Kallus and Kiara joined the Jedi Master in the mess hall for the meal that she insisted on sharing with the pair. She still had many questions, he knew, but she did her best to ask only the questions that wouldn't indicate where they were truly from in the presence of her clone troopers. He suspected that she was still trying to determine just how much to reveal to her captain and commander who served under her.

As he looked around, it felt odd to be looking at a sea of near identical men. He'd seen clones from a distance when he was growing up on Coruscant but never really up close. The only clones he'd actually interacted with were Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor. Three clones who each had their own distinct personalities. The clones that he saw here, after a few moments of watching them, all each had their own personalities, too. But one thing they each shared was that they all appeared to be extremely loyal to the Jedi and padawan.

Kallus paused at that thought. Only because in the end, he knew that the loyalty wouldn't be enough when the chip that both Kanan and Rex had told him about was activated. All it would take would be for the current chancellor to say three simple words for each of these men to turn on the pair whom right now they would willingly lay down their lives for.

As the meal went on, he wrestled with the idea of what Kiara had suggested. Can they return to their own timeline? Has their presence here alone changed enough of the future so that they can't go back? And if they are stuck here then shouldn't they do what they can to make this new future a better one than the one that they had come from? Could they prevent the Empire from ever forming? There would never then be a need for a rebellion. How many people could be saved?

"Hey," Valour leaned over and bumped his shoulder with her own when the Jedi and her clones all got up and left them alone. "You're awfully quiet."

"Just thinking," Kallus whispered. "How much should we try to change now that we are here? Knowing what we know, would it be right to stay silent about it? Even just letting these people know about the chips could change a lot."

"It's all really confusing. We know so much but then if we say things at the wrong time and in the wrong manner, we could make the new future even worse than the one we know is coming." Kiara sighed. "But then, we are being taken to the Jedi High Council, which means that they will likely push to learn everything that we know."

Kallus lowered his brow. "How much do you know about the council?"

"Not much. I only know the basic structure of the Order from my studies. They never really wanted the outside to know much about them, though. Even Kanan didn't know much about them since he was still so young when the purge happened."

"Then it looks like we are going to get a rare firsthand experience with the High Council."

Kiara nodded. "In any case, I want to go ahead and get the Shadow Chaser back to fighting form; just in case we come across the Sith any time soon."

She wanted to head to the hanger but in actuality she had no idea where to go. It must have shown because a clone approached the pair.

"May I be of assistance with something?"

Kallus and Valour both turned to see the clone who appeared to be a commander based on the markings on his armor.

"I was hoping to find my way to the hanger that my ship is in. I'd like to work on it. I'd hate to be dependent on the general's good will longer than needed."

"Of course. Master Billaba asked for me to help the two of you until we have reached Coruscant."

"In otherwise, you've been ordered to watch us," Kallus grinned since he knew that such protocols would be standard regardless of the time or government in place. "A wise precaution."

The clone had a fleeting look of surprise but was able to cover it quickly. "Just follow me."

When they reached the hanger Kiara took in the look of her ship and saw the odd sucker markings that had been left behind by the purrgil when it had wrapped its tentacles around it. She examined it and couldn't help but wonder, yet again, why the creatures had attacked her ship.

"This is worse than I had thought."

"Mistress Kiara?" Tac floated down the ramp upon hearing his mistress's voice. He saw both her as well as his master. "Master Kallus? It is good to see both of you. I was so worried."

"Tac," Kiara couldn't help the smile that spread across her face upon hearing the droid's greeting. "So, how much damage do we have to work on?"

"Our new friends have been quite helpful with the repairs so far. Fortunately, we had replacement parts for most of the systems that were affected. The life support systems did get the worst of the damage, however. It will take some time before it will be fully operational."

"Well, I suppose I should go and take a look at it." Kiara followed the droid up the ramp and set about trying to figure out what it would take to repair the systems.

Kallus eyed the trooper who had been assigned to be their escort while on the ship. He had overheard him and watched the lips as some of the clones were speaking during the mid-day meal; putting his skill of lip reading to use. At least one had overheard the Jedi Master's conversation when she had contacted the High Council about him and Kiara. He knew that their presence was nearly all that those on the ship could talk about. Kallus figured that if they were stuck here in the past, perhaps he'd start trying to make his new future a more positive one. He thought back to some of the things that Rex had told him in the past about the end of the Clone Wars and what had brought it about.

"I'm trying to figure out where in the timeline I've found myself in," Kallus said since he knew that this clone already had been discussing the fact that the strangers claimed to be from the future. "Tell me, has the truth about the inhibitor chips in each of the clones been revealed yet?"

The clone looked up sharply. "What chips?"

"Oh, so they haven't been discovered yet," Kallus acted as if he was surprised. "But of course, they were designed to only be activated by the Sith, so I guess-"

The clone narrowed his eyes upon the mention of the ancient adversary of the Jedi; meaning the enemy of his general, as well. "Explain that. What chips? And why would they be designed to only be activated by the Sith?"

"Perhaps you'd want to come in and sit down while we discuss this. But I must warn, the Sith have their eyes and ears everywhere. So what I'm about to tell you will need to be kept to the utmost secrecy. The High Council will be informed, of course, but they don't exactly have a track record to indicate that they would share what they may know."


Kiara spent the rest of the day elbow deep in engine grease as she worked along with both Tac and a few clones who had been assigned to help get her ship fully operational. She'd been so busy that she barely gave Kallus and what he was up to a second thought. Knowing that their presence had created a disturbance and the fact that word of their arrival had been sent to Coruscant, it pressed the need for their ability to fight and escape if need be.

When Kiara got cleaned up for the evening meal she finally saw that Kallus had apparently become quite friendly with the clone who had been stationed to guard/guide them. She wasn't all that surprised since he had so much military experience that he'd find quite a lot in common with the clones, really. But when she walked down the ramp of the Shadow Chaser she actually heard the pair discussing the inhibitor chips that each of the clones had in them.

When the two saw that she was approaching she heard Alex mutter to the clone. "Remember, this must remain quiet but I'd suggest having the chips removed as quickly as you can. That way you can be sure to protect yourselves and the Jedi when they are activated in your fellow clones."

The clone nodded before turning to see the woman return to them. "The evening meal will begin being served soon. Shall I lead the way?"

"Please," Kiara motioned for the man to lead the way as she gave Alexsandr a questioning look. He only shrugged and followed Commander Grey back toward the mess hall. When the trio got their meals and sat down they were soon joined by the young adolescent Jedi.

"I was hoping that I'd get to see you again," the young Caleb Dume sat across the strangers between a couple of clone troopers. "Can I go see your ship when we finish eating?"

Kiara exchanged a smile with Kallus as they tried to picture this boy growing up to become the man whom they knew in their own time. "Only if it is alright with your master. I wouldn't want to do anything that she isn't comfortable with."

"She'll be fine with it. She just said that I had to go with Commander Grey. I'm not sure what kind of trouble I could get into in the hanger but-"

The clone in questioned snickered but quickly covered it up with a smile. "Who said she's trying to protect you? She may be looking out for our new friends."

The young padawan gave a look to the clone before he laughed as he gave a light push for teasing him. "Very funny. Besides, with you there, it's not like there'll be any danger."

Kiara watched the exchange where it was clear that Caleb and the clones all had a very special relationship. How could they be forced to turn against the people whom they clearly have a strong affection for just by a few simple words being uttered? She listened as the young teen spoke about his latest training session and the clones around him volunteered to help in his next one. They'd fire lowered energy blasts for the young Jedi to deflect with his lightsaber. She continued to eat her meal as they discussed their training sessions and as she lifted her eating utensil, her wrist gauntlets caught Caleb's attention.

"What are those? You didn't have those earlier."

She looked to her wrists. No, she didn't have them on earlier since there hadn't been time when she'd awakened to the purrgil attack to put them on. "You have quite the keen sense of observation. These are some shields that a friend made for me."

Commander Grey eyed the devices from where he was sitting. "They look to have a Mandalorian design to them."

Kiara smiled, "That's because my friend is a Mandalorian. She wanted me to have something on me just incase I needed to defend myself."

"Good friend," Grey said as he itched to examine the gauntlets up close.

"Very," Kiara agreed.

After the meal she led her brother back to her ship and took pride in showing it off to him. Even if he wasn't aware of their connection he took great interest in her ship and she enjoyed the time she was able to spend with him. Caleb did seem uncomfortable when he asked why he couldn't sense the force when in the hanger and surrounding area. She explained that someone had been trying to develop a weapon against force users but assured that the man was dead now and he couldn't keep working on that weapon. Once she'd finished her explanation she looked up to find that the Jedi Master had joined them once more.

"I was wondering about that, myself," Depa commented as she joined her padawan as he left the strangers' ship. "How could someone create a weapon like that?"

Kallus looked to Kiara before saying, "We aren't really sure of the details. We do know that an animal was found with a natural ability to suppress the force. But where they were first found and when, I'm not exactly sure. The scientists were killed after they succeeded by the man who commissioned their research and then he died in battle. So to the best of our knowledge, all who were a part of the program are dead."

"Dead, where you are from," Depa added since that didn't mean that they couldn't be a threat in this timeframe if they chose to be.

Kallus nodded. "Correct."

Depa Billaba paused as she glanced between the strangers then down to her padawan. She didn't want to ask her questions in front of the boy. Still, she would be present when they would be questioned by the High Council. She tucked the information away for later when she'd be able to ask more about it. She then led Caleb away as the pair were taken back to their quarters where they'd been assigned to stay while in transit to Coruscant.

When Valour and Kallus were alone in their room she had to ask about what she'd heard earlier. "So, care to tell me why you told the clones about the inhibitor chips?"

"Considering that we'll be telling the High Council about them soon yet they directly affect the men, themselves, I didn't see much harm in it. And with these being the clones responsible for Kanan and his master's safety..." Kallus shrugged.

Kiara took in a breath and nodded. It was so hard to decide what they could or should say and to whom. After all, if word got back to the Sith too soon then he likely would just implement his plans ahead of schedule. Patience is what was needed when trying to go forward. Still, the fact that Alex wanted to offer some protection for her brother was touching.


Several days later, Kiara and Alexsandr both stood behind Depa Billaba and Caleb Dume as they prepared to leave the shuttle that they'd taken to Coruscant. More specifically to the Jedi temple on the planet. Kiara had hoped that she'd be able to fly her own ship but it still had another system that needed repair before it would be flight worthy. Depa assured that it would be brought to the temple as soon as it was repaired.

When the hatch was opened Kiara looked past the Jedi and saw a small reception of about four other members of the Order waiting for them. No doubt acting as both the welcoming committee as well as a sentry to protect the temple. Kiara acknowledged the Jedi as they greeted her but she knew that they wouldn't ask their questions of her and Alex until they were behind closed doors. Or, at least she hadn't thought that any questions would be asked until they were were before the council.

"Which one of you is the force user," a darker-skinned man asked who looked to be about fifteen to twenty years older than she or Alex.

Depa motioned for Kiara so she answered, "I am. Why?"

"Then you will come with us. Your friend will be asked to wait elsewhere."

"Now wait just a minute!" Kallus didn't like the idea of being separated.

"What does his not being a force sensitive have to do with anything? In fact, I would have expected that you'd want to ask him questions, too. Especially since he doesn't have the ability to block a force user from being able to detect if he is being truthful." Kiara crossed her arms as she stared down the Jedi who wanted to split them up.

Off to the side Kallus could spot a younger human male, perhaps in his early twenties, who seemed to be trying to keep himself from laughing at how Kiara was challenging the Jedi Master. Something told him by looking at the young man that he wasn't used to witnessing others defying the dark-skinned Jedi.

"Alright," Mace finally relented. After all, she did have a point. Of the two, the man is the one who would be less likely to hide anything from the rest of them. "Follow me, then."