She opened her door and gestured to one of the couches as they entered. No wonder he had never heard of her. Several thousand years was impossible, she looked perfectly human and the Force was not contradicting that thought.
"Tea?"
"Yes, thank you." A droid came out as she called out to it. She briefly gave it her request and came back to sit down across from him.
"I can see I gave you many more questions, so let me start from the beginning..." Darra gave him the report she had already given not only the new chancellor, but the Jedi Council as well. Then she revealed how they got there and what they suspected had happened. Jinn could not believe he was looking and sitting near the Hero of Tython and the savior of the Old Republic during the dark ages of the Great Galactic War. OF all the records that had survived told of her success. Though she was referred to as Master Suro and mistaken for male more than female. He did remember a Jedi that was referred to as only the commander.
"That is some tale, but why tell me? I am not on the High Council." The tea came and Darra waited until it was properly set out and he had a cup in his hand. She waited a bit longer until he raised the cup to his lips before speaking and asking him her question.
"You are the first Jedi that is not under my command. I told you so you would know where we are coming from. Now how do you feel about working with true Sith?" Flying tea she had expected as she was not fully in front of such a path, but it was close. His presence in the Force went to high alert and he was moments away from jumping to his feet. She was also sure he was sending his padawan a warning in the Force as she giggled. He felt of a mirrored level of fear and a tinge of anger from the possible threat Darra posed to him. His shields slammed shut as he started pulling the Force into himself.
"I am not a Sith if that is what you are thinking and my lightsabers are in my bedroom, so you can relax, Master Jinn. I was curious on how you would react."
"Sith? How many Sith are you talking about?"
"Truthfully about a third of the Force adepts in my command have learned at the academy on Korriban. I will not tell you specific numbers at this time. I will tell you they are loyal to me."
"Thousands of years the Jedi have fought the Sith to finally eradicate them and now you brought them back. Was that Zabrak I fought on Tatooine one of yours?"
"The only member of my command that is not here is Darth Xalek we assume he went to Kalee. I have sent a message out to him, but we are not sure our comlinks will be recognized outside of the fleet."
"Kalee that system I think is under sanctions for attacking another system." Obi Wan stated as he relaxed.
"Oh that I will have to look into. Tell me of this Zabrak." Darra took a drink of her tea as she listened to his answer.
"Red skin with black tattooing. He was well trained in the combat arts. Stronger than I am I feel. I want to think he is a Sith Lord as he is stronger than any fallen Jedi or darksider I have encountered before. His presence was so full of hate it was tiring even after the few minutes we fought." Darra thought about it for a few minutes and his description was like none of her warriors. The feeling in the Force was definitely how a Sith felt when you fought them. A technique that was easily countered. Had the Jedi lost this knowledge? She felt that this could very well be true. Perhaps it was time to visit this Temple on Coruscant. It would be nice to see it whole.
"Qui Gon I think I can solve two issue with one trip. I need to go to Coruscant and you have the clearance codes to get us there."
"No Sith."
"Yes I figured that, but I have to know who in your order would be willing to sit down with my alliance as speak with not only Sith, but Zakuul knights and Voss mystics."
"All we can do is present your situation to the council. What I am wondering is how you will react to the Jedi Order as it is now?" It was not a question she was expecting, but one that would require some thought, but the Force already had an answer.
"The Force is telling me caution and patience is in order. Now you should not be fighting Sith if you are weakened so severely by their mere presence. How about we go and I will teach you how to shield against it. Plus it will give me a chance to see what you know as a master of your order."
"I do feel the need to loosen up a bit. All the meditating in the world is not going to replace needed exercise."
"Good, I would tell your padawan to come as well." Darra got up and lead him to a hanger across the city that was being used by the alliance. A large field was a perfect spot to practice several different things and she had both the master and the padawan tested in various situations and in their techniques. Even the weakest Jedi or Sith could keep up with them and their endurance was seriously lacking.
"When said a bit of sparing. I did not think I would be fighting for my life."
"Have you learned to block the weakness?"
"Yes, but how do you recover so fast?"
"Ah now that takes a bit of Introspection. Come you and your padawan would benefit. I am also alarmed at what little you do know, and some of what you do is not complete. Did we truly fall into such a dark age?" Obi Wan dropped down on the grass before answering.
"By the time the Second Sith War started most forgot what the war was really about, master. It was not until Lord Hoth lured the remains of the Brotherhood of Darkness to Ruusan that the war was finally over for the rest of the Galaxy. It took nearly two hundred years for the Jedi Order to recover along with the rest of the Republic."
"That is the text book answer, Obi Wan."
"Yes, master, but the other answer is not quiet accepted."
"True, so this Introspection, how does it work?" Darra went down on her knees sitting on her feet as she always did and opened herself fully to the Force. She mentally invited them to do the same and they took up her position though it was hard for the older knight. It was why she pushed healing energy to them and mentally invited a Sage to come over to her and join them. She only ever had to use it here and there and after larger fights to help recover and it had been a long time since she had used it for more than a minute.
It took the younger man five minutes to learn it and he sang in the Force as he started to glow. His master took much longer, but it was the Sage form of meditation that gave him the push to glow golden himself. It was as he was finished that his eyes popped open and he came to his feet. Then he tested all of his joints as a confused look was nearly permanently etched on his face. Obi Wan was a guardian in all but skill. Qui Gon though claiming to be a guardian was more like a sentinel as he learned the Sage method.
"What else can you teach us?" Darra smiled and then pointed to Darth Hexid as she came near.
"My how weak they still feel in the Force. I would hardly consider them a challenge, darling."
"True, but I think Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi have a few surprises of their own yet to reveal."
"Wait, she is a true Sith?" They had fought with several today and lost horribly every time. Though Hexid was one of the redder skinned of the bunch here, and also most wore full armor. Their mastery of the forms was severely lacking except in Ataru unlike the warriors and guardians of the alliance. Kenobi was using the wrong form for how he moved. He reminded her of Master Orgus Din in how he held himself.
"There are no more true Sith though I am as pure blood as I can get, darling. Though to be honest do you really think they could learn? I would rather get back to my new pet." Darra knew of her sexual appetite and prayed for the poor soul.
"A new pet, tied up?"
"Of course. They always try so hard to escape. Even knowing deep down they don't want to. I am going to make him my apprentice perhaps if I don't kill him first." Both of the Jedi looked shocked, the boy was to the point of outrage. Such a strange thing to see from a Jedi. He should have a bit more discipline in concealing his emotions. Then again they both needed several abilities and techniques that must be lost to them.
"Too bad I was hoping to bring you along as you are the best at concealing your dark side presence."
"Take Lord Parios he is half Jedi by now as he is taking more after the Zakuul knights." Darra nodded and Hexid just vanished in front of the two Jedi.
"Where did she go?"
"No where, she is still with in a few meters, but for you I think she is feeling if you could be a new slave." Darra giggle as Kenobi shivered and Jinn felt a bit angry. There was something in their past that would bring up such a reaction though Kenobi was blushing to signal he knew the proper context.
"So ready to go again." Darra stood and pulled her lightsaber from her belt. Both of them came off the ground and did much better this time around. Every time they got tired she had them recharge to go again. By the end of two hours they both needed new robes. Darra had barely began to allow her body to sweat. Though her armor with the Force had kept her cool enough not to.
"Okay let's go get in my ship. I think you could use the refresher and I have a holocron you both need to view." She brought them up to the Restoration.
"That ship is huge." Anakin said excitedly as Master Jinn had insisted he take the boy with. Though she was sure the boy would have been just as happy next to the real queen. They even had a familia bond forming.
"Not as big as the Lucrehulk ships we took down. Though this ship is made to operate by itself." Darra explained.
"Are you planning to bring that ship to Coruscant?" Qui Gon asked.
"How is it possible, that ship violates the Ruusan Reformations on so many levels." Kenobi added.
"Padawan have you forgotten what she has already revealed?" Qui Gon chastised.
"Oh ya, but, ya."
"There is much I am not going to discuss at this time. Just consider this ship classified. Come our team is waiting on my defender." They walked across the deck to the Rendili Jedi Defender Class Light Corvette. Qui Gon and Obi Wan shared looks of concern and silent questions.
"Greetings master, I have had the liberty of dusting your quarters, master. Your respiratory health is my top priority."
Thank You C2, and get the ship ready for flight."
"Yes, master, right away." The droid walked away to the bridge.
"That was an odd droid." Qui Gon remarked.
"And fast. I don't think I have seen a protocol droid move so normally. Most C3 units take tiny steps." Darra turned to him a bit as she lead them to the lounge.
"Do you limit your droids ability to move?"
"There have been several droid uprisings that instigated the several restrictions, plus it is cheaper to use such parts."
"Then too bad you will never meet Fourex. Now that droid would put the rolling droids to shame." Darra guided them further though the ship until she reached her quarters. The door opened and she put her hand inside long enough for the holocron she wanted to reach her hand.
"Fourex?"
"Fourex is or was a droid designed for Havoc squad. It had several different experimental software and hardware modules and a shield that was unique. Very loyal to the Republic and one that did not get along with any of the former empire troopers in my alliance. Though them wearing Republic armor got around that problem. Just think of a droid with star fighter level blasters and shields which could take a direct blast from a thermal detonator."
"Ouch. The Republic was not playing around." Obi Wan remarked.
"No we could not afford too as the Empire had us out gunned and out maneuvered early on in the war. So Master Jinn I want this back copy it if that is still possible. It will teach you everything I have ever learned."
"Is this your holocron."
"It is my master's holocron. Orgus Din was a member of the Tython Council and a member of the High Council. He trained me while fighting flesh raiders on Tython." Darra led the back to the lounge to see most of the group was present.
"So they are what the Republic is calling Jedi in this time?" Lord Parios questioned.
"They look like a pair of farmers, not Jedi." Ras teased His green buy'ce was on the table next to his feet.
"The old man might be a challenge. Kinda smells funny." The Ugnaught Vrik declared as several others laughed.
"Don't matter to me." Lt. Sores Par added.
"Enough. Master Qui Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi this is my team for this mission. Lord Parios trained on Korriban and on Tython. Currently learning from the Zakuul Knights. Ras Ordo, Mandalorian, Quick Vrik, engineer. Lt. Sores Par pilot and ship's gunnery officer. The silent one is Knight Guardian Nils Vortena, Zakuul knight." Said knight nodded their head.
"Sorry I am late." The female pulled her helmet off and Obi Wan had to look twice as she looked a lot like Siri Tachi.
"Ah Captain, you are not late. Elaine Corde meet Master..."
"Commander I have read your reports. I am pleased to meet you both and look forward to visiting Coruscant. I will fill out form 15-33 for my late arrival."
"Captain 15-33 is a form you fill out if you are getting paid."
"Is this not a paid mission commander?"
"This mission could very well be a job interview." a few laughed as the woman looked confused before going to attention and saluting.
"I will report to the bridge." She turned and marched out of the lounge.
"She is one of my ground unit commanders. One who is going to get a big surprise once we get to the capital, but one of the best in a fire fight."
"I highly doubt there will be any battles on Coruscant." Obi Wan stated.
"She has other talents that over power her sense of proper paperwork. Bureaucracy has its place, but sometimes it gets in the way. Elaine can cut red tape in order or out of order to get her missions done. Now that the group knows each other I will show you your rooms." Five minutes later the ship lifted up and flew out of the hanger. For the first time in millennia the ship headed for Coruscant.
Darth Xalek was no stranger to war. His entire life was moving from one battle to another. As his small ship entered the Kalee system he was not happy with what became of his people. However, as he moved around and saw how proud and free they were. Learning how they had not only over threw their masters and oppressors, but were in the process of wiping them out planet by planet. He had landed on the capital and found himself guided to the grand hall where the Force was in turmoil. Quietly entering while concealing himself with the Force he made it up to the leader who looked to be discussing heatedly with a delegation that was lead by a human and one that felt very much like a Jedi. The ten legged crustacean Viraanntesse felt like one as well.
"As stated in this cease fire the Kalee will have to make reparations to the Yam'rii." Xalek had heard the story of the Huk and what they had done to Kalee. He suddenly appeared behind one of the warlords and snarled.
"Go home Jedi. The Kalee will never bow to another in slavery again." Qymaen jai Sheelal now known as Grievous smiled liking this outsider instantly.
"Who are you?"
"I am Xivhkalrainik, Darth Xalek to those who can not comprehend how to speak Kaleesh." The two masters felt confused as the human master looked.
"Darth?"
"Yes a title I earned given to me by my master Darth Nox of the former Sith Empire, a living embodiment of a goddess in the time I served her."
"You are a Sith?!" Master T'chooka D'oon pushed back from the table and drew his lightsaber.
"You're mistake." Xalek vanished and appeared behind the strange master swinging his double blade in a blur. A second later Master Jmmaar fell into a half dozen pieces unable to even light his saber. D'oon jumped to attack Xalek as he was too late to defend his fellow Jedi. Xalek closed his clawed hand and D'oon's head was crushed and exploded sending blood splatter over all the delegates.
"Pathetic." Grievous did not allow this stranger to have all the glory as he pulled a knife and tore the nearest Huk apart. Five minutes later only Kalee remained standing.
"Move take control of their ships and capture or kill the other agents of the Republic." Grievous ordered. "There will be no peace until the last Huk is dust!"
"Then I will join you. No one shall dishonor our ancestors or enslave our people so long as I am a living god." Grievous laughed for the first time since his mate died. A kindred spirit lived in this Kaleesh stranger, no he is a brother.