NOTE: Star Wars and Mass Effect are not my creations nor are any of the original characters, locations, etc from these works. Star Wars is the work of Lucasfilm and Disney. Mass Effect is the work of Bioware and EA. No copyright infringement is intended. Please support the original authors.

Chapter 9

The next few days were a bit of a blur for the two Jedi. Upon return to Metellos, they headed for Ektra. Once at the university, Dallon disembarked with Doram for the Moridebo district. Sure, Doram could have returned on his own, but Dallon wanted to finish this in person. Also, thoughts of Shayera began to occupy more and more of his conscious mind. Part of him wanted to see her again. But part of him was also concerned. Jedi were forbidden from romantic involvement. But is that what this was? A romantic interest? Or just professional concern? Dallon didn't know and that worried him even more.

The two of them met up with Shayera and Rem in a small plaza near their apartment. As they talked, Doram informed them that he would be temporarily leaving Metellos to go to Coruscant. He had managed to gather a great deal of information on Janus and he wanted to share everything he could with the Jedi. He felt that he owed them a debt not only for saving his life but also his planet. He thought that this was the least he could do. He stepped off with Rem to discuss some business matters for when he was away. That gave Dallon and Shayera a few minutes alone.

"Dallon…I…thank you, for everything that you've done for us. And I'm really glad you're okay."

"Shayera, you don't have to—"

"I know, I know. You're a selfless Jedi, all in the line of duty. But, there's something else. I know that we just met, but I'm finding that I care about you, a lot."

"Shayera, I—"

However, he was interrupted again. Not by words this time, but by her hand on his shoulder. He tensed at the surprise.

Shayera looked concerned, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"No, it's okay. It's just that, the Jedi aren't supposed to get involved in relationships. But more than that, I don't know how I feel right now. A lot of stuff has happened to me recently and I have all sorts of thoughts going through my head. I don't know what to think right now. I need some time to figure things out."

"I understand. Well, regardless, thank you."

On the way back to Ektra, Dallon decided to focus on other things. He wanted to know more about what had happened to him on the asteroid. What was that? Was it the Force? But what about that field? I wonder if I can do it again? But could I control it? It was so powerful. It took everything I had to keep it under control.

When Dallon arrived back at the university, he was greeted by Namakwo and Dr. Sienn'aris. "Great news Dallon," the Mon Calamarian began, "The university is giving us the Morpheus."

"Seriously? That's great! We could really use that."

"Yeah, they said that after everything that we did for them, it was the least that they could do. I figured that we could take the Morpheus back to Coruscant and remotely program our interceptors to return automatically."

"Sounds good to me," Dallon replied.

"You are welcome to come with us Doctor," added Namakwo.

"Thank you. I'd appreciate that. Never been a big fan of public transportation."

"Dallon, what about Doram?"

"He's arranged his own transportation."

"Well, okay then. Shall we be going?"

"Let's go."

When they arrived back at Coruscant, the two Jedi said their goodbyes to Dr. Sienn'aris before she headed back to the Chu'unthor. From there, she planned to continue researching MEC-2183 using the new information and samples that she had obtained. She would update the Jedi with her results. After that, Dallon and Namakwo headed for the Jedi Temple. There was much to discuss. Once there, they were both greeted by their respective masters. They went off separately and gave detailed accounts of what happened on the mission. It was during this time that Doram arrived at the Temple in order to give his own account as well as any information that he possessed on Janus. After their debriefing, the two padawans returned to their temporary quarters while their masters conferred with the Jedi Council.

"Dallon, I never got the chance to properly thank you for saving me up there. Cloaked droids are tricky enough, but without the guidance of the Force, it was…well…"

"Think nothing of it my friend. Besides, without you, we never would have been able to stop that asteroid. That was a lot of quick and smart thinking that you did up there."

"Thanks. So then, I have to ask. What happened to you up there? I didn't see much, but from what the doctor told me, you were amazing."

"To be honest, I'm not quite sure Namakwo. All I know is that I was about to give in when all of a sudden I felt this incredible power flowing through me. But it was raw and volatile. It took every ounce of effort and focus that I had to keep it under control. I'm not sure and I don't know how, but I think that it was the Force."

"Inside the negation field?"

"I know. It sounds crazy. But I can't think of any other explanation."

"Speaking of the negation field, how did you know about the…what did you call it?"

"The Ysalimiri?"

"Right, from Myrkr."

"Well, like I said, I've never seen them in person or been to Myrkr. However, I overheard Master Cordora talking about it once with another Jedi Master. She was saying that she thought it was a bad idea for the Jedi to keep this a secret. If the inhabitants of the planet are a threat to us, she said, then all Jedi need to be properly informed about it so that they can be prepared."

"What do you think Dallon?"

"I agree with her."

There were a few minutes of silence, then they continued.

"Dallon, I know it's not any of my business, but…about you and Shayera. What's going on there? You know what the rules are. I won't say anything, but if you get caught…"

"There's nothing there. At least, I don't think so. I mean, nothing serious happened. But to be honest, I don't really know what to think about that."

"Well, if you need to talk to someone in private about it, I'm here for you my friend."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

They were soon summoned to appear before the Jedi Council. As they entered the Council chambers, both Master Cordora and Master Mons were present. Then of course there was the Council itself. Some were physically present, while others were there through a hologram. While the entire membership was not in attendance, many were. They included Grand Master Yoda, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Mace Windu, Master Plo Koon, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, Master Kit Fisto, Master Shaak Ti, Master Agen Kolar and Master Saesee Tiin.

Grand Master Yoda spoke first, "Welcome, welcome. Good it is to see the future of the Order. Continue our legacy you will. For that reason has this meeting been called. Strictly structured trials must our Padawans go through in order to test their training. At times however, unusual circumstances does the Force present. Ignore these we cannot." Yoda then nodded at Mace Windu for him to continue.

"The recent events to have transpired here at the Temple and on Metellos are most disturbing. And while we cannot take these threats lightly, we can't let them paralyze us either. The longer we let this go, the greater the risk of disaster. This being said, your efforts to resolve the situation are commendable."

Obi-Wan spoke next, "We have seen the recordings of your individual debriefings as well as the testimonies of Dr. Sienn'aris and Doram. However, we wanted to give you the opportunity to speak before us now on your own behalf, if you so choose."

Namakwo quickly glanced at Dallon, who nodded, before taking a step forward. "Grand Master Yoda, other venerable Jedi Masters, thank you for taking this time to listen to us. I am of the belief that actions speak louder than words. We did what we could to save as many lives as possible. Although you were not able to witness our actions in person, the various testimonies you have observed give you a fair view of what happened. I believe, and I think that Dallon will agree with me, that we should be judged by our actions alone in this matter. Promoting ourselves with our own words would be selfish and goes against the Jedi Code."

"In agreement you both are?" Master Yoda asked.

The padawans both nodded.

"Very well," he continued and then nodded at Plo Koon who spoke next.

"If you would both step forward. Namakwo, you proved your technical skills against an unknown and adaptable computer system while under serious time constraints and in the face of extreme danger. Additionally, you put your own life at risk to protect Dr. Sienn'aris through your lightsaber skills, knowing full well that you would not have the assistance of the Force. Your ability to think on your feet and improvise a solution allowed the mission to be successful.

Dallon, in your rescue of Doram, you chose to give him your one rebreather in order to protect him from the toxic gas. In doing so, you selflessly put others before yourself. Although we don't know why or how, the Force chose to manifest itself in a special way in you. Perhaps in order to overcome the effects of the field, it chose a very raw and powerful form. Regardless of the why and how, the important part is what happened next. Your ability to maintain control in the face of such raw power is exactly what the Trial of Skill is looking for. Finally, your intervention allowed Namakwo and Dr. Sienn'aris to complete their parts of the mission."

Yoda began again, "The decision of this Council it is that the Trials of Skill and Courage have you both passed. Through your actions have your abilities been proven. May the Force be with you both."

"Thank you Master Yoda," both padawans responded with a formal bow.

Back on board the Chu'unthor, Dr. Sienn'aris was hard at work analyzing the samples of MEC-2183 that she had collected along with the data that she had found on the asteroid. Unfortunately, she seemed to be encountering some problems and her frustration was apparent. She began talking aloud, hoping that it would help her think better.

"I don't understand…hmm…maybe if I, no that won't work, I already tried that. These samples are clearly MEC-2183, but they are exhibiting none of the properties that were mentioned in this data that I found on the asteroid. It's inert, just like the Republic database says. I'd say that this new data that I found is false, if it weren't for those initial scans that I ran while on the asteroid. Those scans of this substance seem to support this new data. Yet now, when I perform those same tests on the same substance, I get totally different results, results that support the original Republic data. Something must be different, but what?"

She thought back to the mission which had just occurred a few days before-the shuttle flight to the asteroid, the module on the surface, the Force negation field, the…Wait a second, Force negation field? Could it be? Why didn't I think of it before?

She returned to talking aloud. "What if the negation field is causing it? No, not the field itself but the absence of something-the Force. If you take away all the mysticism that the Jedi add to it, the Force is essentially an energy field created by all living things. Some beings have midi-chlorians in their body which interact and connect with that energy field. This interaction and connection give the Jedi their abilities. But who knows what other effects this field might have on matter. What if the energy field is making this compound inert? What if this compound only has these abilities in the absence of the Force? Hmm…of course I have no way to test this theory right now. I still have no idea how that negation field was created. However…I do know one place where they are created naturally. Computer, bring up any database entries on the Ysalimiri, a native of Myrkr."

"Classified information requested. Insufficient security clearance. Unable to comply."

"Wow, Dallon was right about the Jedi trying to hide this. Okay then. Computer, who has proper security clearance for this information?"

"Only Jedi Masters and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine have that level of security clearance."

"Well, this is going to be harder than I thought."

Janus stepped out of the airlock into the main corridor of the small space station that he had just arrived at. He walked past a dozen different doors lining the sides of the hallway, ignoring them all. He had one destination in mind, the door at the end. As Janus approached it, it opened automatically, revealing the room's contents. Immediately inside was a raised balcony area overlooking the rest of the room. It was lined by a railing along its edge and had two sets of stairs on each side leading to the lower part of the room. This lower section was mostly made up of different computer workstations. Each one had someone sitting at it, busily working away and totally focused on what was on their individual screens. Many different species were represented in the group. The far end of the room was one large viewing window, looking out into space. In that space was a large metallic partial sphere, only partial because it was still under construction. Inside the sphere were large concentric rings emanating from the center. Many large pieces of construction materials were floating in the vicinity of the sphere. Some were being carried by robotic drones. Back on the balcony, by the railing, was a robed and hooded figure, all in black.

It was this figure that Janus approached, "Master, I have returned."

Without turning around and rather annoyed, the figure replied, "That is apparent."

"Yes, sorry Master. The Jedi, they stopped the asteroid. Metellos is saved. They both proved much more…resourceful than anticipated."

"It is of no concern."

"But Master, the effort and resources that went into…"

Turning around to face Janus, "I said it is of no concern!" Janus quickly found himself violently pushed back against the wall. "Remember that you work for me. When I found you, you were nothing." With that he remotely pulled off the mask Janus was wearing to reveal the person underneath. "Now return to your quarters and wait there until I summon you." Janus fell back to the ground.

"Yes Master" Janus quickly got up and left the room.

The figure continued to himself, "That fool Sidious thinks that he knows power? He knows nothing! Soon I will be able to complete my work and initiate the Purging. Then the Sith'ari will return at last."