PLANET: CORUSCANT
LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE
TIME: MIDDAY
The team felt lost… They didn't know what to do. Their youngest was grieving… The Masters of the Jedi Council were grieving. They were not getting answers from the Jedi Temple. And so, as soon as Reid could stand, they returned to Coruscant, and to the Temple. But it felt alien... the normally bustling place was quiet as a tomb... They silently followed Masters Raahn Syr, Bre Mong and Sa'Eeya'Da to the Council Spire, and into the High Council Chamber.
The feeling there was… unreal. Like nothing they had ever experienced. It was subdued… almost oppressed. The sadness was thick. It radiated from every Master in droves. As soon as they stepped in, Amna Kao rose and rushed to her mate, Master Syr. The Cathar male held the Nautolan female close, and she wept into his broad chest. And Master Jason Gideon stood, just in time to catch his former Padawan in his arms and hold him close.
"… Dantooine... Did… any survive?" Reid begged to know from his Master, then let out a sob of relief at the man's nod. Hotch looked around the room. Noria and Ralko Cereni were holding hands, staring off into space. Erin Struass was slumped to the side, her elbow propped on the arm of her chair, and her forehead was resting in her hand. Tarash Virr was pale, and looked ill. Eesa K'Tal was standing behind her chair, her back to the room, staring out at the horizon. Kitata Ree was curled up in his chair, his head down. Max Ryan was nowhere to be seen.
Sa'Eeya'Da collapsed into his seat, looking stunned. Bre Mong slowly walked across the room, and knelt before Kitata Ree.
"Master…" She said. Her voice was soft, but it drew the gaze of everyone in the room. "What has happened?"
After a long moment, Kitata Ree slowly raised his head. His cheeps and chitters were slow and muted.
"Darth Valha." He said. "Has struck all across the galaxy."
"Where?" Bre Mong asked. "I… felt the attack on Dorin."
"He attacked Onderon." Strauss mumbled, her voice hollow.
"He attacked Dantooine." Gideon nodded.
"He attacked Ryloth." The twins said.
"He attacked Glee Anselm." Amna Kao whispered.
"He attacked Cathar." Rumbled Master Syr.
"He attacked Devaron." Sa'Eeya'Da rasped.
"He attacked Chad." Kitata Ree nodded.
All eyes turned to Master Virr. "… Alpheridies." He whispered.
Slowly, Eesa K'Tal turned, her large dark eyes deep and sad.
"Kamino was spared." She said, slowly. "Its co-ordinates remain secure. But Darth Valha has also struck here." The team, Sa'Eeya'Da, Raahn Syr and Bre Mong looked at her. "Master Ryan was poisoned." She told them, then lowered her eyes and bowed her head. "He is one with the Force."
Garcia gasped, hands flying to her face. JJ looked stunned. The rest of the team looked grim.
"This was an attack against you." Rossi concluded. "An attack on the High Council… and the Jedi Order."
"It is a declaration of war." Eesa K'Tal confirmed. "And we have no choice but to respond. The Jedi Order is no longer trying to contain a war. We are AT war. The Senate wishes to enter into this war as well, but we have asked them stand down. This attack was aimed at us. Not the Republic."
"Things will only get messy if the Republic joins in." Master Syr nodded, finally taking his seat, and a moment later so did Masters Gideon and K'Tal. Bre Mong remained where she was, knelt before Kitata Ree.
PLANET: CORUSCANT
LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE, GREAT HALL
TIME: SUNSET
The smoke rose from the flames of the funeral pyre, curling up into the darkness of the vast hall overhead. Over a hundred thousand Jedi had filled the massive space, but the room was perfectly silent, save for the crackling of the flames as they devoured the body of the dead Jedi Master. Though there was only one pyre, the funeral was for millions across the galaxy that had perished in the attack.
Aaron Hotchner turned and looked down at his young mate, who was staring into the flames with sad eyes.
We were recognized in this room as Lifemates. Reid said. I was Knighted here. You were made a Master here. On that night, this room changed for me forever. And now it has again. This place once reminded me of joy and triumph. But now… it is a place of death…
Hotch squeezed Reid's hand. It is whatever you make it, Spencer. I have attended many funerals here… but it is not a chamber of death to me. In time, you can feel joy in this place again. Reid sighed and nodded his understanding, then leaned into his mate and rested his head on the man's shoulder.
… Do we have to tell the Council?
Yes, Spencer. They need to know…
Is… now the right time?
What do you mean?
They're in mourning, Aaron. Not just for Master Ryan, but…
I know. Perhaps you're right. They may not be ready for that information now. But I feel that we should speak with someone.
Who?
Master Eesa K'tal. Kamino was untouched. Out of all of them, she will have the most level head. I recommend speaking with her, and with the Council of First Knowledge. After all… we are Shadows, so we report to them as well…
True. Reid nodded. Alright. And they turned their attention back to the funeral pyre.
But the next day, they did as they had discussed. Early that afternoon, they entered the Council Chamber, and bowed before the Council of First Knowledge.
The Caretaker of First Knowledge, Master Historian Tra Tonnia, nodded to them. She was an Echani woman, with pale skin, gray eyes and long silver hair that fell to her waist. Her white and gray robes and the silver blade of her lightsaber gave her an ethereal appearance, no matter what she was doing. Behind her stood Master Eesa K'Tal, whom Hotch and Reid had asked to attend this meeting. Her white skin and gray and silver robes matched Master Tonnia well.
The other members of the Council of First Knowledge also nodded a greeting, and a couple smiled. All women, they were Payton Kai, Nym Daphora, Sedina and Linnash.
"What is on your mind, Shadows?" Master Tonnia asked, her voice low and quiet. Hotch and Reid glanced at one another.
"Masters Bre Mong, Sa'Eeya'Da and Raahn Syr are already aware of this, but as the members of the High Council, aside from Master K'tal, are mourning tragedies on their homeworlds… we felt it best to spare them this extra bit of weight on their shoulders for the time being…" Hotch began.
"Your consideration is much appreciated." Eesa K'tal said with a sad smile. "They are all feeling much pain right now, Master Virr especially."
"Tarash? Why?" Reid asked.
"He foresaw the disaster. But he was unable to tell when or where." Master Tonnia sighed, leaning back in her seat. "Now we understand why…"
Linnash nodded and said, "With so much happening in so many places so far apart all at the same time, he never could have pinned anything down. He cannot blame himself, but he does."
"That is his burden to bear." Sedina said, waving her hand to dismiss the issue. "And only he can lay it down and leave it behind to continue on. We do him no service by discussing this pain that only he alone can come to terms with."
"Agreed." Payton Kai nodded. "Now… what is it we are here to discuss then?" And they all turned to Hotch and Reid again.
"We pursued Darth Sassin to Dathomir." Hotch said. "There, she had laid a well-planned trap. The team was divided, and then completely scattered. And in the chaos, Spencer was gravely wounded. But Darth Sassin's goal was not to kill… it was to capture."
"Darth Reaper wants Livion back." Reid blurted, looking frightened. "He wants to… force me to release him somehow…"
"Is he still within you?" Master Tonnia asked, narrowing her eyes on Reid.
"I have not felt him." Reid said. "Not since before the Council came to my aid. But… I would be foolish and naïve to think that he is gone. I'm sure he is still there… he's merely hibernating… dormant… We very much became two individuals within one body, just like Adam and Amanda… but unlike them, who had become symbiots, Livion and I were completely at odds with one another…"
"Darth Sassin," Hotch picked up, "led Reid to believe that Darth Reaper is… especially eager to get Livion back…"
"Of course he is." Master Tonnia nodded. "Darth Valha's attack on the High Council wasn't just that… it was a show of power to the entire galaxy… including Darth Reaper. He must strengthen his forces."
"Especially after Rossi slayed Darth Rashio on Taris." Reid said.
"He what, now?" Master Payton Kai asked, sitting up.
"Master David Rossi battled Darth Rashio." Reid said. "And killed him."
"This is… good news. But yes, you are probably right…" Master Tonnia said. "With the loss of one of his Sith Lords, he will be even more desperate to get Livion back."
"We came to you with this," Hotch said, "to determine how we should proceed. Darth Reaper will stop at nothing to capture Reid now. And this cannot be allowed to happen."
"I will NOT be locked away." Reid announced brazenly, scowling and crossing his arms. "I'm a Jedi Shadow and I became one to fight. Not to hide away while others fight for me."
"But perhaps putting you into protective custody would be best." Sedina told him. "This is not about you and what you want. This is about protecting the Republic. THAT is what you were trained to do, no matter what role you must take to do so. And if removing you from sight and hiding you away is the best way to protect the Republic, then you will do so." Reid just stared at her in dismay, but then lowered his eyes and glared at the floor, accepting what she said.
"We will discuss this with the High Council when they are… more prepared to deal with this." Master Tonnia said. "Until then, we will be cautious. Spencer Reid, you are to remain in the Jedi Temple at all times."
"But—"
"You will do as Master Tonnia has commanded, young one." Eesa K'Tal said firmly.
"Train with the other Shadows while you are here." Master Tonnia said. "Take the opportunity to improve your abilities. One can never be too prepared."
"… Yes Master." Reid said, then turned and swept from the room. Hotch sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"He's upset." Nym Daphora announced.
Hotch sighed and nodded. "He's angry and frustrated… I think he's not ready to face the fact that Livion could very well be reawakened within him. He feels helpless… he doesn't want to wait for the fight to come to him… he wants… to have some sort of control over his destiny. He wants to be proactive, not reactive…"
"He must be patient. If he is impulsive, that could take him down a path that could lead him to that which he fears." Linnash said.
Hotch nodded his understanding. "He's afraid."
"Fear leads to the Dark Side." Sedina said.
"He knows that…" Hotch sighed. "And he fears it as well."
PLANET: KAMINO
LOCATION: TIMIRA CITY
TIME: EVENING
The starship Eye of Providence had docked into orbit over the stormy planet of Kamino. A few minutes later, a shuttle, The Reaper's Scythe, left its docking bay and dropped into the clouds that were frequently lit up by lightening. When it managed to descend below the clouds, the sight of the planet's surface came into view… massive turbulent waves, and then lights on the horizon. A flash of lightning lit up the white city, great pods on stilts that were holding it high above the storm tossed seas.
The shuttle came to rest on the landing pad, and the ramp lowered. A moment later, four men descended the ramp and strode along the walkway towards the doors leading into the city. Their dark robes billowed around them in the powerful wind, as the rain pelted down in sheets. Finally, they stepped into the cool, dry city, and lowered their hoods.
A tall Kaminoan was there to greet them, and by his side was Darth Sassin and Darth Bosola. The two Sith bowed to their master.
"Master Reaper." He greeted. "I am Hir To. Welcome to Timira. Would you like to settle into your quarters and—"
"I want to see your progress." Darth Reaper growled. The Kaminoan paused, but then bowed and waved a hand out to indicate the corridor before them, and then began to stride down its length, Darth Reaper walking by his side. Behind them, Charles, Raphael and Tobias followed in silence, and Darth Sassin and Bosola followed Darth Trion.
"There is not much to see as of now." Hir To said. "We have only had the sample to work with for a short time… It will be another week or so before we have something of worth to present to you."
"I want to see regardless… I will be personally overseeing this project."
"I would hardly call what you have done 'nothing', Hir To." Elle said with a smirk, and when the Reaper turned his head in her direction she added on "their progress is impressive, Master."
"I must agree." Bosola said. "To be at the point they are after only two weeks of work is unprecedented."
"Hence why we came to them over the other cloners around the galaxy." Raphael stated.
"Just to clarify…" Hir To said, looking down at the Sith Lord. "You have asked us to create as many clones as possible, but only the most perfect will be used."
"Yes."
"Very well. We began with a thousand clones. Over the past week, we have been screening them, and destroying any that were flawed. Culling out the imperfections is what we do best."
Darth Reaper chuckled. "I would expect nothing less of a people who will kill their own offspring if they detected any flaws…"
"Indeed." Hir To said. "Just the other day we had to put down an infant."
"And what was its imperfection?"
"It had brown eyes." Hir To responded, and Darth Reaper smirked.
"Your cold hearted cruelty is admirable."
"It is hardly cruelty. It is about survival. We will never survive as a species if we are not perfect. And that is why our species is so long lived, and has survived so much longer than others. We are not afraid to weed out our flaws."
"Indeed…" The Reaper smirked. "So… after weeding out the flaws, how many clones are we working with now?" Hir To smiled and turned to the left; doors opened smoothly to admit them. They entered into a large chamber that was filled with glass canisters. And curled up tightly within them were children. All exactly the same.
"We have four hundred seventy two, as of last night." Hir To said, and a female Kaminoan saw them, then turned and walked over. "May I present" Hir To said, "Koa Sai. She is one of our top cloners, and she is in charge of this project. She can tell you exactly how many clones we are currently working with."
"At this moment," Koa Sai said, "we are down to three hundred ninety eight. They are growing quickly. I anticipate that they will be at the maturity you wish within the next two weeks. I will continue to put them through stringent screenings and narrow down the numbers to a dozen to choose from in the final stage."
"What about their Force Abilities?" The Reaper asked.
"That we cannot say." Koa Sai admitted, turning her head as one of the clones moved. Darth Reaper followed her gaze, and the pair approached the canister where a child appearing to be about twelve was twitching a bit, then kicked his legs before stretching out. His head hit the top and his feet the bottom. He writhed as if in protest. Koa Sai turned to her fellow cloners. "This one is ready to be transferred to a larger container." She turned back to the canister and laid her hand upon the glass. "Its muscle development is progressing much faster than the others… and faster than anticipated. Either there is a flaw we have not yet uncovered, or it may very well be one of the better candidates for your purpose."
"But the Force Abilities?" The Reaper asked again, watching the dark haired boy-child settle down again.
"Passing on Force Abilities to clones is not something that we can guarantee, as we discussed when you first approached us about this project. They all have the potential. But it may all come down to YOUR contribution to the project. Force Ability is not entirely genetic. While the clones may be pre-disposed to the ability as the original had it, there is no way to tell which clones will have it, which will not and which will be stronger in the abilities. I am afraid that I cannot give you anything more precise. But the Force is not something that we deal with."
"I understand that you consider it a flaw amongst your own kind… I have to wonder why a certain Jedi Master wasn't… put down."
"If you are speaking of Master Eesa K'Tal…" Koa Sai said, frowning slightly, "She hid her Force abilities until a Jedi Master came to us on an unrelated matter. She sought him out and left with him. Once we learned of the flaw, we were not sad to see her go." Koa Sai, Hir To and Darth Reaper all turned when another Kaminoan walked over and handed Koa Sai a digital pad. Koa Sai looked over the data, then nodded.
"Destroy them." She said. The Reaper watched as several Kaminoans began to unplug capsules, and seventeen clones fell still. Then, they were removed from the room, and Koa Sai turned to Darth Reaper. "Three hundred eighty one. I estimate we will be down to three hundred within the next day."
The Reaper nodded, then turned. "Sassin… Bosola. Sent out the word. I want Spencer Reid here, alive and unharmed. I will pay one hundred thousand credits to the one who delivers him. This project must be kept secret. The boy is to be delivered to Gamorr. You will await the delivery there. And if he is to be delivered within the week, the one who brings him in will be given a bonus."
"As you wish, Master." Bosola said, then turned and walked away.
"Sassin…"
"Yes?"
"I do not like this… show of power that Darth Valha has done. Get in touch with Darth Soltre… I want him to track down the servants of Valha… Darth Cain… Darth Cadra… Darth Rax, all of them. I want them brought to me, alive or dead."
"Yes Master." Elle nodded, and followed after Bosola.
Then the Reaper turned back to the room before him, and watched as the active clone was transferred into a larger container. And now, with more room, it stretched out, as if testing its own limbs for a moment before falling quiet once more, content in its new housing.
The Reaper reached out and laid a hand on the glass. "Soon, Darth Livion…" He hissed as he watched the clone of Spencer Reid crack open brown eyes for a moment before falling closed again. "Soon you will be your own man… Mine."
