Elsewhere on the ship Obi-Wan Kenobi stood in front of his master with his head bowed. The younger man knew that he had done something wrong with the way that his master was pacing up and down their quarters.

Qui-Gon turned to his padawan, "Are you trying to get us killed, Obi-Wan?" he asked wearily.

Obi-Wan's head shot up, "Master?!" he was horrified that his master would think he would attempt such a thing.

"It is the only conclusion I can draw." He said sternly, "Travien is dangerous, Obi-Wan. I am not sure if you have noticed but he is far more powerful than either of us. If he could have made our deaths look accidental then we would already be dead. It is only the Queen that stays his hand."

"But he is a Sith, Master!" protested Obi-Wan. He couldn't believe that his master would defend such a creature.

"Yes!" snapped Qui-Gon, "He is a Sith. We are trapped on this ship with a Sith who is currently going through culture shock and his three students! Whether they are Sith or not an education within the Force creates extremely strong bonds, as you well know. At least one of those students has combat training that exceeds even my own. If you continue to antagonize him then one of them will snap, and without the backing of the council we do not stand a chance!"

Obi-Wan just nodded his head in submission. He knew that he had made a foolish mistake in antagonizing the Sith. Something about the younger man simply caused him to want to argue with him.

Qui-Gon sighed, "I understand how you feel, Obi-Wan and I am sorry for snapping at you. I simply fear that the Republic and the Jedi Order are in great danger from Travien."

Obi-Wan frowned, "Master, how could he be a threat to the Republic?"

"He is in possessions of items of great power, padawan. The same objects his father used to attack the Republic, only we are far less ready for him now than the Republic was when Revan attacked. I beg of you to be careful."

Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully.

Travien looked at Padmé thoughtfully. She was tired and they hadn't done any training for the last couple of days. The journey to Coruscant was around seven days and they were only two days in. He knew that she was getting tired of the constant conflict between him and the Jedi. Travien looked to the slightly dozing Padmé and smiled lightly. He did some of the most insane things for her,

"Padmé, are you asleep?" he asked quietly. Not getting an answer he decided that she was and gently got up. Travien left the room and walked through the small walkways of the ship. He found Eirtaé first and stopped the handmaiden,

"Eirtaé, are you doing anything right now?" he asked her.

The handmaiden stopped in surprise at Travien actually leaving his room, he had not done so since the discovery of the nature of the current Sith. She shook her head,

"No, I'm not doing anything right now, why?"

Travien nodded, "Okay, find Sabé, if she's not busy bring her with you to the Throne room. I've been neglecting your training for Padmé's which is unfair of me. I'm also about to do something stupid and would like you two to be there in case it goes wrong."

She nodded slowly and left to find Sabé. Travien himself began walking through the corridors and eventually came to the door he was looking for. He stood in front of it for a moment and sighed. The things he did for Padmé. He knocked on the door and waited for a moment.

The door hissed open to reveal a slightly shocked Obi-Wan Kenobi. Travien raised his hands in a peaceful gesture, "I'm here to talk, nothing more." Obi-Wan nodded suspiciously and stepped back, allowing him to enter the room. Qui-Gon stared in confusion as the young Sith Lord entered their quarters in a peaceful manner.

Travien sighed as the door closed, "Let's get the obvious out of the way, shall we?" he said, "You don't like me, which is fine because I don't much like you, either. However," he swallowed any insults he had; there was more at stake here, "No. I know there will come a time when I enter into a conflict with the Jedi Order, which is all but certain." Qui-Gon nodded slowly and Travien continued, "I also know that you intend to tell your Council all about me when we reach Coruscant." They looked to interrupt but Travien raised a hand, causing them both to flinch, "This is of no consequence to me. I have other issues to deal with and right now one of those issues is Padmé's health."

Both Jedi looked at him puzzled, "If this is an issue for you to deal with then why do you come to us, surely you are not asking us for help?"

Travien looked disgusted, "Unfortunately that is exactly what I am doing." Two sets of eyes opened wide in shock, "Padmé is worried for the condition of her people, she is worried for what the council will do to me when we reach Coruscant and she is worried about the possibility of a fight breaking out between you and I before we get there. All of these concerns are causing her stress which is causing her health to deteriorate."

Obi-Wan nodded slowly, "So why did you come here?"

Travien closed his eyes briefly, "I came to offer a temporary peace." They looked at him expectantly and he shrugged, "Right now the laws of the Republic will protect me from the Jedi Order and I am not so far gone in my hatred not to see that instigating a conflict would see me dead. I have nothing to gain by attacking you. Trying to rebuild my father's empire at this point would only drive Padmé away from me and that is not acceptable." He took a deep breath, "I have been neglecting the training of my other two apprentices in favour of training Padmé. My involvement with her does not forgive this action. I'm inviting you both to observe the lesson and join in. If you find something that you wish to learn then I may teach you."

Obi-Wan frowned, "You have just admitted that you will likely find yourself in conflict with us one day, why teach us?"

Travien grinned, "My uncle was a Mandalorian, a true Mandalorian. He believed in honour and glory. Father made sure that I spent enough time with him to adopt some of those beliefs. Basically, if I am to one day kill you in combat, Padawan Kenobi, I would like to know that I defeated a worthy opponent. If I am to die then it will be at the blade of a better warrior, even if I have to teach them myself."

Qui-Gon stood hesitantly, "I must confess my curiosity at your training methods. What guarantees do we have that you will not harm us?"

Travien sighed, "Some minor injuries are expected, superficial burns, maybe. One of the girls almost took off my arm once but we have training settings on the sabres. As for a guarantee, Padmé's health is more important to me than some vendetta. You will not pass Death's boundaries on this journey, not by my hand."

Qui-Gon nodded, "Very well, we shall join you and see what may be learned." Obi-Wan thought his master was crazy but held his tongue. They both followed Travien silently out of the room and into the throne room. They could see two of the handmaidens there. The eyes of both girls opened widely,

"Travien, what are the Jedi doing here?" asked Sabé.

"The conflict between us is causing Padmé too much stress in an already stressful situation. I'm extending an olive branch." The girls looked amazed and Travien looked around. There wasn't much in the way and he looked at the throne before shrugging,

"Padmé won't mind if I put it back later." He said as the Throne lifted off the floor and moved against the back wall. Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at this. Travien seemed to use the Force effortlessly.

He nodded to himself, "Okay, Sabé, you first. I want to see how far along you've come. We may need to speed up your training a bit." She nodded and drew her sabre. Travien activated his sabre and they stood opposite one another. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan watched as Sabé attacked Travien intensely, never managing to land a single blow, but Obi-Wan was forced to admit that she was likely more skilled than he was. Travien sighed and called a stop to the fight,

"Stop, Sabé." She backed off a bit and waited, "Your technique is good but you're fighting yourself at the same time. This isn't too much of a problem but one we need to get fixed before you can really advance. You ready?"

"Yes."

He nodded, "Good. Close your eyes, don't worry, I won't attack."

She nodded and closed her eyes. Travien smiled, "Right, now reach into the Force. Don't push or try to rush, just relax into the currents. Like you did when you first connected, okay?"

He saw her relax and waited a few moments. He knew that she needed time; unfortunately she didn't have much of it.

Travien nodded happily not noticing as Padmé walked into the room and cloaked herself in the Force. Qui-Gon spotted to her and nodded. She returned the gesture with a frown on her face and turned back to the lesson,

"Good, you're doing well." He said, his voice almost hypnotic, "Now, don't let go of that feeling. Stay relaxed; let the world flow around you. It's not important, only the Force is important, only your goal is important. Your goal is to attack me. Now, fight me." He said forcefully as Sabé launched herself at him. Qui-Gon was astounded by the change in the girl's style; where before she had been uncertain and hesitant, now she flung herself at her opponent with abandon. Her manoeuvres were fast and fluid, resembling a much better match to Ataru, although she seemed to hold back on the more acrobatic elements within the ship.

The battle lasted all of twenty minutes when Sabé backed away panting, but grinning.

"That was incredible, thank you." She said happily,

Travien shrugged, "Not a problem. You need to practice drawing on the Force. Don't use it when you need it, make it natural, like breathing. It's a part of you; you're a part of it. Not to use the Force when you can is like going everywhere on one foot."

She nodded and Travien turned to Qui-Gon, "Care to try your hand, Jedi? No debilitating injuries, of course." To say the handmaidens and Padmé were surprised was like saying that space is slightly large. Qui-Gon nodded and Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up. This was absolutely insane.

Travien grinned, "You'll find padawan, that there is very little in this galaxy that is sane. You may want to be more careful when shouting out thoughts like that, for someone like myself that was a holo-vid announcement."

Obi-Wan gulped and nodded as Qui-Gon took up his position. They began slowly, building up to a blinding pace of slashes and parries that Obi-Wan was having difficulty keeping up with. He could still see the combatants though and while his master wore a look of the utmost concentration he could see the Sith was as calm as ever. It was terrifying to see that his master was being dismissed so easily. Obi-Wan's eyes widened as Travien took on a look of concentration and the attack that Qui-Gon had been sustaining began to be pushed back incrementally. Obi-Wan stood stunned as his master was overwhelmed by the Sith Lord with barely any effort. He noticed the Queen beside him as she spoke to him,

"Do you want to know the truly terrifying thing?" she asked him. He raised an eyebrow,

Padmé smiled, "Not only is he still shielding his aura, he is watching each and every one of us. He hasn't even called on the Dark Side of the Force. Before you tell me that the Dark Side will always fall to the light, I won't disagree that the Dark Side is an awful way to live, but if one can let go of it then it makes an incredible weapon."

Obi-Wan snorted, "Are you saying that I and Master Qui-Gon should learn the dark side?"

Padmé shook her head, "No, I don't fully understand it but Travien believes that Jedi are unsuited to the Dark Side. We can ask him later, it looks like your master is about to lose." Obi-Wan looked around and saw that the Queen was absolutely correct. Qui-Gon attempted what was clearly a desperate slash and overshot his target, allowing Travien to plant his knee in the Jedi's stomach and as he pulled Qui-Gon to his feet by his hair he placed the lightsaber to his throat.

"You lose." He said calmly.

As they separated Qui-Gon nodded, "That was impressive. How did you beat me so easily?"

Travien shrugged, "That wasn't me. You decided that you were going to lose the battle. It was your decision to lose. A decision I don't think you know that you made."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, "And how did I make that decision?"

Travien smiled, "You divorced yourself from your emotions. You were completely separate from them."

"That is how a Jedi fights." He said with a raised eyebrow.

"No it isn't," disputed Travien, "It's how a Codie fights."

Qui-Gon frowned, "A 'Codie'?" he asked.

"Yeah, a Codie." said Travien, "In my experience there are two types of combatant within the Jedi Order. There are the ones who fight by the Code and they are normally moderately good. You divorce yourself from emotion but you're usually a stage behind a Sith warrior."

Qui-Gon interrupted, "What do you mean a stage behind?"

He huffed, "A Jedi Knight is more often than not a match for a Sith Apprentice and a Jedi Master is a match for a Sith Knight. A Jedi Grand Master is a match for a Sith Master. There are very few Jedi who are a match for a Sith Lord; most Sith Lords are in fact killed by their own apprentices."

Obi-Wan frowned, "That's barbaric."

"No it's not." Travien sighed, "Look, a Sith who loses themselves to the Dark Side is dangerous because they have very little control. The Sith Lord does more than just act as a warlord. As a Sith Lord every other Sith in existence answers to me. I have to keep control of them, if I manage to find and defeat the other Sith and I cannot control them I fully expect to be killed for it. If I cannot maintain my control then I am not a Sith Lord, I am an imposter. The strongest must rule, not can but must."

The Jedi looked at him astounded, as did the others. Such insights into the Sith were rare but they helped to piece together the puzzle that was Travien Shan.

Qui-Gon gulped, "How do you suggest I improve?" he asked,

Travien took a deep breath, "You need to fight with your emotions. You need to embrace the battle, not divorce yourself from it."

"That is the path to the Dark Side." Stated Qui-Gon,

The young Sith shook his head violently, "No it's not. The path to the Dark Side is anger, hatred and fear. To embrace the battle means to enjoy the test, to relish having the chance to push all of your limits, to be able to let go and to truly liberate yourself from all control for the sole purpose of winning." He snorted, "I doubt that's something you're willing to try."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, "It sounds like a very Sith idea."

Travien smirked at that, "It's not actually. It is in fact a Mandalorian one but given the number of times the Mandalorians and the Sith fought side by side I don't think that makes it much better from your perspective."

Qui-Gon knew that he would be able to pass this on to the Order if he managed to succeed in learning it and that would give them an advantage in the eventual conflict between them and Travien.

He nodded, "Very well, I am willing to try."

Travien smirked happily while the others all gaped at him. He nodded and stepped back into position. Activating his lightsaber he gestured to Qui-Gon to do the same. The Jedi did so hesitantly and returned to the practice mat. Travien left himself open and Qui-Gon attacked. Travien deflected a downward slash to the sid and replied by punching Qui-Gon, barely avoiding breaking his nose. He whipped his lightsaber in an attack that slammed into the Jedi's lightsaber,

"Can you feel it?" grinned Travien, "There's no intricacies, no different parts. You either win or lose."

He highlighted his point by head butting the Jedi through their sabre lock and sending several slashes at the reeling Jedi. All were blocked but only just.

The grin remained, "Can you feel the blood pumping in your veins? Can you feel the Force flowing through you, urging you to push your limits, to break the barriers holding you back?!" they could all see a slightly manic glint in Travien's eye that scared even Padmé slightly until they noticed the same thing in Qui-Gon, who began attacking back ferociously,

"Yes, Jedi, That's it! It's not the Dark Side but the thirst to win! You have to want to win, to need to be the best!" Travien easily blocked several slashes and attacks that were significantly faster than the last. Obi-Wan openly gaped at his master's blatant use of his emotions, but he could not sense the Dark Side.

Travien deflected another series of attacks and this rally became more intricate. It was a series of twirls, blocks and attacks. Neither man had stopped moving at any point during the exchange of blows and the only exception to the sounds of clashing sabres the nearly mad cackling from Travien. Travien deflected a last slash from Qui-Gon and spun round, planting his boot firmly on Qui-Gon's chest, throwing him back into the bulkhead. Qui-Gon looked at Travien and grinned, sharing the same fire in his eyes,

"It's exhilarating isn't it?" asked Travien, "To break free of your expectations, to let yourself go for a change."

Qui-Gon nodded, "I have to admit it is liberating. I never expected to be able to enjoy combat without falling to the Dark Side."

Travien nodded, "And just think, Jedi. You haven't used the Dark Side, the handmaidens would know if you had, and yet you have still done something that no Jedi has done in at least a millennium according to you." Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow and Travien grinned almost sadistically, "You have broken your chains, Jedi. The Force has set you free."

Qui-Gon's eyes widened in horror and he backed away from Travien, his lightsaber clattering to the floor. He hit the back wall and Travien snarled,

"No, no you don't Jedi. I wasn't lying when I said you hadn't used the Dark Side. You don't get to run and hide. You've just taken a good look at yourself; you don't get to turn away from that. All you can do is embrace who you are. It's no different from flying or any other sport." He glared, "Now pick up that lightsaber and finish what you started." He commanded.

Obi-Wan turned to Travien, "What in the blazes are you talking about?" he demanded,

Travien kept his eyes firmly on Qui-Gon as he spoke,

"Peace is a Lie there is only Passion.

Through Passion I gain Strength.

Through Strength I gain Power.

Through Power I gain Victory.

Victory shall break my Chains.

The Force shall set me Free."

He looked at the panicked Jedi Master and continued talking,

"There is no Emotion there is Peace.

There is no Passion there is Serenity.

There is no Ignorance there is Knowledge.

There is no Chaos there is Harmony.

There is no Death there is the Force."

Everyone was looking at him in curiosity when he finally, and for the first time since he awakened, delved into his full strength within the Force to impress upon them his next words. The Force users felt like they were drowning in the power coming from this young man, both Light and Dark. If they had they not been in hyperspace it would undoubtedly have been felt for light-years.

"There is Emotion, yet there is Peace.

There is Passion yet there is Serenity.

There is Ignorance yet there is Knowledge.

There is Chaos yet there is Harmony.

There is Death yet there is the Force."

He pulled his power back under his own control and glared at Qui-Gon, "Pick up the goddamn lightsaber and finish what you started Jedi. Finish what you started or forever be condemned to mere mediocrity, just another drone of the Order always hoping but never managing to hit that spot that catalyses change throughout the galaxy."

Qui-Gon gulped and took a step towards Travien. After another step he held out his hands and called the lightsaber to him. The blade still inactive,

Travien nodded, "Now, what do you fear most, Jedi?"

"A Jedi knows no fear." came the reply. Travien chuckled hollowly,

"Fool. All sentient beings know fear. What do you fear Jedi?"

Qui-Gon looked at him, "You. I fear the death of the Order." He said quietly.

Travien nodded and raised his now active lightsaber in a salute, "Then face your fears, Jedi."

The watchers were astounded as Qui-Gon activated the lightsaber blade. The Jedi charged forward and Travien spun himself around almost cutting a perfect circle in the floor as he pirouetted on the spot, deflected Qui-Gon's lunge and punched the Jedi as he flew past. Qui-Gon turned and began a more controlled attack. The same strength was there as the last spar, but there as something else. This time there was a determination. Travien knew that the old Jedi could never beat him, he was a master of four different lightsaber forms whereas most Jedi never mastered more than two. Niman, Shii-Cho and Soresu never really interested him beyond the basics but it was more than enough. Qui-Gon kept up the furious attack until twenty minutes later when he exhausted himself and backed down.

Travien nodded, "I assume you have learned something from this?"

Qui-Gon nodded breathlessly, "Quite a lot, actually. You are rather a good teacher."

Travien smiled, "Modesty forbids me to comment, but ego forbids me from denying it, so I shall stick with thank you." He smirked, "You're not a bad student, although I prefer working with those who haven't been polluted by the Jedi Code."

To Obi-Wan's surprise Qui-Gon chuckled, "I can see why you would think that. I'm curious, you don't even seem tired."

Travien smirked, "Oh I am, but that can wait until later. I ascended to the Sith Throne at fourteen, Jedi. I had a million Sith all after my job from that point on. You never stood a chance against me, but you might against the others."

Qui-Gon chuckled weakly as he sat down against the wall of the throne room. Travien turned to Obi-Wan,

"I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you don't want to try your hand at this then?" he said happily. Obi-Wan shook his head vigorously, there was no way he was duelling someone who had practically dismissed his master as insignificant. The rest of the session went well with Eirtaé advancing as far as Sabé had. Eventually it was just Padmé and Travien in the room. He moved the throne back as she began interrogating him.

"Alright Travien, what was all that about? Why were you helping the Jedi learn how to fight?"

He shrugged, "You were worried about the chances of us breaking into a massive fight. The amount of stress you're under is beginning to affect your health. I simply chose to remove a cause of the stress. They know as well as I do that there will come a time when we are on opposite sides. They also know that they cannot attack me when I have committed no crime. Today they walked away from me with a lightsaber in their hands having learned something new. That makes for rather an impressive peace offering, I think."

Padmé smiled and leaned forward to hug him. Wrapping her arm around his waist and relaxing as he felt his arms surround her.

"Besides," Travien started, "I get the feeling that the older Jedi is going to try spreading that particular lesson through the Order. I guarantee that more than a few Jedi will fall because of that. I was actually impressed by his self control. I wonder how many others are like that."

Padmé huffed, "Perhaps we can concentrate on saving Naboo, then you can rebuild your Sith Empire, how's that?" she asked, although her question was muffled by Travien's chest.

He smiled, "I live to serve, you majesty." Padmé nodded, "Good, now it's late, time for bed."