A/N" I do not own or will ever own anything made by Bioware or George Lucas. I have played KOTOR a lot and when the Old Republic came out, I had to pick it up. This is my idea of the Jedi Knight story line."

(As a warning I am aware the grammar is rough at best...believe I know. If you can read through it and still make sense of it, then that's all I am asking for.)

Chapter 10

Duel in the Temple

"General Suthra, we have some disturbing news,"said Tristan into his holo-commicator, leaving Kira to pilot the blue and purple speeder they commandeered from the Black Sun's hanger bay.

"How bad is it?"

"Doctor Tarnis is a Sith Lord. He has been since the beginning. And now he plans on using the Planet Prison here on Coruscant."

Immediately the Mon Calamari general looked down at the ground before looking back up with a disappointed look on his face.

"This very troubling indeed. Tarnis knew about all our secret projects, not just the Planet Prison. But that is for another time. Right now we need to focus on stopping the Sith from activating the weapon."

Nodding his head, Tristan saw agent Galon appear on his communicator. "From the blue prints we have on the prison it requires a large amount of energy to charge."

"Where would he go in order to gather that much energy?" Asked the voice of Suthra in the back ground.

"The Jedi Temple,"the Tristan and Kira said at the same time.

"Exactly. I will send word to Master's Din and Kiwiiks who recovered the files from the Rodian thief to turn around and head for the temple. There they will assault the former Jedi grounds with several teams of Republic troopers,"said Galon before the holo-image of Suthra returned once more.

"As for you two, general Garza has informed me that a special forces group called Havoc Squad has just finished a mission inside the Works and can help you two infiltrate the ruins ahead of the primary attack. The person you are looking for is a lieutenant Janks. He and his team should be able to show you another way inside the temple,"he said giving them a brief nod and ended the transmission.

Putting away his communicator, Tristan sighed heavily. "Are you okay my love?"

Turning to his left, he could see the the worried look on his wife's face. "I guess...I mean with all things considered I kinda have to be."

Placing her right hand on top of his left, Kira gave him an encouraging smile. "Just now I will be with you every step."

"I know sweetheart."

Tristan was one of the few Jedi to survive the Sith's attack on the Jedi Temple almost 11 years ago. Going back there wouldn't be easy, but the Jedi knight really didn't have a choice anymore. He wasn't going to let his personal feelings get in the way of stopping Tarnis.

"Hey, were going to pick up T7 near the taxi station,"she said causing him to come back to reality.

Chuckling, Tristan gave his wife a amused look. "It wouldn't be the same without that little astromech droid."

15 minutes later, the two Jedi knights and the astromech droid landed inside the Works attempting to meet up with Havoc squad.

"This place kinda reminds of Nar Shaddaa ,"said Kira hopping out of the speeder and noticing the dirty and grimy scenery of metal and steel that surrounded them.

"Then you should feel right at hope,"replied Tristan with a grin on his face.

Shaking her head, knight Carsen turned her attention on T7. "Are you able to find Havoc squad's tracking beacon through this mess?"

Giving her a series of sharp beeps, the little astromech droid nodded it's head. "Well my friend... lead the way."

Fallowing their adventurous friend, the two Jedi knights soon found themselves in the heart of the Works. Using the force to hide there prescience from any possible force users in the area they managed to avoid several enemies along the way before running into some trouble.

After dispatching several rogue utility droids, Kira turned off her light saber. "Who knew some maintenance droids could be such a pain in the ass when their programming goes haywire."

"Awe, was that too much of a challenge for you?" Asked her husband in a teasing manner.

Glaring at him, Kira turned to T7 who had suddenly started rolling to the right. "I think he found them."

"What gave that away?"

Ignoring his comment, Kira sprinted forward and jumped high in the air in order to fallow her friend who had taken to the air with his thruster jets and disappeared inside a large cooling pipe. Walking hunched over, the three quickly made there way through the long pipe until coming out at the other end.

"Over there!"Tristan said pointing down to a small battling taking place between Republic and Imperial forces.

Three Republic solders were hunkered down inside a alleyway, while a large group of Imperial troopers and war droids coming in from the north were attempting to dislodge them. Wave after wave of Imperial forces were being gunned down by superior positioning and precise fire of Havoc Squad.

"Do we even need to intervene?" She asked as the heavily armed lieutenant Janks opened up with his heavy cannon killing four troopers and destroying another war droid within seconds.

Smirking, Tristan already had his two light saber handles in his hands. "I am sure they can handle themselves, but time is of the essence my dear."

Knowing he was right Kira grabbed her double blade light saber handle and gave her husband a nod."T7...stay close to me."

Using the force the two Jedi Knights landed behind the incoming Imperial troopers and activated their light sabers. Before the Imperials could turn around Tristan reached out and force pulled two snipers towards him. Thrusting out his two light sabers, he impaled both snipers before quicly pulling them out and jumping over a missile attack fired by a war droid.

Reacting to the droids attack, Kira rolled flipped forward slicing a human woman officer across the back. Upon landing, she extended her one end of her viridian green saber forward stabbing the war droid right in the middle of it's chassis.

Bringing her double blade saber back around, knight Carsen was forced to deflected severed laser shots that were aimed at her body.

(Behind you Kira.)

Looking behind herself, she was greeted by an Imperial heavy trooper armed with vidro sword. Right before she could react he suddenly was shocked by T7, causing his body to fall limp to the ground. Spinning her saber around, Kira stabbed through the trooper's weak neck armor killing him. Pulling her blade out his armor, she saw T7 shoot another two grenadiers in the middle of the chest when suddenly the little astromech droid was knocked off it's feet by a grenade exploding in front of it.

Using the force, Kira put two more war droids into stasis. Sensing a sniper attack coming from the rear, she turned around and was about to raise her saber up when suddenly the sniper was hit right between the eyes. Turning back around, knight Carsen charged forward and removed both of the frozen droids heads with one quick slash of her double bladed saber.

Looking forward, she could see Tristan was busy deflecting blaster bolts from all directions, attempting to keep the enemy's focus on him. In perfect timing that only special training could teach you, Havoc squad moved out from there cover and opened up on the enemy from behind. With in a few seconds later ever last Imperial lay dead, leaving the two groups a chance to final catch there breath.

"How are you feeling buddy?" Asked Kira as she noticed the scuff marks and small pieces of metal that were stuck inside it's chassis.

Rolling forward, T7 gave her a few beeps." Well I am glad you suggest we upgrade your armor then."

Giving the astromech droid a small pat, Kira stood back up and made her way over to Tristan and the others. Holding out his hand for them to stop, lieutenant Janks shoulder his heavy cannon and removed his helmet.

"Lieutenant Caleb Janks,"said the male Zabrak extending a hand to him,"Jedi knight Tristan Rivers."

"This is my partner Jedi knight Kira Carsen. And that little guy is T7-01, but we just call him T7."

Giving each of them a small nod, Havoc's leader turned to the male Cathar wielding a sniper rifle and a female human with a blaster rifle on her back. "This is sergeant Aric Jorgan and Elara Dorne."

"Um...Tristan, we really need to speed this up,"said Kira in a urgent tone, hoping her husband would catch the hint.

"Your right of course Kira. Lieutenant it's important we reach the ruins of the Jedi Temple."

"Calab, we don't have time for this,"added Elara who folded her arms across her chest,"we need to get back to the ship and go after Tavus."

Nodding back at her, Havoc's Squad leader turned to look at Tristan. "My medic officer is right. We sitting on vital information that needs addressing."

"A Sith lord is planning on unleashing a devastating weapon into the atmosphere that would prevent all ship traffic from leaving and landing on Coruscant. So it happens to be in your best interest to also to help us,"said Kira folding her arms across her chest and gave Elara a smug look.

"Well you make an interesting point Jedi. It just so happens we do know of a way to reach the ruins of the temple from here. So I suggest you stay close or will leave you behind."

Heading northwest, they quickly made their way through the Works before emerging through a large pipe that over looked the ruined courtyard. Staring down at the ruins that lay in front her, Kira could feel the pain and anguish of all the dead who had died here 11 years ago.

"You having second thoughts?" Asked sergeant Jorgan who noticed their troubled looks.

Tristan shook his head. "No sergeant. So much death in one area can leave a strong force signature that can be felt in the force. Not to mention I was inside the temple when the Sith attacked Coruscant."

Turning away from his strong gaze, the rest of the Havoc Squad moved up and behind a pile of large rubble. Looking out at the debris once more, Kira turned her attention back on her husband.

(It's not any easier is it?)

(No my love... it's not.)

(Well this time will be different.)

(I hope so.)

"I know so,"she said making him turn and look at her,"I am here remember."

"Trust me Miss Carsen...I haven't forgotten that one."

Smiling back at him, the two Jedi knights and astromech droid moved forward and joined Havoc Squad who was busy doing some recon on the enemy. Dozens of Imperial troopers, droids and Sith were scattered around the large courtyard while a small force was guarding the entrance inside the interior chamber.

"Well I must admit this looks like a suicide mission,"said lieutenant Janks before turning and looking at Tristan.

"Are you saying you scared?"

Chuckling, Caleb gave him an amused look. "A Jedi with a sense of humor. Now that is rare. No Jedi, my team is ready for anything. I was only suggesting we might have a better chance of succeeding if we had a plan."

Pulling out her holo-commicator, Kira called her former master. "Master Kiwiiks were in position."

"Good timing Kira. Our Republic forces just arrived and were ready to strike."

"Okay be safe and may the force be with you."

"And with you my former padawan,"said the blue image of the Jedi Master before she deactivated the holo-commicator.

Smiling back at her, Tristan turned his gaze on Havoc Squad again. "You honestly didn't think we would just go in guns blazing without a plan."

"Well Jedi like to think they can do anything...so you never know?"

"I think you have been watching too many vids."

Suddenly a large explosion coming from the east silencing everyone. The Imperial's and Sith reaction was instantaneous, as they all started moving towards the east giving them a clear lane up to the entrance of the interior part of the ruined Temple.

"Now's our chance...Charge!"Shouted Tristan with his viridian green light saber pointing towards to the temple ruins.

Hopping over the pile of rubble they were hiding behind, Kira moved in sync with her husband. Reaching the steps that would lead them up to the interior part of the temple, two Sith marauders suddenly dropped down in front of them and turned on their twin red light sabers.

Spinning around her viridian green sabers, Kira was forced to go on the defensive as the woman's fast and furious strikes started to make her back peddle. Avoiding the stabbing attempted the marauder tried with her right saber, Kira knocked aside the Sith's left side and kicked the woman in the chest. Sticking out her left hand, she tried to hit opponent with a force push but instead the marauder rolled out of the way. Hopping back on her feet, the Sith engaged Kira once more while a small group of Imperial troopers emerged from the temple and passed right by them and started fighting Havoc Squad and T7.

Hoping over her opponent, Kira raised her blade over her and blocked the double over head strike the marauders. Reaching out with the force, she summoned a large piece of rubble and sent it flying at her opponent's back. Sensing the debris coming, the Sith turned around and cut the ruble in half.

Rolling forward, knight Carsen ducked the double sweeping attack she tried with her twin red sabers. Stopping directly on the marauders side, she impaled the Sith through the ride side. The female human dropped her light sabers and fell to the ground as Kira pulled out her green saber. Looking to her right, she watched Tristan cut the male pure blooded Sith across the chest before bringing around his cyan blue saber and take off his head.

Turing around she could see Havoc Squad had just finished wiping out the Imperial forces that were sent at them.

"We need to keep moving!" Shouted Tristan back to her.

Using the force to try and keep up, Kira spotted her husband heading for a large blast door that was closing fast. Sliding on the ground, she watched him barely make it inside before the large door slammed shut in front of her.

"Tristan! Tristan can you hear me?" She asked him through the large doors but got no response.

(Kira I am okay.)

(I can't through. Is there a switch?)

(No, not that I can see from here.)

"T7...see if you can try and open this door!"

Rolling forward, the little astromech droid approached the large blast door. "You can't because the controls are fried from this side."

"Damn it!" She yelled pounding on the door.

(Tristan we can't open the door from this side.)

(Okay, I will see what I can find in here.)

"Incoming enemies!" Yelled lieutenant Janks pointing to a fresh group of reinforcements coming the left side of the temple.

Sensing the dark side prescience of a Sith apprentice was leading the attack, Kira grabbed her double blade saber once more and activated it.

(We've got company. Tristan it's up to you. Stop Tarnis.)

(Okay...I love you.)

(I love you,) she said before turning around and charging forward at wave of enemies.

Knowing he had to trust that Kira would be okay with out him, knight Rivers proceed forward traversing the once majestic temple he called home. Moving along the narrow hallway, Tristan could see he was fast approaching the old council chambers. Going down a small flight of stairs, he could see Tarnis standing in front of holo-transmitted with four people's images staring down at him.

"I am departing Coruscant now father. The Planet Prison deploys in minutes. The Republic will have no choice but to surrounded."

"You return to me as a hero of the Empire my son. Your victory is complete,"said the image of Darth Angral.

"Not if I have anything to say about."

Chuckling, the heavily augmented Lord Sadic pointed at him. "A shame you couldn't even sense the fool approaching."

"Ah you. Have you come to die here Jedi. Like so many of your brethren did 11 years ago?" He asked reaching down and turning on his red light saber.

Narrowing his eyes, Tristan grabbed his viridian green light saber and turned it on. "I was 12 years old when the Sith attacked the Jedi temple here on Coruscant. I haven't forgotten what I saw on that day, but I will not let you goad me into recklessness. I will give you one more chance...surrender and you may yet live."

"It's fitting then that you meet your end here. So you will forgive me if I don't offer you the same opportunity,"he fired back with a smug look on his face.

"Channel your rage my son. Don't let this Jedi trash ruin everything you have worked for."

"Your blood flows through me father. I will destroy this Jedi and watch Coruscant bow before your knees,"said the Sith lord before he raised his left hand and shot a small crackle of force lightening at him.

Bringing up his green saber, knight Rivers blocked the lightening. Raising his left hand, Tristan fired force lightening back at the Sith lord, forcing him to bring up his red saber to block it as well. Lowering his red blade, Tarnis gave him a curious look.

"Something wrong Sith?" He asked by raising his blade and spinning around hitting his blade.

But the attack was just a feint, as Tristan brought around his right hand and hit Tarnis with a strong force push. Which sent the Sith lord flying backwards until he hit the console that he was using to contact his father and his apprentices. Dropping his light saber, the Sith lord crumbled to the ground.

"Get up now!" Shouted Darth Angral to his son.

Standing up, Tarnis spit some blood out of his mouth and summoned his saber to his hand once more. "Don't get cocky Jedi. You caught me off guard. I promise you that won't happen again."

Spinning his green blade around, Tristan raised so that it was at the right side of his head. "Come prove it then my lord."

Charging forward, Tarnis started attacking him with powerful strikes, attempting to knock him off balance. Using Soresu, he was able to stand his ground and prevent the Sith from moving him backwards. Sensing the Sith's frustrate level raising, Tristan knocked one of his attacks down, and spun around backhanded him across the face.

Knocking him back, it gave the Jedi knight the chance to switch to his unique variant of Ataru. Using the force, he did a series of side flips while swinging his green saber at the same time. The fast and furiousness of his attacks put the proud Sith lord on the defensive. Coming out of side flips, Tristan ducked the wide swing aimed at his head and responded by slashed the Sith across the chest.

Looking down at his light saber wound, Tarnis glared at him. "Use your anger my son! Let it fuel your dark side power!"

Sensing the dark side energy growing in his opponent, Tristan brought up a force shield and blocked the Sith lords attempt to use fear and dread to enter his mind. Once he realized his force attack didn't work, Tarnis jumped forward and tried to cut in half with an over head strike. Raising his blade, he was able to block the attack. Before the Sith could hit the ground, knight Rivers used his opponent's own momentum against him and swung his blade up in the air.

Rolling backwards, Tarnis dodged his attack and reached up to grab his light saber out of the air. Activating his red blade once again, Tristan jumped high in the air. Turning around, the Sith struck out with a barrage of force lightening but was surprised when he hit nothing but a ruined pillar.

Landing behind him, he spun around and cleave Tarnis in half with one quick stroke of his viridian green light saber. The surprised look on the dead Sith lord's face remain ever after his body split into two separate halves. Turning off his saber, Tristan calmly walked forward and began shutting down the Planet Prison.

"Jedi filth you have killed my son,"said the blue image of darth Angral.

"He will die for this master,"added the pure blooded Sith Praven,"I will see to this personally."

"You have no idea what you have unleashed Jedi. There is no where you can hide to escape my vengeance."

Looking behind him, Tristan could see Kira and T7 fast approaching. "I didn't want to kill your son, but he left me no choice."

"Spoken like a true slave to the Jedi code. I will destroy everything you hold dear. Billions will die because of you."

"We already control your secret weapon facilities, all that power is ours now,"said the Sith lord Nefarid in a arrogant tone.

"My son's death will be avenged on the entire Republic. And you will become my personal slave before I let you die."

"I won't let that happen Angral. If you truly have a grudge with me, then will settle this one on one. But leave everyone else out of this"he said crossing his arms and giving the Sith a hard look.

Glaring back at him, Darth Angral activated his light saber. "Never! My anger runs deeper than that Jedi trash. I will make millions suffer and they will know it was because of you! Tell your pathetic masters that Darth Angral has returned. This time there will be no mercy."

And with that Angral ended the transmission. "Such a charmer...I miss him already,"added Kira in a sarcastic tone.

"You always know to lighten the mood dear."

"Well you know me,"she replied with a smile on her face,"I was one to never be the stuck up type like most Jedi are."

Laughing, Tristan was about to kiss her when Tristan sensed Havoc Squad along with Master's Din and Kiwiiks coming down the narrow hallway.

(Later...your all mind.)

(Damn right,) she said grinning back at him before turning and seeing the rest of the Republic forces enter the council chambers.

Laying on the bed that she and Tristan shared inside his ship, Kira was busy skimming through some of the local News on the holo-network. After taking a shower and changing into some more relaxed clothes, Kira was ready for some rest.

"Did you miss me?" Asked Tristan as he shut the door behind him.

Setting down her data pad, she pretended to think about it. "Well now that you mention it, maybe a little bit."

Chuckling, Tristan took off his dark green robe and set it inside the closet. Taking off his armor, boots, and gloves he placed them next to hers. Closing the closet, Tristan took off his utility belt and set on top of the night stand that was on his side of the bed before sitting down beside her.

"Oh lieutenant Janks and the rest of Havoc Squad wanted to pass along how much we impressed them. And that if they ever need Jedi support, will be one of the first they call."

"Oh how lovely,"she replied with a nonchalant look on her face.

Smiling, Tristan gave her a quick wink. "You know me my love, making friends and enemies all in the same day."

"So...I am taking it will quite busy very soon."

Nodding his head, Tristan lay down next to her. "You can say that. Master Satele was a little upset the general Suthra didn't tell the council about the secret weapon's facilities. So now together they are going to be decoding how much Tarnis transferred to his father. Meanwhile, the general is looking into that threat one of Angral's apprentices said about controlling our weapon projects. So for the time being were are to be ready to move out at a moment's notice."

"Story of my life,"she said laying her head on his chest,"but at least we have each other."

"Indeed sweetheart. Your right about that,"he said leaning down and kissing the top of her head.

Snuggling up next to the man she loved, Kira had found the peace in her life that the Jedi had always preached to her about. It was hard coming to the Jedi at the age of 14, while most were brought between the ages of 1 through 8. Not to mention the difficult times she had trying to just survive on Nar Shaddaa. While she understood the Jedi's caution when it came to emotions like anger, sorrow and hatred. She would never understood why they refused to embrace the idea of love, just because it came with a few strings attached to it.

"Do you think will always be at war with Sith."

"I hope not. But something tells me the Sith and Imperial army aren't going to go quietly off into the sunset. I have a bad feeling a lot more Republic forces and Jedi are going to perish before this conflict ends,"he said with a somber look on his face.

Lifting up her head, Kira met his blue eyed gaze. "Just promise me this Tristan. If something were to happen to me, don't given to the dark side. I know it won't be easy, as I can only imagine how painful it will feel to lose you. But we owe to each other if nothing else, to not give in."

Reaching down, he grabbed her left hand and took in his. "I promise."

"And I promise as well."

Looking down at there joined hands, Kira only wished it would be that easy to resist such temptations. "Hey,"he replied while slowly lifting her chin back up,"don't worry about that right now. We're both alive and kicking. Whose knows what tomorrow may bring, but I trust in the force as much as I trust you. So if you don't mind, I am going to start kissing you and see where that leads."

"I have no idea what your talking about?" She asked before Tristan closed the distant between her and kissed her with passion.

A/n"This is going to be a long story and I am not sure how long it will take me to finish it. So I welcome any reviews and will read each one of them with care, even if they are to address my bad grammar or spelling. As you can always learn from something. Thanks for your time."