Perspiration ran down Aola's head and into her eyes as she put her body through its paces. She blinked away the stinging sweat and redoubled her exertions while speeding up her footwork, carving the air and floor around her again and again with her powerful flourishes.

Talisibeth was just some meters away, sweating, and putting her body through its own paces. She took a deep breath, ignored the sweat, and redoubled her own exertions. Much more controlled and centered than Aola, Talisibeth utilized the most defensive form of light-saber combat.

Cadus would normally observe the natural tendencies of the young one he would take as a Padawan from a Younling, as they learned the basics, he was able to determine which form would best match their style and tendencies.

For Talisibeth he would have chose Shii-Cho, Makashi, Ataru, and Djem So. He would allow her to specialize in one, but she would learn the fundamentals and basics of those four.

Djem So emphasized strength and power, Shii-Cho and Makashi focused on precise, graceful movements with the blade, while Ataru would keep her footwork crisp and fast. It would allow Talisibeth to use leverage, fluidity, and body position to her best advantage. If her strength couldn't overcome her foe, grace and precision would, mobility and being able to maneuver would overcome her foe.

Ingenuity and creativity would be her keys to victory.

But, oddly enough Talisibeth didn't utilize any of the more offensive styles of light-saber combat.

She stuck with Soresu and while she was able to perform each of the kata, moves, and sequences to his satisfaction...

Cadus was bemused why she would choose a form having to do with patience, when she clearly was awkward not being more physical and agile.

Both had spent the better part of an hour practicing their techniques, sharpening their footwork, and perfecting their kata under his watchful eye. The room was filled with light grunts of exertion from the two girls and the swishing hum as their blades sliced the air.

"Talisibeth!" Cadus said, putting some volume into his voice. "You must keep your blade closer to your body."

He reached out and gripped Talisibeth's right wrist, turning it gently, then grabbed her left her wrist and pressed the palm into the hilt, changing the angle of her blade so it covered her flank, instead of exposing it.

"You're coming in too low on your transition and your blade is veering when it should be straight. Soresu emphasizes blade work centered around the body, in particular the center line. There is no room for error in any transition, and you must not forget this in close quarters."

Cadus stayed at Talisibeth's side for several seconds, watching to ensure the lesson had been properly learned.

After a series of subtle movements of the blade by her with the altered grip, Cadus nodded in approval and stepped back.

Talisibeth repeated the single move over and over, careful to maintain the grip, height, and angle of the blade exactly as Cadus had shown her. She pounded the memory into her muscles through countless repetitions until they could replicate it flawlessly each and every time.

Once every exhale became the movement itself, Talisibeth began to incorporate it into more complicated maneuvers. She began breathing heavily from each transition and sequence, her feet firming with each kata and step as her intensity grew with every movement.

Physically, the training session couldn't measure up to anything extreme and inhumane, but this was far more exhausting. This demanded intense mental focus, this demanded emotional content, emotional intensity, and an attention to detail that went far beyond what was visible to the naked eye.

True mastery of the light-saber or blade required a combination of both strong body and clear mind. When two experts engaged in light-saber combat, or a sword fight, the actions happened too quickly for the eye to see and for the conscious mind to react.

Everything was done on instinct. The body had to be trained to move and respond without the need for conscious thought. To accomplish this, Jedi Masters since the Order began made students practice thousands of sequences and kata.

The sequences and Kata were designed so that each maneuver flowed smoothly into the next, maximizing attack efficiency while minimizing defensive exposure. They were designed so every movement was mathematically perfect from how the toe was placed, to how the blade was brought down.

Using sequences and kata in combat allowed trainees to free their minds from conscious thought and allow their bodies to automatically continue through the moves.

Talisibeth could agree using sequences and kata was far more efficient and much quicker than considering, measuring, and finally initiating each strike and block individually, providing an enormous advantage over an opponent unfamiliar with the techniques.

Ingraining a new sequence and kata so it could be properly executed however, was a long and laborious process. For many trainees it would take two to three weeks of training and drills minimum and could take longer if the sequence was from a style the student was still struggling to master or didn't know the basics of.

Talisibeth was aware that even the tiniest mistake in the smallest of moves could render the entire sequence worthless.

Cadus spotted a potentially fatal flaw in her technique. Now she was more than determined to fix it, even if it meant hours of practice. She had always been relentless in her pursuit of surpassing what she was capable of, and not just in her combat training, but in all of her studies.

"Enough."

At the single command both girls stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to their Master, who approached them, and stood a few feet away.

"You both may rest for ten minutes. Then you both will spar with me."

Aola lowered herself into a meditative position, legs crossed and folded beneath her. She deactivated her light-saber and let it rest in front of her as she closed her eyes and slipped into a light trance, drawing on the force to rejuvenate her muscles and refresh her mind.

She let the power flow through her, and let her mind drift further along its current. As it often did, it drifted back to the first time she'd touched the force. Not the fumbling brushes she had back on her home-world or during her days as a Youngling, but a true recognition of the force.

It had been her third year her at the Temple, when she turned seven, that she had been applying meditation techniques she learned the morning before when she felt it. It filled her, flowed through her, gave her confidence, drained all of her fear, and it connected everything in a resonance.

In harmony.

Talisibeth didn't lower herself into a meditative position, her light-saber remained active, and she didn't even get close to putting herself into a light trance. Her connection with the force was always fumbling and clumsy. It was always faint in her perception, even during her days as a Youngling.

She took deep breaths and moved around, filling her burning lungs with much needed oxygen, and working out any kinks in her body. Once she felt she recovered enough, she began to stretch vigorously and examined her light-saber blade before pacing lightly back and forth-keeping a measure of her strides.

Cadus stepped forward, stopping when he was in the middle of the sparring chamber. He didn't speak, choosing to nod instead. He stood waiting, a long-handled light-saber held before him. He lifted the long-handled light-saber as if offering it for inspection, he met the eyes of his apprentices.

Green fire jutted from both ends of the handle, revealing a deadly, dual-blade weapon.

A frown crossed the Talisibeth's face as he swung the weapon before him in an idle, casual gesture, going through a series of transitions that carved the air.

Spreading out to either side, Aola and Talisibeth slowly advanced to meet him.

Aola slowly drew out her light-saber, its blade humming to life.

Talisibeth stepped slowly at first, then came on in a sudden rush, her blue blade coming in hard.

Aola charged ahead of the older girl, her own blade coming in hard.

With only a slight movement, Cadus turned and stabbed under their blades, then turned once more, watching as both blades went flying harmlessly high from their mark.

With a slight twist, Cadus slashed up, then diagonally, and Talisibeth had to throw herself backward. She brought her light-saber across as she did, trying to parry, but Aola was already striking out, so Cadus retracted his attack by then and settled back into a perfect, spry posture.

"Be careful, Talisibeth. He isn't a sword fighter like a lot of these Jedi now, he is a fencer and follows the ancient way..." Aola said, shifting her stance cautiously every few seconds.

Talisibeth could see Cadus followed an ancient fighting style, one most effective against bladed weapons like swords and light-sabers.

The Jedi as a whole had abandoned that ancient, super precise fighting style, considering it almost irrelevant against the enemies of the present galaxy. But Cadus, Dooku, and a few others had always held stubbornly to the ancient way, considering it to be superior.

Cadus's movements were far more efficient. He followed a single line, front and back, his feet shifting to keep him constantly in perfect balance as he parried with one blade and came on suddenly with devastating thrusts with the second that had both girls stumbling backwards.

"Focus not on the two blades. They are one in the same. Focus on my movement." Cadus said cryptically.

Talisibeth had to retreat soon after, gasping for breath.

Aola jumped back, trying to measure the distance.

"Two blades occupy the same space on all zones of attack, but occupy a bigger space in your mind. Focus on me, the surroundings, and not the blades." Cadus said, his lips curled in a smile.

Talisibeth steadied herself.

Aola shifted her light-saber from hand to hand, getting a better grip on it.

They both exploded into motion, moving fiercely, their light-sabers flashing all about. Aola kept a better measure of her cuts and footwork, reversing her angles often, turning a narrow slash into a sudden thrust, and Talisibeth joined her pressing her own assault until they had Cadus whirling his dual blades, working swiftly to keep both of them at bay.

Aola pressed forward, but Cadus continued to fend off the strikes with swift chops, and when Aola dived for another attack, her momentum was too much.

She was too far to one side, while Cadus remained in perfect balance.

Talisibeth and Aola both broke off the attack, jumped, and rolled to get some distance. But, Cadus gave them no time to breathe, and they had to jump back, and then back again, and again, as each sweeping chop and slash moved closer to hitting home.

With a violent sweep, Cadus changed his blade's course from vertical, to horizontal, and both whirled into motion. One stabbed into Talisibeth's left shoulder, and as she jolted back from the shock, Cadus stabbed along his arcing slash's original course, intercepting it, and skimmed the blade into Talisibeth's right thigh.

She stumbled backward, crashing hard against the wall. Cadus moved to attack, but Aola was there, her blade rolling over one of his blades, and with a sudden push, she sent the blade skimming away, but the second blade came high towards her head.

Aola moved her blade to intercept, but Cadus shifted his trajectory just as she moved, and cut her on the shoulder.

Stumbling back before jumping away, Aola shifted her blade to intercept the next slash, and when that happened, Cadus's blade skimmed into her thigh.

"You are still allowing your minds to be occupied with my blades. You are focusing on them rather than our surroundings and my movements. You are splitting your focus."

Both rushed him with power and fierce speed, their blades whirling with so deftly that both seemed to be trying to encase the other in light.

For the first time, they were working together.

Cadus moved furiously, pivoting fast and hard to keep both blades at bay, chopping more than thrusting.

He slashed to the side, but whirled into motion, as if he had been startled, realizing Aola had turned to go opposite of him, and in the midst of that, Talisibeth rolled under the next chopping strike, standing to her feet and thrusting forward.

"You are both moving better now. Crisp and sharp." He congratulated.

Aola lunged at Cadus, unleashing a sudden and devastating thrust.

To her surprise, it never got close to hitting. With hardly a sweep, Cadus turned the blade aside.

Talisibeth ran right for him, spurring Aola on as they both went into a wild flurry, raining down blows.

But, Cadus didn't move.

He didn't step back or to the side, his precise binding techniques and lightning fast wrist movements kept both of their blades slashing and stabbing harmlessly wide.

Cadus pressed on, thrusting hard for their heads, and as both missed, he swept into another transition, whirling in for a slashing attack.

Talisibeth's blade caught the blow, her arms shook as she held the blade away from her flank.

"No!"

Cadus yelled, jamming Talisibeth's wrists so her light-saber was by her hips, bound their with his own weapon.

"Soresu is defensive, Talisibeth. It is not an offensive oriented style. You're trying to attack me in order to make gaps for Aola or cover her flanks, and you are moving too fast on the first transitions. You're leaving your right arm, and wrist wide open for a quick counter in addition to your left thigh."

Talisibeth felt clumsy and awkward for a moment.

She stepped back and adjusted her gripping.

"Aola, you move with too much certainty. You were surprised when I got past your thrust the first time. You have the foundations of Ataru mastered, but trying to use Djem so in tandem with it could be doing you more harm than good."

Aola swept away the sweat that would have stung her eyes, gasping for breath, and centered herself until the burn was just a small throb. He's not wrong...But...My footwork had elements of Juyo...I wasted stamina trying to somersault and strike him...

Cadus studied both briefly, smiling slightly as he nodded his head in approval. Neither actually scored a direct hit on him, but they managed to make him whirl his blade faster each time under the barrage of their combined assaults.

He lowered his weapon, signifying the end of the session.

"Very good, Aola and Talisibeth. Even though you were caught off guard by that move, you both were able to anticipate the blades' movements and defend with perfect form."

Sparring and drills had always been much more than mere physical exertion for Aola and Talisibeth, even since their early years in the Temple. Each step, each movement, every strike and thrust, every parry and block had become an extension of their will, and the force acting through their body.

Cadus handed them both a towel.

Aola and Talisibeth were both glad Cadus was sweating, though nowhere near as profusely as they were.

"Do you have anything you want me to work on for the tournament?"

"A new sequence? A new sequences from a form? Anything?"

"You are both moving far beyond sequences and forms. With my last attack you both broke off your attack in the middle of one sequence, parried in another style, and then came at me from a completely different and unexpected angle."

"I did?" Aola was surprised.

"I...I didn't really mean to." Talisibeth admitted.

"You're both letting the force and your feelings guide you. Your light-sabers have become an extension of your spirit."

Talisibeth couldn't help but grin.

Aola's brow furrowed in thought. "We still couldn't get past your defenses with that double-bladed light-saber."

She tried to run the battle over in her mind. No matter what she and Talisibeth had tried to do, it seemed one side of their Master's twin-bladed weapon was always there to slash, chop, parry, or block.

A seed of doubt crept into Talisibeth's mind as she did the same thing, and remembered that Loci used a similar style of weapon.

"Does the double-bladed light-saber give someone an advantage?" Talisibeth asked.

"It does, but not in the way you are probably thinking." Cadus said.

Both girls remained silent, waiting patiently for further explanation.

After a few seconds of silence Cadus nodded, gesturing for them to sit down.

"In actual combat and warfare, it is not so simple. Someone well trained in light-saber and hand to hand combat can defeat an opponent who is stronger in the force. Someone skilled with blasters can kill someone skilled with a light-saber. Someone stronger can kill someone accurate with blasters. The force allows you to anticipate your opponent's moves and counter them with your own. Your foe will have many moves and tricks at their disposal, and they could lull you."

Aola tilted her head. "So a double-bladed weapon gives someone more options?"

"No."

There was several seconds of silence as both mulled over Cadus's strange words.

In the end both were at a loss.

"I still don't understand, Master." Talisibeth admitted.

"You both know the single-bladed light-saber. You've both constructed a single bladed light-saber. You use it yourselves and you've seen all but a few of the apprentices in your generation use it. My double-bladed light-saber seems strange to you. Unfamiliar. You both don't fully understand what it can and cannot do."

From the lack of impatience in Cadus's tone, both girls could tell this was something they hadn't been expected to grasp on their own.

"If your foe tries to strike your wrist, but transfers into a stroke aimed for your neck, what do you do?"

"Clip the blade with the side of mine, and bind my foe's wrists at the same time." Aola replied, running it through her head a few times.

"I'd just parry and transition on their flank." Talisibeth said, finding the simplest avenues to be the most effective.

Cadus nodded. "Now, what if there was a second blade?"

Both looked at him, blinking.

"In combat, you try to keep track of each blade separately. This effectively doubles the number of possibilities before any step is taken. But, you see...The two blades are connected."

Cadus handed them both his double-bladed light-saber, letting them look it over and take note of the two blades being connected.

"Is it like Jar'Kai then?" Talisibeth asked.

"No, the dual wielding method of Jar'Kai is different, and to counter it and master it requires different skill sets. Jar'Kai is more about you and the space between yourself, while the double-blade is more about your opponents."

Cadus took his light-saber back into his hand, deactivating it.

"What do you mean by that?" Aola asked.

"By knowing the location of one, you are automatically aware of the location of the other. If I strike up, both blades are vertical, if I thrust, both blades are horizontal. In actual application as you both have seen, the double-bladed light-saber is more limited than the single blade light-saber. It can do more damage on the principle of two blades, but it is less precise. It is cumbersome and requires longer, sweeping movements. You must spin and twist to cover ground or distance yourself. It doesn't transition well into a quick stab or thrust like a single blade light-saber does."

Talisibeth nodded.

"The weapon is difficult to master and few among the Jedi or even the Sith understand it. They don't know how to attack or defend effectively against it. That gives those who use it an advantage over most of their opponents. It's not even an advantage, it is the affect seeing two blades has on the mind of a foe." Aola realized.

"There is the light-whip, too." Talisibeth said, a little blunt.

Cadus recalled Padme eschewing traditional weaponry in favor of the very rare energy whip. Just one of the many traits that made her stand out from other Jedi and Sith apprentices over the thousands of years save for Githany and a few others.

It operated on the same basic principles as a light-saber, but instead of a steady beam, the energy of the crystals ignited and focused in a flexible ribbon that would twist, coil, wrap, crack, smash, bash, turn, and snap in response to both Padme's physical motions and her use of the force.

"No Jedi uses the light-whip. The energy whip is far less efficient than any of the light-saber blades. However, nobody ever practices against the whip. There are not many techniques designed to counter the attacks from this weapon. Every practitioner knows that when they use this, the enemy's confusion gives them an edge."

"Why would anyone use a double-bladed light-saber then if it is so limited? The whip doesn't have the cutting power, so...Why use it? Why did you use it?" Aola asked, pointing at the double saber.

"To understand and contemplate why an exotic weapon or unfamiliar style will be more difficult to defend against. To understand that until I became an expert in a particular style, or create my own style, in the heat of combat my mind would struggle to grasp the limitations of each light-saber variant, even the light-saber pike."

Aola tilted her head, searching Cadus's expression.

Talisibeth pressed, eager to turn this new insight into something practical she could use. "So by studying different styles, I can negate the inherent advantages and flaws of them?"

"Time spent studying other styles is time away from mastering your own form. Your best progress will come from focusing more on yourself and less on your opponent. It isn't bad to study the other forms and the techniques, but you can get sidetracked with certain things in that regard if you are not careful."

"But, I can only go so far with the seven styles, even if I master one or all of them. Even if I master my own, and take from all seven...In theory, anyone could still beat me if they are an expert in a particular style or variant." Aola noted.

"What if they can project their emotions, too? Like their hatred or killing intent? A lot of us aren't trained to deal with that." Talisibeth remarked.

Cadus nodded.

"Yes, the seven forms are the foundation. But, none of them synthesize an actual sword fight every occasion, with the goal being to obtain full victory without losing composure in front of the enemy. They do not stress the concept to strike in a single blow, two step attacks to ensure one is never caught off guard while executing attacks, or to allow one to use their hilt to block attacks. None of the styles focus on the practitioners honing their senses to recognize movement, nor react in kind with their foe's emotional disposition."

"Then why do..." Aola trailed off, frustrated, but held her tongue.

"Most of all, practitioners of the Seven Styles don't receive great insight regarding the condition of the galaxy nor its living beings."

Talisibeth stared at Cadus, thinking, but kept drawing up blanks.

Aola rubbed her chin, but couldn't think of anything either.

"I am going to teach you my forte, young ones. Also, pack your clothes and belongings, you will both be living with me from here on."

"We're leaving the Temple?" Talisibeth asked.

Cadus nodded. "Your training requires you to be outside of its walls, although you can always come and visit if you like, or sleep in your rooms. I do it myself, even though I live in my own home."

"Can you give me something to work on, Master?" Talisibeth asked.

"Study Shii-Cho, Makashi, Ataru, and Djem So. You are not a passive or defensive fighter and you proved that."

The young girl looked a little uncertain. "But, Ataru requires one to be strong in the force and one has to use the force."

"Focus on Shii-Cho, Makashi, and Djem So. However, I want you to be proficient with Ataru's footwork, sequences, kata, and blade work. Soresu is only slowing down your progress. Work on these styles and study them."

"But..."

"I think he means to study them and apply what sticks. It's like a free form. We take what works and discard what does not work, for us...On an individual base, I think..." Aola spoke up a few seconds after, clarifying for her friend.

"Indeed, you are right. The leaves and branches are nice to look at, they are very pretty, but you must focus on the roots."

With those words Cadus left them, heading down the Temple stairs towards the Halls of Healing, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before the sun rose.

His apprentices went back to their rooms after showering and wrestled with his lessons until they finally dozed off.


It seemed obvious to her, that if the Jedi had been more stringent, more austere, and not willing to disband their military they wouldn't be in the situation they were in now. Yet the greatest of the Jedi had always taught that the selfless devotion, to serve the weak, was the most important thing, and through this they learned to humble themselves, despite having great power.

As if the Jedi having their own military and autonomy would do any good at this point, they would end up abusing that power, and there was no way Palpatine would grant them that power...But for things to remain this way...To see the Jedi blind to the ruin they brought to themselves...

Nothing seemed more than impossible in her lifetime until now, stuck between two powers.

Whenever she needed to feel the deepest subtleties of the force, there was one source to whom she could always turn to thanks to her bond. So, the first thing she did once everyone was asleep, without even taking time to stop by her own quarters for a change of clothing, was Cadus's room.

Shaak Ti wasn't surprised by how quickly the maverick Jedi invited her into his quarters. Cadus always had the ability to listen before speaking, and that's what he did as she stumbled through attempts to explain her situation and feelings without making it too obvious.

Cadus never made any attempt to conceal their bond, even if it was at the gruff disapproval of some Jedi Masters.

He offered her a place on one of the soft cushions and suggested that they make tea together. He didn't press for details urgently nor did he smother her. She was so grateful and so relieved, and so happy. She wiped at the tears welling in her eyes, it took a little while to make the tea the old fashioned way, and longer for her to compose herself into proper serenity.

They sat across from each other, Shaak Ti slowly filled Cadus's cup first, and carefully filled her own, furrows on her brow as she set it down precisely.

"Windu sent you to spy on Palpatine...It seems he and Yoda are running things in that direction. I cannot forgive either of them. As Master of the Order and Grand Master of the Order, they've done unforgivable things. "

"I felt torn, to be honest. I am not one for politics, but I do understand how things were and what they are are now." Shaak Ti murmured.

"What do you think their goal is, Shaak Ti?"

She could barely speak. "Remove Palpatine by force, if necessary. Remove the corrupt senators, but if it goes that far a Jedi will have to become the Supreme Chancellor which hasn't happened in thousands of years."

"It is getting dangerous here, these intentions and thoughts cannot be entertained. Have you seen the list of amendments and laws he has passed in the most recent senate session?"

Shaak Ti felt cold, even as she sipped the hot tea.

"The Security Act Amendment has went to a no vote once again, everything else has been passed, including a couple controversial ones that have to do with the Outer Rim and Non Sentient creatures being transported here and to the Core to be farmed for food, but still we are moving forward with peace talks with the CIS Council, so that is good news..." Shaak Ti commented gently.

"If the Jedi get too zealous, we could disrupt these peace talks. We still don't know what the Separatist Council will demand or want in order for these peace talks to be successful. We don't know what Palpatine is willing or not willing to give up either." Cadus said, eyes turned away from Shaak Ti and focused on the night sky.

Politics were always dangerous. Jedi were trained in it, at one point famous for it, but it was always advised that they shouldn't put their word or opinion in.

Shaak Ti felt that pressure and understood it too well.

"I don't want the Jedi to be disbanded, but I also don't want them to become a political body."

"In this democracy, even if it isn't that technically speaking, everything is a matter of politics. You have mechanics that are part of political parties because of species or association."

"I feel trapped. The Jedi are trapped, we lost our autonomy with the Ruusan Reformation, but it happened before that. We should have never become a part of the Republic. It's only led us to crave power while we abscond from our own crimes."

"Yes, we have turned a corner that we cannot move back from. We are suffocating in a pit of lethane gas in a Cortosis mine." Cadus said bluntly.

"What if we relocated?" Shaak Ti asked.

Cadus nodded for her to continue.

"Somewhere with trees, rivers, streams, oceans, creatures and creepy crawlies of all sizes. A place with waterfalls, a place with snow, a swampy place. Not a city-scape, not where fumes are oxygen. There is no nature here, nor land for my feet."

Cadus realized Shaak Ti was going to be a huge help in the future and would be on his side. There were also other Jedi that were thinking the same, and it was those he had to seek out. The more he rallied, the more power Naboo would have when the time came.

The greatest teachings of the Jedi Order were nothing more than pious, hubris prattle about letting go of the self and relinquishing all emotional attachments. More and more Jedi were resisting this way of thinking however, as the war went on, and the death tolls grew higher.

"Would there be any Jedi who think the same as you?"

Shaak Ti rubbed her montrals gently. "Master Leem has told me a few of her misgivings. She hasn't been happy with the state of things. Whether she will stand up for herself and those beliefs is to be seen. Barriss did what she did before, but it was because of the state things once more."

"We will have to test their resolve on things. Once we make our decision there is no turning back. The Jedi Order itself may declare war on us."

"Who would help us relocate is the question?"

"We need to worry about who is with us and who wants to follow the dogma first."

Unfortunately, Shaak Ti didn't know how she could test certain Jedi and their resolve. If she started spending hours each day in discussion with certain Jedi, asking certain questions, Windu, Yoda, and a few others would wonder what she was up to.

They might decide that her contributions weren't as valuable as what they could decide on their own.

They might decide she was dangerous.

By the time she finished her tea, Shaak Ti's montrals ached. She sighed giving Cadus a tired smile. "Forgive me."

He made his way over and stepped behind her, placing his large hands on her shoulders, just at the base of her long neck.

He began to massage the muscles, his caress surprisingly gentle for a man so large.

"Mmm...I needed this." Shaak Ti admitted. "I've missed your massages."

"Try not to zone out, I still want to talk to you." Cadus replied, working his thumbs deep into her shoulder blades.

She gasped and lowered her head, then went limp as her knotted muscles melted beneath his touch.

"Master Yoda and Master Windu are worried about power." She mumbled, feeling herself drift away on the rhythmic pressure of his fingers on her neck.

"Autonomy?"

"I believe it could be jurisdiction and who gets what. I knew there was growing tension, but for it to be to such an extent as it is now just...It just makes me wary."

She closed her eyes and let her head fall back as he continued to knead her shoulders.

"You are most likely right. They want to exceed their mandate and wish to dictate things as they see fit."

"It is madness and it endangers all of us."

"They only care about the Republic and the changing tides, they are not focused on the bigger picture of what is coming after this." Cadus chuckled, a deep, low sound she felt thrumming through the tips of his fingers.

"Where does that leave us, though? What about Jedi who do not want to fight? I worry that if we are given a broad stroke..."

"We need to decide that ourselves, and soon. The Jedi who do not fight will be in the same boat as the other Jedi, and the same can be said for those in the Agricultural Corps. If the Jedi are targeted in a broad stroke, they'll still be attacked regardless. We still have time, though our window is getting more narrow."

"Are you sure?"

"I am pretty sure. Palpatine has yet to get the Jedi Order under his command like the GAR, and until that happens we can move without much trouble. It is doubtful that more than a few will believe, listen, or feel the same as you and I. We must be prepared to accept this."

"What are you saying?" Shaak Ti asked.

"The Jedi Order has become a sterile flower. It is stagnant. It can only go one way at this point, and we both know how that is going to turn out. We can save the Younglings by taking them. We may not get through to most, but we will get through to the few, and the fewer who share our thoughts will join us as well."

The slight increase in the pressure of his touch told her that Cadus meant every word spoken.

Shaak Ti sighed softly. "The Jedi Order cannot continue the way it has, and it cannot go on as it will in the near future...The Jedi are forbidden from forming attachments, but it will be this lack of attachments and ignorance that lead the Jedi to ruin..."

"Are you just wary of the Jedi Order, or do you want to leave the Order and renounce being a Jedi completely?"

Shaak Ti thought about it for a long time. "A bit of both, perhaps...I was wary at first, but now I wish to leave to some extent. Master Windu has become extremely dangerous. The dark side of the force surrounds him and is strong in him. There is an undeniable something attracting the dark side to him."

Cadus only grunted in response.

His hands continued massaging, and were slowly moving up her montrals.

"Seems like I was sent away so people could maneuver with politics. You are right to be so wary and ready to leave...The Jedi Order has fallen. Windu uses Shatterpoint and Yoda just allows him..."

Shaak Ti sighed softly, sinking into him.

"Yes. And, speaking of politics...The Chancellor showed me something disturbing. It would seem that there are two thousand or more senators that want to take away Palpatine's power, by force if they have to."

Cadus made no motion or gesture to express any emotion or interest in what Shaak Ti had said.

"I worry, Master Cadus."

"I know..." Cadus nodded, feeling the cold ice of dread reaching to grip his throat. "I'll handle it."