The Jedi Temple was abuzz with activity

The Jedi Temple was abuzz with activity.

Granted, the activity in the Temple never truly stopped. But since the time – travelers had delivered their shocking revelation several nearly 24 standard hours earlier, it was a madhouse. Or at least appeared so to the younger Padawans and the younglings. Some of the knights were confused by the Council's orders as well.

"I don't understand." A Mon – calamari Jedi Knight said as he was studying the plans of the foundations of the Temple. "The Council has effectively ordered us to devise evacuation routes for in case the Temple falls under attack. Aren't we supposed to be closer to victory now that Skywalker killed Dooku?"

"Those strange Jedi that were brought here earlier today have something to do with this for sure. I heard the group annihilated an nearly a whole wing of vulture droids in ten minutes. I had a look at them. The strangest bunch of characters I've ever seen." A bothan Jedi said. "The members of the Council are questioning them personally. Whatever's happening, it's very big, even compared to the war, and very bad."

Meanwhile, in the Council chamber, the senior Masters of the Old and the New Jedi Orders talked.

"Question your friends, we did. Provide much information on the Sith we face, they did not."

"I'm not surprised. The only Force – sensitives who had faced him in battle were me and Leia. I managed to help Mara break free of his influence, but she didn't come to face him later."

"Humph. Much of what we were told, difficult to accept is. The next move of the Sith, what you expect to be?"

"Well, he prided himself for his ability to see into the future. In fact, his belief that what he'd foreseen was the only possible future was what led to his first defeat. I think he'll make his move sooner and with more feeble excuse than the first time. While I don't think he has discovered our origin yet, I'll be very surprised if he hasn't recognized the threat we pose to his plans yet."

"Deepen the conflict, this will. Destroy the Sith fast we must. Fought the Master, you had. Join us in the attack, you will."

"What about my friends?"

"Know their skills best you do. Put them to their best use you must. However, informed the Council must be if leave the Temple they are to.

"I understand, master."

As Luke prepared to leave the chamber, the door opened from the outside. It was master Windu, whose annoyance was evident. The two Jedi exchanged nods and Luke left.

"I don't know how Skywalker's son manages to work with that pilot, Solo." Mace said in exasperation. "His attitude is worse than Anakin's!"

"Worked with him for many years, he had. Just like Obi-Wan with Anakin."

"Whatever. I looked at the pattern of the Separatist attacks. They were always where the most experienced masters were stationed."

"The entire war, a tool to reduce the number of the Jedi it was. Lost it was since Geonosis. But dwell on that we must not. Without the Dark Lord, end the war quickly will. Gather our best duelers we must."

"Isn't this what we did the first time too?"

"A trap, it seems to be. Used it to convince Anakin to join him, Sidious did, I believe. If careful enough are we, catch the Dark Lord in his own trap we will."

"And if we make a mistake? We're putting the future of both the Republic and the Jedi Order on the line here."

"Great risk there is, no matter what we do. Need the Republic to survive, the Order does not. Almost succeed to turn the Republic into an enemy of the Order, Sidious did. Good for the Galaxy in its current form, the Republic is not. A mistake it was to make ourselves so dependant to it."

"Yes, I agree. But must we stand back now and watch the Galaxy plunge into chaos?"

"In chaos already, the Galaxy is. Little hope to preserve the Republic we have. Preserve the Jedi Order we must. What the Order stands for, change will not." Yoda sighed. "For too long, listen to our own advice we did not." Meeting Mace's incredulous look, the ancient master explained. "Long have we advised our padawans not to assume things, yet assume the Council did that the Republic always represent democracy would we did."

Master Windu nodded. "Dooku didn't lie to Kenobi three years ago. There are very few Senators left who remain true to the Republic. With the information given to us by the time travelers, we picked the senators of Alderaan and Chandrila to contact."

"Good. Perhaps help each other we can.