Chapter 3

Coruscant was the capital of the Republic. Its Senate met there, the military was headquartered there, and the Jedi Council used to call it home. The final, brutal act of the Great Galactic War had seen destruction spread across its surface, as the Empire bombarded and briefly occupied the planet. The citizenry, military and civilian government had returned, but the Jedi Council had not. With the Jedi Temple reduced to ruins and most of the leading Jedi dead, they had moved to Tython. They still planned to one day return, and it seemed that long awaited day was fast approaching.

Reconstructing the Jedi Temple was not a simple matter of clearing the rubble and putting up a new structure. The exorbitant cost had already delayed the process, but even this was not the core problem. The horrible events of its destruction, including dozens of murders and the intentional defilement by invading Sith, had left the site tainted by the Dark Side. Originally, the place had been a wellspring of the light, a powerful Force Nexus being the reason the Temple had been constructed on the spot, but now it was corrupted and required purification before it would be a suitable home for the Jedi Order.

Pyrrha Nikos, a powerful Jedi Sentinel of Knight rank was dispatched by the Jedi Council to lead the efforts to purify the Temple. Though young, she showed great skill in both combat and command of the Force. She had already taken to training a Padawan, and a tough one at that. Jaune Arc displayed a powerful connection to the Force, but struggled in its use. His combat skills were also lackluster, but he did show a strong aptitude for healing powers. Most expected he would simply be put to use as a medic or scribe, but Pyrrha was unwilling to give up on him. Pyrrha sensed that he could be something more.

While Pyrrha worked with a team of dedicated Jedi to clear the Temple of its corruption, Jaune continued his training by assisting the people of Coruscant. Though the surface of the sprawling, planet-wide city was glamorous and opulent, the lower levels were full of crime and poverty. Gangs ruled many areas and clashed with one another, civilians often being caught in the crossfire. Good medical care could be hard to come by in these dangerous areas, so a skilled healer like Jaune was in demand.

It seemed Pyrrha's purification efforts were nearing completion, but there was still important work ahead. She could understand why the Jedi chosen for the job were screened so carefully. The Dark Side energy, even in small doses, was a powerful temptation. Less disciplined Jedi could easily fall prey, and even the slightest lapse could very quickly lead them down a destructive path. A mistake, even at this late stage of the purification, could be disastrous, undoing all their hard work.

After long hours of concentration, Pyrrha exited the Temple, taking some time to relax and meditate. She was interrupted by a call on her holo-communicator. She slipped it from the pocket of her robes and held it in front of her, pressing the button to accept the call. She recognized the hologram instantly, Master Glynda Goodwitch, the Jedi Council's representative to the Senate. Master Goodwitch was also the Council's second in command, ranking only below Master of the Order Ozpin. Goodwitch also led the Council of First Knowledge, the keepers of the Order's most secret information.

"Master Goodwitch." Pyrrha nodded, unable to properly bow to the handheld hologram.

"Knight Nikos." Glynda greeted. "How goes the purification of the Temple?"

"Well, our project is nearing completion." Pyrrha replied.

"Good, very good." Glynda acknowledged. "Though it is your project no longer. Your presence is required at the Senate, for a meeting with the Committee on Military Intelligence."

"I'm being reassigned?" Pyrrha asked, taken aback. "But the purification is incomplete."

"Trust in your fellow Jedi." Glynda instructed. "Now there is a far more important task requiring your abilities."

"What is more important than purifying the Temple?" Pyrrha pressed.

"I cannot tell you more." Glynda replied. "The committee meets in three hours, do not be late."

"Should I bring my Padawan?" Pyrrha inquired.

"No." Glynda answered. "He will not be admitted to the meeting. But you should contact him, you will both be leaving the planet soon."

"Very well." Pyrrha relented.

"May the Force be with you." Glynda bade.

"And with you." Pyrrha responded, ending the call.

Pyrrha dialed her Padawan, who answered almost immediately. "Master." Jaune did his best to bow.

"Jaune, how go your efforts?" Pyrrha asked.

"Pretty well, but there are far more people in need than I can help on my own." Jaune lamented. "It's distressing to see so many suffering and not be able to do anything about it."

"Do not despair." Pyrrha encouraged. "Your work is more important than you realize. You serve as a beacon of hope for more than just those you assist directly."

"I suppose so." Jaune nodded.

"Regardless, I'm not just calling to check up on you." Pyrrha refocused. "I've been given few details, but it seems we've been reassigned. We'll be departing Coruscant soon. Head to the Senate Tower and wait for me there."

"Very well Master." Jaune agreed.

"May the Force be with you." Pyrrha bade.

"And with you." Jaune responded.

Pyrrha ended the call and slipped her holo-communicator into her pocket. She would first need to inform the other Jedi at the Temple, then take a shuttle to the Senate. She wondered what sort of mission would be important enough to involve Master Goodwitch and the Senate Committee on Military Intelligence. Whatever it was, it would surely test her skills.

After a short wait, Pyrrha was ushered into a room deep within the Senate Tower. She was apparently the last to arrive. Already present were a number of Senators, Master Goodwitch, and a pair of Republic soldiers in their dress uniforms - a man and a woman. Most of the Jedi Council was also present via hologram. Pyrrha had known the meeting was important, but the fact that even Grandmaster Ozpin was remotely attending came as a surprise. After a moment of shock, she remembered herself and bowed. "Masters, Senators, I am honored."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to skip the pleasantries." One of the Senators spoke up. "This matter is far too important to waste time on such niceties."

"Of course." Pyrrha agreed. Glynda nodded and none of the others objected.

"Soldier, go ahead and tell the committee what you found." The Senator instructed. The male soldier stepped forward. His black hair was long, far longer than regulation would normally allow, and tied into a ponytail. His uniform was perfectly fitted and pressed, boots polished to a mirror sheen. Even the blasters upon his hips gleamed in the light, spotless and shiny as the day they were issued.

"Specialist Lie Ren, Intelligence Analyst, Republic Navy Special Operations." The soldier introduced himself with a bow. His voice was quiet and measured. The Senator rolled his eyes at the formal introduction. "My unit covertly captured an Imperial orbital communications post near Korriban. As I was decrypting some messages, I came across something curious. The Sith were dispatching several of their number on a mission to locate what they described as an 'ancient weapon of immense power' on the order of the Star Forge. The description reminded me of a legend Corporal Valkyrie once told. After discussing the matter with her, she confirmed that the Sith are indeed describing this legendary weapon. She knows more about it than I do."

The female soldier stepped forward. She carried a heavy blaster rifle on her back and several grenades on her belt. Though not quite sloppy, her uniform was not nearly as well kept as her comrade's, including horrifically scuffed boots. "Uh, Corporal Nora Valkyrie, Demolitions Expert, same unit." She introduced, perky smile never leaving her face. "My family originally came from Taris, and when I was a kid my mom would tell me stories about a machine that helped the ancient Jedi defeat the Sith in a long forgotten war. Both sides fought over the machine, and when the Jedi finally won, they decided to hide it so it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. Then they hid clues to its location on various planets. Only the Grandmaster knew where the clues were hidden, and he told no one. When he died, the information was lost, and the machine with it. I know it sounds crazy, but when Ren told me about the messages he intercepted, I knew that's what he was talking about."

"Thank you soldiers." Glynda praised, taking the floor. "The Council of First Knowledge has found scattered evidence that this legend is in fact true, but until this time, we have lacked the knowledge required to locate it. The Sith communications spoke of maps located on Rishi and Onderon."

"Unfortunately the Republic has no official presence on either world." A Senator lamented.

"Which is why you, Knight Nikos, will lead the effort to locate these maps and with them the weapon." Glynda added. "You will be joined by your Padawan, these soldiers, and a squad of mercenaries the Republic has hired for the task."

"Mercenaries...why not a military task force?" Pyrrha asked.

"The Republic does not have the manpower to spare." A Senator replied. "Besides, this committee remains unconvinced of the legend's veracity. It would be folly to waste a task force on what may well be a total waste of time."

"But if the legend is true, it could be the most important discovery since the Star Forge." Glynda noted. "The Jedi Council and Council of First Knowledge consider this mission a top priority. I regret that we do not have time for a formal ceremony, but I now officially initiate you as a Shadow. May the Force be with you and your companions."

"Your ship is in docking bay A2, do not delay." A Senator advised. "We will be in communication with further information and orders as circumstances demand."

"I will not fail you." Pyrrha promised. "May the Force be with you."

"Yes...dismissed." The lead Senator closed the meeting.

"We just need to grab some gear and we'll meet you at the ship." Nora indicated. The way she bounced around on her feet displayed just how excited she was to embark on this new adventure.

"I look forward to working with both of you." Pyrrha smiled. A perky grenadier, a spy, and a squad of mercs would make for interesting companions, but she was confident in her ability to lead them to success.

Pyrrha collected Jaune and headed toward the space port. On the way they procured some supplies, having them sent to the ship. Pyrrha did not know how long the mission would take, but having too much was far better than too little. The pair arrived at their destination and headed for the specified docking bay, not knowing exactly what to expect. What sort of ship would mercenaries use? When they emerged from the turbolift they found a BT-7 Thunderclap, an assault ship from the last war. It was a common design and many had been sold as surplus after the Treaty of Coruscant was signed.

Before they could approach the vessel, the bay's second turbolift slid open, revealing the Republic soldiers from the briefing. They had changed clothes and would have been unrecognizable, if not for their memorable features. Gone were the uniforms, replaced with much more personal, but still practical gear. Ren wore an olive coat, lightly reinforced with a select few armor plates. The long coat tails almost hid his sturdy, armored boots, and were it not for the familiar holster straps tight around his grey bottoms, he would have appeared relatively unarmed.

Nora, on the other hand, was far less subtle, even less so than when in uniform. Her black vest jacket was far bulkier, thick with armorweave and a duraplate collar circling her neck. Two matching shoulder pads sat on either side, with barely a few inches of grey undershirt visible before yet more duraplate covered her arms. Her legs were no different, heavy armor covering what seemed to be a bodysuit. And that was without mentioning the various grenades and ammo pouches decorating her form. She was practically a walking demolition squad.

"Hey Pyrrha!" Nora chirped. She rushed over and only just stopped short of hugging the Jedi. "This is so cool! I always wanted to meet a real Jedi, and now I get to fight beside one! When I was little my mom always told me stories of heroic Jedi saving the galaxy from evil, and I really wanted to be one, but I can't use the Force." Her smile barely dipped before she continued cheerfully. "But this is still super awesome. I'll help you any way I can, just say the word."

"It's nice to meet you too Nora." Pyrrha greeted. "This is my Padawan Jaune Arc." She gestured to the other Jedi.

"Nice to meet you Jaune." Ren bowed. "I am Specialist Lie Ren. It's an honor to assist you both."

"That's a cool lookin' ship." Nora observed. "I bet it really packs a punch."

"I hope so." Pyrrha nodded. "I'm not sure what we'll face, but a heavy armament will surely come in handy. I hope the rest of our crew will be as enthusiastic as you." Nora giggled at the compliment and the group headed toward the ship.

Near the ship's ramp, a towering man stood vigil beside his fellow crew member, expression stoic. His hair was black and close cropped, his eyes trained directly on the new arrivals. His garb spoke Echani to Pyrrha, practical robes not too different from those of the Jedi Order, but more rugged. Battered combat armor covered all but his right arm, which casually held a large repeater across his shoulder.

With a wave the second crew member approached, long, swaying ears bobbing as she patted her companion on the shoulder pauldron. A tight brown bodysuit hugging her form, simple in design, but a harness and various straps allowed a myriad of tools and devices to be carried on her person. She holstered one of the tools, offering her now free hand to Pyrrha. "Velvet Scarlatina."

"Pyrrha Nikos." She introduced, shaking Velvet's hand. "This is my Padawan Jaune Arc."

"A pleasure to meet you." Jaune greeted.

"I'm Nora!" She cheered. "He's Ren."

"Will anyone else be joining us?" Velvet asked.

"No, why?" Pyrrha inquired.

"We use some of the crew quarters for storage." Velvet replied. "Many more crew members and we'll have to share bunks...not that the boss would mind." She paused for a moment. "Oh, the big guy's Yatsuhashi, he doesn't say much." He nodded his head toward the group.

The hatch at the top of the ship's ramp clanked open and a woman strode out, descending the ramp toward the others. She peered at them over the top of her dark tinted glasses. Brown of hair, a long strand of which glimmered orange in the hangar lights. She was tall and rather shapely for a mercenary, accentuated by a bodysuit similar to Velvet's, pitch black in color and adorned with a surprisingly immaculate cream brown flight jacket. Pyrrha found it interesting that such a rough and tumble sort maintained an appearance so seemingly organized in spite of its ragtag nature. A slanted beret topped her head, ruffled black scarf was draped around her neck along with a tangle of woven necklaces, and a belt hung lazily around her waist, all following the same black and brown color code, with occasional gold accents. She exuded power and respect.

"Is the ship ready?" The woman asked Velvet.

"Yes Coco." Velvet confirmed. "Just cleaning up."

"Good." Coco turned her attention to the group before her. "You must be our new employers."

"Pyrrha Nikos." She introduced. "This is my Padawan Jaune Arc. The others are Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren, they're Republic soldiers."

"We used to be enlisted with the Republic too." Coco noted, shaking Pyrrha's hand. "Would you like a tour of the ship?"

"Sure." Pyrrha agreed. The group followed as Coco ascended the ramp, heading into the ship. As it happened, the ship was quite spacious, with a large bunk room, command center, briefing room, med bay and even a recreation room, though most were full of gear and supplies. It was quite impressive. The last stop was the bridge, where the final member of the mercenary squad was relaxing.

The pilot lazed in his seat sipping a protein shake, milky eyes seemingly staring into nothing. Pyrrha knew better - his eyes may have been blind, but he saw clear as day. She could feel it. Judging by the way his presence closed off upon her entry, it was not open for discussion. The dark-skinned man wore a black and grey pilot's jumpsuit, the top unzipped and tied around his waist, leaving a vibrant red tank top to show off his lean muscle and the collection of scars decorating his body. His hair stuck in all directions, unkempt and deeper red than his top. He nearly glowed in contrast to the dark grey of the ship's interior, and that seemed perfectly comfortable for him.

"And this is Fox, our pilot." Coco completed her tour.

"Hey." Fox casually waved.

The others introduced themselves in turn, and soon Velvet and Yatsuhashi arrived as well. "Everything's packed up and ready." Velvet indicated.

"Ready to rock?" Coco asked.

"I ordered some supplies." Pyrrha noted. "They should arrive soon."

"We're fully kitted out already." Coco declared. "We don't need them."

"Better to be safe than sorry." Pyrrha advised. "This is a mission we cannot afford to fail."

"Are you going to tell us what that mission is?" Coco asked.

"I'm afraid I can't give much in the way of specifics." Pyrrha answered. "We're looking for something...something powerful and ancient, and we need to find it before the Empire does."

"So it's a treasure hunt?" Velvet chuckled. "Our specialty."

"Where are we going?" Fox inquired.

"We need to go to Onderon and Rishi." Pyrrha replied. "Onderon is closer, so I suppose that should be our first stop."

"How much opposition should we be expecting?" Coco queried.

"I don't know." Pyrrha admitted. "The Sith are dispatching a task force to find the target, but intelligence reports did not indicate the size."

"We'll warm up the big guns, just in case." Coco smirked.

"This is your ship, and I respect that, but may I have use of your command center?" Pyrrha requested. "I will need secure communications with the Senate and the Jedi Council."

"Sure, make yourselves at home." Coco allowed.

Pyrrha had been concerned about working with mercenaries. She always questioned the loyalty of those who would sell their services to the highest bidder, but knowing they were ex Republic soldiers helped. The mission was off to an auspicious start, and Pyrrha was cautiously optimistic about their chances. Still, the very fate of the Republic may well have depended on their success, and overconfidence could be their undoing.