Palpatine is weary of two miscalculations: Grevious and Dooku; while pondering on the effects this will have in his long term plans he is confronted by Master Windu. The secret dark lord of the Sith is baffled at the Jedi Master's arrogance. The two of them... Master Windu and the then revealed Darth Sidious come to blows leaving most of the room in shambles-just as he is about to deal the final blow Anakin bursts into the room frantic and unhinged. Elsewhere, Cadus's trepidation isn't quelled and he sets an evacuation for the younglings-but is met with some resistance by Battle Master Cin Drallig.
Chapter Two: On The Razor's Edge
Palpatine inhaled slowly, his eyes focused on the city right before him, but his mind was elsewhere. Everything was in order, it was all a matter of timing and seizing the moment. However, there were a few things he couldn't simply overlook the first and major one being Dooku was still alive; the former Jedi now turned Sith was supposed to be disposed of weeks ago, obviously he wasn't and it left a bad taste in his mouth. The second and possibly more prominent problem was General Grevious-the leader of the entire droid army. He was to be disposed off just a few hours ago, but a last minute retreat from Utupau seen no end to that. Now it was rumored through the Republic-known for a fact by him that Grevious was in one of the Core Worlds just a jump away from his current location.
This is the doing of that man... But, I can't understand why he sees the use of these two, better yet how he sees them to be so useful. Palpatine mulled over mentally, it was a disturbing but curious thought. Dooku had been defeated by Anakin, his prized saber had been slashed in two by the hilt, his hands would have quickly followed if it wasn't for his years of experience. Anakin was clearly the stronger between the two of them, and then there was Grevious who was ferocious as he was precise in his attacks, but he wasn't force sensitive. More importantly the Jedi while being shunned by many citizens of the Republic would still rally support, the war would continue, the leaders of the Separatist movement were alive and well. This has certainly put a damper on my prior plans, Dooku and Grevious still breathing may push back my plans for another ten years... He scowled, shaking his head. No, I've waited too long to put everything on hold now. Grevious and Dooku will be of use. I'll find a way for them to be useful...
However, first I will need to take care of the zealous Master Windu. Palpatine set the changes and impacts of his flawless plan as he thought of it to the back of his mind, focusing on the present. In less than ten minutes he'd be face to face with Windu, known as one of the most powerful Jedi through the entire order, his no nonsense and direct approach to problems put him on a razor's edge with the Dark Side. Flanking Windu would be at least three Jedi masters, maybe six in total. The peons wouldn't be too much trouble, but Windu would prove to be problematic.
Everything was still and quiet despite the noise coming in from his window just inches in front of him. Some average person couldn't feel the tension in the air, the trepidation that was cloaking everything; they'd be too focused on the whirrs and whooshes of the speeders just outside or the newest luxury starship that could get them from here to Tattooine in a day flat. He wasn't focused on such meaningless and trivial things as luxury starships and speeders-his focus was on one task and one task only. Seize control of Coruscant since it was the center of everything and then begin to explore the unknown regions. Of course he'd exterminate the pesky Jedi along the way and even a few senators, but that would all be clockwork. Once the order was given his Clone Army would decimate the Jedi!
That left him with two problems in the long run however, and it came back to his two apprentices. Tyranus and Greivous. Palpatine was no fool, he knew Dooku was now weary of him more than he had been a decade ago, Grevious was and still is obedient to everything he'd say or order. But, Anakin overshadowed both of them in sheer strength and prowess, he'd be the strongest Sith Lord the galaxy had seen in millennia. And, at the helm of his feared regime would be himself, he'd rule with an iron fist! And, with his enforcers he'd see to it every last parsec of the galaxy was searched, claimed, and explored. Those two still do have their uses, I suppose... He conceded mentally. Just as he lapsed into thoughts of the future a powerful ripple tickled the back of his mind-it was Windu and he was close. Very close. His powerful aura was unmistakable.
Slowly, Palpatine turned his head, looking out the corner of his eye to see the dark skinned Jedi Master standing in his doorway. He was like a pillar in the entrance to his personal domain, strong and uncompromising-a mountain that guarded the land for eons. "Master Windu." Palpatine spoke in a cordial manner, turning his chair to face him fully. His only answer was silence besides the scowl and stony look Windu sent him as he took several strides into the room, doing a quick sweep with his senses to make sure there weren't any traitors hiding around him. Well then... Palpatine resisted the urge to grin, he'd play the part, play the idiot. Just so he could hear Windu make his declaration. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Have you come to inform me of Grevious's whereabouts?" He relaxed in his chair, but stayed poised and alert-he could feel the younger man focusing the force through his body subtly.
"You and I have nothing to speak about." Mace Windu told him with an emotionless tone as he narrowed his dark eyes. "Chancellor Palpatine..." His scowl deepened as he uttered the words. "Or should I call you Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord we've been looking for this entire time? The one who has been pulling the strings of this war?" He brought his right hand towards his side, seizing the hilt of his saber. "You are under arrest in the name of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi."
Palpatine's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I am the senate."
"Not yet." Mace Windu retorted, igniting his saber, with a loud hiss the purple plasma blade extending to its full length, humming. "You're not the senate, yet!"
Palpatine scowled at the statement made. He flicked his eyes from side to side, searching for any more Jedi that would be sure to be tailing him. Like heroes they rushed to the slaughter, but as he observed his surroundings keenly he seen no other Jedi and felt no other Jedi around for at least fifty miles. Growling, Palpatine slowly rose from his chair, eyes hard as was his facial expression as he prepared himself for the battle to come. "You..." He narrowed his eyes, snapping his right hand to the side, a strap inside of his cloak snapped, and he gripped the hilt of his saber. "You've come to detain me all by yourself?" He let out a cackle, thoroughly bemused, amused, and baffled at the level of arrogance Windu was stepping to.
"Do you see anyone else around?" Windu fired back.
"You're arrogance blinds you! Master Windu, do you believe you're powerful enough to defeat me!?" Palpatine snarled, igniting his saber with a loud crackling hiss, the red blade extended to its full length glaring venomously.
"Your reign of tyranny is over, Sidious." Mace Windu said lowly. "It is over."
"Heh...Heh...Heh..." Palpatine cackled. It was so delightful, here was a Jedi the proclaimed keepers of peace throughout the galaxy insinuating that he was about to cut him down. He focused his strength, letting the force flow like a raging river through his entire being. With his augmented power Palpatine jumped forward, his body turning rapidly on an axis, saber jabbing forward. Windu jumped back evading the swift and powerful corkscrewing attack, and dashed forward clashing his blade with Palpatine's. The two pushed against the other, eyes narrowing, knowing this was getting nowhere Palpatine jumped back and over his desk. Mace Windu pursued him, swinging his saber with one hand, sparks swarming the room as he severed the table in two, with an enhanced leap he swung his saber again, but Palaptine was swift in his evasion parrying the blow and lashing out with his own attack which was batted aside.
Mace Windu pressed his opening, thrusting forward, but Palpatine had the move scouted. Years of experience and studying prepped him well for this encounter. The aged man retaliated with a vicious upward swing, the quick and powerful attack knocked Windu off balance by an inch. Palpatine took advantage of the opening and turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees, lashing out with his arm. Mace Windu-already rebalanced from the stoppage flipped over the blood red blade, watching as it cleaved its way through one half of the wall spilling debris and holocrons all over the room where they smoked and sizzled for several minutes.
Palpatine decided to press his attack swinging from the sides in quick and biting arcs, forcing Windu back steadily, pressing the Jedi to dodge and parry what blows came close enough. Palpatine was trained in the Dark Side-of course, His method of attack was powerful, direct, and wild. He had no set motions or movements, he moved with deadly speed and attacked with ferocious strength. Mace Windu, snapped his head to the right, evading a swipe that would have beheaded him, and retaliated with quick and sweeping blows, Palpatine was forced on the defensive as the chained attacks came one after the next, like a staccato.
Mace Windu was a master of the Vaapad style otherwise known as form VII. He attacked from every angle, skewing his trajectory by an inch to a few centimeters successfully forcing Palpatine to be pressed back by his vicious barrage of attacks. Unlike Palpatine who's style was untamed and raw, Windu has a certain grac as he transitioned from attack to attack, stance to stance all of it was a work of art, something to be behold; it was nothing like Palpatine's frenzied and quick footwork going from defense to offense, and dodging.
A booming slash echoed through the room as Windu cut through another segment of wall causing the entire arch to collapse in on itself shaking the room to its foundation. More shelves tipped over splaying holocrons and maternal possessions of the chancellor's all across the room. Palpatine hissed in anger, taking careful steps back as Windu slowly pursued him with purposeful steps. He's a bit more skilled than I previously anticipated... Palpatine searched the damaged room-There! He thought, shooting his arm to the side, swinging it forward, Windu turned to his side. A huge chunk of cement shot towards him. He could slice through it and predict the next strike, or he could dodge but in doing so could leave himself open for attack.
It wasn't a hard choice.
Grunting, Windu turned, pressing the balls of his feet into the floor. His body swung in a tight arc, the only thing being visible was the flash of his saber as it sliced clean through the dense stone the two halves shooting towards the side, one crashing into the nearest wall. while the other crashed into the window. Shards rained down as spider web-like cracks tore across the length of it falling piece by piece, thousands at a time exposing the room to the harsh winds of Coruscant. At this altitude the winds were much more powerful and biting. Palpatine's gray strands of hair blew viciously in the now windy room his wrinkling face wrinkling even more against the current.
Mace Windu noted there was surprise for a fleeting second in Palpatine's eyes. Just as he expected he was expecting him to dodge the attack, then seize the moment and impale him or behead him. Palpatine held the edge in his unpredictable attacking style and his Dark Side enhanced physical prowess enabled him to pull off corkscrews and several spins in quick succession, while Windu held the edge in sheer power and his broken paced and direct attack style.
Mace Windu took careful steps, almost as if he was stalking the chancellor. He kept his right arm extended, saber pointed poised and ready for a counter. "It's over Sidious." Windu declared, his scowl deepening as he paused in his step. "You have failed."
"No." Palpatine rasped, gritting his teeth. "You are the one that has failed! Jedi!" Palpatine lunged off of the ground, quickly rotating his body on an axis. Mace Windu smacked aside the first stab, taking cautious steps back as the next came right after forcing him to shift to the left keeping his leg from being stabbed. Two vicious and swift slashes followed a few seconds after, Windu deflected both aside, stepping into his guard and swung down. The blood colored saber flickered out of existence as the severed pieces of the hilt clattered to the floor. "You are under arrest Supreme Chancellor." Windu nearly spat the last part, his tone deep and uncompromising.
"Foolish Jedi." Palpatine snarled, face contorting with hatred. "You're far too arrogant!" He snapped his fingers forward, arcs of lighting darting outwards hissing and crackling with potent power. With quick reflexes and his years of experience Mace Windu thrust his blade forward at the last second, focusing with all of his mental prowess to contort the lightning, slowly and violently the arcs curled and surged around his purple hued blade in a deadly yet brilliant light show. If it wasn't for his experience or years of study the arcs would have hit him and charred him to a deep and crispy black-over one million volts!
Luckily he was ready and expecting anything at a second's notice. He was expecting Palpatine to use everything in his arsenal, he had to slice through broken holocrons and chunks of cement all meant to be diversions so the Sith Lord could press his attack and take the opening. Of course Windu dodged and weaved through the hordes of projectiles slashing them to bits if and when they got too close, Palpatine was throwing everything at him-quite literally; the only thing missing was the kitchen sink or was that what he sliced in two when he nearly beheaded Palpatine in the first few minutes of this battle.
He can't be detained... Windu thought as he took a step forward, wincing as his hand throbbed for a moment, ignoring the jolt of pain he took another step, the lightning hissing and coiling upward where it'd spin in on itself every few seconds. Slowly, Palpatine retreated back, using every last ounce of his power to force the Jedi back. There is only one way to deal with a Sith Lord. With a grunt of exertion, Windu spun his saber forward, the powerful arcs dispersing in every direction, cracking the ceiling above and nearby walls scattering debris for several feet, some even slammed into Palpatine surging around him as he cried out in pain the impact of the attacks launching him back and into a wall. The whole room seemed to shake for a moment as the pent up power released its fury charring everything in its path.
Palpatine coughed, oxygen hitting the back of his throat and forcing its way into his lungs. Forcing back a cough, he dragged himself away from Windu who was slowly rising back up to his feet a part of his brown tunic smoking. He'd need to get some distance and go over his strategy, saber combat wasn't an option anymore and using lightning would only effect his body in the long run. As his mind formulated a plan he pressed his back to the support wall-that supported the window which was destroyed, and he looked down suppressing a gasp. He couldn't jump down he was easily two thousand maybe five thousand feet, speeders shot by in every direction just several hundred meters down. No! He slowly turned his head, flinching back as the heat of Windu's purple blade snapped at his skin.
"You and your plot to destroy the Jedi is over." Windu declared with a scowl. "It's over!" Windu retracted his arm, gripping his hilt even tighter as he raised it above his head, prepped to strike him down at a moment's notice. "This next attack will finish it." Windu was about to swing with all of his strength, but jumped back as he caught something strange happening to Palpatine-keeping his saber forward he observed the older man critically. His eyes changed colors... Indeed his eyes did change colors now a hot magma of amber-yellow. Not only that, but the Dark Side pulsed around Palpatine and he was the beacon of it; pain, despair, anger, hatred Windu could feel all of it chipping away at his good intentions. Tempting him to give into his most primal desires.
Grunting, Windu dropped the restrictions he placed upon himself, aura flaring outward banishing the darkness which was trying to take a firm hold of him. Of course, he couldn't be twisted and turned by the Dark Side since he threaded on the razor's edge between Light and Dark, but he wasn't going to chance it. The Dark Side was too powerful and tempting to be so flippant. "So." Windu all but growled, taking a careful step towards Palaptine who remained sitting glaring up at him. "You were holding back before?"
"You sound surprised..." Palpatine smiled. "If I had used my full power you'd be on the lower streets of Coruscant with the filth and vermin." He cackled watching Windu glare daggers at him, taking careful but powerful strides towards him. He'd end it now, this war, this ruse, this entire sham that Palpatine had going for the better part of two decades; dealing with the senators and outside public would be a hassle, but that could wait.
"Not at all." Windu shoved his blade an inch from Palpatine's jugular causing him to flinch back away from the blade. "As you can see, even at your peak you are still not a match for me." Mace Windu grunted sliding his foot forward, immediately the chancellor tensed poised to strike, even if he did have a saber right to his neck-if there was one opening he could take it. Focusing a surge of the force through his body, he was ready to deliver the final strike-he stopped in his movement as he sensed someone approaching.
Force! It was smothering, so much emotions bursting and rippling. Mace Windu scowled turning into the direction of the incoming power, for some reason he wasn't at all surprised to see Anakin storming into the room.
The scene that awaited him when he landed his speeder was an unfortunate one. The rooms were all destroyed, saber marks punctuated the walls and ceilings, the obvious signs of a saber battle were the severed and sliced debris scattered throughout the chamber. However there were more refined and accurate burns scattering the area as if scorched into the floor-he knew of only one thing that could cause that.
Force Lightning
I'm not too late! Anakin heaved a breath-weariness receding slightly but his apprehension and fear skyrocketed in a single instant. Mace Windu held his saber inches from Palpatine's neck-his only chance at keeping Padme alive, he wouldn't allow things to go that way a second time. He swore he wouldn't ever allow something like that to happen again. "Master Windu!" Anakin shouted over the rushing winds. "He must stand trial!"
"No!" Mace Windu roared, snapping his head back with a stony glare. "He's too dangerous to be left alive!" The master turned his sights back onto Palpatine. "It ends..."
"It's not the Jedi way!" Anakin yelled, running forward with a crazed look in his eyes. "I need him!"
It looks like I've still won! Palpatine glanced at Anakin-he was attuned to the force, naturally. He could feel Anakin coming before he was even down-he knew Anakin would come. His compassion and desire to save Padme from untimely death would override anything else, even orders. Foolish Jedi-there is more to winning a battle than just strength. "Anakin now do you see!? The Jedi are trying overthrow the senate! I told you it would come to this, he is a traitor!" Palpatine rasped, turning to face Anakin fully. "Please help me..."
Mace Windu scoffed. "Enough! It is over Darth Sidious!" Palpatine's eyes widened as he saw the unmistakable blur of the hissing saber, the air itself heating up as it rocketed towards him-it'd be mere seconds before it connected. "NO!" Anakin dashed forward, igniting his saber and swung blocking the vicious swing. Mace Windu turned with a deadly look in his eyes, his entire body shaking. "I knew we couldn't trust you to do what was right!" He yelled, with a grunt of exertion he pushed Anakin and his blade back-sparks stormed around them as two wild eyed glares met.
Palpatine grinned wildly, a loud cackle escaping his lips as he focused on the force-and with a yell he surged it forward through his finger tips. The wild lightning arced forward in tight loops, hissing and crackling as it rocketed across the gap. Mace Windu, just breaking the stalemate with Anakin turned half a second before it struck him, holding his saber out to staunch the stream. I won't let him kill my only way! Anakin surged forward, a boom scattering around him as he dashed, and with tremendous force stabbed Windu through the back, the tip of his blade shooting out of his sternum. "NOW!" Palpatine roared, surging the lightning with more potency.
Mace Windu's mouth dropped open, a silent scream erupting from him as the lightning surged through and across him scorching his tunic and cooking his skin. Slowly, he turned to face Anakin, body convulsing and quaking. I will... The Jedi Master shot out of the window, propelled by the lightning his body falling to the streets below.
Anakin panted for breath, his entire body shaking. His mind raced what could he do now? There was no way he could go back to the Jedi Temple not after killing one of its highest ranking and most powerful members. He threw his head back the hot flashes of anger and fear fading away being drowned out with despair. "What have I done!?" He cried out, bracing his full weight with his hands, eyes clenched shut. There's no way I can go back to the Jedi Temple... I can't be a Jedi any longer! He swallowed hard and briskly clenching the carpet underneath him. All that matters now. All that I do will be for helping Padme.
He was at the point of no return. He helped slay a Jedi Master-a decorated veteran in the Clone Wars. Someone he admired and respected immensely. He was on the Razor's edge and now... He slipped.
"You are fulfilling your destiny..." Palpatine slowly rose to his feet, putting up his hood covering his deeply wrinkled and damaged skin from Mace Windu's unexpected counter attack. He cackled softly, there were a few variables that were out of his hands but, everything was still going according to his plan. The last and final step was pushing Anakin to make this final decision-now he'd give himself to the Dark Side fully.
Still reeling emotionally, mentally, and physically Anakin raised his head face a battleground of emotion, he panted as if he himself were physically exhausted but that wasn't the case. Padme... He reminded himself, there was no other solace in his life. "I pledge myself to your teachings..." He'd go to any length to make sure she stayed alive! "Just help me save her..."
"Good..." Palpatine grumbled-it sounded like a grumble, as he walked stood over Anakin basking in his victory, he always dreamed of the moment he'd snuff out that Windu. And, now with Mace Windu out of the picture and Master Yoda on Kashyyk the temple is without two of its most powerful members, save for Cadus... He smiled deviously-now just to complete the final step. "Hence forth you will be known as Darth Vader!" He turned swiftly, striding towards the door eyeing the city with scorn. "Every Jedi including your friend and master Obi Wan Kenobi is now an enemy of the Republic."
However, Master Cadus and Master Shaak Ti are still at the temple-and I have no doubts Master Cadus is rallying some defense or evacuation as we speak, and I'm sure Shaak Ti has felt this turn on events... She's a cunning and perceptive one. The escape won't happen though it will only to be met with resistance by those arrogant and pompous Jedi... Those two will be the most troublesome nonetheless. Palaptine turned his head, glancing out the corner of his eye. "You will go the Jedi Temple and exterminate every single Jedi in there- the younglings too. The 501st will be accompanying you and will follow your every order. Now is the perfect time to strike! Let this be known as Operation: Knight Fall."
"I will do your bidding, master..."
Calm. Attune. Achieve. It was one of the fundamentals the Jedi shoved down his throat since his first teachings. There wasn't any emotion-emotions were a hindrance a danger in some extreme cases. He didn't feel that emotions were a hindrance-they compelled others to fight on and convinced one to go against all odds. His adamancy to patrol the outer rims was proof to that.
However, as Cadus immersed himself with the force-feeling every pulse and ripple reverberate through his being, letting thoughts come and go passing like the stream of time. He wasn't any calmer, and if anything he was even more weary than before.
He felt two flares in the far distance clash-it was an aggressive battle he knew it was Windu combating the chancellor. It lasted for a couple of hours constantly back and forth-the Dark Side was like a cloak shrouding the battle area-it was faint but potent. Then, there were three flares and one began to wane until he lost complete track of it. Worried he called on the force to let him see, show him where this victim could be... But, all he could see were the lower levels of Coruscant.
Now he was up pacing down one of the many hallways in the temple. The temple was considerably empty today aside from Knights, a few Padawans and fewer Masters there rest were scattered across the galaxy on the hellish battlefields. There were cleaning staff, the keepers of the archive, etc still present.
Cadus wasn't in the mood for a book though she he strolled passed the stairway to get to that location, he continued on forward and hung a right.
The hallway got considerably darker-it was more harmonious, a strange calmness shrouding everything. He remembered the calm feeling growing up and being trained, it provided a center of balance. A clearing came into view which a room was situated off to the side.
He quickened his pace as he spotted the man he was looking for. Cin Drallig will need to okay an evacuation of the younglings. He told himself as he got closer and closer the older man's features becoming prominent. Cin Dralling was an elderly man of average height with a slightly young appearance his hair flowed to the middle of his back in thin strands, the sun highlighted its silver-gray color, unlike many jedi he wore a very light tunic almost an ashen gray. His eyes were calm as was his facial expression as Cadus stormed into the room.
"Master Cadus..." Cin Drallig spoke in a soft yet powerful tone. He was wise beyond his years and attuned with the force in total harmony. He looked over the young man's features noticing some beads of sweat on his forehead-a coil of emotions slowly coming off of his being. Cin Dralling tensed once as he felt the coil of force-panic and a severe need. "I sense a great plight within you." He spoke it as a simple fact.
"Hey old man!" A voice broke off Cadus from his train of thought, scowling, he turned to the owner of the voice not at all surprised. Serra Koto-a rebellious Jedi Knight that was almost expelled from the order on several occasions. He knew about he bold reputation and her lack of respect when addressing her superiors at times. Serra Koto was as deadly as she was beautiful. Her skin was creamy light brown, her eyes a brilliant blue, her hair was short at the back and long on the sides and front, the sides were tied up in white ribbons. Her dress was a bit different than most Jedi; consisting of dark brown pants, knee high dark brown boots, a light gray skirt, a light green high collared shirt. A brown vest completed her look.
She walked with a swagger in her step, not surprised to see Cadus scowling at her for speaking so flippantly. "I didn't think I'd see you for a while! Did you come here to spar and lose to me again!?" She challenged. Cadus was a bit more unorthodox and adamant about certain things-he was in trouble with the Council a few times for persisting in affairs that were deemed 'unnecessary' by them-like allowing the outer rim to be plagued with villainy and scum. He was a prodigy in saber combat even she was taught a few moves by Cadus during her introduction at the temple.
"Serra I've told you about speaking to me so flippantly..." Cadus looked at her with impatience.
"You're still too uptight!"
"Serra, leave us. Please." Cin Drallig said giving her a calm but pointed look. He could sense Cadus was on the edge about something-someone. He couldn't begin to guess who or what it could be. Since the several invasions of the temple he was always sweeping the halls at every hour watching, sensing for anything that could be or was out of place. If it had to do with someone or something breaching the security of the temple or attacking it he'd be the first to know. So, it couldn't be within the tranquil walls-it was outside. Serra shot Cadus a look that screamed old man and sauntered away through a doorway leaving the two experienced men alone in the room. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. You were on Kashyyk..."
"Yoda is leading the final attack, with good timing the droids will be taken care of and the moon nearby won't be used by the Separatists for a settlement for their base." Cadus gave a dry look despite his inner turmoil. He was always so... Envious of Cin Drallig the man had seen and been through so much yet despite that he was humble and soft spoken, his patience was second only to Yoda's and he was talented in saber combat-to such an extent he was given the title of Battle Master before he even came to the temple. Drallig taught every Jedi-himself, Mace Windu, Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin, Shaak Ti, the list went on and on all of them were accomplished veterans and Jedi respectively.
Kashyyk and junk droids aside he had bigger things to discuss. "I see you have more to say." Cin Drallig said with a soft but powerful tone staring into Cadus's eyes.
"I do master Drallig." Cadus was respectful as he spoke out. Considering what he was about to say he'd need to maintain that level of respect he kept with everyone-just not Cin Drallig. Cadus awaited for a response or reaction getting a small nod telling him to continue. "Master... There's no easy way for me to say this, but we must evacuate all the younglings."
"I was just about to give them a lesson..."
"I understand..." Cadus took a breath reigning in his emotions. "However, you're going to have to postpone your lessons. The younglings need to be evacuated as soon as possible. The temple and every Jedi inside it and outside of it are in severe danger, we don't have a lot of time which is why we need to get all the younglings out. Now!" He stayed respectful, but was still forceful in the choice to be accepted. He himself couldn't order it indefinitely that would need to be approved of by Cin Drallig.
"Tell me, Cadus. Why would we need to go so far as to evacuating the younglings?" He stared at the fidgeting Cadus sensing a lot of things oozing off of him. Cadus was emotional and prone to outbursts at times when he was adamant about a certain task or mission-but Cadus wasn't one to pull off some large escape such as this unless there was a very good reason behind it.
I may regret this later, but now is not the time for secrecy. Cadus took a breath, bracing himself as he gave his reason. "We've found the Sith Lord who has been behind this entire war... He's been under our nose this entire time-Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord." The usual calm Drallig almost staggered back hearing that, however Cadus was only get started. "This was reported to me by Master Mace Windu who learned of this through Anakin-only Shaak Ti, Windu, you, Anakin, and I know of this development..." He paused feeling dread worming its way into his stomach. "Mace Windu has went to confront Palpatine on his own. I trust his skills and judgment but, I can't shake this feeling of dread." He stared Cin right in the eyes. "Listen, you're the only besides the few I've mentioned that know of this... Master, you must okay this evacuation!"
Cin Drallig took deep breaths, calming himself, centering his emotions and thoughts. Hearing this news was like getting hit in the chest with a Star Destroyer. Palpatine the man who approved of the Clone Army, the man who was leading the Republic against the Separatists with the Jedi backing him was really the Sith Lord. The Sith lord they had been searching for this entire time! This brought a million thoughts he didn't wish to entertain-one being that the Jedi were merely pawns and were to be disposed of. The Battle Master turned swiftly, walking towards the opening in the room, the sunlight dancing on his aged skin giving him a majestic glow. "I do trust you..." Cin Drallig told Cadus not turning to face him. "However, if I were to call Shaak Ti here at this very moment, she would indeed know about this development?"
"Without a doubt."
"And Anakin?"
"He..." Cadus forced himself not to sigh. "He was adamant on leaving-so after a long argument and debate Shaak Ti and myself allowed him to leave..."
"Very well." Cin Drallig nodded, turning to face him. Like always his face was calm and expressionless, but there was a hint of urgency in his eyes. "Serra!" He called down the hall, and a few seconds later his star pupil came sprinting to attention. She shot Cadus a scowl inclining her head when he scowled right back at her. Cin Drallig turned to his pupil. "Serra, I want you to do everything I say as I say it. Okay?"
Serra looked at him oddly for a moment-sensing something was wrong. "Master?"
"I'll explain later. But, listen I want you to start to gather the younglings and ready to most suitable starship for their departure. Once you have done that meet me back here. Kit Fisto will be aboard the vessel with three other Jedi Masters of my choosing." He noticed hesitation in her posture for a moment before she nodded and went about doing her tasks. Cin Drallig turned to Cadus. "I hope this is not a joke, Cadus. But, we can discuss this later..." He smiled slightly. "I authorize this evacuation, we should expect a direct attack on the temple."
"Indeed." Cadus nodded. "I will consult with Shaak Ti and prepare what Jedi we have here to mount a defense against an attack."
Cin nodded. "The temple defenses have been enhanced, and there are numerous Jedi that have come back from their missions for the time being." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"The timing couldn't be better." Cadus said, striding away from the older man setting about his own task.
"Or, perhaps worse is a much more adequate word my former student." Cin Drallig muttered softly.