Chapter VII

Obi-Wan felt the Force radiating off of every person he saw on the ship, he and his four companions were not Prisoners of War, but were actually Guests, as the leader had said, and they were all allowed to keep their weapons, except for Cody, and walk freely. So far Obi-Wan felt no deception from the young leader, but as he had felt on Mayras, he was much stronger in the Force than he was, and he could have been shrouding himself in the false emotion to drive the Jedi to trust him.

The ship was called Last Sight, and he gained that it was indeedthe last sight for many who had encountered it.

Anakin and Timoth kept glancing at Obi-Wan, trying to find out what to do, Ian he noticed was aloof, not even giving his master a glance or an acknowledgement. It seemed that Obi-Wan was always ending up with the stubborn padawan learners, while Anakin's was very submissive to him.

The five entered a large room, and were shocked at what was before them-a miniature version of pure elegance, finely carved woods from the most remarkable of trees, silver and gold in much find. And as Obi-Wan recalled, silver and gold were almost all but extinct, just as the Sith were, rare to find.

And sitting at a small artificial fountain sat one of the most beautiful woman thefive had ever seen, Timoth and Ian's mouths gaped regardless of their Jedi training, and Obi-Wan had a more controlled look at her. Anakin was seemingly unaffected and Cody automatically took her as an enemy Commander, so she was of no interest to him.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat as the leader left the room, the doors behind them closing with a hiss, "Ah greetings," he was quiet for a while before continuing, "my companions and I are…representing the Jedi Council in meeting with you, um," he was at a loss for words, he was not really a diplomatic Jedi at the moment, although he was well that during the Clone Wars, even receiving the nickname The Negotiator.

The woman smiled, and the padawans tried their best to regain their composure, but then she spoke, "Ah, welcome Jedi Knights, representative's of the Jedi Order, and the Jedi Council, I must say that I am very sorry for that little incident on the planet, you see my young friend the Commander is indeed a very bloodthirsty one, and although your army consists of humans, he still wanted to destroy them,"

"Ah, well yes," replied Obi-Wan, a bit lost.

Something clicked in Anakin's mind, a word she said, "Humans?" he inquired, "what have you against aliens?"

The woman looked confused, but soon smiled, "but wait, where are my manners, I am Lady Darra, Master of this ship and this clan, and you are?"

Obi-Wan could have slapped himself, "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master, these are Anakin Skywalker my pa-I mean my fellow Master, padawan learners Timoth Frejik, and Ian Riath, and Clone Commander Cody,"

"Very well, it is nice to meet you all, er-you said Clone Commander?" she said, a bit of confusion marking her beautiful face; using the Force to probe her immediate thoughts he felt her feigning ignorance, Obi-Wan ignored this and allowed Cody to answer.

"Yes," replied Cody, "I am of the Grand Army of the Republic, Clone Commander 2224, also known as Cody,"

She looked a bit flushed, "well, I thought the Jedi were above such notions, cloning?" she shook her head, "well by the Force," she grew quiet as if wanting to ask something, then decided to anyway, "I have heard that the Jedi use lightsabers?"

Anakin and Obi-Wan were both confused, "yes, we do,"

"Interesting," she replied, more to herself that to them brushing a stray hair from her eyes, "may I see one of you in battle, if I may not be so rude, but I wish to see this weapon in action, and how you wield the true weapon,"

Her description of the lightsaber was a bit strange noted Obi-Wan, but the Force showed that she was merely curious, and he obliged, "Anakin?"

Anakin nodded and stepped forward brandishing his lightsaber, the weapon activated with a snap-hiss, and the brilliant blue blade lit the floor with a dull glow. Darra clasped her hands together, "wonderful," she said in true sincerity, "I will spar with you," she standing from her seat and moving towards him.

Anakin unsure as to what her intentions were brought his lightsaber into a defensive position. Darra smiled and her lightsaber which was connected to her belt flew into her grasp, as her slender fingers brushed the activation plate, the weapon's blade shot out, a viridian glow now on the floor, "come Jedi,"

Anakin shook his head, "no, an honored opponent must always be given the first move,"

She smiled again, "well then, let us begin,"

Darra rushed forward with unbelievable speed and swept her blade upward, Anakin's lightsaber rushed forward to meet her and the two lightsabers intersected crackling softly and giving off sparks. The two blades disengaged and engaged again, this time with both combatants a few inches away from each other.

With a Force push Anakin repelled Darra's blade and moved forward, the beauty spun away from him and brought her blade in front of her parallel to her body, intercepting the young Jedi Master's blade, "well done, you have good form," she gave a little push and their lightsabers disengaged.

Anakin thrust outward and Darra hooked her lightsaber forward, "good," she drove him back again and Anakin fell backwards, but instead of staying on the floor he continued with the roll and got back up, his lightsaber again on the defensive, "interesting move," Darra commented.

Anakin did not allow her words and comments to distract him, but slowly and calmly kept his own, parrying and driving her back. Finally Darra stopped playing and with a sudden change in Form her lightsaber was everywhere, using the Seeker Lightsaber Form III, Jiau, the fastest of their lightsaber forms. Anakin could not help but surrender in the end.

Darra smiled as the young Jedi Master deactivated his lightsaber, conceding victory, he coughed, "That was…very good Lady Darra, you are very skilled in your lightsaber Forms, may I ask what Form that was?"

Darra laughed, "no, it is not a lightsaber form that the Jedi would know of, although some of the High Masters, and all of the High Lords have mastered all ten Jedi and Sith Lightsaber Forms,"

Obi-Wan looked perplexed, "High Masters, High Lords?"

"Our leaders," she explained and Obi-Wan nodded in understanding.

"May I ask what was the reason for destroying the planets through the Force Lady Darra?" asked Obi-Wan quite direct.

Darra's lightsaber hissed as it was deactivated, "The planets were corrupt, they had to be destroyed,"

"By the dark side?" asked Ian.

Darra looked at the young padawan, as if now seeing him for the first time, "No, corrupted as in they are not belonging to the True Way, and they are aliens,"

Anakin and Obi-Wan looked startled, "so you destroyed planets, and their occupants because they did not convert to your way? The True Way, and that the others were aliens?" asked Obi-Wan in disbelief.

Darra shook her head, "I did not kill them, only the High Lords and the Lord Seeker has the knowledge and the power to use the Force in such ways,"

Obi-Wan was still confused, "you accepted their destruction and your masters use the dark side, but I sense no dark taint in you,"

Darra smiled, "Not all of the Death Seekers use the dark side and not all are good,"

Finally, thought Obi-Wan, a name for these people, "when can we leave Lady Darra, I wish to have a word with the Jedi Council and meet back with you and your people,"

Darra looked thoughtful, and was speculating the events that could occur finally she conceded, "you can leave when you wish and you are welcome to stay as long as you would like, my ship will always be open for you five, however, my other brethren may not have the same view, so beware," she tossed a small datapad for the Jedi Master, and Obi-Wan caught it, "this is some information to take back to your masters, we will permit any human, or human Jedi to join us, your ship is prepped and ready to go when you are,"

The five visitors bowed, "thank you Lady Darra," and left the chambers.

Darra was quiet as she watched Obi-Wan leave, she didn't understand why, but she felt a certain kinship toward Obi-Wan, confused she shook her head, clearing her mind, she could not allow the handsome Jedi Master to interfere with her thoughts, quietly she returned to her meditation.

Boarding the ship Obi-Wan blocked Ian from entering, the other Jedi and Cody turned, confused, "Ian I want you to remain here,"

The young man was alarmed, "Master?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, "I would have stayed in your place but I have valuable information for the Council, and I need to go, but you my padawan, you can remain, and try to gain as much information as you can, find their ways; we need to find their weaknesses, learn all you can,"

Ian's face fell, "yes master," Obi-Wan put a reassuring hand on the young Jedi's shoulder, "don't worry Ian, the Force is strong in you, and it will be with you always, and so will I,"

Ian nodded with a small twinge of hope, "I shall remain master,"

Ian had his ship removed from the transport and watched as it rose from the landing platform and exited into space, he turned to find a place where he could remain.