reference to the Togruta of Shili, of black, green, and maroon skin as well as chatoyant eyes and a stern look across her face. 'Last but certainly not least among you, Hak-N-Far,' Luke concluded, and the Ugnaught of Gentes gave a snort and a smile. 'Master Luke,' the council responded all in unison. 'You all are gathered here in light of recent tidings, of which I am sure you all have heard,' Luke went on, hardly able to help donning a worried and slightly woebegone expression. 'Indeed, Master Luke,' Hak-N-Far grunted, 'the Terentatek attack on the unnamed planet of the Outer Rim Territories.' Luke sighed and his blue eyes gleamed a weary glow, 'Yes, Hak, that is correct. I'm going to suppose we all know what this means, the rise of this Terentatek, I mean.' All of the council nodded. 'Yes,' Kairo averred, 'I believe this is the symbol of the Dark Side's…well…the Dark Side's return if not a concentration of the Dark Side where this Terentatek of which we speak has arisen.' With that, Salryyhn grimaced in misunderstanding. 'I know not of this Terentatek, explain this beast?' he asked in the best English he could muster, rolling roughly from his tongue and resounding off his bulbous cheeks. 'Ah, perhaps you know it by another name in your native language, Salryyhn, it is an ancient monster of poisonous tusks, and claws, and of gargantuan proportions, born unto the Dark Side and feasting upon those favored most by the Force, especially Jedi like ourselves.' Salryyhn nodded in understanding and shortly after gave a growl that tumbled off his tongue and a short deep hiss. 'That is just as it is called in Thykaraan.'

'Mighty good reason for our coming together, but what of the official Jedi Council?' inquired Nala. At that, Luke gave a sigh and looked at his hands upon the tabletop in sorrow. 'It is great shame that most of them died in facing the very Terentatek of which we speak now.' Gasps were given then, and condolences, but Luke waved his hand and shook his head. 'Nay, we should not grieve for them, they are one with the Force more than ever they were before, and I would congratulate my comrades for that.' Kairo shook his head slowly, his lips pursed. 'Indeed, I knew the now-fallen Corran Horn, as we both grew from the planet Corellia, I would liked to have spoken with him but once more,' Kairo said, 'but no matter,' he said, not in coldness but in acceptance, 'what of this Terentatek, what is to be done of it?' Luke grimaced and tilted his head. 'I would have us vote on a means of approach, we are a republic after all,' Luke declared, and the Jedi before him nodded, some among them just realizing that they may have just become the new High Jedi Council. 'Vote on it?' Hak, asked protestingly, 'what must be done is clear, we muster troops and we slay this beast,' Luke let slip a sharp breath. 'I am afraid it is not that simple, my good Jedi, Hak-N-Far,' Luke said, in contemplating the danger of the Terentatek. Kairo nodded, resting his chin upon his clasped hands. 'No, it isn't,' he said, 'I would have this beast live,' he went on, and Luke gave Kairo a curious look, as did Salryyhn, while Nala glared at Kairo in disagreement and Hak merely snorted, his expression of what seemed to be anger never changing, as was the nature of his face. 'You would allow this abomination life, and what for, it has slain good men and women and would do the same till the end of its days, plus it symbolizes a thriving of the Dark Side?' Nala argued, rising from her seat. Luke opened his mouth as to tell Nala to calm herself, but Kairo spoke before Luke could. 'I am a Grey Jedi, as all you here ought know, and as such I am not so Lightsome as you Jedi of the New Republic, I am a Guardian of the Balance, and the Balance requires that there be a Dark Side just as much as the Light. These yester years of the Dark Side's dormancy have been years without Balance, and this is our chance to restore the Balance.' Nala sneered and scoffed. 'You would defend the Dark Side, you would dare play devil's advocate in this situation?' she said, nearly yelling. 'The Terentatek must fall by our sabers, as must the coming evil it symbolizes. What should happen if we allow the Dark Side a chance at power, another attempt at purge?' Salryyhn furrowed his brows. 'Do not be preposterous, Nala, the Dark Side has no chance at power so great any time soon, the New Republic thrives.'

'Aye,' said Nala in response, 'but do the Jedi. Luke has lost his High Council to this beast the Terentatek already, and who next to defend the Light Side but us, and then very little I would suppose.' Hak snorted. 'You all forget yourselves at chance of vote, is this not up to the master in our presence, Luke?' he said suggestively. 'Well you forget your memory, Hak-N-Far, for Luke gave the matter to vote.'

'Then you all, give your official votes,' Luke demanded, getting his word in at last. 'I would have us, as Hak suggested, muster a battalion and slay first the beast, and in succession, whatever plight of the Dark Side that it symbolizes,' Nala said, somewhat as in voting, but also in protesting against Kairo, who in turn said, 'I would have us let this matter be, allow Balance to return to the universe, this Terentatek has slain innocents indeed, but it is for purpose, I believe.' Hak shook his head, and so his loose hanging cheeks slapped about his tusks. 'Buncombe, the monster must be set to death as with any other monster of murder, and the Dark Side must be smothered.' There was a stretch of silence for a short while, in which ulterior communication proceeded between Kairo, Nala and Hak in glares, leading them to forget that more votes were to be cast until Luke brought it to their attention. 'Salryyhn, what of your opinion?' Salryyhn frowned and gave a sigh, contemplating just what he would cast as vote. 'Well,' he said, his words still rolling and resounding, 'I agree with Kairo.' Hak gasped and Nala glared hard at Salryyhn with her arms crossed, as still she stood. 'I believe in his ways of keeping the Balance,' Salryyhn went on, and Kairo smiled, giving Salryyhn a nod and gleam of his eye, but then he realized the stalemate to which the Council had come. Luke would cast the deciding vote, and it seemed that everyone became fully cognizant of this in unison, and so turned to Luke, hoping for whatever served their opinions best. Luke sighed. 'I am sorry, Kairo, but I am no Grey Jedi, I am a Jedi of the New Republic and as such it is my duty to smother the Dark Side, that is my keeping of balance. I would have us muster Jedi and kill the beast.' Kairo was silent in acquiescence, and Salryyhn was understanding and content, having been teetering on his opinions anyway. 'As for what Darkness to which the Terentatek acts as harbinger, we will deal with that when we come to it,' Luke continued, and sounds of acknowledgment and understanding were given from the Council. Nala wore a toothy grin, proud and triumphant. Kairo passed her a glare, already he did not like her and he had just met her. He knew that she would be a challenge against his patience and self-control. Challenge accepted, he thought to himself.