A lone Republic starfighter dropped out of hyperspace in a dead system. Bring up a sensor reading, the armor-encased being thought. The display showed that the only ships in the vicinity were wreckage, long since forgotten. But there's something strange about that planet. Something familiar. He had the ship do a scan of the surrounding constellations and compare the view to all known systems.

// Match found. //

Display.

// Coruscant. //

"Coruscant? No wonder. I thought I recognized it from a history lesson or something."

Curiosity overcame him, and he brought the ship to the atmosphere, past the dead Golan stations. Staring in awe at the ancient city, he had to wonder why the Republic had abandoned it. Just then, an earthquake rocked a section of the city, a pillar of fire erupting like a volcano. That answers that. Maybe I should forget about this. A flash of realization streaked through him from the Force. Have to be here…have to find…

There!

Among a fair amount of wreckage stood the former Imperial Palace. It's beautiful! Gazing over the magnificent structure, he felt drawn to a particular landing platform. He gently brought his fighter to a rest. The connections and cockpit covering withdrew. He followed a mental tugging from the Force into the magnificent building and up a large number of floors.

As he walked through a carpeted hallway, another quake shook the area. He stumbled into the wall, and then through it. Surprised, he fell on his face in a small, hidden room. The alcove was pitch black. Light enhance. The built-in vision functions kicked in, allowing him to see as he picked himself up. The blank room had only a wooden shelf holding an ancient book that had to be millennia old. Curiously, he picked it up and flipped to what seemed to be the briefest passage. Translate. In his view, modern Basic was embedded over the ancient text.

This is a history of the Sith. What follows can lead to the greatest power imaginable. In ancient times, a small number of Jedi discovered a new power. They tried to share their Force-given knowledge with their brothers, but the Republic and the Masters rejected them. They were driven out and forced into exile in unexplored regions of the galaxy.

The wandering Jedi found a race known as the Sith. Seeing the great power of the Jedi, the Sith became their willing servants. After centuries of prosperity with the new government, Lord Naga Sadow felt it was time to attempt a reintegration into the Republic. Once again, the old Jedi and their masters proved their treacherous natured. The Sith were once again driven out and the treasonous Lord Ludo Kressh forced Lord Sadow into exile on the remote moon, Yavin 4.

In time, the Sith were wiped out, but their legacy lived on. The curious Jedi Exar Kun found ancient teachings, and reestablished the order, with Ulic Qel-Droma as his apprentice. Eventually, Qel-Droma betrayed Kun and the Republic destroyed him.

Still later, another Jedi happened across the ancient power. Due to the oppressive Republic and treachery from within, the Sith were again destroyed. All except one who called himself Darth Bane. // End text. //

"Darth Bane…" He lost himself in thought. The Republic, they are the true evil. That's why…It is a blight on this universe. Now I will be its Blight, its downfall. Darth Blight stood to leave.

He was almost knocked to his knees by the largest quake yet. He quickly dove out of the hidden room, right before it collapsed in on itself. No, the book! Then his gaze was drawn to the large pane of transparisteel and the end of the hall and beyond. The quakes continued, buildings toppled, pillars of fire belched up from the surface, engulfing ancient walkways, speeders, and droids. He could feel the beginning of the Palace's collapse. The ceiling began to cave in. He had no choice.

He drew his lightsaber, the shimmering white-ish blade humming. He charged the transparisteel at a sprint. The combination of a push from the Force and slashes from his weapon shattered the material. He saw his ship below and leapt out, using the Force to levitate himself. He allowed a quick descent, but not too speedily. Sections of the huge building shattered. A chunk of debris hit him full on and he fell into unconsciousness.

The fighter rose on its own, using its partial control of its systems to maneuver. Blight dropped into the cockpit and it shot off. It knew the planet was too unstable. It had to escape immediately. The fighter raced to be free of the gravitational pull. The planet exploded. The shockwave tossed the ship like a toy. Heavily damaged, it transferred all energy to pilot life support and the hyperdrive. Plotting a random course, and hoping a gravity well would stop it, it jumped. Then, as all must, it died.

* * *

Trasae sat in the Great Library in the Jedi Temple. She had come to meditate, but had begun to wander. She stopped when she came across an old Holocron. She took it to a privacy station and turned it on. From the glass-like cube arose a ghostly image of a human. He seemed…not old, but weathered, worn. Definitely wizened beyond his years.

"Greetings, Jedi," he said. His voice was calm, fairly quiet, yet powerful. "I am Luke Skywalker, first of the new order." So this was Skywalker! The legendary Jedi Master!

"Hello, Master Skywalker. I was wondering," she paused, "The Republic is at peace, but I worry that it may not last." She did not know if it understood her, but it responded, regardless.

"I had a vision once. It began with a lone Jedi on a dark, harsh world. I could not determine what race the Jedi belonged to, but I did sense he had suffered a great loss. Then I saw a great city in ruins and a dark figure on the bridge of a huge battle ship. 'The Dark Side is always with you', he said. I fear for the Republic. Be wary." The image vanished.

What could that mean? She suddenly felt a great sense of dread. "Ran'sot!"