The Republic is reeling following the attack on the Jedi Council by the Sith. As the Temple lies in ruin, Jedi spread throughout the galaxy have received a distress call, and are returning to the Capital to ensure the Senate is protected.

Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Keira Port is leading a group to redeem and rescue Solin Malice, her old master. Keira and the others are following Solin's ship, The Millennium, through space, unnoticed by the much larger ship.

If they are successful in redeeming Soling, they hope to find the rest of the Sith leadership and bring about an end to the conflict…

Bazila closed her eyes upon Elocin's command. This was her first lesson in the ways of the Jedi.

"Now, reach out with your feelings," Elocin said. "It will feel as if you are losing yourself. That is the Force calling to you. Do not resist it. Let it take you into a larger world."

Bazila took a deep breath as the Force took her over. As she did, she could sense the galaxy around her and could nearly hear all of the life that existed in the galaxy. It was overwhelming; it was as if millions of thoughts and feelings of others were now swarming through her.

"Relax your mind," Elocin said. Her voice sounded like it was light years away. "Clear your thoughts and let the Force flow through you. Don't try to strain yourself. Breathe."

As she took more deep breaths, the sound of all life faded away and became like a distant echo. Now, she was able to see all of the galaxy through the Force.

"Now, what do you see?"

"Life," Bazila replied, her voice echoing through the Force as it showed her the way of life. "Death and decay, but it feeds new life. Warmth. Cold. Harmony. Violence."

"And between everything you can see?"

"There's an energy. I can't quite describe it, but it flows through all of life. It's like a force."

"And inside of you?"

"I can sense that same Force."

"Good," Elocin replied, sounding happy. "You have opened your mind to the Force. But do you see anything else?"

Bazila felt herself strain slightly, but suddenly she could sense something out of the ordinary.

"Darkness," Bazila described. "It's trying to call to me. I won't listen to it." At that, the darkness tried to pull her in, while she fought against it. "It wants me, but I can't!"

Bazila screamed as she opened her eyes. She was breathing heavily, but the ship came into focus around her. The engine's hum calmed her as she looked around. Elocin stood over her, looking pleased.

"Well done," Elocin praised. "You've taken your first step into a larger way of life. That is the lesson for now: you must always being weary of the darkness present in all of us, and be prepared to resist it. Now then, I have something here for you," she said, taking a lightsaber that was stowed away in her cloak and handed it to Bazila. "I was able to retrieve this as we were leaving Coruscant."

Bazila pressed the button to ignite the lightsaber and a purple blade sprang to life. It was nearly identical in color to her clothing and the part of her hair that was dyed purple. She examined it for a few seconds before she pressed the button again.

"A Jedi's lightsaber is a tool to assist them," Elocin explained. "It is not meant to be used as a weapon of attack. A Jedi uses the Force and their lightsaber for knowledge and defense, never for attack. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Elocin."

"Good. I will leave you to reflect on this first lesson. Meditate on what you saw and then check this ship for supplies. It would be best to destroy the ship we are pursuing, so if you find any explosives, let us know."

They had traveled through space, closely following the large command ship. The information scan completed by the ship's computer told them the command ship was known simply as The Millennium. Ngema and Y'not piloted the ship through space, undetected by The Millennium. Meanwhile, in the main hold, Keira had gathered Sabe, Elocin and Chancellor Jear while Bazila searched the ship for supplies. After thoroughly searching the ship, Bazila walked into the main hold, carrying a large box and setting it down.

"This box contains enough explosives that would destroy The Millennium if we can spread them out around the ship," Bazila explained. "I recommend we take care of setting the charges before we go and find Solin."

"I agree," said Sabe. "It will be prudent for us to get off of the ship as quickly as possible once we've found Solin. Keira," he added, turning to Solin's former apprentice. "Will you use your Battle Meditation as we make this rescue attempt?"

Keira shook her head. "I'd rather be there to help redeem Solin. I think I'd have the most influence over him, along with you, Master Organa, and with Ngema. The three of us know him the best and we'll know how to communicate with him."

"I think you're right, Keira. I suggest we use the Force to conceal ourselves when we are on board The Millennium. That will allow us to bypass any guards or Sith apprentices we're likely to meet on board the ship."

At that, a communicator buzzed and Ngema's voice blared through it from the cockpit.

"Several Jedi from around the galaxy have received our distress call about the attack on the Jedi Temple," she said. "The Jedi Council on Dantooine is on its way to Coruscant now in order to ensure the Senate remains protected."

"Good," said Keira. "Any word on The Millennium?"

"It appears to be slowing down. As soon as it does, we'll lift the cloaking device and land where we can. This ship is small enough that we won't be spotted."

"Land as quickly as you can and be careful," Keira commanded.

"Understood. Ngema out."

Keira turned to the others. She looked rather exhausted, but full of determination.

"I'm going to center myself in the cargo hold until we land," she said. "I want to have full concentration when we face Solin."

The rest of the group nodded at her as she whipped around and walked toward the cargo hold, her mind buzzing. When she reached the cargo hold, Keira took off her cloak and sat down on the ground. She shut her eyes and emptied her mind.

"Breathe, just breathe," she whispered to herself as the Force calmed her mind and her worries, clearing her soul.

Once the charges had been set, the group made its way through the ship. The Jedi centered themselves in the Force in order to find Solin, who presence was felt heavily through the Force. Soon, they reached a large set of doors.

"Wait," Keira said, holding up a hand to signal the others to stop. "I can sense Solin close by. He's in this room."

"I sense him, too," Sabe added, nodding. "It's time."

"You lot," Keira said to the others as she, Sabe and Ngema pulled out their lightsabers and opened the doors, "stay out here and keep guard. We'll be back as quickly as we can."

"Be careful," said Chancellor Jear, who looked worried. "I don't like the idea of you three confronting a Sith as powerful as Solin on your own, but I suppose strength does not lie in numbers."

"That's right," Keira replied. "Our strength comes from our connection to Solin. I only hope it will be enough to redeem him."

"May the Force be with you," said Chancellor Jear.

Keira nodded at him and followed Sabe and Ngema into the room. It was set up nearly identical to Solin's quarters at the Jedi Temple. The large black bed filled the room, while a small desk that was connected to a large communicator stood abandoned. Pressing forward, Keira led Sabe and Ngema through a door at the back of the room. Inside, they found a large meditation chamber, with pillars as high as the entire ship. They walked inside slowly, keeping their eyes out for any guards. In the center of the room, they could see Solin sitting on the ground, meditating.

Keira had just a moment to think how out of place Solin looked in a black robe when Sabe and Ngema ignited their lightsabers. She imitated them just as Solin leapt up, turned around and ignited his own red blade.

"Hello, my friends," Solin said, sounding eager. "I knew you would come for me. It will be a pleasure to duel you all once again, but this time, I shall have the honor of defeating you!"

With an animal-like roar, Solin leapt forward and engaged his former comrades in a fierce duel. Though he was on his own, Solin was equal in power and abilities to the three Jedi. He had a perfect blend of lightsaber combat capabilities and a command over the Force that was unlike any other Force wielder in the galaxy. With the Dark Side of the Force fueling his moves, Solin was nearly unstoppable, but the combined powers of Keira, Sabe and Ngema were enough to keep him at bay. Despite the intensity of his combat, Solin was unable to gain an advantage over the three Jedi.

They dueled for several seconds, with the Jedi centering themselves in the Force. Though they could not overpower Solin, they were able to prevent him from successfully using his full potential. Eventually, the four of them locked blades and held them for several seconds, all of them straining under the great pressure.

"NOW!" Keira shouted. As one, she, Sabe and Ngema broke the blade lock and leapt backward as Solin swiped at them, missing them by several inches. The Jedi landed several feet away from Solin, but did not rush forward to continue the duel. Seeing this, Solin started to laugh.

"Oh, come now, my friends! We were just getting started! Or do you give up and would like me to end this now?"

"We will not surrender, Solin, and you will not strike us down," Keira replied calmly, taking a deep breath. "And we are not leaving this ship without you."

"And what makes you think you'll be able to convince me to go with you without a fight?"

At that, Keira deactivated her lightsaber, but kept it held. Sabe and Ngema hesitated before they did the same.

"It's because I know you, Solin," Keira said. "I know the real you. I know that in your heart of hearts you cannot serve the Dark Side of the Force. Ever since our confrontation on Korriban, I could sense the conflict in you. Even now, I can still sense it. There is still good in you, which means the real you is still here, even if you think that part of you is gone and everyone else thinks it as well."

"The old me is gone and dead, Keira," Solin retorted, but Keira noticed that he didn't sound angry, but confused. "You must know that, given everything that has happened."

"That's not true Solin and if you look in your heart, you will find that the real you is still there."

Solin sighed deeply as he deactivated his lightsaber. Like the Jedi, he kept his weapon held. Keira could feel the conflict growing inside of Solin.

"What do you want from me, Keira?"

"I want my former master and my dearest friend back," Keira said as she slowly walked toward Solin. She kept her free hand raised to show that she did not intend to attack him. "I know you can turn from the Dark Side, Solin, as long as you have hope."

"How can I be redeemed after the attack on the Jedi Temple?" Solin asked. "I'm responsible for the deaths of so many Jedi! There is no way I can walk back from that."

"Solin, listen to me," Sabe said, repeating Keira's actions and walking toward his former apprentice. "If you turn away from this dark path you are on and tell them everything you know about the Sith, that will make amends."

"We promise we won't let anyone hurt you," added Ngema as she imitated Keira and Sabe. "We only want you back, Solin. We have no desire to see any harm come from you."

"Look into your heart, Solin," Keira said as she got as close as she had to Solin. They could almost touch hands. "Look into your heart and find your true self. Turn away from the Dark Side of the Force and come with us."

Solin looked at each of the three Jedi. He could sense nothing but honesty from them and could hear the truth in their words. He looked at all three of them in the eyes before he closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Solin then dropped his lightsaber and collapsed to his knees, holding his head in shame. He broke down in tears as Keira rushed forward and hugged him.

"I'm so sorry!" Solin whimpered into Keira's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe what I've done."

"It's all right, Solin. It's all right," Keira replied in a soothing tone as she helped him stand up. "You've renounced the Dark Side and the Sith. That's all that matters now."

Sabe hurried forward and hugged Solin as Keira let him go.

"Oh, master. You must be so ashamed of me."

"No," Sabe replied gently. "I'm very proud of you, Solin, for realizing who you really are. You've made me prouder than you ever have today."

"Ngema," Solin said as she hugged him, too. "Can you ever forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive, Solin. You were taken advantage of, nothing more. I'm glad to have you back."

"You made a brave move in confronting me," Solin said as they all broke apart and he called his lightsaber to him and hooked it on his belt. "Not many people would have done that."

"Well, you must've known there was a good chance you would fall when you programmed T2 to come and find me after a certain amount of time," said Keira. "If you hadn't, I might never have known what happened to you."

"You're right, of course," said Solin, nodding. "I guess I had a contingency plan in place without remembering it."

"Let's get out of here and regroup with the others," Keira said. "We should get off this ship as quickly as we can."

"Lead the way."

Keira turned and led them out of the meditation chamber and through Solin's quarters. She was relieved to see Solin didn't try to retrieve any of the dark artifacts in the room and instead followed her out of the room. They linked up with the others, who looked at Keira questioningly before she nodded.

"Oh, Solin! I'm so glad you're all right!" Bazila exclaimed as she threw her arms around him. Y'not growled happily and patted Solin on the head.

"It's good to see you, too, Bazila. Thanks for not giving up on me."

"It's good to see you as your old self again," said Elocin.

"Thank you, Master," Solin replied before he turned to Chancellor Jear. "Chancellor, I apologize for the brutality of our confrontation. We Jedi and the Republic are lucky to have you on our side."

"Thank you, Solin. I must say you were a formidable opponent, but I'm glad to call you an ally once again."

Solin chuckled as Keira clicked her tongue.

"We'll have more time for the cozy catchups once we're out of here," she said impatiently. "Let's get back to the ship and off this bucket of bolts."

She turned and started running down the hallway. Solin hurried after her with the others, laughing to himself.

"That's my apprentice," he muttered to himself.

They hurried down several hallways as they ran for the hangar. Keira was surprised they did not meet any resistance. When she pointed this out to Solin, he hand answer.

"I told all guards that I was expecting you and to not attack you. I guess it's a good thing now that we're getting out of here."

In the last room before the hangar, they stopped when they saw a group of about 10 Sith and soldiers standing around, as if waiting for them. Solin assumed a commanding voice as he spoke to the guards.

"Out of here, you all," he barked. "I have found the trespassers. Return to your stations at once and I will escort the trespassers to Lord Nacluv's ship myself."

The guards looked at him, but when they saw Solin glaring back at them, they scattered out of the room in a hurry.

"Cowards," Solin muttered. "They never could follow an order unless they saw I was serious."

"You realize we've put explosives around the ship and that we'll detonate as soon as we're clear?" asked Keira.

"Good. I have no more attachment or allegiance to the Sith, so if they are to meet their destiny aboard this ship, then so be it."

"You really are back, aren't you?" Keira said as she started running again. They met no further guards in the hanger and were able to board the ship and get it taken off and cloaked before anyone could detect their escaping. Once Bazila and Y'not had successfully piloted the ship far enough away from The Millennium, Keira handed the detonator to Solin.

Solin took the detonator, hesitating. He turned to Sabe.

"Should I really be the one to do this, Master?" he asked, sounding as if he were a padawan again learning a difficult lesson from his master.

"Pressing the button and detonating the explosives will help make amends, Solin," Sabe said, nodding.

"But isn't it a rather dark act?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes, but destroying The Millennium and those on board will help ensure that more lives aren't lost to the Sith and their compatriots led by General Nute and Malastare."

Solin nodded and pressed the button. In the distance, they watched as The Millennium erupted into a giant fireball that consumed the entire ship. It looked as if the command ship has briefly become a sun before the fireball disappeared and all they could see was empty space. At that, the ship entered blasted away, entering the blue field of hyperspace.