Chapter VIII
The Jedi Council was again in session, all twelve Jedi Masters ready to discuss and gage the new threat, as well as add the newly found information of Obi-Wan.
"These invaders are a threat," insisted Ki-Adi Mundi, the Cerean Jedi Masters face etched with stubbornness.
Mace raised a hand, "how have they invaded?" he inquired, "the black void is impenetrable, and the unknown regions are too dangerous to traverse, and how have they slipped through our perceptions?" he turned back to Obi-Wan and Anakin, "you both say that the…apprentice you met was much stronger than you in the Force?"
Anakin flushed but Obi-Wan was direct, "yes, so powerful that he knocked me unconscious without even moving a muscle, literally."
"And Lady Darra was even more powerful, and they use lightsabers just like us," replied Anakin, intentionally omitting the fact that he had battled her and she had won, "they call themselves the Death Seekers,"
"And they have no tolerance of aliens," stated Obi-Wan.
"That could explain Arthan being killed," noted Ki-Adi.
Obi-Wan grew silent, and the room felt his thoughts. Master Yoda turned to him, his eyes twinkled with understanding, "Something to say have you, Master Kenobi?"
Obi-Wan rose from his position and stood in the room's center circle, "I…was visited by Qui-Gon Jinn," every member of the council looked confused and a bit flustered, all but Master Yoda, the Jedi Master continued, "and he allowed me to open myself to the living Force on Mayras, and I felt-," the Jedi hesitated.
Yoda was looking at him with pure interest and curiosity, "what feel did you, Master Kenobi?"
"I felt the death of the Force," he replied, at these words a hush fell over the entire council, and Anakin shot him a look, he had not told his former apprentice of his encounter with Qui-Gon.
Mace was the first to speak, "how did you feel this?"
"When we die, we remain in the Force is that not so?" inquired Obi-Wan, a rhetorical question not needing an answer, "we accept these facts, however, what happens when the Force is what is being drained, the life energy of a planet and its inhabitants,"
Distinguished alarm filled the Council chambers, "How sure of this are you master Kenobi?" asked Plo Koon, the Kel Dor Jedi Master, his mechanical voice echoing in the room.
Obi-Wan looked thoughtful, "I am positive that this is what is happening, and with the Death Seeker's unwavering hate of aliens, no planet is safe from their wrath,"
Master Yoda nodded and Mace stated his thoughts, "Then this is even worse than our original fears," he was quiet for a moment, "have you found anything on Master Tyram's whereabouts?"
"They still remain a mystery Master Windu,"
The Senior Jedi Master nodded, understanding, "and you allowed your padawan to remain on the shuttle Last Sight?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "maybe his spending time with them will give him a better understanding of the them and allow us to meet a truce or treaty," Some of the Jedi Masters nodded in agreement and Obi-Wan returned to his seat.
"We will need to gain more information about our enemy before we can act," continued Mace.
Agen spoke, "We have recently found word that an entire fleet has converged at Ryloth, enemy fighters, the Death Seekers,"
Mace looked thoughtful and all knew that he was thinking of a military strategy to counter their imminent attack, the Jedi Master pressed his lips together in a grim look, "I will need a score of Jedi to join me and a few squadron on Clones intercept their attack, only five more members of the council can join me, who is coming?"
Plo Koon, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Saesee Tiin agreed to join him, the rest of the squadron leaders would be selected from the Knights and padawans.
"May the Force be with us," said Mace as the Council was adjourned the rest of the members could only wholeheartedly agree.
Orbit, Ryloth
The three Republic Cruisers exited hyperspace a few parsecs away from Ryloth, the Twilek homeworld. As they converged in a defensive pattern the squadrons were prepared to engage, a dozen squadrons all made up of a dozen fighters, making it a line of one-hundred and forty-four fighters. A Jedi Master and his padawan were leaders of each squadron, while Mace Windu served as Commander of the Fleet.
"Alright," he said over the Com, "prepare to engage enemy,"
"Prepared, Blue Leader," said Obi-Wan leading the Blue Squadron.
"Prepared, Red Leader," said Anakin leading the Red Squadron, and those two voices were followed with the remaining leaders.
"Alright, maintain Comm silence," order Mace as the incoming fighters approached, he silently counted in his mind and listened to the quiet beeping of the ship's sensors and his R4 unit's beeps, he slowly released himself into the Force, "Engage," the battle had begun.