Jar'Kai mastery was my principal goal for a year hence. I understood the role of Niman in training towards it: by incorporating the five other forms into dual lightsaber combat, I could blend forms, creating attack and defense combinations that would bewilder an opponent trained solely in one form. Jar'Kai stressed adaptation, for with two sabers came greater responsibility for their use. One could easily wound or dismember oneself during intense conflict, unless one possessed self-restraint, so that one battled with the lightsabers, not against them. Using principles from the other forms also gave insight into their weaknesses and strengths. The only forms I did not know much of were the aggressive Juyo; the rough-and-tumble Sokan; the defensive Shien; and the forbidden killer Tràkata. Other unconventional lightsaber techniques were used throughout the galaxy, usually for non-humanoid Jedi, but discipline in a known form was a more concrete foundation. I would be satisfied with Jar'Kai, for the other forms did not appeal to me. Tràkata, however, was the violent extension of Form Zero, and due to my knowledge of the Force, I could grasp its finer points of precision and control. That would come with time and, of course, bitter experience.

888

Ten more or less peaceful years passed. Though in my late twenties, I took no padawan. The Council respected my position, and I continued to study, meditate and practice Jar'Kai. Ed took his third padawan, a bright if not distracted girl fresh out of the younglings. They got along like sisters, and I didn't bother them, busy in my own introspective world, communing with the Force. Then, one night, it spoke plainly to me, while I gazed at the stars.

"You must go to Korriban."

"There is no such planet."

"You are oblivious to the cycle of destruction that shall originate there. Go."

"Guide me."

"Always."

888

I informed the Council that I was leaving "to scout for Sith activity on the Outer Rim territories". They were accustomed to vagaries – Jedi are mysterious that way. I rented an unmarked hyperspace cruiser, sent the bill to the Council, and shot far, far away from known galactic civilization, the Force guiding my ship more than its navigation computer. I, as they say, sat back and went for the ride, juggling my twin lightsabers.

"Why am I going there?"

"To warn the Sith Lord what his reign will herald."

I sat up very straight.

"Sith Lord? Why me?"

"There must be balance. There must be choice."

"But it's a Sith Lord! They have a nasty reputation for blowing up planets they don't like, much less a measly Consular!"

In the vastness of stark subzero space, a warmth settled on my heart.

"I am with you. There is nothing to fear."

The stars receded to pinpricks of light. Below us was a planet whose dark energies seemed to permeate the hull of my ship, coiling around my mind.

"Unmarked ship. Identify yourself."

With my ally I reached down to that horrid planet, finding the spaceport where a half-breed lieutenant was operating the transceiver.

"I am a cargo ship cleared to dock."

"Cargo ship, you are cleared to dock."

I descended to the Sith planet. Interbreeding with Dark Jedi, they fancied themselves a chosen race, and their Fallen masters, gods. No notice was taken of me as I climbed the wide stairs to their Lord's towering citadel, a grandiose structure as dark and twisted as the presence I sensed inside. At the doors I disposed of the guards with a Stasis Field that left the lot of them sleeping on the job. Unchallenged, I caused the inner sanctum to open, revealing a hall and throne befitting a god. Insect-like acolytes whispered amongst themselves in their debased Sithese as I strode forward to meet the antagonist of the Jedi Order.

"Marka Ragnos."

His name and likeness were etched on the citadel walls; the symbols carved by lightsaber of the Fallen Jedi whose languages I could translate.

"Who are you?"

He stood from his throne. Clad in wicked battle armour, dragon wings soaring from his great helmet, the Sith Lord's fearsome stature inspired awe. The hall of Sith fell to their faces. I understood Ragnos through the Force rather than his alien words.

"I am Stargazer of the Jedi Order. I bring a warning to you."

"None may threaten me!" he roared, "I am king and god of this world!"

"You fear the Republic," I retorted, "Why else would you hide in this wasteland?"
A searing blue beam crashed at my feet: a lightsaber of malevolent design.

"Speak further to hasten your death."

I spoke with the Force guiding me, my words echoing like a prophet of doom.

"Your successors shall bring terrible darkness to all the galaxy. However, this planet and all Sith will be destroyed, becoming a grave for those who would offend the Light. Before this comes to pass, cease your rule, Ragnos. Disband the Dark Jedi so that evil will be abated!"

"You ask the impossible. I have been leader longer than you have lived."

"The Dark Side will cover civilization in a gloom lasting millennia!" I argued, "This doom will outlast both of us, to the ends of time, unless you end it now!"

"I will not listen to Jedi propaganda. The reign of the Sith shall be forever!"

The Sith behind us began chanting in accordance with their god.

"We will hold the galaxy in our grip. We will crush the Republic and the Jedi with our passion. We will scatter our enemies to chaos."

Faced with such fanaticism, what more could I do?

"Your lack of vision diseases the cosmos."

Ragnos pointed his dread saber at me.

"You, too, will disappear."

Then the Force overtook me. My body and my voice were not my own – my hand flung forward, slamming his massive bulk to the throne with unseen authority, my voice thundering to quake the walls.

"You will NEVER understand the truth of the Force. You will ALWAYS live in fear. Slaying innocents and each other, the Sith will FOREVER be a plague unto themselves."

The Force cast Ragnos from his throne to fall prostrate upon his face with a mighty crash. His Sith cowered in terror as the Force condemned them all.

"The very galaxy you hope to conquer shall reject your kind!"

The Force released us, and I staggered back. Without another word I retreated from the hall. I heard, as I fled, Ragnos scream his defiance to the Force that was simultaneously his strength and his judge.

888

That year saw the beginning and end of the Great Hyperspace War. Seizing control upon Ragnos' demise, Naga Sadow led the Sith Empire against the Republic. I was at the Battle of Coruscant with Edethrian, our combined Battle Meditation singing through us and our allies. I saw my Knight in battle for the first time, a veritable whirlwind of lightsaber and Force techniques true to his Master rank. At one time they conspired to overpower him by strength of numbers… he unleashed such a Force Scream that I heard their ears pop as their spirits shattered. Though we fought with valiance, Memit Nadill, Anavus Svag, Sonam-Ha'ar, and Tuknatan were the heroes who led to ultimate victory over the invasion. Ed and I were content to contribute. We met in the room of a Thousand Fountains after the battle was won.

"The Sith have finally revealed themselves."

"Korriban will become as the Force prophesied."

I divulged my journey, which seemed incredible to us both.

"You are truly a Consular to bridge the gap between the Force's purpose and our mortal ways."

"I believe that, even as I do what the Light Side bids, Ragnos was doing as the Dark Side bid. He would not listen to reason, obeying only the passion and black magic of the darkness that infects Korriban. It is like a dejarik board, Ed, with the Jedi on one side and the Sith on the other, moved around by the two personalities of the Force."

"So the Force has schizophrenia, now?"

"It is possible that mortal passions affect the living Force to such an extent that a divide was formed eons ago, with one side of the Force feeding off mortal passion and the other side, the true Force, guiding us to enlightenment."

"I have never thought of the Force thus. You are wise beyond my years."

I tapped my head.

"Blame my tenant."

"Are you the unwilling landlord?"

"Fight against a cosmic power? I gave up that notion years ago."

Ed patted my head fondly.

"Remember that you, too, exist. All are vessels of the Force, which cannot – or merely has not – taken physical form. Until such a messiah appears, you have worth to this galaxy."

He took water and caused it to orbit in clear spheres over his palm.

"Know that there are other worlds than this, Joe; other places to go, species to meet and allies to find. The more you relate to others, the stronger shall be the bonds of the Force."

He sat back and looked at me with something akin to wonder.

"When you have accomplished that, you shall work marvels."

888

I shared no sentiments with the Jedi Order. Ed and I were its only members who thought in broad terms. Hearing their victory speeches after the War was a painful experience.

"Propaganda galore," I grumbled to myself, "Saying they want peace and democracy when they dangle the Republic by strings. Nothing is done anywhere that they do not control to some extent. It seems Ragnos was more perceptive than I gave him credit for."

Although the Force would have prevented me, I gave no thought to joining the Dark Side. Its Force techniques promoted wanton destruction, and what was the use of that, when carefully placed words with the supreme influence of the Force could make an enemy your ally? I wasn't comfortable with fighting everyone I had a disagreement with, and so that led me to the Council chamber when I had had enough of the Jedi way of life.

"What brings you here, Consular Stargazer?"

"I resign from the Jedi Order. Your quest for greater power will always draw the Sith, whose quest is for absolute power, which is impossible as long as this Order exists. Your warring will destroy the Republic and cause chaos among its citizens. I do not wish to be a part of this spiral of destruction."

"Please reconsider. The War has left us shorthanded and weakened the Republic's resolve."

"Good. Perhaps you will unlearn the lust for power that you share with the Sith, only to a lesser degree."

A Council member became irate at my lecture.

"How can anything be done without power, Stargazer?"

I gazed directly at him without a shred of doubt.

"All things are done with choice. Until you realize that the Force is about life and the difficult choices involved with it, your training will always be incomplete in this sterile, controlled laboratory you call a Temple."

I surrendered both my lightsabers on the Council floor, and departed.