Prologue

The planet Tython. It had been the home of the Jedi Order ever since the sacking of Coruscant. It was a place for padawans to learn and grow until they were ready to go out into the larger galaxy and aid in the ongoing fight against the Sith Empire.

One such Padawan, a girl of seventeen named Laila, wandered almost aimlessly through the hallowed halls of the Jedi Temple. She was searching for someone. She had questions on her mind that she was hoping to have answered.

Coming around a corner she spotted her quarry. He was a human male of average height with pitch black hair. With the exception of his head, his entire body was covered by Blue Scalene armour, the black metal broken up by inexplicably glowing lines and points of electric blue. Two lightsabers hung from his belt, one on each side of his waist.

Laila picked up her pace to catch up with him. When she was only a few feet behind him she said, "Master Jakkaru."

He stopped at the sound of his name, turning to face her. His eyes were blue, and there were three ragged scars on the left side of his face, running from his forehead to his jawline. He smiled as he recognised her. "Oh, hello Laila. I wasn't expecting to run into you today. Figured you'd be out training. Is there something I can do for you?"

She hesitated. "I…Master I wanted to ask you about…well…"

She trailed off, not knowing how to ask the question in her heart. But then, Jakkaru already knew what she wanted to ask. "You want to know why I denied your request to become my student, correct?"

She nodded. "I wanted to know what I did…or what I could do to change that."

Jakkaru smiled. "Laila, you're a good student. A bit emotional, but that's normal for someone your age. In time I think you'll make for a great Jedi. I've always thought you would go far. But…the teachings of my Master aren't something I can pass on lightly."

"But why?"

"Because the things my Master taught me aren't always in line with the Jedi Code. I'm only willing to pass on his lessons to someone I know I can trust implicitly."

Laila shook her head. "But why do you think you can't trust me?"

"It's not a matter of thinking I can't trust you. It's a matter of not knowing whether I can."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Not necessarily."

Laila sighed. "Then what can I do to show that you can trust me?"

Jakkaru thought for a moment, then said, "There is one way, I think. I admit it would present a…significant personal risk to me…but it would tell me for sure if I could trust you."

"What is it?"

Now it was Jakkaru's turn to hesitate. "I…well I could tell you a story. I could tell you my story. My life is one full of secrets. Things that shouldn't be revealed. But…I could tell you. If you were to swear to me—without knowing what you'll hear, mind you—that you would never reveal any of what I tell you, and you were to hold to that promise, then just maybe I would consider you trust worthy enough to be my student."

Laila thought for a moment. If she were to agree she might regret doing so, depending on what secrets he shared. But then, she had respected him above any other Master for as long as she had known him, and she couldn't think of anyone she would rather have teach her. In the end, it really was a simply choice for her.

Her decision made, she nodded and said, "I promise to you that I wouldn't tell any of your secrets if you share them with me."

Jakkaru sighed. "Alright then. Seeing as you can't be deterred, come with me. This is a conversation for a more private setting, and I would like to change out of my armour."

She nodded and followed after him, the two of them taking a shuttle up to the Tython Orbital Station, where they boarded his ship, a Defender-Class Corellian Corvette. He directed her to the ship's central chamber, where she could wait for him while he changed out of his armour.

When he appeared again he was wearing a black and grey hooded vest over longer sleeves. He took a seat across from her at the little table that was usually used for holo-games. He waited for a moment, both to prepare himself mentally, and as a minor test of her patience. Finally he said, "This story doesn't begin with me. It starts with my father. Tell me, does the name Kuzuri Shiro mean anything to you?"

She shook her head. The name sounded vaguely familiar to her, but that was all.

Jakk nodded. "I'm not surprised. The Council tends toward not advertising the names of those who betray the Order. Kuzuri was born on Coruscant, and when he was found to be Force sensitive, he was taken in by the Order. As he was trained he quickly overcame every challenge they provided for him, and as he grew older it was thought that he would make for a great Master someday. Eventually he trained in the arts of infiltration and the use of a saberstaff, adding him to the ranks of the Jedi Shadows. But for all his promise and strength, fate wasn't on his side.

During a mission his Master was killed, and the loss drove Kuzuri into a rage. He sought out and killed those responsible. But…like others before him…that one act of anger and vengeance changed him. He became obsessed with gaining more power. It was that obsession that drove him to contact the Sith Empire, and to try to leave the Republic behind…