Era of The Unchained
Chapter 1
"My chains are broken,
the force shall free me."
- Ziost Orbital Station
A massive Sith Pure-blood with obsidian skin pierced by pale eyes, his oval head came to a fine point of tendril beard, his metal adorned ears completed the expression of pure authority. Crimson armor draped in a silver robe at his waist, and cloak upon his shoulders reaching down his back to his waist, his hood drawn, creating the appearance of dark royalty. Standing on the observation deck, his arms crossed, gazing down at the remains of Ziost, once the center of power for his people, now nothing but a dead world, devoured by the madness of Emperor Vitiate. Lord Wrath had failed that day, yet he wasn't sure who he failed, his title had been the Emperor's Wrath, then Empire's Wrath, so who had a he failed, his Emperor, or the Empire?
"Whose Wrath, am I?" he uttered a sense of loss and rage at the thought of having no purpose.
"Oh, my dear, you are your own wrath, you need no master, or Empire, you are free." A female Sith Lord said, as she joined Lord Wrath to look down at the dead world. Her black and white, lightly armored robes covered her shoulders in metal plate, punctuated with spikes that lead down her arm, nearly adjoining her knob adorned vambrace, perfect for hand to hand combat. The center column began with white as it fell down word turning dark and black. Her helmet resembled that of a Sith spawn head, with white horns protruding from either side creating a crown of evil.
"Darth Nox, I didn't know you were still here."
"Did you notice that you choked several imperials and one acolyte that came too close to your rage?" pointing to the hallway where 4 bodies lay. "Ohhh, you should have seen the fit the Lord of that acolyte was having over their death, right up till he saw it was you, his rage becoming fear, and I could have sworn I saw his spirit try to flee his own body" she chuckled.
Lord Wrath looked at the hallway not surprised at what he had done, if only a little embarrassed at his lack of control. But more relived that his ally was still on the ship. "Are you sure those ghosts of yours are all gone, and that you're not going mad like Vitiate?" he asked looking at his old friend, as he remembered the time they first meet so long ago as acolytes on Korriban. He a Sith pure blood of lineage and her a Zabraak slave found to have the force, sent to die. Yet now a dark Lord, a member of the dark Council; Darth Nox, of the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge, charged with protection and expanding Sith knowledge.
"I'm not quite sure, I did get rid of the ghosts in a way, any madness they brought is here to stay. I rather enjoy it, it makes life interesting. I was hoping we could speak for a moment, in private, with our agent friend as well." she gestured to the Cipher Nine, speaking with some officer about the bodies. She turned while strolling over to the agent, Lord Wrath following as more memories began coming back to him. The Black Talon a transport on its way to Dramoned Kass only to be commandeered by them, on the order of Grand Moff Kilran. The agent a Mirialan odd for a member of that race to be in the Empire, it made sense to him for one to be an agent of intelligence, using the vary stereotype of his race. They would find themselves working together their task always coming in to line with one another. The agent often came to them for counsel and guidance when it came to his Sith masters, Darth Jadus replaced after his death by his daughter Darth Zhorrid. When imperial intelligence was disbanding, Darth Nox snatched the agent up claiming him before anyone else could and bestowing him the name Cyrus.
"Darth Nox, Lord Wrath" Cyrus bowed as he always did to the Sith, though lately he seemed to only do it with them, or their Sith allies. Cyrus wore solid black shadow operative gear, moderately armored with mandalorian iron, a lightsaber resistant metal. His mask lowered, his dark green skin with simple triangular tattoos under his faded blue eyes, and one at the top of the bridge of his nose, his black hair combed back slick, he posed a rather charming and friendly appearance. "I've dealt with the imperials here and felt it best to report them having died on the planet, rather then by Lord Wrath. Not to undermine you, but to prevent hostility from two of the victims' families who have pull in the Imperial Navy and Sith. While no threat to you, it could have been a hindrance to Darth Nox's plans."
"Very good Cyrus, oooh I knew I was right to keep you around, and there is no need to bow, you are our equal within the empire. You have proven that time and time again, in our travels."
"I would never be so foolish too believe myself your equal, My Lord, I am merely Cipher Nine."
Lord Wrath found reading Darth Nox difficult with her helmet on. Yet he could sense the – disappointment? Odd, he thought, she would strike him for questioning her.
"Please! My dear, the Imperial Intelligence is gone, you are free. Cipher Nine is not a name it's a title held by many before you. If you don't like the name Cyrus then fashion your own, and while we my have the force, you still managed to stand against every one of our greatest foes."
Lord Wrath joined her in reassuring their friend, "You fought with us against the traitor Malgus, and the Dread Masters, the return of Darth Revan and more recently Vitiate. If there were ever an equal to us with out the force, it would be you, take pride in that."
The agent thought to himself, he did like the name Cyrus, and he thought on becoming himself. He had begun by making a dossier of himself, as all his previous personas came.
"Yes, take pride in your new freedom, and never let anyone take that away from you. Now if you two would join me on my Flag ship." Darth Nox said as she left for the airlock. Giving no hint as to what she wanted to talk about, like always, she would make the plans and they would follow.
Lord Wrath shaking hands with the agent, "See you there."
"Likewise," The agent and Wrath left for their own ships.
-Tython
In the ruins of Kaleth, a lone Jedi meditates, dressed in simple faded brown and tan robes, a white sash at the waist, a hood drawn. His long brown hair fell from either side, tan skin, a square face with thin stubble, and a brown cloth wrapped around his head to hide is empty eye sockets, the mark of a Miraluka. There is a sound here, soft, a whisper, he pushes the rest of the galaxy away, letting go of the world, honing on the whisper. The shallow disembodied breathing, it sounded mechanical to him. As the world faded and time seem to stop, the mechanized breathing that could only come from a suit of some sort enveloped the Jedi, then silence. A rush of images flooded his mind, the sound of battle echoed around him. Jedi where dying throughout the galaxy, killed by soldiers clasped in white who shared the same face. A blue lightsaber wielded by rage, prowling the temple on Coruscant. A figure cloaked in black sat triumphant on a throne, a thunderous applause. The Jedi knew something was off in this vision, it felt so far away, as though laid far in the future
"Why show me this distant future?" he asked only to answer it himself. as he felt the familiar presence of the Sith lord Darth Nox. Somehow the Sith would have something to do with this, and the light of the force wanted him, the Barsen'thor of the Jedi to stop her.
He needed to act quickly he could feel that Darth Nox was close to leaving. He could not stop her here not in this era. He would have to go to this far future, but how? Perhaps Master Bakarn or Yuon would have some wisdom on this. He dared not go to the Council they did not trust visons like these so easily. He felt a calm rush over him, and a whisper more like a feeling from the will of the light side, that seemed to say; "Only you can do this, you are the Barsen'thor, head my warning well". He thought on the vision, recalling the memory of those strange soldiers. He may need at least one ally in this, but how would he convince her to come with? He felt warm now, the force approving of his thought, although that could just be the sun beaming down on him. He needs to find her, The leader of Havoc Squad; Major Theresa Kovacs.
-Aboard the Defender
Barsen'thor waits for his holo call to be answered, the image flickers for a moment till coming to focus, a droid if he remembered correctly, M1-4X is his name.
"Master Jedi, how honored I am to be speaking with a noble Jedi of the republic, how might I assist you?" said M1-4X
In a bit of a hurry, Barsne'thor ignored the praise, "I am trying to reach your commanding officer."
"I regret to deny your request, as they are currently deployed on a top-secret mission, in which they cannot be contacted at this time."
"Then perhaps I can wait with you for their return?"
M1-4X processed the request, "I have been tasked with protecting the ship to wait for their extraction call, as such I have also been given a list of reinforcement if they were to not check in at a specified time, you are on this list, Sending coordinates now."
"Thank you M1-4X, be there shortly." Umbara, hm what would bring them to the republic aliened Shadow World?
-Aboard Fury-Class Interceptor Lord Wrath's Corvette
Coming out of hyperspace Lord Wrath regarded Darth Nox's small fleet; 3 Terminus-class destroyers, at the center her flag ship, a Harrower-class dreadnought "The Unchained Eclipse".
"My lord we have been cleared for dock, shall I bring the ship in?" asked Quinn waiting for his next order.
Lord Wrath peered at Captain Quinn, an imperial officer he met on Balmorra. Quinn a lieutenant at the time, proved himself to be intelligent, distinguished, and competent. He wanted nothing more but the success of the empire and Sith. Yet no mater his victory's he was always past over or held back for a promotion. Owing everything to Darth Baras for giving him recognition and a chance for actual achievement. Lord Wrath had thought of ending Quinn's life for his betrayal, yet he was only following orders given to him by Darth Baras, Quinn owed much to Lord Wrath's now dead master. He hoped one day to have the same loyalty from Quinn as his former master and more. "You may Captain" responded Lord Wrath.
-The Unchained Eclipse Conference Room.
The conference room was empty except for a large conference table with a holo projector in the center and 4 chairs on either side, at one end of the table Darth Nox paced with anticipation. Soon she would reveal her plan to her allies, everything had come in to place quickly. So much to plan, so little time. There were distractions; Darth Revan and his Revanites, along with other interruptions at every turn. She had worried for a moment that she would run out of time, she could feel it coming, she needed to act quickly.
As the Wrath walked in, alongside Cyrus reminiscing of old times with Captain Malvavai Quinn. Each taking a seat, Cyrus next to Xalek, Darth Nox's apprentice on her right, Wrath across from the agent, with Quinn on his right. They finished their conversation, giving their undivided attention to Darth Nox.
The plan laid out in her mind, now, how to bring it to words? "I assume you all remember that I hosted several Sith ghosts at one time for their power?" Taking their lack of question as a yes, she continued, "Now what some don't know is that while I didn't get rid of them, I kept their power and made it my own." She pauses allowing the reality of words to sink in, Cyrus remained unfazed waiting for the rest of the briefing, Quinn seemed to be going over something in his mind before nodding his head, as though he made since of it. Oh, she liked him. "Almost immediately after doing so the force gave me a vison, I saw the Republic, Jedi, Empire and Sith fall to one enemy. I believe this to be the true Emperor, the fragment that is or was Vitiate came from, how he did it I do not know, nor care."
"My Lord if you know of this threat should we not rally the Empire behind you to withstand it?" Quinn asked with the utmost respect in his voice. Wrath waited, wanting the answer as well.
"No, the empire is to weak to save and the Sith are far too busy killing each other to care. That is why I demand the will of the dark side to show me how to save what I could. As such it bent to my will and gave me another vision. I saw a Sith Lord bring about something he called the rule of two; a master and apprentice. I felt the power of another Sith Lord the one to kill the Jedi, not by his own hand, but I could see the weakness in the Jedi, and some among the Sith."
"I believe all this takes place in the future, the question is, how far?" The wrath asked in a longing voice wanting to know how she planned to get there.
"I've placed the vision to be around 3,600 years in the future." She said with a toothy smile. They all seemed puzzled and shocked unsure how they could even reach such a time.
"I assume some manner of force technique is capable of time travel?" asked. Cyrus
"Oh, don't be ridiculous! While it is theoretically possible with fold space to do so, it is highly unpredictable." she answered waving her hand at the thought. "No, I have everything prepared, it happens that we have found the tools we need on our journey and I have access to it all. Now I only need my inner circle."
"How do you plan to do this My Lord?" Quinn inquired more out of curiosity than doubt.
Darth Nox Began to explain "I have reverse engineered the stasis device that held my dashed companion Khem Vail and obtained the schematics for the stasis prison that held Revan on the Maelstrom. I also outfitted all my fleet with the stealth field generators that Malgus used at illume lastly, I have in my possession the infinite engine to power it all. Essentially, the shield generators are now massive clocked stasis field generators."
Quinn calculated everything he had been told, it could work. "My Lord Wrath, this has some risk but should work, granted there is a way to deactivate the generators at the right time."
Lord Wrath pondered for a moment, he has lost his purpose here in this era perhaps in another one he could find a new. "Cyrus?" "It sounds interesting, I have nothing better to do." He smiled at that thought, have nothing better to do, that's a first.
"Alright then, what else needs doing?" asked Lord Wrath
Darth Nox smiled and began telling them the last of the preparations to be made. To find and bring their most trusted with them. While they must still lose the respect that they had earned, it would be by their own choice and not stripped from them. Now they would continue and take control of this faraway era, gain new respect, no infamy, for the will of the force does not control them, they are free, it is their own will that should be submitted to.
-Ghost Nebula, Umbara
Coming out of hyperspace, immediately receiving a transmission form Elara Dorne. "Master Jedi, M1-4X informed us of your approach, we could use your assistance." A set of coordinates come on screen.
"I take it your silent ops isn't going well?" Barsne'thor commented.
Aric Jorgan's voice came booming in, "That blasted Vik got himself blown up by Sith trying to throw a thermo detonator at him only having it sent back! We need Jedi aid, not your condescending remark!"
"Imperial transport in rout, two more Sith spotted, setting weapons to maximum, request permission for use of full ordnance." M1-4X interpreted.
"Granted, Get down here Jedi!" Jorgan commanded, as the transmission ended.
Barsne'thor for a moment wondered where Theresa was, and why Jorgan seemed to be giving the orders, putting aside the thought in order to meditate for a fight with Sith.
Major Jorgan cursed under his breath as their coms got cutoff, before he could inform the Jedi of the Sith defector with them. He looked over to the battle, assessing the situation, the POWs that could fight were hunkered down, while those that couldn't kept wanting to help however, they could hand out ammo and kolto packs. The Sith defector who brought them here, stood in front of them, deflecting shot after shot, absorbing the hits from ones she couldn't. The Sith perplexed the major, he still didn't trust her even thou she is a Cathar like himself.
"Sith, watch yourself we got Jedi reinforcements on the way!"
She turned to him "About damn time, hope they brought enough!"
Jorgan was about to respond when he was interrupted by the roar of the defender class corvette flying overhead, blasting down the transport, the rear hatch opens as a lone Jedi dropped down, hitting the ground at the center of the imperial line, a shock wave of force sending the men flying. The Sith that killed Vik shouted with rage "Jedi!" And charged, only to be lifted off the ground, then thrown, dying on impact with the ground. Jorgan called his team back to get everyone aboard the ship, the Sith defector charging in before the Major could protest.
Barsne'thor faced the two approaching Sith, sensing the master on the right and apprentice to the left. Igniting his golden light saber and entering his battle meditative state. The Sith stopped as a new player joined from behind Barsne'thor coming to stand on his left, a red saber ignited. While this snow-white Cathar bearing the Sith blade and armor, she held the light within.
"Traitor, weakling, light sider!" Shouted the Sith apprentice. "I will kill you." He snarled.
"Hold a moment apprentice, we have a newcomer." The Sith Master spoke with excitement in his voice. "Is this your Jedi master who sent you to spy, was it a Jedi plan? Jaesa Williams told us of your corruption in our ranks, and now the Republic's finest come to save you, along with a Jedi." The Sith Lord having trouble holding himself back, wanting nothing more then to torture the Jedi and let his apprentice have his way with the traitor.
"I assume your why Havoc is here?" Barsen'thor asked the Cathar.
"Yes, I needed help, and there was nowhere else to go."
Barsen'thor sensed the fear in her tone. But of what, the Sith, yes but, there it is, the Jedi, she feared him. Yet still she rushed in to stand with him. "Let go of your fear, I am your friend. Can you take on the apprentice?" he asked as he sent a calming feeling to her.
The Carthar felt she could trust him, even with what little she knew of Jedi. "I can handle him." she confidently replied.
A torrent of force lighting charged at them, Barsen'thor caught it with the force, holding it back as the Cathar locked blades with the apprentice.
Barsen'thor focused on the Sith Lord, as their battle in the force tore the ground asunder. The Sith barely holding his own against the Jedi master. A wave of force energy nearly hitting the Sith only to obliterate a rock behind him, he stumbled to his feet quickly sending a storm of lighting to where the Jedi was in hopes to catch his guard down, only to feel a burning in his chest, a golden blade protruding from him. He hadn't even seen the Jedi move.
Barsen'thor detested battle and using a lightsaber, but he was in a hurry and needed this to be done.
Meanwhile the Cathar's blade clashed with the Sith apprentice double bladed light sabre, if it was not for her armor, she surly would have lost a limb or two by now. The Sith suddenly vanished, keeping her guard up, knowing he was still here prowling in the dark. A voice in her head said, "Trust your feelings, the light side will guide you.". She attempted to calm her nerves, feeling the force around her. She felt warm at her side, reacting as fast as she could, to block the blade only to halt it from fully cutting in to her. She winced at the pain, pushing through it regaining focus. Face to face with the Sith again, his rage aimed at her. Then something caught his attention for a moment, she took advantage, cutting his blade in half, shocking him, bringing him off balance, she swung the blade decapitating the Sith.
The Sith apprentice headless body fell to the ground. His head rolling down the hill. The Cathar feel to her knees, dropping her lightsaber, gasping for breath, the pain that Sith felt at the last moments of his life, echoing in her.
"It's all right now, your safe, you can let go." Barsen'thor attempting to calm her. She felt his presence, the light radiating from him seeming to wrap around her. She let go, her eyes closing.
Barsen'thor lifted the young lost Cather. She must be 17 no more than 19, he surmised. Just a child, strong in the force. But more interesting was how she appeared to feel the death of her opponent as though she died. Carrying her to his ship, he pondered on why the force brought them together.
-Aboard the Defender
"C2-N2 please tend to our guest, watch over her and notify me when she wakes." Laying her down in the medical wing, wishing Tharan was still here.
"As you command Master, there is a call for you from a major Aric Jorgan"
"Thank you I'll speak to him now" he said as he questioned "Major Jorgan", the droid must be mistaken?
The holo display flickered on taking shape of Aric Jorgan on the right, General Elin Garza on the left, and grand master Satele Shan in the center. Barsen'thor bowed, surprised by the grand master. "Master Shan I wasn't expecting."
"As was I, when Major Jorgan reported your reinforcement and taking of the Sith defector that Havok was set for."
Garza cutting off Master Shan "I want that Sith for questioning, the Jedi can have it after I'm done." She demanded.
"With all due respect General, she could hardly know a thing of interest to the Republic, she reached out in fear for her own life, after the Sith had discovered the light within her. She is a scared, lost girl in need of sanctuary and guidance."
"That is not for you to decide, but the republic and the senate." She retorted
"General, me and my team questioned her thoroughly, she is only one of many apprentices to a low ranking Sith Lord, only having gained that status in the last few months." The major trying to defuse the General's aggression to the Jedi.
Before Garza could bark again, Master Shan spoke with her in a demanding but calm tone she used on Jedi and the Council when they fell in to arguing. "The Senate nor the republic has ever and will never decide maters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Jedi, as I recall it is the Jedi who would question her. I assume you already have?"
Knowing full well he hadn't question her yet, he felt that Garza was a threat, that could slow him down. "I have, as I said she is lost, and afraid. I'll speak more of this with the rest of the Council as this is a Jedi Master." Garza attempted to object "As member of the Council and the Barsen'thor of the Jedi, I declare the lost one under my protection."
"Barsen'thor? What?! You have no authority in the Republic!" Garza was not happy.
"Mater of fact he does, the Barsen'thor is the warden of the Jedi, and a member of the Council, as the grand master of the Jedi I accept him as the protector of the Sith defector now deemed lost one by the Barsen'thor. I will contact you shortly with members of the Council, may the force be with you."
"You can't do this, the Republic wo- "Master Shan must have ended the transmission
"Master General Garza is trying to reach you."
"Ignore and block all transmission from the republic, but not the Jedi."
"Does that include the call from Major Jorgan?"
"Put him though."
Jorgan arms still crossed, "Well that was interesting."
"I hope you won't get in trouble for speaking up."
"I doubt it, Garza has been on the receiving end of a lot of investigations from the Senate and the SIS after former Major Theresa Kovacs went into early retirement, I assume you came looking for her."
"I didn't know she had retired."
"I'm not surprised in the military. Garza is trying to cover it up, as well as her last detailed report from Theresa about Garza and military corruption and sever lack of chain of command. As well as the holo recording she sent to the military, Senate, Jedi, and the holonet, on her opinion of how the military and the Senate treats its soldiers."
"I don't suppose you know where I can find her?"
Jorgan stood stoic and quite "Ryloth, last I heard she's there fighting against slavery, she's trying to form a standing army, that or she is the army. If you find her tell her, thanks, and that we are doing good and I was right about Vik."; then he was gone.
A set of coordinates came in with a message, possible base location.
-In Hyperspace in Route to Ryloth.
Barsen'thor meditates in the primary conference room. A young snow-white fur Cather with soft black sparse markings and deep green eyes, a V upon the center of her forehead pointing toward her sienna nose, her black hair accented with silver strands pulled backward and bound into a short wisp. Her look was elegant and stately hiding her awkward insecurity. She had ditched the heavy Sith armor for some robes given to her by C2-N2. Simplistic in their styling her gifted emerald hooded robe made her eyes piercing. Her khaki unadorned tunic and pant was of no consequence, neither were her feet clad in plain brown boots. Barsen'thor could sense her uneasiness and wanted to ask something. He decided instead to wait, allowing her to reveal herself.
"You're not what I expected, the Sith always told that the Jedi would kill us at any time."
"I suspect you haven't met many Jedi, Lost One."
She blinked confused "Lost One?"
"You're not Sith no sense in calling you that, and I don't know your name, through the force I sensed how lost you felt, so Lost One you are."
"My name is Isa'ra Venous."
"Well Isa'ra Venous I suspect you have many questions, why don't you come sit with me, meditate, you can ask a question, then I will ask one so on and so forth."
Isa'ra a little nervous, feeling a bit childish, steps out of the threshold, past the Jedi, to sit in front of him. His hood now down, she could see his long brown hair and soft face and the cloth around his eyes. She began looking around for something similar to the cloth, thinking it is used for meditation.
"What are you searching for?"
"Another cloth, to wrap around my eyes, is that not what you use for meditation?"
"You've never meditated before have you?"
Stopping her search to look back at the Jedi she didn't understand, but he could see her.
"I am a Miraluka my people while human in many ways have no eyes, we see through the force. We wear headbands, mask or cloth, like my cloth to hide the empty sockets that would no doubt frighten most people."
She blinked a few times at that, processing the information. "How is that possible?"
"Perhaps I'll teach you one day. Is that you first question?"
Recalling the agreement, they had made; "No, sorry, um.' thinking of a question, wait.", she didn't know his name, "What is your name? That is my first question."
"My name to most Jedi is Barsen'thor, but that is more of a title given to great Jedi. I am the 3rd, the last one being of 1,000 years ago."
"That doesn't sound like a name." she interrupted, "Sorry I shouldn't have said that."
He grinned at that, "My name is Alistair Wynn."
"Alistair Wynn."
"Call me Alistair or Wynn you need not say my full name. "Now, I ask you to think on this question carefully, is there any important information that you can provide on the Empire or Sith? Know that this is not me asking rather the republic."
She thought for time, not knowing what to say, her master Lord Sevonous had many apprentices, she was never there to learn, rather she believed that she was to be used to breed an heir to his reign, for he was a Cathar like herself. She was glad she got out, and to be finding her purpose. "I'm sorry but no, unless you want to know what Lord Sevonous likes in his tea, or his favorite food, or" she paused "Korriban."
Alistair stopped her, "You need not retell your time on Korriban, we have heard much of what goes on there." The pain and dread she had felt faded just in time, before the memories would have returned. He was surprised that she would so quickly bring them up, most could never go back to those memories.
"Alight that should satisfy the Republic, and if not, to hell with them. I'm satisfied, and I know the Council will be as well. What's your next question?"
"Satisfied? The Council? What will the Council do with me?"
He could sense the fear in her, rising as her mind came up with scenario after scenario, "Not sure yet, but you needn't worry about that. Do you know where you came from?"
She thought on him being the 3rd Barsen'thor whatever that is and wondered if his stature had any pull with the Jedi. "I was born a slave. I don't know where or when. My oldest memories are living with and serving an imperial family until my connection to the force was shown and I was sent to the Sith. What ranks is Barsen'thor, is that like a Lord or a Darth, or more like the Emperor?"
"The Jedi have no equivalent to the Emperor, while there is a Grand Master, that is more to recognize the best of the Council, and the representative of the Jedi as a whole, as for Barsen'thor its more of a ceremonial title than a rank, it means Warden of the Order, it recognizes exceptional Jedi. While I am honored to have the title, I don't care for it, I simply did what any Jedi would have done. My rank though would be Master and"
The holocomm beeped "Master the Council are ready for you, also we have arrived on Ryloth."
"Thank you C2-N2" Alistair stood up approaching the comm. "We can talk more later."
Isa'ra a bit frustrated with being interrupted got up to leave.
"Where are you going?"
She stopped, looking at Alistair confused.
"This Assembly is about you; therefore, you should be present." He gestured for her to join at his side. She cautiously joined him, as the four-figures appeared on the holo.
Alistair began to introduce them gesturing to each "Master Bela Kiwiiks" a red face with blue montrals on her lekku on the far left, "Master Shol Bestros" a Miraluka dark skin and a red cowl center left, "Grand Master Satele Shan" fair skinned human with gray-brown hair in the center right, "lastly, Battlemaster Finly Shaw" a human with short white hair, under a hood on the far right.
"Thank you for the introduction Barsen'thor." Said Master Shol Bestros.
"To clarify these 4 are Council members, I am not, I'm just the Battle Master, and here by the request of Grand Master Shan." Master Shaw stated.
Wait, Isa'ra thought, four, but that would mean that Alistair is a Council member. She would never have expected to be in the presence of a Jedi Council member.
"I hoped that my former Padawan would learn from you, not you from her, Master Shaw." Master Kiwiiks remarked.
Master Shaw smirked, "Teaching is a two-way path, in order for the teacher to instruct their student, one must learn how, from their student."
"Masters we should move on, I sense the anxiety and uneasiness rise within the lost one." Master Bestros trying to retune the Council to the matter at hand.
"This is Isa'ra Venous." Alistair gesturing to her.
The Council and Battle Master fixated on her, she should have felt afraid, she felt a little uncomfortable, while she sensed their curiosity, and the Battle Master's investigation.
"I have questioned her, and Jorgen was right, she knows nothing, was just one of the many apprentices to a Sith, used more as a servant than anything else. I advise we not press the matter."
"I agree, I sense much of what my former Padawan was, same feelings when I first met her." Kiwiiks stated.
Master Bestros nodded in agreement.
"You told the truth she has the light within, just as I saw in the former Lord Pravan when he was Sith, now an honorable and great Jedi knight."
Grand Master Shan spoke "Then we are in agreement, we have determined that you are not Sith, and have no valuable information to the Republic, as such we offer you amnesty and a place in the Jedi order, you will train here on Tython until such time as a Master can be chosen for you."
"There is one other thing, I believe that Isa'ra Venous to have a uniquely unseen version of force empathy. She seems to be always feeling those around her, going so deep as to even feel the pain of one right in front of her; not just the mental, emotional or spiritual but physical as well."
"Don't all force users have that ability? Many of the acolytes and Sith I have met could sense my feelings and thoughts. I'm sure you have as well, it's not that uncommon?" Isa'ra asked, confused at what he was saying, then embarrassed for speaking with out permission. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"There is no need to apologize, you had a question and you asked, you must ask a question to lure out and answer.", responded Alistair.
Grand Master Shan began to explain "To answer your question, most force users do possess the ability of force sense, in one or more ways, one of these forms of force sense is force empathy, not exactly unique, it allowed one to pick up on impressions, feeling and emotions. Those who trained deeper in this skill can even sense motivations and secrets. Tell me when looking at someone in pain or watching someone be injured, do you feel it as well?"
Isa'ra had to think for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before speaking, "Yes I felt the lightning used on another as I watched. I felt the pain of prisoners that my master tortured. On Umbara where Master Wynn found me, I felt the intense pain and death of the Sith I decapitated, as though I myself where decapitated and dead." Fear and pain came rushing back to here, cold, she felt so cold, till Alistair's hands came to her shoulder's warmth seem to come from them, and into her.
"I'm sorry for putting you through that." Master Shan said a guilty expression on her face.
"Now that this matter is done, I have another thing to attend to. I do believe Isa'ra could use some rest." Alistair exclaimed.
"Not quite yet, what were you doing on Umbara? Why are you looking for former Major Kovacs of Havoc? Where have you been? It seems you have been sighted at every known Jedi Temple and ruin." Shaw Inquired a litter irritated at his old friend for not letting him know that something is going on.
The other Masters looked to Alistair, his hands still on Isa'ra's shoulders. He sighed "I can't tell you, the will of the force is guiding me, there is something I must do, that the force has entrusted me with."
"You know how the Council feels about following the force blindly" Master Kiwiiks remarked with a disapproval in her voice.
Before Master Shan or Master Bestros could say anything, Master Shaw stated, "Alright, if it is the will of the force for you to take this journey then so be it. But I ask you why it is, that it brought you two together?"
Alistair knew what his friend was trying to say; that Isa'ra needs him, that the force brought them together because he would need her. And there it was again the force assuring of this course. "I hereby take on Isa'ra Venous as my Padawan learner."
The Council nodded in approval to each other, With Grand Master Shan declaring it, "Isa'ra Venous you are now the Padawan leaner of the Barsen'thor Master Alistair Wynn. Master Wynn the Council doesn't condone this course of yours, but we know we can not control you. We understand that you're determined to see it through, may the force be with you."
"Wait!" Isa'ra called out, "Um could I perhaps change my name? Venous was given to me by my Sith Master, and Isa'ra by the Imperial family I served."
"If that is what you wish, do you have a name in mind?"
Once again embarrassment came, "No, not exactly. I just don't what that name. It's not who I am it never was, but I don't know who I am."
There was silence for only a moment, "Aurora" said Alistair "An Aurora is a type of light found on some planets at specific places and times, where the sky lights up with color in the form similar to a path. Let the light guide you, Aurora."
"Aurora, I like it." She smiled looking up at her new master and a new future. Little did she know the path he would take her on.
"May the force be with Padawan Aurora, and to you Barsen'thor." The Council and Battle Master said before bowing and disconnecting.
"May the force be with you my friends, always, and goodbye" Master Alistair uttered after they had left. Aurora thought it strange at first but pushed it aside as her new Master left for the bridge.
"I must apologize to you your training will have to wait, as I am in a hurry. I will have to explain things later stay close to me for now. Ask any question you may have, and I will answer what I have time for."
Aurora understood, she had felt his urgency at one point and decided to only ask simple questions for now.
"Here is one of my spare lightsabers, only use in defense. I need time to train you to control that ability of yours before you enter combat again. For now, refrain from it, luckily, we shouldn't be seeing any combat for some time.
She accepted the lightsaber igniting it, admiring the green blade.
-The Unchained Eclipse; Darth Nox's Meditation Chambers.
"So, this is what you have been up too, I knew the last few times we met your attention seemed to always be split." The wrath stated standing in the threshold.
Darth Nox stood up and took her helmet off placing it on the table. The wrath stepped in the door, it closed behind him. "Cyrus has brought a few agents with him, the fleet Darth Marr sent at my request is being reoutfitted with the stealth stasis field generators, and the crew is being replaced with your own forces. Your fleet is now comprised of 2 Harrower Dreadnoughts and 5 Terminus Destroyers. Still a rather small fleet, though I suppose we don't need a large one."
"Tell me are you Sith, are we Sith?"
Lord Wrath caught off guard by the sudden question "What do you mean? We are Lords of the Sith, you sit upon the Council."
"Have you ever thought of betraying me, for my power?" Nox asked rather coldly and distant.
"I could never do such a thing to you, my friend, we have both felt betrayal. Why would I ever do that to my oldest if not first friend, one who I dare even call my sister?"
A grin on her face "Does that mean I can call you brother?" (the grin fades) "I ask because it is the way of the Sith to betray, to kill each other for power, selfish needs our base desire. Sith are more like animals, fitting I guess since the Jedi are more like droids."
The Wrath standing in front of her now, "Are we animals, am I just an animal?"
"No, we are not, it's why I wanted to ask you. Could we be something else, something better than Sith or Jedi. Can we not create something of our own?"
Lord Wrath pondered on the thought, approaching a meditation mat, and siting. "Go on."
She took this as a sign of interest and decided to speak, hoping that he would not try and kill her for these thought after all he is a Sith pure-blood. "The Jedi code strips them of emotion, of self; they feel the need to reject identity in order to follow the will of the light. In contrast the Sith code removes all restraints, to "free" themselves with emotion, primarily through fear, and hate. They do this only for the force to free them and brake their chains yet enslaving them to their emotions or the will of the dark side. I find this to be utterly appalling, you and I have managed to keep control of ourselves, rather than submit to any will out of ignorance or by choice, we made the force submit to us. Could I have commanded it to grant me visions so clear, if I were at its will?"
She could see her words still sinking in, waiting for him to respond, felt like a lifetime. "Perhaps we are not Sith. We would need to construct a new order, with its own code, as well as a new government. We will need to remove any Sith that objects to this. Are you sure it would not be simpler to continue as Sith?"
She relaxed at his response "It will be difficult. I don't know where to begin. But I have no doubt that you and I can make it. We can make a new order; not chained by light and dark, one that is truly free."
-Ryloth Twi'lek new militia, Liberator base.
Standing over a holo table depicting a battle, an orange skinned Twi'lek with black stripes along the top of her lekku moving downward. Clad in armor she obtained from the underworld, including a DLA-13 Heavy Blaster Rifle. "Your strategy is sound, but I think you can do better, take another look Major Al'dira." She said, with a hint of approval, but still waiting to give judgment.
The Major assessing his plan once more. What could he be missing? "It will work General; I have no doubts that me and my battalion can carry this out and adapt to any change." He said with confidence, not ego.
The General pressed a button on the table as the battle scenario plays out, the Major's forces carry out his orders, as he watches intently looking for any place to give new field orders, if possible. "A decisive victory." She said, as the battle ended with the enemy's surrender. "You passed the test, Colonel Al'dira, report to Command they will give you your troops and base location."
The Colonel Saluted "Thank you General." And left, with a smile and pride in his step.
Private Pra'tari Syndulla walks up to the general, "Wow he's the 6th Colonel out of how many?"
The General with a raised eyebrow, "You know as my assistant your supposed to keep up with that, and 34 if you really don't know.", he remarked sarcastically.
A big smirk on his face "I know how many. I wanted to see if you did, and it is 39."
"What?" she thought for a moment and it came to her, the stress of command was really starting to get to her. 8 standard months she's been here. It was a lot worse than it is now, in fact she dares say the Twi'lek have their first real army. They won't need her much longer. They have been running themselves for the past few months, while she found and trained officers.
"Uh huh uh huh right" the Private listening to a call on his headset "A Jedi Master Alistair Wynn and his Padawan Aurora are here, he says he knows you and is asking to meet."
She thought; Alistair, hadn't seen him since Revan, don't know the Padawan, or that he had a Padawan, "Alright bring them down."
"He asks to speak upon the ridge surrounding the base, something about not wanting to many people to hear."
The general sighed, he may be diplomatic, but he's not easily swayed on these things. "Alight Private your coming with, let's go."
-Ridge over Liberator base
The base was strategically nestled within a hole in the ground, surrounded by a mountain range that provided ultimate cover. Beyond the range a barren gravel landscape stretched for several meters.
"Alistair it's wonderful to see you. Don't tell me that it takes the impending doom of the galaxy for us just to say hello." The general said rather jokingly.
"Its good to see you as well Theresa and does the impending doom of the Jedi and the Republic count?" trying to joke and failing.
"Huh alright spill."
Alistair looked at the Private.
"Anything I can hear, he can, he is my oversight."
Alistair, decided to accept his presence and begin to tell her of the vision, and of Darth Nox, watching and attempting to read her reaction as always, she seemed to calculate everything, taking his word for anything related to the force, mostly. Aurora obviously had questions but was holding them.
"Then let's find Darth Nox before she leaves."
"We can't she has already gone, I've been keeping a part of my mind on her presence in the galaxy, it vanished moments ago, and there was something else, a small ripple in the force. This happened when I landed on Ryloth. I can feel that something here in this era is about to happen, something that neither one of us can stop, but will keep us from stopping Darth Nox."
"Exactly how do you plan to get to the future do you even know how far it is?"
"Fold space, it's a teleportation ability used by the Aing-tii monks, I learned this ability and use a similar one if only a lesser one called Phase Walk, in theory Fold space could send us through time."
"Theory?"
"If you don't want to go then don't. If this is the same way that Nox did it, then she is already gone. The force tells me that we are running out of time. We need to leave soon, or we won't be able to."
Aurora spoke up, "Sorry Master but you said that the Jedi where being executed, did you not see any Republic military?"
He hadn't looked for that, thinking on it now, "No I didn't. In fact, the figure I saw on a throne, behind him looked like Coruscant."
The General's face change at first, she was going to say no to this crazy plan. But the Republic without a military, "The Galaxy will always need soldiers" she muttered.
The Private continued; "The soldiers will always need their People" The Private knowing full well her decision, not understanding any of it, but he believed in her. "What shall I tell them?"
She looked to the Private, a smile on her face as she began to recite the creed, she gave them;
"The Galaxy will always need soldiers
The Soldiers will always need their People
We are not Heroes,
We are not Rulers.
We are Warriors,
We are Protectors.
Fight to defend our people,
Not to conquer our enemies."
"Understood General." With a salute he stepped back to the pathway, before turning to say something only to bear witness to the unimaginable. They stood together, the General's and Padawan's hand on Master Wynn's shoulder. The Master seeming focused on something, his hands clasped together. And then he noticed it out the corner of his eye, a Gutkurr stuck in midair, one of their scout ships above, frozen in place unmoving. Looking back at the three, they stood utterly still, then they were gone. Everything moved again, time, began again. "Good luck, General."
No one ever noticed that time had stopped except the Private due to how close he was to them, at the edge of the effect. It made no sound, left no mark, nothing remarkable happened when they left, they were there and then gone. He would never tell this story, not to anyone. Even when the Jedi questioned him seeking the aid of their Barsen'thor to fight the sudden Eternal Empire. No, he took that memory to his deathbed, only to whisper it to his child.