Coruscant. While being the center of galactic politics, it was nowhere near pristine. While the individual planets capitols gleam, the center of the republic stinks. Coal burning is still a valid source of power. Coal. This is the government that oversees massive planetary organizations, and is the head of the galaxy. And they use fuels that went out of style before the hyperspace wars. It's sickening. A greater reminder of the evil of bureaucracy you will never find. The crown jewel, the Jedi temple, quick approached in the viewport. No matter how powerful the Jedi were, they still deferred to the coruscant traffic authority. And, and, public transit. Public. Yes, all powerful and mysterious warriors of an ancient art dedicated to fighting evil wherever it was, and they paid bus fare. It was criminal it was. And I was dragged through it by that droid. Rqu0 was going to get a few modifications when I returned. Maybe a restraining bolt or two. Certainly a protocol manipulation.

As it was, the transport stopped at the temple front steps. The tourism droid started spouting off the ancient and noble history to the temple and the order, but I paid it no mind. Obi-wan waited until all of the tourists were offloaded before finally allowing us to step off. I had to focus as the R-4 unit I was attached to navigated the steps. I was careful not to let him know of my force abilities. This whole thing would be much more difficult then. Finally the r-4 and I were off the blasted thing. I grumbled as it hovered away. The tourists took one look at my scowl and avoided me. Wise choice. I thought. Obi-wan laid a hand on my shoulder and nudged me towards the entrance to the temple. I gave one last look at the suns through all of the coruscant haze and sighed. Interrogation it was.

The main hall was impressive, but indefensible. Waay too many open spaces. Not enough cover. Down the main hall there was a pair of padawans training with practice blades, a whirl of blue and yellow light flashing between them with strained crackling as ozone combusted. One threw out a hand, pushing the other away. He used the push to backflip off the wall, coming down from above on the first. The first one ducked his slash and blocked again. Sensing us, they both halted in their actions and turning to Obi-wan.

"Greetings master Kenobi. Did you find your hidden planet?" One teased. Sweat dripped off of them and their blindfolds. The training sabers hissed with contained energy, zapping any beads of sweat that fell on them.

"You'll find out when Yoda announces it." Obi-wan chided, leading us past them. I could feel their crystals calling to me. The tight lattice, the energy straining to be free. It took all I had not to reach out to them and ease their suffering. As we kept walking the tightness shifted to a burning on the back of my head, and a muted snap-hiss come from behind us.

'… 's not working. Is yours?" one of the two called out. I winced. That would be fun to explain later.

Obi wan guided me into the inner chamber, where the council was assembled. He looked at Yoda. Yoda looked at Plo. Plo looked at Mace. Mace looked at his feet before cursing under his breath and throwing a credit chip to both Yoda and Plo.

"…sensitive? Leave it to him. Only one who co…" Mace's quiet but colorful and inventive cursing was almost covered by Yoda's first question.

Irritated, suppressed anger

"Force sensitive you are? How could this be? Missed you, did we?" He probed, gesturing with his stick.

Contemplative, ancient

"How did you know?! I haven't touched it since Kamino." I asked, shocked. This wasn't something I had known.

"Oversee enough younglings, a sense you will pick up. Now, missed you we did not, hmm?"

"Yes, grand master Jedi. I was indeed found by the Jedi Order. I just never made it to the temple. Any of them." I responded evenly, holding my head high. I had nothing to hide, nothing to fear. Outwardly, that is. Inside, I was cowering, hyperventilating, trembling with fear and rocking from my master's betrayal.

"Your aura is tempered. Who trained you?" Plo led the next question; a casual probe turned away by wrapping my aura around me.

Questioning, resolved. Crafty.

"I would normally say it was none of your business. And I hope you don't make a habit of trying to feel under girl's robes, master Koon. A brief snicker came from the behind me.

A hint of laughter, veiled grief, acceptance of duty

"No, you knew him then as master Syfo-Dyas. Now, you know him by one of two names. Darth Tyranus and…"

"Count Dooku." Yoda growled. So he wasn't happy about his former apprentice. Not altogether surprising. Betrayal always hurts.

Shock, pain, irritation

"So you do remember. Good. He always wondered. Rarely spoke of you, but you could feel that he wondered. It always tickled on his aura when he was recalling his training." I added, painting a sympathetic picture of my old master. Old habits die hard. I cracked down on my stray thoughts.

"You trained under a dark lord?" Plo was on me again, this time without the accompanying probe.

Inquisitive, concern

"Was trained, briefly, yes. I was passed around to many teachers, given missions and assignments." I agreed, adding detail. If you always give them something, they don't push you for the real stuff.

"Then you are an enemy, our sworn foe. Your life is forfeit by our ancient rites. Why should we not do our sworn duties here and now? Despite your many masters, you have indeed trained under a dark lord. After his fall. You are tainted by his evil." Mace added, pushing my story. Well, most times they don't push.

Anger, justice, a hint of fear

"Didn't your master teach you moderation, master Windu? Where is that Jedi compassion? Or have you fallen so far from your tenants, that you abuse those rites you hold so dear? Have you blinded yourself with idolatry to where you cannot see the people you walk over? Those whose lives you ruin? How many corrupt institutions have you propped up, because they asked you to?" I countered, pushing back.

"Why you-" Mace growled, reaching for his saber.

Fear, hate, anger, bitter taint of power. I gasped.

"I can feel your hate, and it is Delicious." I thought, feeling a surge of darkness, a shadow blossom in a room full of light. It sung to me, pulled at my own connection, tenuous as it was. It wanted me, wanted to claim me, mark me as its own again. I resisted its pull. As quick as it came, it vanished. I knew it would return, however.

"Careful master Windu, or you'll prove her points right. You'll turn our enemy into a martyr; a noble sacrifice against a corrupt power." Master Mundi cautioned. The dark Jedi settled back in his seat.

Wisdom, concern, camaraderie

"The time for ideological debate, this is not. Accused you are, of being Sith. How plead you?" Yoda, to my regret, recentered the council.

Amusement, conviction, age

"While I do not abide by the light, I am no Sith. The dark lords can fight over their empires. There is no place in their galaxy for those undevoted. Compassion, justice have stayed my blade too much for their ideals. Nor can I accept your cruel path of self-denial. I have not the inner strength to conform to such an exacting and uncompromising standard. I cannot be one of you. I will walk not in the light or the dark, but the greys between. I will not fight for an ideal. Ideals dull: tarnish. Thoughts change over time. Yesterday's rebel is today's freedom fighter. A fact you all can't seem to see. The galaxy is not stable, not unified. We, as force users, are a group of vastly diverse people, brought together by a few common talents. We will not agree; we will not have peace. Change, conflict is the way of life, the trial of progress. Standing still will only get you buried in your temple." I finished, looking around. The council was not happy, was not capable of deciding at this time. There were those who had heard my words, who had seen my message; that the Jedi order was too old fashioned to survive the coming times. Others were stubborn and rooted in their beliefs. They were the bulwarks against my message, they would seek to endure and survive. They would be worn away by both time and the tide.

"Enough." Mace Windu stood eyes harsh and locked on mine. MiNe. "You speak a good game, witch, but we shall see who you really are." A hammer blow came at my aura, smashing into the ethereal barrier. The council sat by, watched as he hammered blows to my defenses. He had brute power on his side, and was not afraid of damaging me to get what he wanted: unferreted access to who I was, really.

I dodged and deflected as many of his hits as I was able, but my defenses were fading quick. Cracks were showing on my aura, jagged spikes on my connection. His blows came quick, hammering on the shields I had made. I shook with the strain of holding him off. None in the council looked sympathetic to my plight. Unwavering, indifferent to my pleas. To them, I was not a Jedi. They owed me no loyalty, no sympathy. I may or may not be an enemy, but it didn't matter. I wasn't one of them. That was all that mattered.

Anger rose within me, the bitter taint of darkness I had come to know. My prEcioUs. I could hit back. He wouldn't expect it. A proverbial knife between the ribs, retaliation to this torture. I swallowed it back. If I gave into the darkness now, they would execute me. I would prove them right. I would be a Sith. Shadows danced on the edge of my vision. The blows kept coming, the attack relentless. My limbs shook from the strain. He was dripping sweat, eyes locked on mine. I knew at that moment, that he was not going to stop. He was going to destroy me. Annihilate who I was. Leave me an empty shell. He would call it a mistake, act ashamed. He had done it before. He was going to kill me, before the entire Jedi Council, and get away with it. At that moment, there was nothing to stop me.

I reached out. They had been calling to me the entire meeting, hinting at their masters. Lightsabers ignited all around the council, burning through robes and cutting chairs. Blue and green and yellows illuminated the suddenly dark chamber. All eyes were fixated on Mace and I, my flickering resolve against his unyielding onslaught. My own eyes were drawn to a somber purple blade, inches from my foot. As I watched, the color shifted shades, intensifying, growing stronger. The purple grew brighter, slowly shifting to more and more red. I was almost entirely drained, my defenses all but shattered. Mace drew back with a ruinous grin. This was the end point. It had been nice being me, as short as it had been. I'd miss R-Qu0, traitor or not. No one else would miss me. I'm a ghost, no one knows me. No one cares. My last sight was that baleful blade, shaking off the last vestiges of blue. It burned a malignant, pungent red. I smirked. Martyr indeed. I had the satisfaction, if only for an instant, of knowing I was indeed correct in my judgment. The council was not as pure as they wished others to believe. It was a secret I paid for with my life.

WHAM. My shields fell, my soul laid out for all to see. The end had come. Goodbye, cruel world. I can't say I'll miss you.