Author's note: Thanks for the reviews everybody. Yoda will be coming I promise you; just bear with me. There are a few major plot points I need to get through first, but you have my word: he will come. Thanks again for reading and reviewing, I enjoy hearing what you have to say.

CHAPTER 3: THE DUNGEON OF KHAL-DU-RIM

Deep within the great city on Coorascant, no more that twenty kilometers from the senate building, lay the historic district of the city. Ancient buildings that have stood the test of time are dwarfed by the enormous thicket of modern monoliths. The historic portion of the city serves two purposes: it is a model for those interested in Coorascant's history, and it houses the dungeon of Khal-Du-Rim.

Khal-Du-Rim was once ruler of the Coorascant system, he ruled with an iron fist and any who questioned his authority were sent to his dungeon for torture and imprisonment. The name Khal-Du-Rim struck terror into the hearts of all, and it continued to for many centuries.

The dungeon of Khal-Du-Rim was eventually converted into a prison of the worst kind and it was typically reserved for prisoners of the worst kind. It was home to not just murderers, but to genocidal madmen. It was truly a hive of scum and villainy. Those who have committed the biggest atrocities against the Republic were sent here. Shortly after The Great War at the formation of the Republic, Cardon was sent to Khal-Du-Rim where he spent the remainder of his days.

While it is said the dungeon has saner practices that Khal-Du-Rim's days, many would argue it is just as horrible a sentence. None are tortured, none are starved, all are given essentials, but there is and air of madness about; a sickening feeling that does not leave; a darkness that does not fade. None can explain the feeling of Khal-Du-Rim, nor can they describe it, but all who enter experience it.

The prison guards, who are typically assigned to serve up to two years at other prisons, are only required to work two months at Khal-Du- Rim. Those who were made to serve longer in the past took their own lives. The name Khal-Du-Rim still strikes fear into the hearts of all, and its prisoners know nothing but misery.

Late on night, Telon Kilnu stood outside the great gates of the dungeon. He was seeking admittance when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"I don't mind if you have other friends, but Khal-Du-Rim? You're keeping some strange company."

The young Jedi turned around to see his dearest friend behind him.

"Occala? What are you doing here?" He asked; he was furious that she had come.

"I followed you. I wanted to see why you were sneaking off alone." Occala answered.

"If I'm sneaking, then it must be for a reason." Telon said in his typically logical fashion.

"You're going to see Muergoth, aren't you?" She asked.

There was no answer from Telon

"You're going to ask him about his holocron." She stated rather than asked; she knew her friend too well.

"The council can't get him to talk, maybe I can." Telon said.

"What makes you think he'll talk to you?" Occala wondered.

"I've looked at it; I understand him better than anyone else." Telon said.

"I suppose you have a point." Occala admitted. "Alright, let's do it."

"Stop it. Don't talk like you're coming, Occala. You need to go back to the Temple." Telon said in a rare flash of authority.

Before Occala could object, as she always did when someone told her what she could or could not do, a voice rang over the intercom mounted to the gate.

"Master Telon, we have records of you being a Jedi, so that checks out, but our records do not show you as being a council member." The voice said.

Occala glanced at Telon. The thought of him as a council member forced her to stifle a laugh.

"I've recently taken Master Von-Dil's seat." Telon lied. "Perhaps it doesn't show on the record yet."

After a long pause, the voice retuned. "We do have records of Von- Dil's death. You are a Jedi so we'll trust you enough to take your word for the rest." It said.

With that, the massive gates lumbered open. The two padawans headed into the courtyard then Telon turned to speak to Occala who was only a step behind.

"You're not coming, Occala, go home." He said, still uncharacteristically forceful.

"I'm going, Telon." She stated. "Unless you want me to inform the guards that you are not a Jedi council member."

"Alright, just don't say anything." Telon grumbled. "I swear, sometimes you get on my nerves."

"Don't say that, one of these days you're actually going to want my help and I won't be there." Occala said, smiling.

"I bet." Telon said, sarcastically.

As the two walked through the courtyard toward a large grey building, they took in the sights of the courtyard. It was nothing but a large, flat piece of land paved with stone. There was no where to hide and the courtyard was so long one would need to run faster than a swoop if they were to go unseen.

The walls surrounding the complex were massive, nearly a kilometer high and were rigged with all manner of sharp objects, making them impossible to climb even if one was ambitious or crazy enough to try. Around the perimeter, approximately every seventy meters there was a tower with no less than three sharpshooters.

After several minutes of walking over flat, stony ground someone emerged form the large grey building and headed out to meet them.

"Good evening, Master Jedi." Said a small, hunching, grey skinned creature with a blue jump-suit and a blaster strapped to his hip.

"Good evening." Telon returned with a bow. After a sidelong glance from Telon, Occala bowed as well.

"You seem rather young to be a Jedi master." The creature observed. "Eh, what do I know? I have no idea how you guys run things. I see you brought some one."

"Yes, this is Occala; she is uh, my padawan." Telon said, artificially deepening his voice to appear older.

Occala shot Telon an unpleasant glance and then remembered to return to show form. "Yes, I was hoping I could tag along." She said.

"It's alright with me; just be sure to watch yourself, dear. Some of these prisoners would do anything to get their hands on a female, especially a fine specimen such as yourself." The small creature said to Occala with a wink.

Occala gave Telon a disgusted glance.

"You wanted to come." He reminded her in a whisper.

Occala quickly swallowed her pride and put on her Jedi courtesy. "Thank you for the advice-" She said and then awaited the creature to give his name.

"Neepo, Neepo Duma, I'm the head guard for this shift." The creature said.

"Well then Neepo, do you think we can have a word with the prisoner now?" Telon asked.

"Of course, this way please." Neepo said and then led them into the large grey building.

Once inside, the padawans learned that the large grey building was little more than a large grey room. The three lines of rectangular, fluorescent lights overhead seemed to meet at the other end of the building and disappear together. The floor was bare stone and each footfall could be heard clearly, echoing in the emptiness.

Off to the left there were a few smaller rooms; some small offices and a break room for the guards. The large room was filled with nothing but a few scattered guards patrolling with blasters and a large transparent, cylindrical turbolift and the center of the room.

"I always pictured the dungeon having more cells." Occala said as her sarcastic tone reverberated off the walls of the massive structure.

"I thought Jedi were supposed to do their research." Neepo said. "You ought to know the actual dungeon is beneath a kilometer of solid rock."

"Of course, I was just joking." Occala bluffed.

"If you don't mind my saying so Neepo, I can't help but think this is all a bit excessive. I know the complex is old but the invention of the shock bracelet ought to solve some of your security problems." Telon said, his voice echoing.

"We have the Galaxy's best criminals, Master Jedi. That includes electronic masterminds who had no problem breaking into the financial records of the Senate's computer. If they can do that, disabling a shock- bracelet is no problem." Neepo explained.

After another long walk, they finally found themselves at the turolift in the center of the room.

"Here we are. I'll set the floor and cell block for you. Once the lift comes to a stop, walk along the catwalk, but make sure you stay as close to the railing as possible. When you get to the end, head down tunnel six. He's near the end of tunnel six, cell number one one three eight." Neepo said.

"You're not coming?" Telon asked, a bit surprised.

"They don't pay me enough to go down there, Master Jedi; I've got kids. But, for a fully trained Jedi Master, it should be no problem." Neepo said

"Right, no sweat." Telon said, trying to hide his anxiety.

Neepo then handed him a small box with two buttons: one red, one green.

"Push the green button when you get there, we'll unlock the cell door and enable his shock bracelet. Once you're in, press it again, we'll close the door and disable the bracelet. Same thing when you want to leave; green twice, got it?" Neepo said.

"Got it." Telon said.

"What's the red button for?" Occala wondered.

"Let's just say in case of emergency." Neepo said. "By the way, we'll need to take your laser-swords, for security purposes. You'll get them back when you return."

The two padawans exchanged a worried glance and begrudgingly handed over their weapons.

"Any thing else?" Telon asked.

"Yeah, on a personal note- -" Neepo said in a near-whisper. "Don't talk to anyone, don't touch anything, don't listen to anyone and try not to look at anything."

"No problem." Telon said as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

The two friends climbed into the hollow, transparent tube and waited while Neepo punched in some code. Even through the miles of stone they could sense the evil radiating from below. Their hearts beat faster and their legs shook as Neepo finished and they began their descent to the Hell that is Khal-Du-Rim.