Callista rose early the next morning, the vision still fresh in her mind. 'We'll need help' she thought. She knew just who to contact. making her way to the comm room, she fired up one of the old transmitters, and wanted to cheer when it worked. She entered a frequency she hadnt used for months, and nervously she waited.

Steffan's face appeared on the screen. "Karrde residence - Oh, Callista, ot's good to see you." he paused. "Are you alright? What's wrong?" She wanted to cry. Pulling herself together, she told him of her banishment from the order. he nodded, remembering it well, as he had staunchly opposed, but had been outvoted. She then told him of her anger and how she had fallen to the Dark Side, and joined the Sith.

His face paled at that, but her nodded for her to continue. "And now, the council is after us, we've been branded traitors...that's not all, I have a death mark on my head from Dart h Moor..." She trailed off. Steffan nodded. "I'll be there as soon as I can, you're going to need all the help you can get. Force be with you." The screen went dark just as Jason entered.

"Who was that?" Jason asked

"Steffan," Callista replied. "Mark said we needed people we can trust."

"And we can trust him? After all he is on the council! How do you know he won't turn us in?"

She rose, laying a hand on his arm. "He's not as close-minded as you think, Jason. He was the single councilmember who opposed my banishment from the order, but he was outvoted... He was also my saber instructor..."

Jason sighed, "I'm gonna start doubting my own shadow if I am not careful – Sorry, Calli." It seemed like a huge weight was bearing down on Jason. This last week had seen his world turn upside down.

"Jason, what's wrong?" Callista looked at him with concern. "We can trust him, is that what worries you?"

"It seems like I ... I don't know who to trust right now!"

"Jason, look at me." She pulled his face around to look in his eyes. "Seems like what?"

"We got someone from the council gunning for us, manipulating both the good and the bad. I think I'm missing some part of the puzzle some where. It is almost as if someone is trying to start a war. And the force users are in the middle."

Her face twisted in a scowl. "I'll give you one guess..." Jason looked quizickly at Callista.

"Moor was always answering to some higher power...I get the distinct feeling that it's that person..."

"Yes but who, and how do we prove it?"

She thought back, and something clicked in her mind. "Elder Malus..." she whispered.

"Ok so a suspect. but how can we prove it in front of witnesses?"

"I guess the only way we can is to see his reaction to my still being alive, he put a death mark on me."

"So you got anyone else we could call?", Jason tried to pull a smile. She frowned.

"What about Spark?"

"Go for it, see if they can make it. Tell them everything. Once your done, I'll send word back to coruscant see if any Cor Sec buddies can rustle up some starships."

"What for?"

"Well whoever comes after us has got to get here somehow. If they can be intercepted it could reduce our chances of being overwhlemed on the ground!"

She shrugged. "I'll do what I can..."

Jason placed his hands over Caliista's shoulder's, "I know." He walked out the door back to the main complex

Sighing, she turned back to the comm board. Spark answered right away, a little suprised by the encrypted message. "Callista are you alright?" Nodding, Callista replied, "I need your help..." She gave Spark a quick rundown of what had happened.

Spark scowled. "I never did like how they handle things these days. I'll get a hold of a few people."

Callista smiled. "Thanks, but please be careful." Spark nodded and cut the connection. She rose and found Jason in his room. "I'm done. Spark's doing some work on her end."

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Over the next day or so, there was a sporadic stream of small vessels that made their way to Illum. Among those who came to help were Spark and Sapharin. Also travelling with her were Master Ellen, and her padawan, Aerandir Ancalime. Adi Klem was not far behind them, with his own padawan in tow. Master Karrde also came to offer the support of his family, with himself and Ryneas.

A planning meeting was well under way by the time Falco arrived. He had come from Coruscant, and had had to take a circuitous route, so as not to be traced. Jason glanced up, nodding to his friend, and then went back to the breifing. He knew it was not easy for Callista to hear this again, but everyone had to know why they were fighting. Callista could feel varying degrees of outrage from the gathered Jedi at the actions of the Council, but no one let it take over.

Having completed his portion of the breifing, Jason sat, motioning to Master Karrde. "As you all know, I am a member of the Council. I do not, however, agree with their actions in this matter. We are all here to fight for what is right, not what the Council or the Sith think to be right, but what the Force tells us and we know in our hearts to be right." The gathered Jedi nodded. Steffan continued, looking at each of them in turn. "The fight will not be an easy one, for we will be fighting our friends as well as our enemies."

"We will be fighting on two fronts this time, so it will be difficult. Injure, but do not kill you opponents if it can at all be avoided." He turned to Ellen. "Master Merritt, I would like you to take Falco and Aerandir, and protect the crystal mines. Spark and Sapharin along with Jason and Callista, you will work on the Sith. Adi, myself, and our Padawans will take on the Council. There shouldn't be many, as some are out on missions, and at least two have to remain on Coruscant at all times. "

Jason looked around the great hall. "Not a bad collection, Callista. I don't think I could have pulled this off myself!"

"We have some of the best Jedi here. This is not gonna be easy trying not to hurt our own people." Callista said.

Jason nodded. "We will almost be fighting a stalemate position till the traitor tips their hand, allowing us to expose them."

In a split second, the claxon sounded. Spark came running from the Comm Room, "We have five Corvettes exiting hyperspace. They have not transmitted identity."

Jason looked up at Callista, she turned to him, "We are not ready!" There was a hint of worry in Callista's voice.

Jason's senses tingled and he then smiles. "Spark send this message exactly (Uncle requests a ride please)".

Spark looked at Jason. "What?"

"Send it Spark and hurry, or things could get messy fast."

Spark ran back to the comm room, only to appear back again a few minutes later. "They replied (Chariot on route.)"

Jason laughed, "It's ok, it's Lt. Darlin. The Cor Sec fleet have arrived. Oh and Calli," turning to Callista, "I have asked for a ship to be sent down for you." Callista turned to Steffan. "My apologies, Master Karrde, my late master gave explicit instructions that Jason and I were not to be separated." He nodded. "We'll be fine, go. And may the Force be with you both."

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"That is what the message meant - was it?" Callista asked.

"Yes, come let's see what you got."

With that Jason and Callista walked to the hanger. Just as they arrived a shuttle and single XJ X-Wing arrived.

"Well unless I am flying a shuttle, I'll take the X-wing," Callista commented as she smiled.

Lt. Darlin walked down the ramp of the Lambda class shuttle, flanked with six troopers. Jason ran up and hugged Darlin. "So you made it, you scoundrel?"

"Wouldn't miss it," he replied slapping Jason on the back. "Anyway I owe you after that business on Ord Mantell. You saved my butt and that of my squad from those Wookiee bounty hunters."

"I was just in the wrong place at the right time." Jason smiled. "So I take it the X-wing is for Callista?"

"Sure is hope it will do."

"It will thanks." Jason replied.

"I'm off back to my ship. We will remain in orbit till you call us off. Oh, and do I understand correctly about disabling shots only?"

"Sorry, yes. Try not to fry anyone. Use Ion cannons where possible, otherwise just try to shoot out engines and gun placements."

"You sure know how to make a guy's life interesting, Jason."

"Yeah, well when things start cooking up there me and Callista here will stand beside you."

Lt Darlin looked at Callista, "You hooked up with this reprobate? You must be as crazy as he is! I'll see you both vacuum side." With that he walked back aboard his shuttle and took off.

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