In case you didn't know Count Dooku's name he assumed when he joined the Sith is Darth Tyranus, so I'll use both names interchangeably. This chapter goes through the perspective of Luminara, Maul, and Plo Koon, if you wanted to look them up beforehand.


A hooded figured entered the Jedi Temple calmly walking through the throng of Jedi. The Jedi Order was so numerous that few could name every active member so the stranger passed through unchallenged. Once he was in a deserted hall, the thin human male slowly drew back his hood. Casting his violet eyes around he let the cloak fall to the floor and stepped through the door in front of him.

14 younglings all turned from their lesson. They represented many species, but were all around ten to twelve standard years old. The anonymous Twi'lek Master leading the lesson stared at the newcomer and cast a searching tendril of the Force his way. However, he could not feel any presence of the man through the Force. Turning his head he looked confusedly at the silent intruder. "Can I help you?"

Luminara had been deep in her meditation when she felt it.

Before the blast from the wing younglings trained in even reached her she had opened her eyes with a gasp. More than a dozen voices had suddenly been silenced. She had been immersed in her meditation, so she felt the loss seconds before it became a harsh reality. Rising to her feet gracefully she ran toward the explosion now shaking the Temple.

By the time she reached the wing dozens of other Masters were already present at the charred remains of the room. Most of the children had been turned to ash in the heat of the explosion, but a few smoking remains littered the blackened room. Dropping to her knees with the freshness of the loss she reached out to the Force, seeking calm and detachment, struggling to control her anger. Obi-Wan joined the crowd and cautiously entered the room. Kit Fisto joined him and stood sadly in the center of the devastation.

"Perhaps the archives were able to record this. Gather the Council, Master Kenobi, and I shall find what I can," Obi-Wan nodded unable to speak and walked out to call the other Council members. Turning to the assembled Jedi, Master Fisto looked at them sadly. "We will do all we can to bring the ones responsible to justice. Please do not forget the Jedi way in light of this tragedy. Anger and hate will not return what was lost today. Meditate and calm your emotions." Luminara rose to her feet next to the blue twi'lek, Master Secura who was staring intently at Fisto as he spoke. He walked past them putting a comforting hand on Luminara's shoulder without looking away from Aayla. Master Secura followed him toward the archives reaching out briefly to grasp his green hand with her blue one.


The recording of the incident was replayed several times before the Jedi High Council. Master Plo Koon could feel the sadness coming from his fellow council members.

"The true servants of the Force demand peace. NO more divisions. We believe in a united Force. Jedi and Sith must die." The hooded figure screamed at the approaching Jedi Master before igniting the explosives woven under his robes.

"News from the Trade Federation had just reached me before this incident; Count Dooku's apprentice has been killed by a mysterious assassin," Ki-Adi-Mundi added to the report.

"So the Sith are also coming under attack?" Obi-Wan supplied thoughtfully.

"What do they mean, 'a once whole order'? The Jedi and Sith have always been at war." Kit Fisto still looked shaken at the show of violence. Younglings looking eager when their killer entered only to change to looks of fear and confusion. Plo's communicator started buzzing in his belt. Pulling it out he read the message knowing it had to be urgent.

"The Sith Lord Darth Sidious is attempting to make contact." He reported feeling confused before he calmed himself.

"Put the transmition through." Mace Windu sat back into his chair and steepled his fingers, elbows resting comfortably on his knees. Plo allowed the transmition through and a hologram of a hooded figure materialized in the center of the chamber. The Sith Lord's face was completely obscured. He was using the Force to hide his face creating unnaturally dark shadows under his hood.

"Jedi Council. I am Darth Sidious, the leader of my order. You have heard by now the fate of Asajj Ventress and I am aware of the attack on your younglings. It seems we have a common problem." His cold voice reverberated around the silent chamber. Plo and the others were watching him with rapt attention. This was the first time they had seen the leader of the Sith Order.

"Darth Sidious, the assassin referred to the beginnings of our Orders and inferred that initially we worked together. Do you know of a time when our orders were able to coexist?" Mace Windu addressed the Sith Lord as neutrally as he could.

"There are stories of an ancient Sith Holocron that detail the mutual beginnings of our Orders, but past generations have caused them to be lost. Likely the Jedi destroyed them." He sneered at the assembled Jedi. "Regardless of how our Orders began an alliance seems to be in order."

"An alliance? What assurance do we have of your cooperation? Will you come to us?" Master Mundi sounded very calm as he addressed the man intent on destroying their entire Order. Plo had never admired the Cerean's stoicism more than he did in that moment.

"No, I shall send Darth Tyranusto represent our Order for the initial negotiations if you choose to accept. Send me your answer once you have reached your decision." The transmition ended, but the Jedi all remained frozen thinking over their options. Plo was not looking forward to seeing Count Dooku again. He had betrayed their order many years ago, but it still stung. He did not trust the Sith's motivations in revealing themselves so openly. The Sith dealt in secrecy attacking from shadows. This move made no sense.

"We can not ally ourselves with the Sith. They are our natural enemy." Master Yarael Poof said from his towering height looking down at the rest of them.

"Perhaps this was not always the way. Our teachings are about maintaining peace and order. Ending our hostilities might be our means of finally finding that balance." Kit Fisto said thoughtfully.

"We should learn what they know of this third order of the force. If the Sith are willing to discuss an alliance then they must surely be taking this threat seriously. Even with their arrogance they have reached out." Ki-Adi-Mundi supplied. Plo was reluctant to take the word of a Sith. His Order had battled the Sith for thousands of years. The Sith were not to be trusted.

"The Sith may have sent the assassin and this is all an elaborate trap. We can not trust them." Master Koon said voicing his concerns.

"Perhaps a small number of Sith among the Guardians would be beneficial." Kit Fisto mused.

"Not any of the Sith we know could fit that role. Whoever they are must be integrated with some of the Jedi ways." Plo doubted this was possible, but he said it anyway.

"Would a true Sith accept any of our ways?" Windu asked the room at large.

"Perhaps we can teach them some moderation in their lethality." Master Kenobi added doubtfully.

"I think we should hear what they have to say. Once we hear their terms we will be able to make an informed decision." Kit Fisto was always a laid-back being. He was always willing to accept others. Even a Sith, but he was no fool. He knew the Sith's history of violence as well as any of them.

"I agree. Meditate on this, I will," Yoda said thoughtfully.

"We shall inform the Sith of the Councils decision. I also propose calling in all of the Jedi Order. This is not an alliance to be taken lightly and until we know more of this threat we should remain cautious." Mace announced to the Council searching for disagreement. When all had agreed to his proposal the Council disbanded to spread the news and meditate on the coming meeting. Plo was deeply troubled by the day's events. Long held battle lines had suddenly become blurred and confused. He decided to skip evening meal in order to mediate. The Force would sustain him and guide him through this confusion.


Darth Maul sat meditating in a small empty room. He was currently between missions. When his Master didn't have a mission for him he stayed in the small hidden training facility on the Mustafar system. The planet covered in lava and active volcanoes had been his home since his Master had found him. There were few life forms on this small mining planet, so it was easy to remain unnoticed. His Master was the only visitor he ever had here.

He'd just completed his daily exercises when he sensed an incoming transmition from his Master. Before the hologram even appeared he was in a kneeling position prepared to receive fresh orders. Darth Sidious looked down at his bowed apprentice.

"Lord Maul. You are to report to Coruscant. I will send you coordinates and I expect you there immediately."

"Yes, my Master," he said to the floor.

"A new Force sensitive Order has revealed itself. They are targeting both Jedi and Sith. Ventress is dead as are a dozen or so Jedi younglings. We are seeking a temporary alliance with the Jedi." Maul was in complete shock.

"An alliance with the Jedi, Master?" He hadn't questioned one of his Master's commands since he was a child. His Master's severe lesson had removed any thought of disobedience, but this was madness.

"Do you question me?"

"Master, you have trained me to solely to kill Jedi. Why do you seek an alliance now?"

"I do not explain myself to you, my apprentice. I have also trained you to obey me. This is my command. Do not fail me."

"Yes, my Master," Maul looked back at the floor knowing not to argue. He'd already pushed the boundaries enough for one day. The transmition abruptly ended and Maul stood. He purposely walked to his Infiltrator and prepared to depart. He wasn't sad to hear Ventress was dead, but he was curious how she'd been killed. She was a skilled fighter; though not nearly as talented as him self she wouldn't have fallen easily. Whatever killed her must be a powerful adversary. He was looking forward to killing them.


Asajj Ventress is Dooku's apprentice in Star Wars the Clone Wars. She's pretty cool actually, but I killed her. Sorry.

Musafar is the planet Anakin and Obi-Wan face off on in the third movie of the prequel movies and Coruscant is the capital planet, but come on. You should know that one.