Chapter One- Dreams of Past, Present, and Future

A voice sounded through the Jedi's sleep-encrusted mind, as he wandered the land of dreams. 'Your command echoes still, General. And I obey, as I did at Malachor V… I have destroyed planets for you, General. But now, this once, if we save something in this galaxy… I need to do this, or I will die inside. She must be, stopped, there, now, or she will bring the screams of Malachor V to the galaxy- just as we carried the echo all this way.' He felt confused was this man talking to him.

Without warning, the scenery changed, though he could not truly see it. He felt as if he were wearing a blindfold. Someone was running, their lightly hitting the hard floor. He could feel the sorrow radiating off this person, but there was something wrong with their Force signature.

A door opened, and the blindfold was lifted. Before him stood two women, one old and one young, both oblivious to his presence. The older woman appeared to be blind and the dark side resonated, through her.

"Tell me is Malachor as you remember?"

"It's not too late, Kreia. I can save you if you'll let me."

"I wanted you to say those words, for that I am grateful." The old women paused. "But I do not want your mercy. I want you to break."

The younger silently nodded her head. "There is much I would ask you."

The old woman nodded. "I would be a poor teacher, if I did not give you the answers now."

Her brown eyes blinked and emotions filled them. "Why me?"

Kreia smiled. "Perhaps you were expecting some surprise, for me to reveal a secret that had eluded you, something that would change your perspectives of events, shatter you to your core. There is no great revelation, no great secret. There is only you."

The younger woman seemed taken aback. "Surely there was some other Jedi, you could have used."

"Yes, there are others that have cut themselves off from the Force, but they still keep subconscious connections to it. Never before, until you, has someone so fully cut themselves off from the Force that they left a wound in it. Only you."

"What now?"

"In Sith tradition, the apprentice kills the master."

"I will not fight you."

"Then you will die."

The older woman's lightsaber shot to life.

The image of the two dueling gave way to another image of combat. The Jedi recognized the younger woman, though she was much older. Her opponent dripped with darkness. He wore a bright red mask and onyx robes. He pelted her with his crimson lightsaber. The Jedi could feel the woman's fatigue as her opponent gained on her.

"He has left you alone, as he did those many years ago. You will die here, and then what will he do? All his friends die around him, how much longer until he follows. You will be an example, Exile."

Her lightsabers connected with his and they glared into each other's eyes. "You may be rid of us, but others have joined us, and more will come. I may die here, but it will not be meaningless."

The duelers attacked each other in a flourish of moves. But the scene was quickly deteriorating; the voices filled his head again. The pain… it was unbearable, the screams of death surrounded him. He had to escape… and then complete silence.

Obi-wan Kenobi jerked out of his sleep, gasping for air. His heart pounded in silent fear. Slowly he regained his composure. 'Same dream,' he thought silently to himself. Never before had he wanted to be away from the temple as much as now. 'Give me the hectic battles that at least keep my mind busy… away from the dreams.' His fellow masters', however, felt he had been gone from the temple for far too long.

His eyes moved toward his cronowatch. "Star's end!" He lunged out of his bed, grabbing his robes. He hurriedly donned the garments. He took a quick glance at his bearded-face in the mirror, taking in his messed hair, and his tired blue eyes. Yoda would inquire of course, and Obi-wan would tell the small master that nothing was wrong, thus, the charade would continue. Using his fingers as a comb, he straightened his short ginger hair, as he opened the door and rushed out.

Unfortunately, he found an obstacle in the form of Anakin Skywalker. "Sorry," Obi-wan said briefly wanting to get quickly away from his replacement.

Anakin eyed him. "You're usually not late. Master Jinn sent me to find you. The Masters are growing tired of waiting."

"Thanks," Obi-wan muttered, leaving Anakin behind.

The emotions that he kept hidden for so long threatened to surface. Anakin was not all bad; his heart was always in the right place. 'But why do I hate him?' The answer bubbled down to one person… Qui-Gon Jinn. The one person he purposely went out of his way to avoid. Obi-wan did a good job of it too, until he had been appointed a member of the council. Jinn followed him shortly after.

The temple hallways were mostly deserted, for many Jedi were on missions, or leading troops into battle on a number of different worlds. The doors of the Council Chamber loomed before him. Calming himself, he entered. All heads, including the holoprojected masters, turned. Obi-wan willed himself not to blush as he bowed to them and took his seat.

"You are late, Master Kenobi." Master Windu frowned at him. His dark skin remained unwrinkled, betraying no emotion.

"I overslept." Obi-wan stated apologetically.

"Hmmm, sleep did you find?" Yoda asked.

"Yes."

The Masters exchange glances before continuing. They need only see the black rings that formed under his eyes to know that he was not being truthful. Obi-wan felt Qui-Gon's eyes rest upon him, but he refused to meet them.

Yoda cast one more look at Obi-wan. "Talk later we will."

Obi-wan nodded his head, what else could he do?

"Forward call Master Almas and Padawan Neha."

The two women entered and bowed. The master, an Echani, looked as most Echani do, with white hair and a pallor complexion. Her blues eyes contrasted against her pale features. The padawan, a Miraluka, remained behind her master, her head bowed. Shrouded beneath an amethyst veil, her sightless eyes were concealed. Now at the age of twenty-one, she would be taking the trials soon. The Masters had been discussing it for a while now, but unfortunately, she would be forced to wait until Anakin had taken his own.

"Master Yoda," Master Almas started. "And members of the Council."

"Continue Master Almas." Mace requested.

Almas hesitated. "Count Dooku is dead." The Council members all glanced at each other in shock. "The local security officials believe it was suicide."

"Believe this you do not." Yoda stated bluntly.

"No," Almas blatantly stated. "His behavior previously suggested no thought of suicide. In fact, he behaved as if he was going to enjoy his captivity. I believe he was murdered, by someone who didn't want him to talk."

"Do you have proof?" Qui-Gon asked.

"No. I just know that men like him don't suddenly decide to commit suicide."

"Sure can you be?" Yoda inquired gently.

"Call it a feeling."

Yoda nodded. "Investigate Count Dooku's death we should. Since strong feeling have you in this area… the investigation lead you should."

The councilors nodded in agreement, and Master Almas and Padawan Neha bowed and left. The council returned to debriefing Master-Padawan teams, Jedi fresh from the battlefield, and discussed many matters to themselves. The discussions were beginning to wear on Obi-wan and his head began to nod, but the memory of what waited him when he slept jerked him awake.

"I think that covers our list," Master Shaak Ti said pleasantly.

"This meeting is concluded," Mace Windu stated.

The holo-projections of Ki-Adi-Mundi, Saesee Tiin, Coleman Kcaj, and Plo Koon blinked and disappeared. The council members rose, and began to talk quietly amongst themselves, as they began to depart. Obi-wan waited as Master Yoda slowly hobbled over to him.

"Go to my apartments we will."

Obi-wan had no choice but to follow.