His quarters were as spacious and airy as any here in the royal palace of Naboo, even though he was a minor functionary. Yet. But that would change, in time. Darth Sidious shrugged out of his coat and let it drop on one of the chairs by the table, before he walked over to the balcony and pulled the doors open. It felt good to be home, even though he did not hold close ties to Naboo any longer, not emotionally. He had learned some time ago that the only loyalty that was really worthwhile pursuing was loyalty to oneself. And that was a principle he embraced with dilligence and determination. His master's death on Zelos II presented a setback to his studies, and he had worked hard to overcome it. As it was, he had finally managed to fool the holocron into accepting him as Jedi. At last he could study the information presented by Master Jeldo, and find some pointers from there on, hopefully. Perhaps he could find other documents, apart from Hagen Dycos' works on the Sith, which he had read with greatest interest.

All in all he was in a very good mood, and one of the major reasons, apart from his success concerning the holocron, was a call he had received just hours before reaching Naboo. One of Nexus' agents, now his, Sidious thought, had reported Alamys Jorka's presence on a ship named Jolly Star, bound for Coruscant. It seemed as if luck had run out on the Jedi Master after all. He had apparently been caught in a pirate raid, along with the vessel's crew. From there on he would be at Sidious' mercy. That was, at the mercy of his network of eyes and ears. Soon now the paranoia would also prompt him to go into hiding, where he could remain, for all Sidious cared, until it was time for the Sith Lord to finish that unfortunate business. And if the Jedi Master was killed in Hutt Space, all the better.

Sidious returned to the table where he had dropped his cloak and put the holocron down on the tabletop. Well, well, well. Alamys Jorka had uncovered that interesting observation about the Force and it being infected by darkness, hadn't he? Frowning as he summoned his recollection, Sidious touched the holocron ever so slightly, activating it. Master Jeldo's image appeared instantly, and shuddered as the security mechanism fought Sidious' manipulations valiantly. He remembered Master Jeldo's mention of a Sith imprisoned on Coruscant, a tale he had read about elsewhere too. Hagen Dycos had also reported of a Sith being captured on a space station after the battle for Ruusan, and if Sidious was not mistaken, the name had been the same.

"Greetings," the image of the Ho'Din began at last. "I am Master Jeldo, Keeper of this Chronicle. What is your question?"

Sidious smiled: "Roj Kell. Tell me about him."

Another image replaced the Ho'Din's, a life-size image of a human male, with long black hair and pale green eyes that echoed the amused smile he wore on his lips. Sidous stood back, squinting up at the holo with interest. Meanwhile the Ho'Din's voice droned on, repeating the story Sidious had already heard in excerpts while questioning Alamys Jorka back on Zelos II.

Smiling to himself, the young Sith realized that he had indeed come across the future source of knowledge he needed. If he was not mistaken a man who had survived a thousand years – from Master Jeldo's lifetime to that of Hagen Dycos – could also survive another millennium. If not, there might be another way to tap that knowledge, back on Korriban, perhaps. If Roj Kell was alive he would find out. Definitely.

Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn felt strangely uneasy upon returning to Coruscant. He felt that he had let a chance slip away, but for all the world he had no idea what that chance had been for. Should he have apprehended and confronted Dooku anyway, chasing all across the galaxy after a Jedi Master who had decided to leave the Order? Though reason told him that such a hunt would have been foolish and ultimately a futile effort, his heart told him otherwise. Why then had Yoda decided against it? What did he know that Qui-Gon did not? And what had he meant about the darkness growing already? Anxious and angry, Qui-Gon walked deeper into the Jedi Temple, for once totally oblivious to the soothing peace that permeated the structure.

"Ah, Qui-Gon Jinn." Mace Windu's calm voice jolted Qui-Gon out of his broodings, as the Head of the Council joined him. "You are back," the older man said amiably. "Good, very good. Master Yoda is waiting for us already."

Frowning, Qui-Gon said nothing. He had not expected Master Windu to attend that meeting too. In silence they made their way to one of the meeting rooms, where Master Yoda perched on one of the cushioned, round chairs. Master Windu took another, and Qui-Gon remained standing, out of respect and uneasiness. He was eying Yoda in particular, but the alien master seemed strangely distracted. Then the small Jedi finally turned to face him.

"Returned you have. Good, very good," he said, echoing Master Windu's words, and Qui-Gon wondered hard why they were so happy to have him back.

"Yes, Master Yoda," the Jedi Knight replied with a small bow. "Although my trip was unsuccessful."

"Succeeded you could not have," Yoda told him sternly. "Decided Count Dooku has for himself and sway we will him not."

"Masters, what is it that has prompted him to resign from the Order?"

"A number of reason," Mace Windu explained with a sidelong glance at Yoda. "He claims that the Jedi have become mired in bureaucracy, that we are to complacent in defying a decaying republic. He scolds us for not being able to keep pace with the erosion of morals and ethics. In short, he thinks the Jedi incompetent."

Qui-Gon barked an short laugh of incredulity. "But – " He hesitated, seeing that both Windu and Yoda were very serious. "But how can he say that?"

The two older Jedi shared a knowing glance, then Yoda turned toward Qui-Gon again. "True it is that increasingly difficult it has become for us to do what do we must. Independence from central government many worlds crave. Yet stability they threaten with their desire. Turmoil invoke they will if do as they wish they are allowed to."

"But we cannot deny them independence. Can we?"

"No, Qui-Gon, we cannot," Master Windu answered with a sigh. "Not with good conscience, anyway. But we must consider the good of all peoples that reside within the Republic."

The younger Jedi shook his head. "Wait. If I understand correctly Count Dooku sides with those separatists, if you want to call them that." He grimaced in disbelief. "That was why you wanted him back?"

"Know we did not what think he did," Yoda admonished him, "but clear it is that dissatisfied he is too. No connectiion I see yet, but prepared we must be."

"Count Dooku is an experienced Jedi Master," Qui-Gon offered. "He would not act selfishly in this."

Again the two Council members looked at one another, but this time Mace Windu lost the match and it was his turn to answer. "The Jedi Order, Qui-Gon Jinn, has a responsibility toward the Republic. Dooku does not wish to carry that responsibility any longer, and that makes him dangerous. Not only because of what he is, but because of what he knows."

"Now you make it sound as if he were an enemy," Qui-Gon exclaimed, aghast.

"He could be," Windu countered quietly. "Which is why we are recalling all Jedi from their assignments. Before we commit them to any other mission we want to make sure that they all understand what is at stake, which is nothing less than the Order itself. We must be united in our goals."

"And what goals are those?" Qui-Gon asked, totally sincere.

"Peace and stability," Mace replied at once, his forehead creasing into a frown. "Above everything else."

"Above freedom? Above other people's choices?" Suddenly angry, Qui-Gon took a step back. "What about protecting their interests?"

"Understand you do not," Yoda injected. "Choose their leaders people do for themselves. Responsible they are for that choice themselves. Once chosen, protect that choice the Jedi do."

"Which does not mean that we would support tyranny," Mace Windu added hurriedly, "or that we would willingly prevent a world from gaining independence from the Republic. The people must decide, and the government represents the people. Therefore we follow the Supreme Chancellor's directive. Until the people, which ultimately means the Senate, say differently."

Qui-Gon's features turned blank. "In that case," he declared, "Count Dooku is right in what he claims. You cannot follow the central government and at the same time announce that you will not prevent people from gaining their independence. Ultimately you will remain a slave to Coruscant." He shook his head, upset. "I would not want to serve such an order either."

The two Jedi Masters continued gazing at him passively, until Mace Windu rose from his seat. "I would hate to see you leave too," he announced. "Make your own choices, but think them through before you decide," he cautioned the younger man, then left.

"Qui-Gon Jinn," Yoda called out, diverting the Jedi Knight's attention back on him. "Understand I do your dilemma. Think on this you must." He hopped off his perch and started across the floor slowly. "Reached us a call has from one Captain Mager. Report he does Master Jorka to be taken to Nar Shadaa on a ship named Black Edge. Ask you to recover him I do."

For a moment Qui-Gon hesitated, appalled. Of course, with Dooku leaving, the Council needed the support of the Order's more conservative members to sway the majority, and who was more conservative than Alamys Jorka? On the other hand Qui-Gon felt relieved that the Tyreenese Jedi Master had resurfaced. He might be conservative and strict on the Code, but he was also fair and perceptive. The Jedi Knight nodded at last: "I will go. And I will meditate on what I truly believe in."

"Ask I cannot for more," Yoda told him calmly. "May the Force be with you on your journey, Qui-Gon."

Tekko Rahn was actually in quite a good mood when he finally came to visit Alamys. Wearing a good-natured grin on his face he entered the bleak room and the Jedi Master found himself responding hostilely. He rose from his seat, frowning, and undecided how to interpret that smile on Rahn's face.

"Who'd have thought we'd meet again like this?" the pirate boomed, amused.

"I'd rather have avoided that meeting," Alamys replied.

Rahn bellowed a laugh and slapped the Jedi's shoulder amiably. "You know, Mava will be beside herself when she hears I've captured you by chance! She always was in awe of you, ever since you snagged me up and took me out of her hair." He winked at the Jedi Master. "No hard feelings, eh?"

"Where will you be taking me?" Alamys asked, unimpressed.

Tekko shrugged. "As I see it, you alerted us to the theft, so you deserve a reward. How about I let you loose on Nar Shadaa? That a deal?"

"You're not angry at me?"

"No way! Guess I had that coming at me, and I did my time, so no harm done."

Despite his gloomy mood Alamys smiled. "I can see that prison did not do much for your attitude. Still pirating? Or are you just Durga's trusted enforcer?"

"This and that, you know how it is," Tekko shot back, grinning again. "So, what about you? Someone beat you up on Zelos II, according to Mager. Whatever happened to you?"

Swallowing hard, the Jedi Master hesitated. "I – ran into some nasty types," he ventured.

"Paid a visit to Mava, did you," Tekko challenged with a wink.

"I – yes, actually I did." Alamys's shoulders sagged as he prepared mentally for what he was going to say next. "She's dead, Tekko. Mava is dead."

The pirates' features went rigid, and for a moment his clean-shaven face went totally white. "What did you say?" he croaked.

"Those guys that beat me up... One came after me. I needed help, and the only one I knew was Mava. She – told me to run," he finished, feeling helpless.

"So you ran," the pirate hissed at last, his eyes narrowing. "Coward."

Alamys felt that word strike at his heart, because he felt the same, and because he still mourned Mava's death. "I could not help her," he answered nevertheless.

"No? The great Jedi Master, powerless against some thugs?"

"I am sick, Tekko," Alamys confessed, shocked at his own sincerity. "I was totally exhausted and I was hurt. There was no way I could stop him."

Tekko blinked away tears and turned away suddenly, pounding a fist against the wall hard. "No!" he exclaimed in a choked sob.

For a while he stood like that, shoulders shaking. Alamys could only watch, feeling his own raw pain again, feeling with the other man, doing nothing to shield himself against Tekko's emotions. He deserved to suffer, for what he had done to Mava. He deserved to die for that.

Closing his eyes, Alamys exhaled slowly, resigned in his fate. "I am sorry," he whispered. "I will make no more excuses. Your sister died because of me, and I – "

"Shut up! Shut your filthy mouth!" Tekko roared, his face red with fury as he looked up to glance sideways at the Jedi Master. Shaking with rage, he pushed himself off the wall and turned to face Alamys fully. His voice was devoid of emotion when he declared: "I know you liked her. And I know she would have wanted you to live, although for the life of me I cannot imagine why. So I will honor her last wish. Never cross my path again, Alamys Jorka."

Then he left, and Alamys would indeed never see him again. On Nar Shadaa the Jedi Master was escorted off the ship by a silent group of armed guards. For some reason Alamys felt strangely defiant just then. Deserted by everyone, he thought, he had every right to be defiant. The Smugglers' Moon seemed decidedly hostile just then, and Alamys found himself pushing all guilt away from his soul, anger scouring his mind as he made his way from the landing berth the Black Edge occupied. He had had no choice but to leave Mava! It was not his fault that she had died! Darth Sidious had killed her, for Force's sake. He gave a bitter laugh, realizing how thoroughly he was caught between his mounting anger, fear and pride. Teeth bared in a mirthless grin, the Jedi Master stalked deeper into the city, vowing to make the Sith pay for all this. Just then, flashing like a neon sign warning the unwary traveller of steep gorges, the Jedi Code popped into his head again.

There is no emotion – There is peace. There is no ignorance – There is knowledge. There is no passion – There is serenity. There is no death – There is the Force.

It was all a lie. Had he not learned just that? The Force did not grant him peace, did not give him the knowledge that would have prevented Mava's death, and he was anything but serene. Hot wrath filling him to bursting, Alamys lashed out without thinking when an indistinct shape stepped into his path, bringing a blaster rifle up to bear at him. The assailant crashed into the next wall with a sickening thud. Dispassionately, Alamys considered the downed creature and looked casually around, searching for more attackers. There were three in the close vicinity. Bounty-hunters. Suddenly the predatory smile was back, as he realized that Sidious still held the reins of this little game. Here on Nar Shadaa, where crime thrived, bounty-hunters found easy prey, and now Alamys Jorka was one of their targets. Thanks to Sidious. Oh, well. Two could play that game, and they would soon find out whether the assorted vultures on Nar Shadaa really thought chasing him worthwhile.

Darth Sidious had his eyes closed, submerged in deep meditation. Nurturing a small flame of suppressed anger, he let his mind drift through the Force, searching. If he was going to find Roj Kell he could not rely on the newsgrids, or even his own network of agents. The man had been adept enough to only let himself be caught twice in two millennia and he would know how to hide himself. So the Sith Lord had decided to employ the Dark Side in his quest. The answer of just where the old man was, or whether he was still alive, presumably was to be found within the Force, and he now had to sift through it, using what information he had on the ancient Sith as pointers. He could sense the darkness thicken and swirl around him, probing his mind and feeding snippets of information back to him.

When he felt the darkness compress into a tight knot of recognition Sidious tensed, and suddenly his world was inverted, allowing him to see through closed eyelids. In front of him, neatly placed on the table, stood a bowl filled with clear water. Not his own master anymore, Sidious lifted his left hand, that one holding a knife, which cut across his right wrist, drawing blood. He did not feel the cut, he was still in a trance, but he watched the drops of blood fall into the bowl, impacting on the tranquil surface of the water like miniature bombs. Gradually the blood mingled with the water and the bleeding stopped abruptly. Sidious felt his own mind converge on the sight, his senses focused. Then, very slowly, the trails of red assembled in neat letters, forming a name: Blithe Arkad.

The corners of his mouth curling into a satisfied smile, Sidious woke up and laughed out loud. A name! Marvellous! The single flame of dark power grew into a roaring furnace of triumph, but Sidious had learned enough to rein his joyous feelings in again quickly. No, no celebration just yet. He took up a piece of soft cloth from beside the bowl and dipped it into the water, before he proceeded to dab at the last remnants of drying blood on his skin. Now he only had to find out what that name meant to his own search.

It took him most of the night, using all of his assets concerning information to come up with the answer. Blithe Arkad was involved in trade negotiations with Cred Fessel and Crion on Telos. At first glance there was nothing suspicious about that businessman, but then he had stumbled across a recent holoimage of Blithe Arkad. Feeling immensely pleased. Sidious leaned back in his chair and gazed at it for a long time. The similarities were unmistakable. The eyes, most of all, had not changed at all. No doubt, Blithe Arkad was Roj Kell. Older, yes, but still very much alive. Now he could celebrate. And then, afterwards, he would go and find out just where the man was hiding. Yes. That did sound very good indeed.

To someone who had never been to Nar Shadaa, but thought that after having lived in Coruscant's perpetual chaos nothing could be worse, the Smugglers' Moon always was kind of shocking. Within moments of setting foot on the world, Qui-Gon Jinn felt ill and confused. The atmosphere teemed with malice and violent intent, which frequently became more than intent. And he had been shot at twice. Five days after having left the capital, the Jedi Knight was at a loss of where to begin his search for Master Jorka. The Black Edge, as he had been able to ascertain, had left four days earlier, but the man who had given him that information could not recall having seen anyone leave the ship who had resembled the Jedi Master. The lead, then, ended here, at docking bay seven.

Qui-Gon Jinn, already cautious because of the recent assaults, was alerted early to the five beings closing in on him even before they came into view. Somehow, he thought, being a Jedi on Nar Shadaa was pretty risky. He let his hand drop down to hang beside his lightsaber, to be able to activate it at a moment's notice, if necessary. The five thugs moved into his field of vision, not terribly worried about concealing their intent. The rest of the passersby hurriedly cleared the area, and Qui-Gon, not really keen on a confrontation, joined the throng of people nonchalantly. Suddenly a hand gently fell on his forearm, and he threw a startled glance around, to find a tall, cloaked and hooded figure keeping pace with him.

Heart clenching in sudden revelation he asked: "Master Jorka?"

"Your ship?"

"Bay seventeen," Qui-Gon answered, relief flooding his mind at the sound of the Jedi Master's familiar baritone voice. "Am I ever glad to have found you at last. We – "

"Explanations can wait, Qui-Gon. We gotta get off this world before they get lucky after all."

The Jedi Knight risked a glance back, only to find the five thugs still behind them, and closing in fast. "They are after you, then?"

"Yes. I put off the wrong guys, I fear," Jorka answered with an amused chuckle. "When I say run, you run, all right?"

"Sure," the younger man replied, unsure of what to think of all this. "I was wondering why people were taking pot-shots at me. I guess that explains it."

"Crime thrives on Nar Shadaa. They would have shot you just the same." Again a laugh, but this time it was more of a growl. "They never learn, no matter how many fall in this chase."

A shiver ran down Qui-Gon's back at the sound of Jorka's voice, and suddenly he remembered Yoda's warning, that the Jedi Master's future was clouded, that he might be becoming dangerous. But when he opened his mouth to inquire further, Alamys pushed him aside and snapped.

"Run!"

The Jedi Master sprinted forward, and Qui-Gon followed instinctively, and kept on running for a short while even after Alamys Jorka had stopped and turned to face their pursuit. Unclipping his lightsaber from his belt the Jedi Knight whirled around and ignited the blade. Unarmed, Alamys had pushed back the hood of his cloak, but Qui-Gon could not see his face, since the Jedi Master stood with his back to the younger man. Sweeping his left arm through the air in front of him, Alamys flung the quintett back into the thinning crowd, then looked over his shoulder at Qui-Gon.

"I told you to run, didn't I?" he asked, totally calm.

Qui-Gon felt his jaw drop at seeing the Jedi Master's emanciated features, the angry red wound that was slashed down the left side of his face, but above everything else the steely, soulless ice in Alamys Jorka's eyes was what shocked him the most. He took a hesitant step forward, but Alamys was already moving in his direction fast.

"Bay seventeen you say? Let's go."

The two Jedi ran again, side by side, with Qui-Gon still holding his lightsaber in both hands. Left and right people made room for them, screaming and shouting in fear. But Qui-Gon's face was rigid with disbelief. Something terrible had happened to Alamys Jorka, and it had pushed him across the line that separated light and dark. This truth burned hotly in Qui-Gon's mind, and yet he found himself following the Jedi Master nevertheless, never even considering that he might become a danger to him. When the two of them had reached a passageway that led to one of the short bridges that connected all quarters of the vertical city, the five bounty-hunters opened fire. Qui-Gon pivoted on his heel, falling automatically into the calm void of a warrior. He picked off three shots, deflecting them back at the assailants. Then, suddenly, a wave of darkness washed over him, flooding the hallway in front of him and hurling the remaining three thugs against the wall to his left. They lay there, dazed, and Qui-Gon felt much the same, when the Jedi Master called out:

"Qui-Gon Jinn! Don't just stand there!"

Shaking off his paralysis, the Jedi Knight turned back to the bridge, where Alamys stood waving at him to finally follow. At the edge of his hearing he could hear a faint hissing noise, like a rocket fuse igniting, and a slight whining noise became louder suddenly. He saw Alamys' eyes widen, his expression turn into surprise, as he whirled around to stare down into the depth at something out of Qui-Go's line of sight. Time seemed to slow as the Jedi Knight started running toward the master, who flung out his left arm, palm facing outward, as if trying to stop something. Too late. Something impacted against the bridge's railing and exploded, the fiery backwash wrapping Alamys Jorka in a sheet of flames that threw him around and backwards with the force of a giant fist. The bridge's railing gave, and then there was nothing left to break the Jedi Master's fall. Only seconds had passed, but as reality crashed back into Qui-Gon's awareness, everything was already over.

He stood, rigid with surprise and disbelief, and only belatedly realized that he had also moved into the line of fire of whoever had been trying to kill Alamys. Moving back quickly, into the relative safety of the passageway, Qui-Gon strained to see anything in the black abyss that opened underneath the damaged bride. But he could not sense a single thing, and then another projectile hit the frame of the passageway, and the Jedi Knight had to seek cover inside the corridor, when it exploded. Rail guns. They were using rail guns! Flat on his stomach, he felt his eyes bulge in incredulity. Alamys was gone. And whoever had killed him was trying to get at Qui-Gon too.

Pushing himself off the floor, Qui-Gon jumped to his feet, but did not turn away at once. He still could not believe that Alamys was gone. His throat constricting with sorrow, he shook his head slightly, disbelieving. Failure did not come easily to the young Jedi Knight. And he had failed twice now in a short period of time. First, he had failed to apprehend Dooku and confront him, and he still thought that perhaps he might have convinced the older man to give the Order another chance. And now, now he had lost Master Jorka too. He dreaded having to report that second failure to Master Yoda. Then, with a sudden start he realized that the damaged bridge had been the shortest way to bay seventeen. Great.

If he retreated now he would take hours to get there, with the maze of connections, bridges and corridors that permeated Nar Shadaa. Giving his hunters all the more opportunity to kill him too. He set his jaw grimly, then walked down the corridor a few more meters, until the distance seemed about right. Ignoring the crowd that was slowly gathering around, gawking at the smoldering hole in the bridge's railing, Qui-Gon tensed ever so slightly, before he sprinted toward the bridge, using the Force to increase his speed. He crossed the bridge in a rush of cold air, and a shiver ran down his back at the thought of Alamys falling into that depth, helplessly. Once he had reached the other end of the bridge, Qui-Gon briefly closed his eyes to regain his composure. Then, calmer again, he proceeded to his ship.

He hit the jagged ledge full force, the impact driving all air from his lungs and momentarily blinding his eyes. But he scrambled back into reality quickly, regaining his senses in a chaotic maelstream of fury. When Alamys propped himself up on his elbows he was staring straight down, over the egde and into the abyss of cool darkness up front, but it held no fear for him. He had survived the fall, he was alive, and whoever had tried to kill him today would regret that choice dearly. With a low growl the Jedi Master pushed himself upright and stood. Then, his mind caught in the cold, emotionless void of shock and anger, he looked up, just making out the slender bridge in the far distance above.

It was sheer luck – or the Force – that had saved his life, he realized, and suddenly a grin appeared on his lips as he bared his teeth in black humor. Wasn't he the lucky one? Now Sidious would undoubtedly think himself safe, and Alamys could patiently and quietly work away at bringing him down. Alone. He frowned again. Without Qui-Gon's interference he would never have gotten into his pursuers' crossfire! That damn, cocky brat was far too foolish to be trusted. Or perhaps not so foolish at all ... It occurred to Alamys that the Jedi Knight might also have led him deliberately into that trap. To get rid of him. But why? The answer, unfortunately, was all too clear. Dooku. Dooku had ordered his one-time apprentice to finish Alamys, to be able to spread his lies unpertubed.

The Jedi Master's frown deepened. Wasn't it just strangely coincidental that the two most ardent defenders of the two extreme positions concerning the Jedi Order's philosophy had vanished at the same time? What if the Council itself had an interest in seeing them go, to strengthen conformity? Brows rising in disbelief, Alamys tried to reject that horrifying idea again, but it just would not go away. He remembered the riddle Yoda had asked the two of them to solve, and his own response to it, as well as Dooku's. Yoda, he recalled had not seemed very pleased at their answers. Paralysed by the shocking revelation, Alamys stood for a long time on that ledge, buffeted by the city ventilations cold gusts of air that travelled the shafts relentlessly. He did not even notice the cold.

Lost in thought, he also let his thoughts touch the painful memories of his captivity back on Zelos II, and the interrogations Sidious had conducted on him. He had told him about the prophecy, hadn't he? Helplessly, Alamys cocked his head to the side, thinking that maybe he really could not prevent a prophecy from coming to be. No matter how much he would wish for something else. Perhaps he should admit defeat at last, and grant the Sith this victory. Shoulders slumping, the Jedi Master heaved a sigh. Perhaps the Council deserved what they had coming at them.

"Very well," he said aloud, only to hear his own voice. "So be it." Determination refocused his thoughts on the future immediately. "But your triumph will not last, Sidious."

His hands clenched into tight fists, and for a moment he lost himself in the darkness that surrounded him. Sidious would pay eventually. He would pay, as well as the Jedi. For arrogance, for complacency. For turning a blind eye on the truth. The truth was clear to him down there. The darkness was growing with every passing moment, and soon it would swallow everything. But a bright light would remain, somewhere. He only had to find it.

TBC