Hello again! Today I bring you the second part of the prologue. After this we'll go right into the story. I had a brief respite from my studies and was able to finish this before the weekend. Enjoy!
Answers to Reviews:
Ethan Kironus: Hal Jordan isn't part of the Republic, the Empire or that galaxy at all. He is still a Lantern but won't appear until later. As for the Padawan, he is basically a character of mine. I had originally planned to have a cannon character in his place but they didn't feel like they fit in the theme I'm going for. Still, I think I know who you're referring to and they do have a part to play. A lot of things are going to be different in this story while others stay the same.
Disclaimer: Star Wars The Old Republic is property of Bioware and all lantern elements belong to DC Comics. All rights go to their respective owners.
Prologue - Part 2
[Holorecording initiated]
Entry 1
Date: 10 ATC
::
Greetings. I am Master Gnost-Dural, keeper of the Jedi Archives. The Jedi Council requested I perform a daunting task—to revise the Order's historical records in light of new revelations about the formation of the Sith Empire. However, I have chosen to make a separate ongoing archive on a peculiar mystery that has been the cause of much debate since the Treaty of Coruscant.
To provide context, the Lords of the Emperor's Dark Council had surprised the Republic Senate with an offer of peace and against the suspicions of the Jedi, agreed to the signing of a treaty. Republic and Imperial diplomats convened on the planet of Alderaan to discuss a galaxy-wide cease-fire, but the Sith proved true with their treachery. The Imperial fleet launches a surprise assault on the Republic capital of Coruscant, bombarding the planet form orbit and storming the city-world's bottomless towers. The Senate was captured and held hostage and the Jedi Temple was annihilated as a result. The Treaty of Coruscant was singed on unfavorable terms.
[Attachment: Please watch my other historical entries for more context on the history between the Republic and the Sith Empire.]
This is where the mystery begins. Multiple reports, from both the Republic and Empire, all seemed to tell of a white ring that moved on its own accord. According to numerous witness, it arrived at random places, scanned different members of the populace, whether they were living or dead, and left just as quickly. This was a phenomenon that was repeated throughout the entirety of Coruscant in the midst of the losing battle. But why it did this remained a mystery until holorecordings from the attack at the Jedi Temple were recovered at a later date.
Darth Malgus had led a successful attack on the Temple that claimed the lives of its brave defenders. It is there where the ring first appeared. It should be of note that the ring not only refused to scan the Sith present on that attack but also outright dismissed them. This seemed to anger them and Darth Malgus sought call the ring to him by force. This proved to be a mistake.
On a completely unexpected turn of events, the ring exploded with energies of unknown origin and design, knocking down all the Sith close by, including Darth Malgus. It was then that the ring did something that no one foresaw.
The ring spoke in a clear, yet powerful manner. It deemed Darth Malgus unworthy, but of what, we can only speculate. It then left the Jedi Temple to travel all over Coruscant, as the reports indicated. It must be of note that the power that came from the ring not only was felt even by then Jedi Master Satele Shan and Darth Baras in Alderaan, but it also disabled all communications from both sides of the battle for a short time.
This occurrence, combined with the other reports all around the planet have brought forth a curious yet terrifying conclusion. Decrypted Imperial transmissions and interviews with the few surviving Jedi I could find all claim the same thing: no one could not sense the ring. This would explain why the Sith Empire failed to acquired it but the question remains: why was it invisible in the eyes of the Force?
We must face the possibility that the mysterious white ring is not influence by the Force altogether. And if this is proven to be true, it brings more questions than answers. Where did it come from? Is the ring sentient or programmed? What is its purpose for having such power? Does it seek a wielder? Why did it not intervene? Such questions couldn't be answered back then.
As such, for the next decade, this ring has been the object of an unexpected manhunt by the Sith Empire. Spies, Sith, even Bounty Hunters have all sought this elusive ring that has appeared only on certain occasions. It seems the ring is aware its being hunted, as it has hidden for long periods of time before revealing itself. This puts into perspective the consideration that the ring is sentient.
For help on this inquiry, I have included decrypted Imperial transmissions and Republic reports that may shine a light onto the mystery of the white ring.
::
Imperial holotransmission
Date: 0 BTC
Status: Decrypted (formerly encrypted)
Receiver: The Oppressor [Darth Angral's flagship]
Transmission Origin: Coruscant
Persons of interests: Darth Angral [DA], Lord Adraas [LA]
[Begin transmission playback]
DA: What happened down there? [frustrated]
LA: Oh, you didn't hear? There was a powerful object that has been sighted all over Coruscant. Its energy brought down our communications.
DA: [pause] You seem suspiciously lively. Has this object been taken perhaps?
LA: Oh no, it flew away.
[silence]
DA: What?
LA: It was a ring, extremely powerful. It entered the Jed Temple, searching for Jedi.
DA: What?! [alarmed] Why haven't you destroyed it?!
LA: Oh, that's where it gets sweet. Malgus tried to take it. The ring brought him to his knees and deemed him "unworthy". It flew away and has ignored everything ever since.
[silence]
DA: Find the ring. Take it or destroy it. It matters not, just keep it away from the hands of the Jedi.
LA: I'm already handling it. Send the fleet to attack the Senate district. Whatever this power is, it will soon my mine.
DA: You mean the Emperor's.
[silence]
LA: Yes, the Emperor's.
[End transmission playback]
::
It should be known Lord Adraas never found the ring and was reported dead by the end of the battle. Whether by our hand or that of his rivals remains to be seen. In addition, an interview with Aryn Leener before her expulsion of the Jedi Order revealed that the ring outright ignored her duel with Darth Malgus and any other battles that she witnessed. This leads me to the conclusion that the ring did not kill Lord Adraas, as many have rumored.
::
Imperial holotransmission
Date: 0 BTC
Status: Decrypted (formerly encrypted)
Receiver: The Dark Council Chambers, Korriban
Transmission Origin: Dromund Kaas
Persons of interests: Darth Angral [DA], Darth Marr [DM#1], Darth Malgus [DM#2], Darth Jadus [DJ]
[Begin transmission playback]
DM#1: Our victory over the Republic has brought the Empire to a new age, but our work is far from done. The Emperor has given a new order.
DM#2: What does the Emperor commands?
DA: In the middle of the sacking, you encountered a ring that had power that we had never felt before. Its echoes were felt even on here on Korriban. The Emperor demands its capture.
DM#2: Then as the Emperor commands, it shall be done.
DJ: Perhaps.
DM#1: What say you Darth Jadus?
DJ: It may prove to be difficult for our compatriot to prove his worth to our Empire. He was deemed unworthy after all.
[silence]
DA: [chuckles]
DM#2: [growls]
DM#1: Enough! Our Emperor has given his command. We will follow it to the letter. Malgus, instruct your subordinates, allies, and rivals. Find that ring is all that matters. Whatever power this ring wields, it must not fall on the hands of the Jedi.
[End transmission playback]
::
This was the beginning of the hunt. At first, a great part of Imperial Intelligence was dedicated to finding this ring before it was needed elsewhere. They had tracked it multiple times to different planets, even those under Imperial control. However, the ring was able to travel through unknown means, evading capture. At one moment, the ring disappeared over a period of 5 years. Again, the consideration that the ring is sentient is not far off.
Also of note would be Darth Malgus's initiative to find the ring himself. Its actions back on the Jedi Temple left Darth Malgus humiliated in front of his peers. He has been searching for it up to this day, to no avail.
::
Republic holotransmission
Date: 6 BTC
Status: Encrypted
Receiver: SIS Headquarters
Transmission Origin: SIS Outpost, [REDACTED]
Persons of interests: [REDACTED], [REDACTED]
[AUTHORIZATION OF JEDI MASTER GNOST-DURAL REQUIRED]
[AUTHORIZATION OF JEDI GRANDMASTER SATELE SHAN REQUIRED]
[AUTHORIZATIONS VERIFIED: ACCESS GRANTED]
[ONLY AUDIO]
[Begin transmission playback]
[13 hours ago]
This is [NAME REDACTED BY ORDER OF GRANDMASTER STAELE SHAN] reporting in. The situation here is more complicated than expected. The [REDACTED] are in quite the uproar. They caught multiple Imperial agents and a Sith operating beyond their allowed territory. The Empire has sent some Darth to run damage control but the damage is already done. We may have an opportunity to gain some [REDACTED] as allies from this blunder if it continues like this.
The Empire had been tracking some kind of object, a white ring, I think. We have no confirmation of anything yet but we'll continue working. So far, it doesn't seem like anyone is making any headway but I'll keep you posted on our progress.
[7 hours ago]
If the rumors are true, then that ring is here somewhere. Why here of all places is beyond me. This is a cesspool of criminals. Didn't it appear only to the Jedi before, why the change of scenery? That enough wondering. I'll contact you later.
[3 hours ago]
We have a serious problem. We have confirmed reports that Darth Malgus is here. He was sighted 30 minutes ago. I have ordered all possible SIS agents to withdraw. [crash sound] Kriff! I got to go!
[5 minutes ago]
This is [redacted] reporting in. *sigh* Where do I start?
Multiple Imperials hit our places hours ago. I don't know how but they knew. Most had already been evacuated but 2 agents are KIA. One is missing but we have to assume he's been captured. We have to look at the possibility that one of our own isn't who they say they are.
Back to the topic at hand, Malgus was looking for the ring, no doubt about it but… I think we have underestimated how smart that thing is.
I know, I know, it's a ring. But you didn't see what I saw.
I was close to being discovered by the Imp soldiers so I hid in a trash collector, and yes, I stink and that better not be on the written report. Anyway, just as the Imps went by, this white ring comes through the alley and looks around. It sees an energy box, scans it and then turns right to me. I swear that thing was looking at me. It turned back, stopped glowing, and dropped dead in the mountains of garbage just as Malgus went by. I don't know how, but some way he didn't seem to know it was there. Before he could utter a word, the entire district lights went out. Don't ask me how the ring did it, it just did it.
Time went by and Malgus left after the soldiers told him something. Once it was safe, I got out only to see the ring floating right in front of me. I got my first good look at it and let me tell you; that thing is a beauty. I noticed a strange symbol on it; a triangle with lines coming out of it. Before I could do anything, it scanned me from head to toe and left. I regrouped with the other agents and we're assessing the full damage done to us now.
Oh, and the reason Malgus left? The ring somehow falsified a holocall from Dromund Kaas.
I know I sound crazy when I ask this but… are we sure that thing isn't intelligent?
[End transmission playback]
::
Although I personally would like to believe in its sentience, advanced droids have been known to accomplish complex tasks in the field, even impressive accomplishments as this one. There simply isn't enough evidence to do more than speculate as sightings are few in number. However, this report does provide a means of how the ring was able to stay hidden for so long. Perhaps it was among us at some time and chose not to reveal itself.
[Attachment: Any access to this transmission or any pertaining to the agent in question must be granted by the current SIS Director and the Grandmaster Satele Shan. Any attempt on unauthorized access is punishable under the full extent of Republic law.]
::
HoloNet News Recording
Date: 9 BTC
Breaking News: Mystery Ring on Alderaan
The camera pans out to a news anchor, a practiced smile on her face.
"Welcome back to HoloNet News and to the developing story happening on Alderaan. Jedi Grandmaster Satele Shan was the Republic's representative at the Sendath Ruins in what would have been the first attempt for a peace summit between the noble houses of Alderaan. However, the Empire proved itself as the snake it has always been and sent its own delegates, Sith, who were supposedly invited by House Thul, against the rules agreed upon by the noble houses."
The camera switches to the Sendath Ruins, were members of House Thul and Organa were seeing arguing, with Satele Shan attempting to keep the peace.
"The unwelcomed guests proceeded to halt all talks of peace in their wrongful accusations of the Jedi Grandmaster being there for the sole purpose to intimidate the delegates. Tensions rose high until it all stopped and believe me viewers. You don't want to miss this."
A ring is seen descending from the sky, halting all conversations. It stops at eye level and proceeds to stand before each delegate except the Sith. It stopped before Master Shan. She eyed it curiously as the ring stood there for a long time. Then, the ring scanned her, white lines covering her from head to toe. It stopped. Everyone's shock was visible as the ring slowly change its position and proceeded to drift to her hand. It was close to placing itself on her middle finger before it floated away, back to eye level. It stood before her for a long time and without warning, shoot out into the sky.
"Yes viewers, the mysterious ring has made another appearance. For those who don't know, the ring was first seen back on Coruscant in the treacherous attack by the Empire. According to our sources, this ring has been seen all around the galaxy, scanning different sentient species. There are also rumors that the Empire has been hunting it for some time. This is the first appearance in 3 years."
"Grandmaster Satele Shan has made news once more for a single fact."
The camera zooms on her hand, the white ring close to it.
"She has been the first ever recorded person to have been even close to be chosen. But what does it mean? What would have happened had she gotten the ring? Why did it leave in the end? We sought to ask these questions but the Grandmaster was unavailable for comment."
"We at HNN however, will do everything to bring the truth to you. We will continue to cover these events as they unfold. Joining us next are Doctor May'for and Professor Cormi, experts in the fields of technology, to answer the next question: sentience or programming?"
[End of recording]
::
This event was completely unexpected and the poor Grandmaster was accosted by Padawans, Knights and fellow masters when she returned to Tython. *chuckles* I must admit I was one of them.
I sought to ask for an interview to gain more insight into the mystery of the ring. When asked about her encounter, Grandmaster Shan commented it was as if everything about her was laid bare before her. She claimed she could see her entire life until that point. It was as if the ring knew her and all her secrets. She mentioned the ring shone brighter when it stood before her and just before it left. She has been meditating on her chambers since then.
With this new information, I'm beginning to believe more on the possibility that something other than the Force is at play. If what the Grandmaster claims is true, then the ring is capable of somehow knowing the ones it scans, which would explain why it has ignored the Sith entirely.
To conclude, there is still much speculation about the ring. We still have many questions, questions without answers but with the events concerning Alderaan, the galaxy now knows without a doubt what the ring is searching for.
It searching for a bearer, and it still hasn't found them.
::
[End of holorecording]
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Servant of the Flame out.