Chapter 3- A Deviated Path
Kyrah stood on the landing pad for a moment and looked out at the vast cityscape. The sun was setting over this sector of Coruscant, so the sky was a warm orange and the towering buildings glittered with the same hue. Massive amounts of traffic in lanes going every possible direction still buzzed overhead. The life of the city seemed unchanged despite the military blockade now encircling the planet. Truthfully, she was glad to see some degree of normalcy. She liked escaping the temple to take long walks in the city. Oftentimes, she felt the greatest sense of clarity alone in a crowd.
A hangar operations droid approached her. "Will you be needing the shuttle for anything else, Master Jedi?"
"Not at this time, thank you," she replied.
"Very well." The droid turned around and returned to the hangar.
Kyrah took one last look at the skyline then entered the temple. She knew the Council would contact her soon to present her mission report. Before heading to the Tower of First Knowledge, she elected to visit her quarters.
She made her way down staircases and through hallways before stopping at the familiar door. Kyrah stepped inside and looked around her room. Per the Jedi code, it was extraordinarily simple. The room held only basic furnishings and some additional clothing in a drawer.
Kyrah sat on the bed, removed the lightsaber from her utility belt, and placed it beside her. The masters often wondered why she had elected to pursue the use of a double-bladed saber. Shadows, and Sentinels by extension, were nothing if not protectors of tradition. It made her feel closer to the Jedi of the Old Republic who had carried such weapons in greater numbers. She believed that the best way to understand her role in the order was through learning and practicing the old ways. Though it had required her to push herself harder than most, she had managed to acquire a degree of mastery with the weapon.
After taking a moment to breathe, Kyrah got up to fix her hair and clothing. As she ran her fingers through her hair, she sighed. Her thoughts were still conflicted. Should she mention the Sith that had been haunting her since she destroyed the Holocron? If she did, she felt compelled to come up with suggestions to rectify the situation.
She considered suggesting some time away from her regular duties. Kyrah wasn't one to take breaks, but she was willing to try it if it meant putting an end to this affliction.
Deciding that was her best course of action, she awaited contact from the council.
Moments later, the notification came. Her personal communicator rang.
"This is Zamora," she answered.
"Kyrah," Master Even Piell spoke. He was the only member of the council she had direct correspondence with. "The council will see you now."
"On my way."
Kyrah exited the turbolift leading to the Council chambers. She entered a room she'd seen many times. It was nearly identical to the High Council chambers, with lofty windows and five seats forming a circle. The most notable difference was the masters who occupied the seats.
"Zamora, welcome back," Master Piell greeted.
"Masters," she greeted in return with a bow.
"We have been eagerly awaiting your mission report," a Zabrak Jedi Master named Drevam stated. "I trust your mission was successful?"
"It was," Kyrah replied. She then presented the halves of the Holocron.
"Excellent work, as always," Master Piell said. "If you could provide us with the details?"
"Of course," Kyrah said. She began to describe the caves and the Sith tomb she'd found inside. "Aside from the Holocron, there were no other artifacts to speak of. The architecture bordered on nonexistent. I believe the tomb may have been that of a Sith apprentice or someone of equally modest rank. There was nothing to indicate the individual held any major status within the Sith Empire."
"Thank you, Zamora," Master Drevam replied. "Is there anything further you wish to add to your report?"
"Not to the report, no," Kyrah said.
"But you have more you wish to discuss?"
"I do." She answered. "When I entered the caves, I heard a voice call my name. It guided me to the tomb. Once I arrived, it materialized into a shadowy figure above the sarcophagus."
"Did it speak to you?" Another Council member asked.
"Yes, it spoke to me of its efforts to corrupt non-force users who entered the tomb in hopes of attracting the attention of one it considered 'worthy.' The apparition also invited me to begin a journey down the dark side using the holocron. I was able to resist, but its reasoning concerned me."
"Go on," Master Piell prompted.
"The Sith spoke of impending darkness. It knew of the war the Republic appears to have entered. I was also given a warning that returning to the Jedi would lead to my demise." She paused. If the Council sensed her uneasiness, they made no mention of it. "Lastly, the apparition told me it would haunt me as I pursue my chosen fate."
Kyrah observed the Council members' faces. Again, their expressions remained neutral.
"But that's not why you're concerned," the Zabrak stated.
"No, it's not. I'm no stranger to Sith deception and treachery so I took its words to be empty threats. I thought destroying the Holocron would solve the problem, but it didn't. I saw the apparition again when I returned to the town, and I have heard its voice on several occasions since."
The Council members exchanged glances with one another. Kyrah sensed the aura of the room shift from neutral to apprehensive.
"This is disturbing indeed," Master Drevam stated. "Perhaps this is-"
"There is more I'd like to say," Kyrah interjected. "With all due respect, I feel these visions and voices may be the result of my prolonged exposure to Sith artifacts. If the Council will oblige, time away from my typical duties might do me some good. A temporary assignment - working in the archives, perhaps. It might allow me to restore my previous state of mind."
Once again, the Council exchanged glances. When their gazes fell back on her, she could sense they had made a silent decision.
"The Council agrees with your suggestion," Master Piell said. "However, reassignment of duties must be cleared with the High Council."
"Shall I present my case to them?"
"No, I will speak to the High Council on your behalf. For now, return to your quarters. If more information is requested, or when a decision is reached, I will contact you."
"Yes, Master Piell."
"Very good, this meeting may be adjourned," Master Drevam concluded.
Kyrah afforded the masters a final bow before exiting the chambers.
"Do you think Zamora's current state is a cause for concern?" Master Drevam asked Master Piell.
"The cloud of uncertainty surrounds her, it's difficult to say. I remain hopeful her proposition may help. Given the Republic's current state, I have a feeling the High Council will grant her a reassignment," he mused. "And more."
It was not long after the meeting that she received Master Piell's message to head to the High Council chambers. Walking into the room, she could feel all eyes on her.
"Greetings, Zamora," Master Yoda said warmly.
Kyrah immediately remembered hearing the Grand Master's voice during her vision. The thought of mentioning it crossed her mind, but she decided against it.
"Masters." Kyrah once again bowed in greeting.
"Told us of your interesting case and request for reassignment, Master Piell has," Master Yoda said. "Need deep introspection to uncover the cause of your affliction, you do. However, wait, introspection must. Have need of you, the council does."
"I stand ready to serve," she replied. Kyrah couldn't help wondering if the masters were as concerned as her given they were reassigning her so quickly.
"No doubt, you are aware the Republic is currently at war," Master Windu stated. His tone made seem more like a question than a statement.
"I am. It was quite obvious upon my return to Coruscant," Kyrah replied, unconsciously gesturing in the direction of Coruscant's atmosphere. "May I ask what happened in my absence?"
Master Windu regarded her for a moment. "Do you remember the Trade Federation's invasion of Naboo over a decade ago?"
"I was still a youngling then, but I vaguely recall it."
"Recently, thousands of systems have seceded from the Republic to create their own confederacy. Things came to a head when a fallen Jedi, Count Dooku, detained and attempted to execute two Jedi and a prominent Senator upon their discovery that the confederacy was amassing an army. Their rescue led to battle, a battle that cost us many Jedi knights."
"Unfortunate news," Kyrah replied. "What would the council have me do?"
"The Jedi are to lead the war effort. However, we understand that your skillset has you at a disadvantage for military command."
"Want the Jedi involved in every facet of the war effort, we do," Master Yoda interjected.
"Given recent developments, Republic Intelligence is expanding their operations. We are sending you to serve there," Master Windu concluded.
Kyrah couldn't argue with their logic, but that didn't make the situation any less overwhelming. Even if the Council couldn't see it on her face, surely they sensed her uneasiness.
"Is there a problem?" Master Windu asked.
"No, not exactly," she said. "This is just quite a bit to take in at once, especially after my experience on Arkanis. I am sure you can understand."
"We do," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi responded. "However, you surely understand that time is of the essence."
Kyrah offered a curt nod in acknowledgment.
"Very well, I stand ready to serve. May I ask for further details of my assignment?"
"Our knowledge of Intelligence operations is limited at this time," Master Windu stated. "That is why your role is so crucial to the Jedi's war effort contributions. Details are forthcoming."
"So if I understand correctly, I am to be a liaison between the Jedi and this particular facet of military operations?"
"In a manner of speaking," Master Windu replied.
Kyrah hated the vague responses but knew better than to press the matter.
"Very well," she finally replied. "When do I begin?"
"Immediately," Master Windu stated. "Expect direct contact from the Intelligence director after this meeting is adjourned. Further instruction shall come from the agency directly."
"Of course," she said. "I will await contact then."
With a final bow, Kyrah exited the Council chambers.
Her head was swimming. Kyrah had chosen not to press matters with the council but still felt apprehensive about the assignment. This was the last thing she'd expected to happen when she returned to Republic space. The council had been somewhat cagey when she'd asked questions about the assignment. Additionally, she still didn't have any answers regarding her recent experience in the Outer Rim. In either instance, it still wasn't clear whether they were truly in the dark as they claimed or if they knew more than they were saying. Whatever the case, she was determined to find out.