Star Wars: Arda Unleashed

by Lord Exar Kun

After the Arda Campaign ended in victory for the Republic and their local allies, the galaxy's eyes returned to the wider Clone Wars. However, the Dark Lord Sauron has yet to be vanquished. Now he has come to the wider galaxy free from the binds of Arda, and is ready to be unleashed upon the stars. As the Chosen One's fate, the Republic's and the Jedi Order's remains to be seen.

12. The New Covenant

Chapter 12

The New Covenant

The sheathipede-class shuttle ejected itself from the hold of the battleship. The massive warship had harbored it for some hours along the journey to their desitnation. Though it did not stay long as; unlike the shuttle, the warship quickly primed its engines and once more blasted into hyperspace. A dim mechanical warble howled in the lonesome wake as the shuttle loomed through the ever encroaching and all consuming darkness of space. A jewel was set in the distance, however, the star of this local system. Yet, closer still and sat as a looming orb of greens and browns sat one world that orbited that star. Utapau, as it was known hung near, and it awaited this shuttle as it dove towards the surface at fast a rate.

Penetrating the atmosphere with a gliding descent gave way to the greened skies that enwrapped Utapau, while the ground was a mesh of tanned sand and dirt with massive sinkholes large enough to consume smaller warships sunk into the heart of the world for many miles. Across the skies chirped and cried many different wide winged species of unknown name to the occupants of the shuttle. Though their level of care for the knowledge of said names and designations was equally lacking. The shuttle had a destination and something of a schedule to maintain. Albeit an arbitrary one concocted up by the primary passenger aboard the shuttle. Even if it was a schedule borne of his mind, he would be sure to keep it.

At a turn and another dive the shuttle dipped downward into one of these great sinkholes and was met by the sight of more flapping creatures. Some bore riders draped in crimson and orange robes, but these beings were sure to give wide berth to this invading metal beast. Rimmed along the sinkhole, layer upon layer and level after level were many more such beings. Natives of this world tending to their shops, their homes, and their menial lives as they ignored the cancerous tumor that jut itself from the crevasse rock face out from the dirt to the center. A bulbous glinting thing of grayed metal. A core that had detached itself from its mother Lucrehulk and had found itself planted into the walls as a totally functional command center for the Confederacy and its many millions of droids present in system spread across the planet.

The sheathipede zeroed in on that mass of metal and drifted towards one of the many exposed hangars built into the exposed core. An ease of piloting and motion derived of some droid precision brought the shuttle into the hangar where a mass of machines and some beings of flesh and bone awaited. Twisting in the air the legs of the shuttle extended and talons produced themselves at the feet of the shuttle as it landed to the platform hissing as its hydraulics eased into its chosen resting space. The doors opened and hissed further loosing retained atmosphere no longer needed and the extending boarding ramp thrusted itself forth, but already atop it the harsh biting sound of Grievous' talons clanged upon the ramp before it could fully extend.

His reptile eyes glanced to his left as new magnaguards clanked toward him at the ready. Line upon line, racks of B1 battle droids stood in some manner of military honor. An honor he may have been more receptive toward on a better day, and at a better moment, but currently he was in a rush. Sure he had chosen the time himself to drop onto the surface of Utapau, but as he had done so he had been told of an awaiting call and it could not have come any sooner. Something, or rather someone of far greater importance waited him.

Such was the case that he ignored the procession of Separatist 'dignitaries.' Gunray, Tambor, Mai, Poggle. They all passed him confused brows, a mix of annoyance, irritation and anger as he paid them little mind. Not even a most basic of greeting. Grievous hadn't the time for these fools. Nor their doubtless thousand questions regarding the disaster at Coruscant. He smacked talons to ground and the magnaguards joined him as he could feel the ire of his corporate benefactors toward his warring. Grievous stepped into the nearby turbolift that stood with doors open. He didn't turn as he felt the two new guards follow him in and stand at his back.

Anger rose inside of him. He could feel it. His lungs again! They began to burn into some sort of phantom sensation that itched at his ragged excuse for a throat. They came from his lungs and they bade him to give in. To elicit a series of gags and coughs just as he was to speak with one as important as his Lord. So, he may as well allow that aching sensation to come forth. The lift rose to its destination and Grievous began heaving and wheezing freely as the Council was no longer near enough to hear the gagging of his organs. He stomped ahead and his guards took position at the lift entrance behind him. Grievous pushed the wheezes up through his vocabulators. He huffed, and whirred in such a manner as to make one believe he were dying with filled lungs of bacteria or water. Grievous thrashed his cloak aside, and felt his body heave, his head swiveling atop his lean mechanical neck jut out in his huffs before he reached the terminal. Then and only then did two massive coughs loosen and burn at his chest. Rising up in that familiar yet worsened sensation over his neck and 'mouth.' yet, he had passed that burning sensation away. All in good time to speak clearly with one such as Lord Sidious.

Three buttons pressed and the shimmer of blue gave light to the otherwise dark and simple communications room. Grievous returned his hand behind his back pushing his cloak aside. He dipped his head down and extended his other hand as a show of reverence, and to an extent submission. The glow gave way to the shape of a human man cowled and cloaked as ever he was. Grievous welcomed this meeting, at last even if he did feel a small sense of rising...concern from the reality of his failure.

"Yes, Lord Sidious?!" Grievous welcomed turning up to look upon his Lord's mostly hidden features.

"General Grievous, I suggest you move the Separatist Leaders to Mustafar."

"It will be done, my Lord." Grievous bowed, his servos and assorted gyros whirring with intensity. His mind flashing and wondering how his Lord could be so calm, and so matter-of-fact at a moment like this. Seeming to disregard the defeat at the Republic capitol. He hadn't even sensed the barest of anger. Surely Sidious should feel some?

"The end of the war is near, General." His Lord cut off his idle thought. Grievous' eyes widened and he turned to stare up at Sidious more pointedly.

"But the loss of Count Dooku?" His hands waved at his sides as he heard the reports, saw them, and knew what he had even from aboard the Phantom Fist. The Count was in Republic hands. Lost to the Confederacy.

"His capture was...a necessary loss. Soon I will have a new apprentice. One far younger, and more powerful." Grievous couldn't fathom such even now.

"You doubt me, General."

"No, my Lord!" Grievous assured, bowing again.

"Speak freely, General." Sidious prompted, and the General's eyes danced back and forth as he searched for the right words to express his thoughts. They were many and even now still confused. Perhaps to a degree illegible even.

"The battle had commenced well enough, my Lord. Yet...the losses were great. Not just Dooku, my Lord, but tens of millions of units, and hundreds of our warships."

"All of which are easily replaceable." Sidious countered coolly and calmly. "I am not concerned with the loss of mere droids, General. Dooku was a greater blow to the Separatist cause, that much is certain. Yet, a replacement for his position has already been found, and in time he will prove far more capable than the man."

"With Dooku in custody, my Lord, what shall we do? We have arranged rescue operations before!" Grievous reminded. Not just Sidious, but himself as well. Thoughts and ideas all flashing in his mind at once.

"Indeed, yet not so boldly from the heart of the Republic. Alas, our attack has left Coruscant in a state of security that even I would not dare to so readily prod, my friend."

"But...then..."

"Dooku will be dealt with." Sidious cut him off. "My contacts on the capitol have already assured me that he has yet to wake within his cell. A comfortable spot within the Jedi Temple." To the revelation Grievous shivered in anger. Surely visible to Sidious, though he, nonetheless, made no mention of it.

"Do you...we mean to kill him, my Lord?" Grievous asked. Ensuring to ask in such a way as to show his adherence to whatever decision was made. For his part though, Sidious seemed to crack a small smirk along his face.

"Ah General, we needn't jump to so bold an action yet. If I cannot manage to retrieve our friend then we may need to entertain more aggressive reactions."

"Then we do mean to attempt a rescue, Lord Sidious?"

"The Republic will not attempt to murder the Count. Dooku will prove to be a propaganda piece. He is thus far comatose from whatever had occurred within the command spire of your ship. We should hope he remain that way lest he in fact come to divulge important information. Which we cannot allow under any circumstance no matter whomever the source of the information may be." Sidious clearly warned and Grievous nodded having to concede the point. Even if he did value Dooku as a mentor and ally in the war, if the Count were made to talk then he could relinquish information important to the Confederacy's war effort. Toward the final victory.

"Very well, my Lord." Grievous dipped his head in a bow.

"Needn't you worry yourself too much, General." Sidious began with a renewed smile. A dark one, but as was the common case with these Sith types.

"I will continue to monitor the evolving situation with the Count. All you need concern yourself with is awaiting further instruction and setting the Council up where I believe them safest."

"Of course, my Lord." Grievous bowed again.

"As well, with the loss of Dooku the Confederacy will require new leadership. To stabilize it after the defeat at Coruscant." Grievous nodded to that. Hoping to hear what he desired most. Gnawing within him a fear and rage if he should be made answerable to some less capable fool. Gunray came to mind, and made him shake in agitation.

"A strong hand will be needed for such direction and stability. As Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies, I believe no hand among the Separatists can be firmer than your own, General." Grievous' eyes widened and he felt a bolt of ecstatic electricity travel through him. His elation was almost without words as he again bowed at the waist throwing one arm under himself.

"As you wish, my Lord!" This elation ignored the gnawing reality he had mused upon before. That the directing of a government was not his desire, nor a point he wished to dabble in. Yet, if it meant he could better commit to and direct the Confederacy in the direction of the war and the Separatist means by which to be victorious then he would see it done.

"Tend to the business at hand, General. Take rest for some days, and ensure the armies and the Confederate navy is prepared for any possible counterattack. Ensure Gunray and the rest of the Council leaders are secure and accounted for." Sidious smiled again. "We don't need any of them gaining cold feet now at a time such as this." Sidious cackled.

Grievous would smirk if he could more appropriately do so, but he, nevertheless, understood Sidious' meaning and agreed wholeheartedly with it.

"Of course, Lord Sidious. As you wish."

"Very good, General." Sidious smiled with a final nod before the transmission began to fizzle out and his holographic form was in but an instant gone from Grievous' sight. The General allowed a renewed welling series of coughs rupture free from himself. They exploded forth in gnashing gags and wretches as he labored against them pushing his hands onto the holoterminal. His mind wandering and wondering just when this damnable cough would finally be over with?!

Regardless, he swept an intake of breath into his slowly healing and already worn lungs as he swept around and back towards the turbolift. His eyes peering down across the open hangar where the Council still loomed about. Perhaps defying the chance to leave him be, and awaiting some sort of audience with him. Well, Grievous loosed a short cackle and thought that maybe he should give them all a curt meeting indeed. Just to let them know whom Lord Sidious desired to rule in the stead of Count Dooku.

The freedom of his mentor being pushed to the back of his head for now. There were greater matters in need of attending to today.

---

Through the vision he bore he could see the outline of somebody in the distance. He couldn't quite make out who it was, but he knew they were beckoning him to come nearer. He waved at them and smiled, lowering his head submissively as he would to his Master. He was beginning to approach, but something pulled him away and he turned as the sound of something reached him. It was faint and hard to make out, and he squinted seeking out the source and what exactly it was as it rung and went on.

He made out a voice. It was calling for him and he turned, sweeping away from the figure beckoning him.

"Ani!" That voice...he knew it was hers, and his being shook as Anakin turned where he stood. He felt weightless and the world shifted in straying blurs of barely notable or discernible features. A sickening pit squirming in his gut as he did so.

"Padmé?! Where are you?!" He cried turning in this endless circle and he felt himself grow irritated, flustered and he grew hot. He felt himself sweat in such a manner as to leave him bitten by the cold air, but it was not cold. It howled and roared as a furnace and vomited boiling stale air that choked him and made breaths laborious.

"Ani please! Help us!" Anakin felt his breath catch and he swung around and broke into a run. It was by instinct alone, he dove ahead and his eyes turned from left to right searching the miasma of darkness and nothingness as it sped by him as the swirl of hyperspace.

"Padmé!" The wail of children...of baby cries reached him and Anakin's heart began pounding.

"Padmé! Where are you?!" He screamed but it came out as a hoarse whisper. His mouth and voice was layered, made still and silent hidden behind some unseen power. His legs and arms felt ready to give way and were weak. He barely felt them at all, as he shook and the cries of his children entered his ears. He knew it was them.

"Tell me where you are Padmé! Luke, Leia!" Their cries mingled and thrashed at his ears. Growing louder and shrill.

"Ani!"

"Anakin!" The voice suddenly turned and he paused. Turning again as the cries fell to the rear as a muffled singular endless howl.

"Mom?" He cried out. Only to turn and see her. Anakin felt himself choke and his body felt so hot again. She lay on the floor, beaten bruised and tormented as her eyes stared wide and upward towards him. Her lips, however, they kept moving and he backed away heaving as he read her lips repeat 'Ani' over and over. The screams and howls, the grunts of wailing tuskens entered his mind and the cries of Padmé and the kids came back to him.

"Padmé!" Anakin screamed for her.

"Ani, please! Please help us!" The way forward gave way and a pale room was shown stale and devoid of color and joy. Seeming ghostly as Anakin walked forward. His blue eyes fallen onto an all too familiar set of bodies sprawled upon the floor. His breath shook and he took ginger and desperate step nearer.

"Padmé..." He called, and her brow eyes stared off into the distance. Her skin was losing color, and around her neck were rings of blackened marks.

"Padmé…Luke...Leia..." His words came as stuttered breaths. Anakin dared to not even look at them. Swaddled and wrapped in their bundle of cloths they lay beside their mother. Bodies devoid of life and color, and his heart pounded. All sound washed away falling into a deaf ring as he felt his eyes bulge and shake within their sockets as his right hand shook. The feeling of heaviness wrapped by a chain bore down on him and he looked up to see.

Before him, beyond the bodies of the three; the only three in all the universe that he needed to totally protect, stood three further figures shrouded in oily consuming darkness. To the right was a hunched over figure leaned into a cane and baring a cowl. Their eyes burned from the darkness that left their face hidden as they bore into Anakin and he perceived a smile and throaty laughter, a cackle more than anything else erupt from unseen maw. To the left stood another figure of crippling shadow. This one tall and broad, about as tall as he and ringed in jagged edges of unseen armor and bearing a crown of some indiscernible manner while a swirl of whipping shadowy strands rippled to their back. This being loomed silent and burning hot as a flame. An intense heat thrummed from them and wrapped over Anakin's dead family and his own form frozen in place. Silent they observed his fallen wife and children. This crowned being looked up observing him, before passing over and twisting to remain fixed upon the other two beings of darkness it stood amongst. An absent disinterest passing through Anakin that in its own way sent rage trembling over his body.

Finally, to the center stood a far less discernible mass. A blob and bulbous shadow of undulating darkness that bore white eyes rimmed in glowing yellow as the two colors traded places. They raised a lightsaber that pointed his way and it illuminated the dark with a discomforting light. Unlike the last this one was fixed upon Anakin and pointed their free hand, more a snaking tendril to the fallen at its feet.

"Their deaths come from your failure. Just like your mother's!" It sneered, but he couldn't listen anymore!

Anakin howled a thing of rage and fear. Hate consumed him as he felt his body sweat profusely and eyes burn in tears and he rushed ahead as the renewed screams of his family ate at his ears.

Before…

(…)

Anakin awoke with a start. His eyes flew open and his breaths heaved out from his chest as it rose upwards and fell downward in gasps of air. The room was so dark that he needed a moment to adjust. Eyes darting back and forth. He felt his body tense in fear and he turned right and even through the heaves of his breaths he felt an exhausted sigh loose as he found the exposed shoulder of his wife. Her chest moved just within his sight and he reached out with the Force and touched the beings of his twin children. They glowed within the Force and seemed to jump at his presence within the Force. Were he not scared out his wits he would've beamed, but bade them to rest and they retreated into restful states.

He couldn't be bothered to muse on the total surrealism of living in this apartment with Padmé and his children. His breathing was still hitched with each gasp of air as he pushed the sheets from atop himself and brought his legs over the side. What the kriff had he just seen? He had felt this before, but it was so visceral, so plainly clear to him this time, and he hadn't held such a nightmare in years. Anakin felt Padmé rustle behind him, and he silenced himself for a second. When she didn't stir any further he huffed and let his head collapse forward bringing his hands up to his head. He now knew why he felt drenched and hot in that terrible kriffing nightmare. His body was matted in sweat as was his hair. He could barely contain his breaths as they echoed out from his heaving lungs.

Anakin knew he had to get out of the room. The streaming endless lights of Coruscant glinted in from behind and he reached for his robe. Rising up and still ragged for air he stepped as lightly as he could out from the room and headed for the nearby veranda. He was sure to move around the central walkway to hopefully not activate the lights. He heaved a final calming breath and leaned himself onto the armrest of one of the couches. He stared out into the nighttime skyline of Coruscant but he didn't pay it any mind now. Instead his mind was reeling and rushing through series of thoughts as his heart calmed from pounding to throbbing inside his chest. He shook his head and felt anger well up mingled with horror.

"Why? Force why?" He whispered to the biting cold air of Coruscant which brushed his exposed flesh.

"Why can't I..." He scoffed and glared to the distance. "Why can't I have one thing? One kriffing thing!" Anakin seethed through grit teeth as he felt moisture bead at his eyes and threatened to loose. His mother came to mind. Her body beaten in his arms and eyes turning as vacant as they had been within his nightmare. Her voice soothing him back upon Arda when he fell into that...fever dream state before letting go of the Ring.

"Great." He sighed as he then felt his right hand tense and loosen almost without prompt by himself. That old sensation of missing something came to him.

"How Frodo will manage after all that I have no idea." Idle of mind and thought, Anakin intoned darkly.

Still, his mind returned to the horrors of his nightmare. Anakin still felt himself shake. Luke and Leia...they had been on the kriffing floor like...like garbage! His jaws ground together and an anger unlike anything he had felt since that time on Tatooine ached at his spine traveling up in shocks of wrath even as he felt ready to beg the universe to spare them. He had only ever dreamed of something like this once before, and he had not been wrong. Kriff...he hadn't been wrong, and by the Force he wished everyday that he had been.

Anakin tensed suddenly as he sensed her approach and cursed that he had not gotten away with slipping out of the room. Without turning he heard her feet glide along the marble as she moved closer wearing her nightgown. A blue silken thing lined in straps that seemed like pearls though he doubted they were real of course. Her hair was in waves and fell down back and she was the same angelic vision he had always seen her as following their first meeting. Without her he'd have nothing. Without her and his children he'd be nothing. He couldn't even imagine what it would mean, to be and to think, to live without them.

There was no living without them.

"What's bothering you?" Padmé intoned and ran her soft hand along his back kneading comfortingly through his robe. He smiled and eased into her touch and presence even as his gut turned.

"Nothing." Anakin sighed a lie, and forced a smile onto his face looking to her as he caught sight of the japor snippet he had made so long ago. His smile broadened and he reached his left hand up and brought it forward.

"I remember when I gave this to you." Immediately he could tell his diversionary tactic was a failure. She sighed and tilted her head.

"How long is it going to take for us to be honest with each other?" Anakin turned and felt his smile burn away as he glared to the dark of the apartment.

"I thought we were being honest."

"Not honest enough." She offered and again all he could do was sigh and lower his head before he found the strength to speak. His mouth opened, but closed as he needed another second.

"It was a dream."

"Bad." Not a question a statement. He nodded just slightly.

"Like the ones I used to have about my mother. Just before she died." He intoned with the faintest tinge of anger within his voice. Pointed to...kriff if he honestly knew who, or what.

"And?" She prompted as he sensed her grow uneasy. Again his eyes were aimed downward before he was able to turn and look her in the eyes. Those beautiful brown orbs as she waited his answer.

"And it was about you, and the twins." He turned away from her as he saw it flash over his mind. 'Dream.' He wanted to snort. No dreams were so vivid and easy to recall, but his were.

"Tell me." She kept prompting and he didn't want to go into it as he sighed and pushed off the armrest.

"It was only a dream." Anakin assured himself just as much as he tried to assure her. He felt her eyes on him as he moved away and despite himself he couldn't hope to keep it inside and to himself.

"You and the twins die." He huffed. "And I don't even know how." Her face twisted in a sort of quiet but clear abject horror.

"Th...the twins? But how?"

"I don't know." Anakin intoned with the tremor of emotion threatening his voice as they looked upon one another. He could see, and very well sense her fear. Rarely was she ever so readable and he knew then that in her own way she immediately believed him. How couldn't she with what had happened with his mother?

"It was only a dream." But, just like that she composed herself. Shaking her head seemingly free of her own anxieties. How she could he would never know.

"I won't let this one become real!" He assured her grasping her shoulders sliding down her arms as Padmé closed the distance between them.

"The babies will change our lives. They already have." She began with another small sigh of air.

"I doubt the Queen would continue to allow me to serve in the Senate if everything came out. And if the Jedi find out you're the father you'll be expelled from the-"

"I...I know." Anakin tried to ease her. His eyes turning away as those anxieties and worries had to hit him now.

"Do you think Obi-Wan might be able to help us?" Anakin paused. His eyes narrowed and he remained silent for a minute. In that moment he realized he hadn't told her that Obi-Wan knew about them. Not only that but...well maybe he could? In what way or how he didn't know, but Force. Then he thought about Gandalf and he felt himself bristle hopefully. Maybe between the three of them they could figure something...anything out! Maybe even Yoda could help. He'd at least need to speak with the Grand Master about these…dreams.

"Maybe. Maybe he can." Anakin relented and peered down only to see Padmé staring up with turned head.

"What?"

"Nothing." She began with a small smile that melted him and burned some of these gnawing anxieties away. Even if only some.

"I just...didn't think you actually take me up on that idea. It was more a suggestion." Anakin smiled and ran his left hand along her cheek.

"Long story short, Obi-Wan may know."

"What?!" Again Anakin raised a placating hand.

"Another time, my love. Let's just say that back on Arda he and I had a chat. Several chats that needed to happen. As far as we're concerned he's going to help me. Not exactly sure how, but he's been fairly accepting of it."

"I..." Padmé began her own mouth now hung at a moments loss for words.

"I never would've thought...well it can only be a good thing for at least Obi-Wan to know about us." Anakin nodded pulling her against him. She pressed herself into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He placed his chin atop her head and closed his eyes forcing the fears and horrors he had witnessed away.

"Ani?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you." Anakin instantly felt all darkness swept away, even if just for a moment and smiled.

"And I love you, Padmé." Both reveled in their love and ignored all such grim muses and ideations. They held and needed one another in the dark that surrounded them and that harassed their minds from a distance.

---

The day was but a few hours into the morning, and Obi-Wan for the first time in about a week felt adequately rested. Well, mostly. The bags underneath his eyes betrayed his true lack of sleep in many a day. Not since the final few days on Arda had he found any true sleep and the Force could only relieve so much weariness. As was something he discovered in recent years during this long war. For the first time in over a year he was also sat in his Council seat. Rather than appearing as a hologram, and he found it oddly comforting. Familiar and something he actually realized he missed. It felt almost normal though the reason they were convening was...less so.

"You may enter, Master Hett." Mace released a subtle button along his own seat that opened a comm channel to the waiting room just beyond the Council Chamber. Obi-Wan sighed and noted the presence of most of the Council. Even Master Fisto had made it back but a few hours ago with reinforcements that were no longer needed. Masters Koon, Allie and Mundi still required holos to be party to the meeting. This time there was no missing out, and all were required to attend if possible, of course.

The doorway slid open and the young Master Hett strode inside. He wore the usual brown robes of the Jedi where his tan tunic peaked beyond the outer folds. Yoda bowed his head and the others followed suit as Obi-Wan noted the equally heavy and dark bags underneath A'Sharad's eyes, and the usually perfectly maintained long set of hair slightly looser. More stray hairs than usual poked up and through. More than he had seen before with Hett. Obi-Wan definitely felt for the young Jedi, and especially knew his pain, as Anakin would say.

"Masters." Hett bowed from the center of the Council.

"Welcome Master Hett, we do hope you found some rest following yesterdays exploits." Shaak began still sounding more hoarse than usual.

"Yes Masters. More than I have in weeks, but still less than I'll likely need." He smiled and elicited a few chuckles from the more welcoming Jedi. Even Obi-Wan could admit Master Windu and Tiin could be more intimidating than need be at times.

"Nonetheless, warmth it brings us to see you safe, Master Hett." Yoda added.

"Indeed, and now that you are here you likely wish to know the reason why." Mace stated as the Council became the passive and quiet usual of them. Each awaited their prompt; if given, to speak. A sort of silent understanding between them that had take Obi-Wan some getting used to.

"Well, yes Master. I admit I was reluctant to leave the front. Especially when our forces are so tightly pressed in the Outer-Rim."

"Understand your frustration, we do."

"It's not frustrat..." Hett began with Yoda, but looked to his old Master Mundi who eyed him critically.

"Yes, I am frustrated Masters."

"Understandable, my old Padawan. Be mindful not to bottle such things inside. Release such thoughts into the Force, and be mindful of your manner." Mundi instructed as ever the Master teaching the learner. For his part Hett smiled and nodded again.

"Forgive me Masters." The Council all bowed their understanding. "Yes, I am quite eager to know what drew me from the front."

"How about we begin with a question." Master Tiin began his statement leaning forward. "What do you think of the Order, Master Hett?"

"That...is a rather broad question, Master."

"Then perhaps a narrower one." Kolar added. "Do you believe the Order today is the same as the Order from roughly four years ago?" Master Kolar prompted.

Hett's brow furrowed as he seemed confused with the Master's question. He eyed the other Councilors but found no answer written in their faces. Not even his old Master.

"I do not think I fully understand the context, Master Kolar. However, I would say yes. We are the Order same as ever."

"Then you do not think some among our Order have taken questionable actions in the face of the Code? That none among the Order have broken certain dictates and traditions of great importance to the maintenance of the Order?" Mundi began and seemed to throw Hett off. Indeed Obi-Wan was also slightly thrown off considering his fellow Master's abstention from the vote.

"I...well no." Master Hett relented.

"If we mean as a whole then there are many among our rank that have broken oath and code. Some known and others unknown this I can concede." Obi-Wan furrowed his brow now. The Force rippled his way and he wondered why? As well, he wondered what Hett meant by 'unknown.'

"Then you know of some among the Jedi who have broken their oaths to the Order?"

"Those who have broken the Jedi Code in the pursuit of self interest?" Mace and Kcaj asked respectively.

"I speak of no one whom cannot speak for themselves when they are ready. If I know another from among our Order has failed or strayed in their actions for the Order then it is no place of mine to be their judge and juror."

"Then none of whom you may or may not speak for have committed actions worthy of removal, or exile even?" Windu wondered. Hett's brow again furrowing as he eyed the Master.

"I feel as though I am being interrogated Masters. For crimes I have not committed. Yes, I have spoken with Jedi who have done things they regret and who fear for their place within the Order. Yet, I know they are doing what needs be done to better themselves, and it is not my place to bring them to you as an informant. They have staggered and I believe them worthy of time. Time needed to admit their failings and seek the wisdom of the Council. To any further end I shall say no more. As respectful as I can be, Masters." The Council members looked between one another. Mundi nodding Yoda's way and Master Windu nodding to himself as did Obi-Wan. Again the Force whispered something to him and he began to wonder...no that would be unlikely.

"Perhaps a wise outlook on things, Master Hett."

"Believe you do, Jedi who stumble, back up they can become?" Master Ti and Yoda observed.

"I believe that not all offenses against the manner of a Jedi mean they necessitate expulsion or some manner of removal from the Order."

"Is the act they commit of some importance in your process?" Koon asked Hett.

"What do you mean, Master?"

"If a Jedi is to ignore their station as a Jedi, and for instance steal a starfighter, would that be grounds for expulsion?" Kit added clasping his fingers against the same of the opposite hand.

"It would depend." A'Sharad began with a shrug. "If the Jedi stole the fighter in pursuit of a terrorist or murderer with the intent of compensating or returning it then no. The act does not constitute expulsion. If it was simply to steal the fighter for their own gain then I would say yes. One is in the pursuit of a righteous goal, the other is for personal gain."

"A wise position, my young friend." Obi-Wan decided to make his position somewhat more known and Masters Ti as well as Allie nodded agreement.

"Master Allie, is this the reason I was recalled?" Hett finally asked with a pointed look aimed toward the hologram of Master Allie. She sighed and nodded.

"You knew of this all along?"

"You are not party to Council meetings, my friend. I knew the Council required your presence for this matter. So, I gave you the council I felt right to return."

"For this line of questioning?" Hett asked, growing more agitated by the moment.

"Be mindful, Master Hett. Your emotions run wild. It is unbecoming of a Jedi, let alone a Master to be so flippant with their feelings." Mundi again reigned his old padawan in. Hett in kind closed his eyes releasing his irritation into the Force before he bowed from the hip.

"Apologies Masters."

"Perhaps it would be wise to be more clear?" Windu asked.

"I agree." Yoda answered.

"Master Hett, it has come to our attention not too long ago that many among the Order have strayed from their duties and have become...lax in their adherence to the Code." Kolar began softly.

"In what manner, Master?"

"In a manner unbecoming of a Jedi of any rank. Be they padawan learner, or Master of the Order." Tiin answered Hett matter-of-factly leaning back into his seat and mirroring Kit's posture.

"Evidence of varying degree has been brought to our attention by a fellow member of the Order that shows much merit. Among the Jedi there are apparent a number who are unwilling to follow the dictates of the Code. Regardless of the stresses they may be under or the improper manner they were trained be it for loss of Master or poor tutelage, there is no excuse." Mundi offeredn sternly.

"The fact is many Jedi have shown themselves tempted to give in to baser lusts and form attachments. Be it with fellow Jedi or not. The Code commands that we act in the best interest of the Order. To this end we act in the best interests of others. Not to the selfish needs we feel for our own selves." Mace added even more sternly.

"The Code in regards to attachment, Masters?"

"Correct, Master Hett." Yoda simply replied.

"I...I am saddened to hear that. Yet, I am still unclear what this has to do with me? I can only promise that if the Council seeks to discover if I have been of disservice to the Code's mandate then I have not. This I promise."

"No, young Master Hett you are not under investigation here." Shaak assured.

"Rather we hope you would be of some service, of aid to us in this manner." Kolar went on.

"Me? How?"

"The principle of this matter revolves around the sanctity of the Order." Plo then began. "Even in trying times the Order cannot allow for some deviation from the Code and our mandates simply because of 'stress' or unusual times."

"Yet, not all who break the Code can surely be guilty of crimes warranting exile or banishment." Obi-Wan lent his wisdom in more calming a voice.

"Agreed," Mace nodded. "And, your answers from before have shown us your own manner. Your..temperament that is."

"Which is, Master?" A'Sharad asked.

"Seek we do, a Master who can appreciate circumstance. Understand they should that not all mistakes are malicious. Calm this Jedi should be. Appreciate you do, Master Hett, such things." Yoda smiled.

"A new Circle has been created. What we now look for is for one who can head such a Circle. A WatchCircle, whose mandate it is to find these Jedi who break from the Code and instruct them in the means of proper penance." Koon followed Master Yoda.

"Or, if need be, be swift where their expulsion may be concerned. If warranted." Tiin finished out the thought. Obi-Wan sighed, nonetheless, as this matter still made him uneasy. Regardless of his own thoughts on such a thing, especially considering Anakin's situation, this would've been done. Hett seemed reasonable. The Master was about Anakin's age too. If this WatchCircle had to be created better then to have someone who was of sound and calm mind, and not a zealot. Such zealots did exist within the Order, and more often than not they could prove more susceptible to...darker acts if given wide berth. Such Jedi needed guidance all their own, Obi-Wan felt.

"I...I...I'm...not sure what to say, Masters." A'Sharad began seeming more tired than before. His emotions thrummed through the Force a mix of anxiety, and trepidation but he was quick to hide them once more.

"What would be the extent of such a mandate? What would I need to do? To lead such a WatchCircle? I'm unsure what I would even need to do, or be allowed to do?"

"Such is why we would make the mandate stringently clear, Master Hett." Tiin began.

"You have shown some manner of levelheadedness in this regard already. We would have to place our faith of judgment in you. Though you would not be alone, of course." Shaak sought to soothe. Very much borne of her unwillingness to agree with the creation of this Covenant, Obi-Wan believed.

"Correct, Master Ti is." Yoda nodded. "Answer to Master Windu, and myself you would."

"The Council will not be cut out of such information or cases. All will require careful observation and review. However, for each case you will be required to tend to a field of operatives, dubbed 'Shadows.' These shadows will seek out the Jedi who may or may not be in violation of the Code and gain further intelligence for your review. Actions if necessary are to be freely taken, but all will be reviewed for the sake of your own self and that of your operatives." Mace all but ordered.

"Protect the Jedi accused, we shall as well."

"'Shadows?'" A'Sharad echoed after Yoda and Mace's barrage.

"Such a designation has not existed since the time of the Jedi Covenant. Thousands of years ago Masters." Hett laughed wryly.

"Surely we don't mean to..." A'Sharad's features darkened as he scanned the room and noted none of the Council bore any mirth or expression that showed their lack of knowledge in this matter. Obi-Wan watched as his eyes lowered as much as they widened. It began to dawn upon him, and in a way on Obi-Wan as well. The full breadth of what was occurring was immense. Wisdom was not lacking among the Council, but in this matter Obi-Wan questioned their judgment. Would he have before he knew of Anakin's exploits though? That questions suddenly made him very uneasy with himself.

"You do? A Covenant?!"

"It is an extreme measure." Shaak agreed with Hett's obvious sentiment. "However, it is by the wisdom of the Council that such an organization has been enacted. Master Hett, it would mean a great deal to the Council if you would aid us in this matter. Not simply because of your skills as a Jedi, but because of your manner. We could not trust an organization with such vast powers and mandate to any Jedi."

"In this I agree, as I am sure all among us do." Allie added to Ti's statement. Again, it was somewhat shocking and not at the same time to hear Shaak advocate for the Covenant.. It was loyalty perhaps? Or, even a feeling of some small measure of agreement? Obi-Wan didn't quite know.

A'Sharad scanned the room again. His hands clasped together in his robes just. Obi-Wan could just tell he was rubbing his hands together. Many Jedi hid their ticks, and their anxiety induced movements with their robes. Obi-Wan was no stranger to such tactics. He had been quite able at it when he was younger and more prone to the judgmental piercing gaze of the High Council himself. As Hett looked his way though, Obi-Wan felt obliged to speak up.

"Master Hett, you are not obligated to take the position. Though you would not be allowed to speak of this matter regardless of if you take the position or not. However, I want you to know that you were the first choice of the Council. You have proven time and again to be an able troop Commander and a Jedi. Both are traits the leader of the Covenant will require. None among us need be reminded of how the Covenant of old failed. Using its powers under the guidance of those ill meant for it to commit atrocious acts. What we ask of you is to ensure such things do not happen again. To protect the Jedi under investigation just as much as you investigate them. To help those you can, and to trust in your feelings with those who do not seem capable of helping. We are not executioners, but we should maintain the principles that uphold the Order." A'Sharad listened to Obi-Wan and started slowly nodding as he absorbed the wisdom of the Council Master.

"This war has stretched the principles of the Republic, of decent people across the galaxy as war does." Allie followed after Obi-Wan. "So it does not take a great deal of deduction to know such is the same with the Order, Master Hett. What we ask is that when this war is won the Order we awaken to the day after victory is the same Order we awoke to the day before the outbreak of the war. Abandoning our principles will have meant the war had won. The Sith had won." Her wisdom and assessment was dire. Though all the Council showed their agreement with stiff nods.

"It is not an easy thing, my old padawan." Mundi empathized with his old padawan. "None are saying so. However, it would certainly place me more at ease to know someone I can trust is at the helm of such a Covenant and its WatchCircle. You can always defer to the wisdom of the Council. You are never alone." Mundi smiled his way and Hett again averted his eyes as his shoulders seem to drop under the weight placed upon them. Yet, Obi-Wan watched as the young Master closed his eyes and took in a strong breath of air. The Force loosened a mixture of emotions. Stress, anxiety, agitation, fear and no small amount of anger. But, Hett opened his eyes scanning the room and nodded slowly to himself before it became a singularly purposeful one.

"If this is indeed the will of the Council, then I will see it done." Obi-Wan had a sudden surge of deja vu and was unsure why. Something about those words reminded him of...something. Nonetheless, he shoved it aside as the Council all seemed put at ease.

"Very well. Kneel, Master Hett." Mace ordered coming to a stand. The shades of the room closed and the room became dark as Hett fell to his knee and bowed his head resting his hands atop the raised knee. All the Masters mirrored Mace and rose even those offworld, and each drew their saber. All boomed to life together and lit the room in a rainbow of dancing blues clashing with greens and the lone piercing purple of Master Windu's saber.

"We the Jedi High Council do hereby vest onto Jedi Master Hett the command and position at the head of a righteous Covenant and its Circles in defense of the integrity of our Order." Mace began lowering his blade.

"Unto you, Master Hett we place our trust." Mundi offered and lowered his blade whilst afar.

"You shall guide the WatchCircle of Temperance in the pursuit of justice." Ti with hoarse a voice carried on lowering her blue saber.

"You will seek righteousness and fulfillment of the path of light as all Jedi should." Koon put forward and lowered his blade.

"Seek wisdom in yourself, as you do the High Council. Seek not to stray from the path of the Jedi, but to bring those cast astray back towards it." Master Fisto lowered the green blade and bowed his head.

"In you will be the light of the Jedi, and through you shall be our Code's dictates. Neither of which are lightly or so flippantly cast aside. Be the vision of the Jedi and seek to better us." Tiin stated lowering his own blade.

"Be guided not by the mistakes of our Order's past but by the strength of our inevitable future. Let not war nor treason turn us astray." Kcaj added his thoughts and lowered his saber.

"May you be swift in manner and wise in thought. The Force is your ally, and the dark is not the reason why all should have turned astray. Be the teacher not the magistrate." Allie lowered her blue saber from afar as well.

"Burn bright as an emissary of the Council and be the light that lead those lost in the dark back to the greater light of the Force." Kolar bowed his head lowering his saber.

"We are brothers and sisters in this Order. A network of Knights all seeking the preservation of the Republic and the Jedi. We should remember who we are, and so shall you, Master Hett." Obi-Wan gave his own thought as he believed it best put. Lowering his blue saber as Yoda jumped from his seat and came before Hett who seemed awe struck and lowered his head. Indeed it must've seemed a mirror to when he had been first knighted years ago.

"A'Sharad Hett, Master of the Jedi Order, take you do the placement of Master of the Covenant?"

"I do, Masters."

"Declare I do, Master Hett, High Executor of the Jedi Covenant." Yoda placed his green shoto to the right shoulder of A'Sharad and then over his head to the left before raising his saber to the roof. All the Council followed suit and the hum filled the room for some moments in silence as the Force swelled among them and the pact, the Covenant was formed. Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel a heaviness fall upon himself. He imagined it was far worse for A'Sharad as the light of their sabers and their accompanying hums eclipsed all else.

---

"Regardless, of all the excitement we have made it safely to the capitol of the Republic." Aragorn nodded happily as he listened to Gandalf go on. Both he and the wizard found communicating in this way no less odd than when they had both seen Anakin and Obi-Wan do so before. Gandalf appeared as a buzzing sort of vision from a dream layered in a blue hue that only faintly gave away the colors, or lack thereof from the other side.

"Then I am pleased with your safe arrival. Have you made contact with anyone more official within the Republic, Gandalf?"

"Ah, none of any real standing save for the 'Senator' Anakin introduced us to. I believe her name was Padmé Amidala. She seems quite knowledgeable and helpful. I will seek to meet with her again if possible as well as their leader, his title is as 'Chancellor.'"

"A Chancellor as leader? That is strange, but strange is only in the unfamiliar I would suppose."

"A wise thought, my friend." Gandalf smiled and bowed.

"Once again, I feel I must apologize for the whole debacle you and the delegation underwent, Gandalf sir." Both Aragorn and Gandalf turned their attention onto Koll. The man seemed far happier since receiving news of the delegations safe arrival to Coruscant. Aragorn having noticed a brighter mood in the man for a few days now.

"We arrived safely, that is all that matters. Though I should prefer not to swim through a sea of darkness tinged with fire and metal again so eagerly." Gandalf offered jokingly and Koll bowed his head.

"Of course, sir. I have sent my communique to my head office there on Coruscant and they should hopefully be arranging your official diplomatic meetings soon enough. If all goes well of course." Koll seemed to make light of himself which was somewhat off, but neither the King nor Gandalf took too much note of it.

"Well, I feel I should not keep you, Gandalf. Do give my regards to the others, and may your trip be fruitful for all our sake."

"Ah, and may you be safe as well, my friend." Gandalf offered happily and both he and Aragorn bowed their heads toward one another before Koll shut down the transmission from their end as was happily received by the King.

"Well...despite what has been said your Majesty, I am still very sorry for this whole matter! The Separatists are relentless in their desire for the Republic's destruction. Though I am sure the taste your world and your people received was more than enough show of that." Aragorn cocked his head to the side from where he sat atop his glittering white throne.

"In what regard do you mean, my Lord Delegate?"

"Oh, I simply mean that Separatists aided your enemy on the fields just beyond these very city walls. Not to mention when they assaulted the northern lands of Rohan. Oh, and when they burned Pelargir to the ground. Surely you have seen the totality of the threat they pose everyone? Not just the Republic, but those they see as friendly to it."

"Indeed I have. They were repulsed by the Jedi and the Republic army. For which I am grateful." Aragorn intoned. "As I have stated many a time, my Lord Delegate. If you mean to strike fear into me then it will serve no purpose." To that Koll seemed taken aback and brought a hand up to his chest in shock.

"Oh, your Majesty, I meant no such thing! I merely lament that the Separatists assume your world's allegiance with the Republic! Even the idea of mutual respect or friendship means that you're an enemy. A friend to the Republic even if not aligned to it means another enemy. The Separatists have a very narrow view of such things. I would be remiss to not say that they have militarily invaded many worlds who have not aligned with them in quick order. Though, as you said they were pushed back luckily for us all!" Koll chuckled and for the first time in knowing this man Aragorn gave a frown that held a tinge of honest anger within it. Though Koll, seemed disaffected.

"You insinuate that we are at risk of further attack and invasion unless I sign your treaty." Koll again seemed taken aback, though this time Aragorn saw through its disingenuousness.

"No no, your Grace. Well...perhaps I do unintentionally. Safety of your Kingdom and that of the 'Free Peoples' is paramount to my mission here. As expressed by Master Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in their own reports given to the Republic, the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor as well as her allies are to be treated as friends and protected. This of course is brought upon by the reality that we share common enemies. The Separatists will not be so kind if they should return to this system. They tend to enslave worlds that they feel have some merit to them, and General Grievous is not one to be so kind to those who have personally shamed him. Your world would surely be counted among that list of enemy worlds."

"I am aware of this 'Grievous.' Yet, he is busying himself with his own war. I should see no reason for him to return to our world. As you said we are a but a simple world. One without the proper modernization or industry to be of any real use to your enemy. Or, to your Republic even?" To that Koll then truly seemed backed into something of a corner.

"Oh, your Highness, I did not mean-"

"Perhaps a world such as ours need not be joined to either party of the so called galaxy if we have not the means to defend ourselves against a threat beyond our understanding? Surely your Republic should come and take what is not rightfully given to them by sheer force of might? Is that what I am to think? Perhaps you come as an emissary of conquest as much as that machine man who sought to destroy us!" Aragorn rose form his seat and his figure became imposing as a King of old. The blood of Númenor in that moment burned hot and his eyes were set in dissatisfaction. Koll took a step back and seemed aghast at the show of wrath and conviction in the King of the Reunited Kingdom.

"Per...perhaps I have spoken out of turn and place, King Elessar! Please forgive me! I meant no disrespect nor insinuation where you or your people are concerned. Nor for that of the world of Arda! Surely I am proven too freely spoken, my Lord!"

"Perhaps it would be wise, if the Delegate should leave the Great Hall, your Highness?" Aragorn turned to his left as his Steward came into the hall from the back rooms.

"I believe emotions have been raised and manners better let cool before such discussions are had again." Faramir offered and Aragorn let loose a sigh before he nodded and thrust his arm outwards toward the far door.

"You are free to take your leave of us, my Lord Delegate Koll." Aragorn all but commanded. Koll looked between the King and Faramir before he bowed at the waist deeply and said not a word further before turning on his heel out the hall. The doors were opened by the far citadel guard and closed as the portly man exited.

"The man looses his place when speaking to me." Aragorn offered feeling offended in the layered insinuations placed at his feet by the man.

"He is desperate to fulfill his duty, your Highness. The man is as any politically minded Lord. Dreaming of ventures beyond his station. We need only be calmer and greater in mind than he and he will not gain what is undue, nor rise from the King." Faramir cautioned and Aragorn knew him to be right. He nodded and loosed another slight sigh.

"You are right in that regard. Perhaps he seeks to raise my ire to put me out of step?"

"Ah, a very common tactic. My father dealt with many lords from within and without the Kingdom. Many sought to shake his resolve with similar tactics. Raising an enemy's anger can expose weaknesses. Be there any in vanity or in thought. Even in the attempt at eliciting wrath it is best we remain calm, your Highness." Aragorn stepped down from the throne and smiled patting Faramir's shoulder.

"You are wise, my friend."

"On occasion, my Lord." Both men chuckled to that. They began to stride slowly towards the back rooms once again and a heaviness was left unspoken between them.

"I take it the emissaries sent under guard have proven an equal failure?"

"Aye, my King. It pains me to say, but I do believe both Rhûn and Harad are not yet satisfied with peace. My spies continue to tell me their numbers are still sparse following the defeat of the Dark Lord. Given time, a year or two perhaps, and I do believe they will seek to make war upon us again. Even without the Dark Lord both realms are tied together in their hatred for Gondor." Faramir offered grimly which caused Aragorn to pause midstep followed by Faramir.

"Hatred is a frail friend-maker."

"Yet this alliance has lasted for thousands of years." Faramir rebuffed.

"Only because we have as well. So long as the Reunited Kingdom, or even Gondor alone survives, so too shall the enemies to the east and south. Yet, we are ourselves ill prepared for another war so soon." Aragorn intuited.

"That we are." Both men nodded resuming their paces.

"Send word to King Éomer of Rohan. War shall be upon us come a year or two, within your timeline. Make it clear that when it comes I should be quite intent on calling upon the Rohirrim for aid. I will appreciate any and all that should come if and when such a time should be upon us."

"Of course, my Lord. Shall I have the smiths add to our stockpile?"

"Yes that would be wise. Send word to Golasgil of Anfalas and the Lords of Andrast that we shall require four thousand horses come the end of next summer."

"It should be a tall order, my Lord. Could the Rohirrim not offer some of their own steeds? Are there's not the best in the West?" Faramir wondered.

"Aye that they are. However, to deny them their own horses come the time of war would be folly on our part. Better to gather our own steed and stock and to rely on our own skills rather than place all weight upon the shoulders of others." Aragorn now cautioned to his nodding Steward.

"Very well, my Lord. I shall draw up the letters at once."

"Thank you, my friend." The King pat his Faramir's shoulder in thanks.

"Now I promised the Queen a lunch, and I should surely attend."

"Ah, lest you raise the ire far greater than that of any man!" Again, both men laughed and mutually moved apart from one another. For his own part Faramir had some meetings to attend to. Before he drew up those official requests of the King, of course.

---

"This place is no less strange. Even without the fire and the explosions." Tauriel noted from the window she stood beside. Her light eyes danced between the many uncounted glittering buildings. Her eyes shut unseen to the others and she rubbed one of her ears aggressively underneath one palm.

"It's so incredibly loud here."

"Oh? I thought elves could tune out that which they weren't in need of hearing?" Gimli asked her.

"Well, yes that is true, master dwarf. However, just trying to listen beyond the room proves...difficult. Perhaps I complain unduly."

"No you speak the truth. This room is quiet enough though there is a constant hum. Anything beyond it is like a thousand voices rumbling and roaring. Though I can't tell them apart from the sounds those 'speeders' make sometimes." Elrohir added from where he and Elladan were sat. Elladan ran his open palms over the pristine silver table they were sat at. Though they at least imagined it silver as it shone as silver ingot to the mountainside. It was simple, however, lacking in any designs and glinted as it reflected the twin pair in morphed a manner.

"This place is a bastion of metal. I would think it a fine place for dwarves to take marvel at."

"Aye, the metals here are abundant princeling!" Gimli laughed in reply to Elladan.

"I'm more interested in meeting some of the people myself!" Merry offered jumping onto a seat nearby to look out another window. It led quite a ways down from this large multi-roomed suite they had been granted. In fact they had a room to spare! Nonetheless, Merry peered down and in the far below lay one of many walkways of metal. Hundreds if not thousands of beings wandered back and forth across it even as charred pieces of it lay hewn and wrent from the prior battle.

"Aye Merry! I'd like to meet some of the people! Odd though they look I'm sure they all got a story their own to speak! Oh, imagine what the ones with wings could say of the world! Or, well I guess this world, or another!" Pippin giddily mused much to the shared smiles among the company.

"Ever the excitable one, Peregrin Took." Gandalf shook his head and brought his pipe back to his lips as he puffed at the pipe weed he had brought with himself.

"I should wonder Mithrandir when we will have a meeting with this so called Supreme Chancellor?"

"Is it so pressing, my Lady?" Gandalf asked of the Queen. To which Galadriel opened her eyes.

"It would be better to sooner speak with him. These people from afar leave me with some manner of unease. Though they have shown all appropriate courtesy in our arrival. This war they wage has left them all fearful to the point of madness. It cannot be said to be their fault of course. War twists all who face it and wage it. Yet, with the knowledge they hold I fear that perhaps they have gained more than they should need of our world." She seemed to warn. Gandalf noted and mused on what she meant. The others among them in varying states of confusion though silent they may be. Gandalf thought back to the day prior, when Anakin had revealed that knowledge of the Dark Lord had become more widely known among these people. Yet, how could such knowledge be of any use to those who may be less scrupulous? He did not know, but Gandalf was left with a small sense of unease. Though he was broken from his thoughts as a sound filled the air in an off and on rhythm.

"What's that?"

"Haven't the faintest me lad." Gimli replied to Pip who looked up to the roof trying to find the source of the sound.

"Over there." Merry pointed to the far wall. Next to the main doorway into the suite lay a small panel of metal. Along it Gandalf perceived a blinking light.

"Uh...perhaps it is one of those talking things?" Pippin offered to nearby Merry.

"I think they call them...comlink? I thought I had heard one of those armored soldiers say it anyways." Merry mused.

"Well, let's have a look shall we?" Gandalf rose and approached the panel. His sage eyes looked up and down the metal slab and noted lines that bore into the wall with something behind it. While the panel showed two small squares that he had himself heard called 'buttons.' A small piece of glass was to the right and inside was a light of some manner. It flashed with red and stopped before repeating as the sound came from those gashes in the panel.

"Hmm." Gandalf hummed and pressed one of those so called buttons next to the light. A small sound cut into the original and a quiet overcame the room. The company behind Gandalf raised their arms and shrugged. The elves of no help for once. None wishing to further torment their ears, no doubt.

"Hello?" A voice came through from the panel. Gandalf's eyes noted the thing underneath them shake ever so subtly and he was confused as to what was going on. Though he did recognize the voice. Warped as it may have been.

"Anakin, is that you?"

"Oh, Gandalf there you are! Yeah it's me...did no one teach you how to use the doorbell terminal?"

"'Doorbell terminal?'" All Gandalf heard was Anakin chuckle in reply causing him to frown.

"Press the other button, and your door will release to let me inside."

"Hmm..." Gandalf hummed and did as told. Slowly of course. When he pressed the other button in the door gave a hiss and pulled itself up into the roof and showed Anakin standing on the other side. Gandalf smiled upon seeing him though he did note a weariness in his friend's eyes.

"All of you will have to get a little more used to our technology if you're gonna be here for any amount of time. Otherwise going anywhere will be a nightmare." Anakin offered and stepped forward to give an embrace to Gandalf. The old wizard welcomed it and pat his friend's back as the two hobbits came forward.

"Oh Anakin, it's great to see you! And, so soon!"

"Good to see you too Pip. Sleep well I hope? All of you?" Anakin wondered.

"No complaints on my part." Merry cut in. "The bed was a bit big. For a hobbit anyways, but I can't complain. I think it was softer than even the beds in Minas Tirith." The blonde hobbit mused and brought a smile to Anakin's face.

"Glad to hear it. How about the rest of you?"

"Ah, a little cramped in these walls I have to say laddie! Though I suppose it isn't too uncomfortable." Gimli began from a crimson lounge seat.

"We needn't as much sleep as Men, perhaps you already know, my Lord." Elrohir reminded him, and Anakin gave up on trying to correct anyone on the whole 'my Lord' thing a while ago. It was simply the way of the people from Arda.

"Right, well I hope your rooms are...spacious." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Oh quite, my Lord. Our compliments to your friend Amidala for acquiring us this suite!" Elladan complimented and Anakin smirked at her name before bowing his head.

"I'll be sure to let her know. And you, milady Galadriel?"

"The rooms are well enough and I thank you and Amidala. I would hope to see more of your world soon though."

"Right, I'm sorry to say we Jedi don't have much say in political matters, but I will see if I can put in a good word to expedite the whole political meetings and moving about?"

"That would be quite welcome." Galadriel smiled earnestly.

"Oh! Don't think I forgot about you miss. I'll be meeting with my Master later today. Obi-Wan should definitely be able to get you a meeting with the Council." Anakin called out to Tauriel who bowed thankfully.

"My thanks, my Lo...err, Anakin." Anakin smiled. At least she remembered the way he prefered to be addressed.

"What brings you by my friend? Or, are you our new messenger here, hmm?" Gandalf chortled and Anakin waved him off.

"No no, nothing like that. I uh...I actually wanted to talk to you. About something."

"'Something?'"

"Yeah uh...a little more private. Something I think you'd have some insight on. Nothing too important though. If you're too busy I can-"

"Oh not at all." Gandalf cut him off and waved his trepidation aside.

"Come, we have this veranda attached to this suite. We may speak there!"

"Great, oh and Gandalf?"

"Yes?" Anakin smiled and pressed the button that let him in again.

"Doing that locks the door from this side. I doubt anyone would wanna break in here. Especially with no less than four elves, but still best leave no stone unturned."

"A fine piece of Advice, laddie!" Gimli howled in laughter and caused many among the room to roll their eyes. Though Galadriel bore a wide smile that seemed to equally cause a blush to form across the dwarf's face.

"Good one Gimli. Real good." Anakin shook his head and followed Gandalf out onto the balcony.

The morning air was cool. Though they were at a pretty high elevation. This building was meant for large dignitary parties. A few blocks away from 500 Republica in the government sector. So, Anakin was happy to see the suite was nice enough for visiting royalty. Especially since three members were of royal stock. Regardless, Anakin followed Gandalf out onto the balcony as the glass door slid open and closed behind them. Luckily needing no further mechanical operation from Gandalf. The balcony was quite large, probably party sized and able to hold maybe twenty or so people on it. Two table sets each with four chairs were shown with shades. Gandalf chose the further one and took a seat eliciting a sigh of the man while Anakin joined him sitting opposite of him.

"What's on your mind, my friend?" The wizard asked. Anakin sighed and his eyes grew distant as he stared off into the horizon.

"I've...you know about Padmé and me right?" Gandalf showed a wide smile and his eyes held a familiar twinkle as he nodded.

"I remember you speaking of her as your wife yes. A secret affair as I am aware, but you have your reasons." Anakin smiled thinly and let that bit of anxiety roll off his shoulders.

"I uh...I'm going to talk about some things, and stop me where you get lost Gandalf, please?" The wizard nodded and watched him with eyes both observant and empathetic. Wise as Anakin would say, and comforting in their way.

"I...was born a slave. I don't know where my mother came from, and if she remembered she never spoke of it before she...before she passed." Gandalf merely nodded.

"I was...I joined the Jedi when I was nine almost ten...I think. My life day isn't that well known by me or even my mom. So when I celebrate is sort of up in the air. She would also celebrate a day before or after I thought though. I think she liked teasing me." Anakin smiled with an airy laugh escaping him that brought a smile to his and Gandalf's features.

"Anyways, Obi-Wan had come to my world with his own Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon was the one who discovered my abilities in the Force, and who wanted to train me. He was killed shortly after that though. Fighting someone similar to that evil woman we brought to your world."

"It was not your intent." Gandalf rebuked and Anakin could only shrug.

"Darth Maul, I believe we discovered his name to be. Anyways he's not important to what I'm here for. I trained with Obi-Wan for ten years before we ended up in a mission where I met Padmé again. She had been there when I had met Qui-Gon. I forgot to mention." Anakin took a second to collect his thoughts folding his hands into his robes over his lap.

"When I met up with her I was...intoxicated. I had been infatuated since I was a boy, and she seemed to reciprocate in her own way. Obi-Wan was on a mission of his own and it was what began this whole war. Not his actions, but the discoveries he made." Gandalf listened on, nodding as Anakin told his tale.

"While he was doing his duty, and even before the mission began I had been having dreams...nightmares. Jedi aren't supposed to have nightmares." Anakin laughed sardonically.

"Why is that?" Gandalf asked and Anakin tried remembering the exact reasons. He had been told many times by Obi-Wan, Yoda, even Bultar Swan once before. For the life of him he always seemed lost on their reasoning behind it.

"Such fear the expression of those fears wherever they come from I guess speaks to a lack of self discipline in a way. A Jedi should not have such basic or baser fears or allow their mind to so easily wander into darker corners even while asleep."

"An odd thing. Even the greatest Lord may have a nightmare, and an ill omen they can sing. Yet, it may be but an expression of a deeply seeded anxiety. It would seem to me a wholly normal thing to be party to. Even for a Jedi." Gandalf offered though Anakin could only shrug again.

"I'd agree, but I've been told otherwise." Gandalf hummed thoughtfully, clearly in disbelief, before he motioned Anakin to continue.

"Anyways, the dreams I had were about my mother. And I think you know some of what happened with her."

"Remind me." The wizard prodded. Anakin wasn't sure if Gandalf needed a reminder or was just making him say it. Regardless, he sighed again and waved his hands out some shrinking himself down into his shoulders.

"I dreamed of her in pain...of her being hurt and of her...dying. I didn't do anything about them because I wasn't able. It wasn't my place to leave my Master's side, nor was it looked kindly upon. The Jedi way is to leave all attachment behind. To the Order she was an attachment."

"But you had opportunity when you were away from Master Kenobi." Gandalf intuited.

"I traveled back to the world we lived on most of our life. A world covered in sand. Tatooine. I'd recommend you never go." Anakin tried to laugh earnestly but it came off as disgusted scoffing which still caused Gandalf to give a curt single chuckle.

"I tracked her down," Anakin continued. "And when I found her; to make a longer story short, she had been...tortured. Beaten, kept on a rack. I found her and...and she died in my...my..." Anakin felt his chin shake and he silenced himself to control the aggressive flow of emotions seeking to pour past the dam. Gandalf reached across the table and wordlessly pat Anakin's shoulder. The Jedi smiled and felt a tear free itself down his cheek, but he loosed a shaky breath and managed to hold back the rest of the torrent.

"Okay...she...she died in my arms just after I found her. From there I...from there I..." Anakin rocked in his seat even though he knew Gandalf had heard this part.

"I killed them. The whole camp of tuskens. I s...slaughtered them mercilessly. I shouldn't have. I know I shouldn't have. I know it every day, but have been too afraid to tell anyone. Only...five people including you know about it that I can think of." Gandalf nodded through the admittance of guilt Anakin bore.

"I recall your admission of such upon the fields of Rohan. When we contended the Dark Lord. As I said then it is not my place to judge you. Though for my own part I see it has left a scar upon you. Your mother's death and the slaughter that followed it. I shall not pass judgment on you, my friend. I've seen you show great measure in courage and selflessness. I know you are capable of it, and I know you are capable of great darkness. These things are not left to powers beyond us to decide. Some things may be destined, but the road, the road to such a place or time is not decided. Perhaps I was always meant to meet you, but perhaps not. It needn't have been that day and that hour in Rivendell but surely it would have occurred in the days after." Anakin nodded reflecting on what Gandalf meant. Words he had heard in some manner before, but hearing it from one as calming and wise as Gandalf brought a measure of ease to him.

"That is not all though." Anakin went on and Gandalf reclined in silence.

"Recently...last night they've begun again." Gandalf nodded but still said nothing more.

"Padmé she had been pregnant, and had given birth while I was away on Arda." Anakin smiled, his eyes distant but happier.

"They're twins. A boy and a girl." Gandalf smiled in kind and pat Anakin's shoulder again.

"New life always means the coming of tomorrow. Your children are the heirs to the life you lead and the world, or perhaps I should say the galaxy you intend on leaving them. Such a thing for those who have children is to live no longer for themselves alone, but for their needs until they have themselves reached the point of self sufficiency."

"Which is why my dreams scare me, Gandalf." The wizard was reminded of their original point and again reclined.

"Continue, my friend."

"I saw...them dead. Padmé and the twins. It wasn't a simple dream, or nightmare. I have had those before, before I became a Jedi and I know what they feel like. I know what vision feels like. More real, too visceral. You wake up in a heaving sweat and you can remember everything seen in them, with only the faintest and most minute details having been forgotten."

"This vision, what did you see? More precisely I mean." Anakin took a shaky breath and looked out across Coruscant as the images flashed along with the feeling of heat and smell of burning material he could'nt place mingled with the dead forms of his family.

"I heard Padmé call for me and I couldn't find her. I looked for her, I ran, but I couldn't find her even as she screamed and begged me to come to her. I turned as I looked for her and saw my mother as she had been when she died. Her mouth was moving but she wasn't saying anything. Though I think she was saying my name..." Anakin shivered at that memory in particular as her glassy eyes stared at him with cold lips moving without sound.

"Go on." Gandalf prompted warmly.

"I heard Padmé call, and she was frantic. Calling and screaming and the cries of the twins joined her. Drowning me! I couldn't hear I couldn't think and I was stricken as I screamed for her to help me find her! Then, when I did...I wished I hadn't." Gandalf observed him and not for the first time reached over and clasped his hands in support around Anakin's forearm this time. The wizard smiled and Anakin took comfort in meeting his gaze as it bore no judgment nor any discernible thought on anything he had said so far.

"Whe...when I found them they were lying on the floor and all three were...dead. There were three figures standing over them."

"Figures?" Anakin nodded as Gandalf repeated him.

"Shadowy and dark. One seemed like an old man, but I only thought so because he leaned on a cane. He laughed, or it felt like he laughed at me, but said nothing else. Another was a tall figure that seemed like a warrior or something like it. Their shadow was barbed and jagged with armor, but it paid me little mind. Barely glancing over my family and me before it turned to the other two. While the final said it was my fault! That their deaths were on me!" Anakin shook his face hardening and eyes setting even as emotion plagued him and brow creased as he was torn from within by emotion. A sight Gandalf had seen before in the young man, so easily tormented by his feelings and emotions. The wizard sighed in response.

"Indeed it seems less a dream than a vision, my friend. However, not all things that we may believe the future to be are set to be so. Maybe the gifts given of Men do not extend beyond the reach of Arda, but this I know to be true; Men were gifted two fold. The first was to die, and it is no evil thing to die, as long as you die well, my friend." Gandalf spoke though Anakin lowered his head and his eyes shut in a mix of those many emotions.

"The second is that Men are gifted the chance to make their fate their own in this life and beyond. Your fate, as far as I am concerned is not set in stone Anakin, and neither are those of your family. Do not be so quick to let the hopelessness of what may be defeat the hope of what could be."

"I...you're right of course. I just don't know how!" Anakin lamented with an air of defeat to his voice as it strained against the weariness that Gandalf now knew to be lack of sleep.

"Being afraid of what can come is no great evil. It is not allowing those fears to consume you and drive you that are truly the test. Perhaps your vision is a warning of what could be? Yet, there are an indeterminable amount of decisions we make on a daily basis my young friend. Freedom is past onto us to chose the course we deem best. As for these three figures, I cannot say for myself I know what they represent. Only that you should perhaps be wary of your surroundings. Maybe even your own instincts sense something you do not fully comprehend? Until such a time comes we cannot truly know." Anakin nodded as he listened. Though it was not everything he had hoped to hear it did do something to put his mind at ease. A little bit, anyways.

"You needn't face all such peril's in your life alone, Anakin." Gandalf smiled and it did wonders to fill Anakin with a familiar hope. Through all the adventures and battles he had been through in these many years of war nothing quite reached the sense he received when he remembered the Arda Campaign. A war and something no one would wish to return to. Those he met during it, and those whose friendship he found in it though, that is what filled him with a sense of nostalgia. He'd certainly like to return to Arda someday...

"I know Gandalf." He began again.

"Should you ever need my help, come find me, my friend. I shall not be too far away now that I see how you travel." Gandalf teased and Anakin laughed as he nodded.

"Thank you. It means a lot, Gandalf."

"There's much world to explore, and life to yet live my Jedi friend. This is something I have been taught by your coming to Arda! Do not let the fears of possibilities weigh you down. Dreams, and visions are a frightening thing. Far more dangerous are the actions we may take to prevent them or see them done." The wise words hit Anakin. He stewed on that for a moment. In a way Gandalf may have been...was right. The wizard was always right in some way. Yet, Anakin couldn't just hope that what he saw did not happen. Though that certainly couldn't have been what Gandalf meant of him.

"You've given me some things to think over."

"Perhaps, or perhaps you think far too much on such matters my friend! Better you not allow the weight of all things hold you down. Look to others, your friends and allies to aid you. When you are told to move a cart and have the welcoming hands of friends to help you push it do you ask them for aid? Or, do you try to do it alone?"

"Probably the latter before the former."

"There lay your problem then." Gandalf smiled and pat Anakin's shoulder once more as both rose from their seats.

"You're probably right. As for you I'll be sure to see if I can maybe have Padmé or even the Chancellor move things up for you."

"Oh? You speak with this Chancellor so freely?"

"Uh...well kind of. He's been a friend of mine since I arrived on Coruscant. Sometimes I think the other Jedi don't like it, but he's been very helpful in helping me think things through."

"A mentor of sorts?" Gandalf wondered.

"Sort of yeah." Anakin shrugged. "Anyways, my point is I'll see if I can get you guys some visits and the usual dignitary stuff."

"It would be of great appreciation, my lad! Now go on and do not dwell on darker thoughts! They do you and all of us a disservice." Gandalf hummed happily and Anakin couldn't help but be infected by it as the two moved back inside. Anakin, sure to say hi to the others, especially the hobbits and Gimli a bit more before he headed out. He had two meetings today with Yoda and Obi-Wan. Though it was more a campaign report about the Outer-Rim.

Joyful stuff as usual.

---

The Force was like a wave. Expanding as a bubble in all directions and to its furthest point there could be found no end. Even at the power he found himself delved deeply within the Dark Lord could not find the furthest reach. His mind and being could expand beyond the reach of the furthest star retained within this galaxy and through the cold void of what he now knew to be called intergalactic space, he could come across another star. In fact many stars and worlds existed between these so called galaxies in the cold darkness of the nothingness, but beyond them would lay more galaxies. His being traveled as a serpent even if the body he remained chained within was sat cross-legged upon a tan carpet looking out across the quieter daytime of Coruscant.

Of course Sauron found very little of interest, and only felt barest pings of life in the great beyond. These thoughts and manners hardly in different than those found upon the world he now resided upon. What the Dark Lord truly sought out was the furthest reach of the Force, but in no time at all he discovered it in fact seemed to hold no end, but it extended out as that endlessly expansive bubble. Yet, this posed a quandary. For, he perceived the extension of the Force in every such direction all at once traveling with the same manner and speed as he could imagine it. However, it seemed focused upon him and the 'bubble's' center was himself. This could not be true, for not every Force user was dependent upon him, and he had only discovered this power not too long ago. Therefore, Sauron came to understand that the Force was a matter of perception based upon the needs of those who used it. Two aspects that made up the whole of it. Light and Dark as ever it was in all things, or so it seemed. The matter where it came to the parts in between were moot. Every day he learned something new about the Force. Every day new secrets were revealed and so freely to him that the maia felt that perhaps it was odd? He skimmed through the memories of his vessel and this child, though she lived her life as a slave under brutal a livelihood she did come to be trained by this man, Dooku. Through him she began to explore the Force, but Sauron saw such things that were paltry to him were difficult for her to learn. Was this because he inhabited her form which was used to this Force? Or, was he able to control the Force more freely than others? He could not guess such things whilst chained to her body, but for now he would continue to be so. Both still required deeply needed healing for trauma incurred in different means and ways.

The daylight streamed inside the room as Sauron opened the eyes he shared with the unusually quiet Vica. She had hardly spoken a word since the dinner of the prior night and Sauron was more than willing to allow her to remain silent. Her golden hair set to one side in her own chosen style was illuminated by the light of their sun. The burning eyes that Sauron set upon her stared forward as her body became a darkened outline set against the blinding daylight as silence passed over them. Sauron loosed a low breath from her nostrils and raised their head. Closing their eyes again a gust of wind filtered over them cooling their brow and rustling their hair.

Sauron remained in the darkness of their closed eyes and once more reached out into the Force. The mass of life abounded around them and was an endless scream of voices and emotions. He moved down and felt the fear form the day and week prior begin to ebb away slowly even as the rot of death still loomed across and above the world. The Force was pained, but these micro-tears were soon to heal and close and the echoes brought upon the losses felt only as memory, as vibrations in those nearest to those who had fallen.

Extending his presence across the uncounted walkways and streets, the Dark Lord saw the tethers and strings that bound them together through the Force. Every being walked by another and each time they did the 'tether' was extended. Just to be as quickly broken without inconvenience or notice to the other. Sometimes, a tether was found and formed. One would walk by another and a feeling of familiarity would pass. Some measure of attraction, and it would seem many a day in the making. If pressed the tether would be built stronger and a bond formed that may be unfelt but present. Sauron followed these tethers himself, and found the one he was working upon. Across the vastness of the glimmering towers of metal the Dark Lord came to the choking heartland of industrial decay. A waste of potential he so felt, but such was besides the point. His mind burrowed through the walls and his spirit ignored the doorways and darkened halls lined in grime and dust before he came to a familiar room shrouded in the pitch black. Within lay a body he perceived as hunched over. Painfully so with hands tied to their back, head hung and hair a dirtied mess as features showed blankness that teetered upon being deathly in appearance.

Sauron found the tether between them. The body of the witch that he writhed inside was attached now to this Jedi. As he noted before, it remained unseen, but through the Force the binds were there. Growing, and burning between them, so he forced it to be. The line that bound them up was undulating and writhing as his spirit. It was less a chord and more a chain. It burned bright and seemed almost pained, but it crept through the city and through the distances to keep them together in this thing, in this bounded nature. Placing his presence upon the tether Sauron perceived her body to jolt. Her mind trapped in a fog he would not release her from as the torment of fear, pain and a growing disdain mauled her very soul. His fire, his spirit impressed upon her his own nature, as he extended himself across, and like the men, and the orcs of his time upon Arda and Beleriand before, Sauron imposed his will, and she denied him. This was not unexpected, or what Sauron found to be all too unfamiliar.

The body received his presence as he brought pain upon her. Her mind was screaming, as shielded mental walls had long since been torn down. She clearly sought to push him away. However, her spirit was beaten and broken. It howled at him and the Force ebbed with a scream in the dark. For, darkness is what it released back out just as it received. A loop of what was undesired, and Sauron knew he was gaining ground. For her body was so easily broken that first day he had her, this Serra Keto. She had howled as a dying warg and wretched from the pain as a man cleaved by orc scimitar would. Yet, the Dark Lord put her back together as a patchwork, and his marionette. The pain would subside and the body fully heal but her resistance to him, and the desire to fight was tormented until it was a frail voice. Coughing, gagging in the choking wake of his presence. All pain was sought to be ended, but Sauron impressed it onto her mind. Memory, was the doorway into the mind of all such creatures. As words and tales held power, so too did memory. That pain was locked inside of her, and the mind would remember so that she may never put herself in a situation to experience it again. Though, Sauron was not so quick to break her body again, for it was the memory of such pain that he had wanted.

As he came to her in his spirit he tapped and scratched on the doorway to her mind, and that pain let him in, for he is the one that built it. She seethed and clawed to not experience it again, but it was too late as her mind flared and memory of her torment wracked her body twisting upon the dirtied ground. When Serra awoke within her mind she would see him. The glowing burning light that drowned her and made her weep for the comforting anguish of her darkness before. His spirit burned and the chain that was between them was hardened as the strongest steel set down by Aulë. His voice boomed in her skull and he would not let it end. She would know only his voice, and his spirit would in time leave her again. Nothing but the cage of cold darkness returning in his wake. She would come to yearn for the blinding light of his spirit. No Man, be they soldier, king, lord, master, captain, peasant, or Jedi would resist the dominion his presence imposed. Sauron would dominate her mind, her spirit, and her body would come to follow the will she now felt to be her own that was birthed of his own will. And it be done.

The sound of his door beeping pulled him back, and Sauron opened his eyes turning his head and glancing left over his shoulder.

"Speak." He ordered, and the door opened a comm channel between himself and the outside.

"Greetings, my Lady. This is Director Isard. I've been sent by our mutual friend with a gift." Sauron tilted his head right and the door's release button was pressed. Both twin layers of metal opened from the sides and Sauron pushed off the ground to see Armand followed in by one human man and three droids.

"Forgive the intrusion, but this will require a few moments of installation." Armand, as Sauron came to know his name, explained. The suited man swept aside.

"Get this installed, and do be quick about it."

"Sure thing. Over here will do." The unknown man nodded. Sauron noting that he wore an unfamiliar tan garb and a belt of tools, or what seemed to be tools spread across his waist. The man motioned the droids to drop a large table of sorts to a previously bereft wall of the apartment. This table was covered in what they called plastic. Which the droids were quick to begin unwrapping it. Revealing a crescent with a lined edge that was put against the wall. Atop it lay a pit and stations for the affixing of what Sauron assumed to be water stations and the attachment of the heating station to some manner of high yield gas for heating.

"Ah yes, these." The unknown man happily intoned as Armand stepped aside. Slabs of raw metal were then brought in by the same droids and set on the ground or nearby desk for Sauron. The Dark Lord smiled as they were placed with thud and clang to one another. Thin sheets wrapped in bundles and full slabs placed one atop the other.

"This is copper, tin, iron, this is Mandalorian iron, very hard to come by." The unkown man explained as he heaved several attachments from a box out that Sauron recognized as the mobile furnace units. The Dark Lord could not contain the smirk that rode across Vica's features. Their hands traced the cold metal slab named as 'Mandalorian iron.' While another slab was brought forward past Armand who eyed it.

"Seems like gold to me." Sauron heard Palpatine's puppet intone. That caught Sauron's eye, as he turned to see what Isard spoke of. Turning, Sauron indeed saw what very well was gold. It glimmered in the daylight still streaming inwards and he was quick to place his hand upon it as the droid dropped it slowly onto the table beside the other sheets of assorted metals.

"This is the Mobile Engineering x9000! This will reach any melting point you need including that for the Mandalorian iron! It'll come equipped with the molding hut and cooler to retain the shape you place on it. There's jewel fittings here, but the jewels will have to come separate. All the metals here were ordered in the purchase of course. As well I've got the hammers and chisels here, and torches for imprints if you need to add onto a mold at some point."

"All very impressive." Sauron replied lowly to the unknown man with the voice of Vica. Armand nodded his seeming agreement as the man continued working and passed the droid a line Sauron assumed by his own research, to be a gas line.

"Through there to the kitchen. Find the port...uh TM-90a."

"Yes sir." The droid replied to the man. Armand continued to stand by silently. Watching the whole affair come together with his observant eye while Sauron took a seat to the table and took note of the assorted gathering of metals. Tin, copper, some manner of steel, iron, silver, platinum, and gold. They shone upon the face he wore. He heard within their mind a scoff, and knew then the witch was awake and brooding inside. He paid her no mind and instead brought the gold slab up closer to his face. Admiring the tiniest small pits and imperfections found in it as a smile grew along their features in the silence of what was to come.

---

Midday had fallen upon them and Anakin began wondering where the day had gone. He walked briskly up to the meditation room on his mind and came to a stand just outside of it. He sighed lowering his head, closing his eyes and loosing a calming breath of held in air.

"Okay." He intoned before he extended himself through the Force. The only true way for a Jedi to wish entrance into this particular room. The doorway slid open with a soft release of air. Anakin strode inside and folded his hands ahead of himself through his robes as he found Master Yoda sat upon the left side cushion of his meditation chamber. Luckily Master Windu was nowhere to be found. Anakin firmly believed the man hated him. Maybe not, but distrusted him? He definitely thought so.

"Master Yoda." Anakin bowed.

"Hmm, young Skywalker! Happy I am, to see you in good health." Yoda greeted with his familiar chuckle as his ears bounced up and equally green eyes opened. Anakin smiled, for all the mistrust he felt from some among the Council, Yoda never came off as distrusting of him. Perhaps too much the sage and at times distant, but never with ill will in mind. He hoped at least, because that's what Anakin felt.

"May I sit, Master?"

"Come with questions, have you? In need of guidance maybe?" Yoda already knew, Anakin figured that much, but for his part he nodded.

"A bit of both, Master."

"Hmm, long your stay was, lost upon this world. This Arda." Yoda went on, and Anakin smiled as Yoda then motioned him to sit in the opposing seat.

"That it was, Master. I hope my reports have met the requirements?" Anakin wondered and the Grand Master chuckled further.

"Ah, speak of your reports I do not. Wonder I do, how adjustment to your return has gone?"

"I'd say very well, Master. I've...well we were thrown back into the midst of the war, but I already got a taste of that on Arda before the main forces arrived."

"Never really left you, the war did." Yoda affirmed and Anakin nodded.

"Never really, Master." Yoda's ears lowered as he and Anakin sadly took in that reality.

"Dark days these are, young Skywalker. Important it is, we remain calm and centered in the light of the Force."

"Yes Master." Ever the teacher. It reminded him of his early years where Yoda and some of the other Master would teach him basic concepts and ideas of the Force and what it meant to be a Jedi while Obi-Wan was busy.

"Hmm, wander I do. Speak your mind, you may." Yoda offered with another motion of his diminutive hand as Anakin lowered his head sat upon the cushion. The daylight casting a shadowy light across he and the Grand Master through the shuttered shades.

"I fear..." Already Anakin knew such a word was a bit of a bad choice and sought to correct himself as Yoda remained seemingly unfazed and observant.

"I believe that I have been experiencing premonitions, Master. Through the Force. I feel they are coming to me as dreams. But, they're too visceral to just be dreams, Master." Anakin watched as Yoda began scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"Premonitions? Premonitions...hmm. These visions you have..." It was a prompt and Anakin felt backed into a corner. He didn't want to be too specific. Certainly not as much as he had been with Gandalf. But, Yoda was as wise and helpful, and Anakin was desperate for any and all wisdom today.

"They're of pain...suffering...death." Anakin intoned as the light danced across his face. His face downward and seeking to not meet Yoda's gaze as he made sure his mental walls were strong enough to contain the images that haunted him, and to whom they were of.

"Yourself, you speak of? Or someone you know?" Yoda asked sounding like a doctor seeking to find the root cause of a rash. Honestly it was similar to a doctor's visit, and made Anakin as nervous as one as he adjusted himself.

"Someone." Was all he could get out without being too clear on who.

"Close to you?"

"Yes." Anakin lowered his face. Already feeling very concerned about having given Yoda too much to think on later.

"Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side." Anakin felt his shoulders tense. Memories of how he acted on that volcanic face back on Arda plaguing him. Making him fear himself just as much as fear what he had seen in his visions. He turned back up, his brow a mess of agitation and anxiety.

"I won't let these visions come true, Master Yoda." He wouldn't. He couldn't!

"Death is a natural part of life." Anakin heard Gandalf's words echo in his mind of dying well and he felt himself loosen a shaky breath. Wise words from two totally different people mirroring one another, but both not what he wanted to hear. Maybe what he needed to hear? Anakin thought maybe so, but didn't know if he wanted to.

"Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is." Anakin nodded lowly feeling in his heart that Yoda was right.

"What must I do, Master Yoda?"

"Train yourself to let go, of everything you fear to lose." Anakin felt that to be...a hard thing to request of him. What more did he have to let go of? Besides those he was close with? How could he let them go? His wife, his children, Obi-Wan, Gandalf, the Fellowship, Palpatine? All he had were those he called friend and family.

"I shall try, Master."

"Ah, but you must, Anakin." Yoda cut in.

"To try is to assume you cannot! Trying and failing means you have failed, but no defeat, that is. To fail and to begin again until you have achieved victory, success that is. You will fail or succeed, young Skywalker, and in the end, know I do, that succeed you must." Yoda smiled and Anakin knew in principle what Master Yoda meant, and the backwards sort of compliment he just gave him did bring a thin smile to his own face.

"Then I will, Master Yoda."

"Very good. Hmm..." Yoda closed his large eyes and reached into the Force stretching himself out across the Temple.

"Believe I do, your presence is needed. Master Obi-Wan, in the lower levels, he is." Anakin felt his brow furrow but then he turned and saw the daylight and placement of the star.

"Force! Forgive me Master, but I'm late for a meeting with Obi-Wan! We're supposed to review the Outer-Rim situation!" Yoda hummed and chuckled where he sat as he bid him a silent leave with a bow of his head. His green eyes dancing at Anakin's flustered state as the knight gave him a bow from the waist and made out the door. The Grand Master smiling in his wake.

"Happy to have you back, we are, young Skywalker." Yoda spoke to the quiet of his chamber.

---

A'Sharad moved through the Temple and felt a little lost. His head a misty haze, and his movement sluggish. Never would he have imagined this had been the reason he was recalled to Coruscant. Not even Master Allie or his old Master Mundi had slipped as to what he had been called to do. None among the Council, and none among the Jedi could have been prepared, so he believed. The Covenant reborn, and the first WatchCircle within its mandate made. A pact formed in the full face of the Council to undermine those within the Order that he deemed worthy of it. A'Sharad was not one to mince what he knew himself to now be. A policeman among the Order with extraordinary powers not even the watchmen or guards among the Temple retained. The ceremony had been like when he had been Knighted and made a Master. Darkness pierced by the light of the circle of Masters sabers. The Force circling them and moving between them. Penetrating all as it swelled and by the Force itself seeming to form the Covenant.

Since then he had been free to do with today as he wished by the Council. Something along the lines of still needing rest following Boz Pity and the Battle of Coruscant. For himself though, A'Sharad just didn't know what to do. He had hidden within his robes a datapad that contained some of the information Master Windu had been given concerning this whole matter. A list of names had also been provided as to Jedi he may want to look into for membership to the Covenant as the newest and first rung of Shadows. The name at the top was a one, Qallahan Kolvori. This Jedi seemed quite enthralled with the act of upholding the Code. A'Sharad knew it was this lone Knight that had provided so much of the information Windu had given him. A'Sharad had very little to go off of but this man did seem capable as an investigator considering what he had collected of other Jedi.

Some things A'Sharad couldn't believe, and he did understand why some of the Masters were quite adamant in stopping such activity. He was no fool, and he knew that some among the Order were lacking in honesty. Both to themselves and certainly the Code they were sworn to. It was no surprise that Master Tiin and to an extent Master Windu were pushing for this measure. The Order could not be left to its own devices. One deviation allowed open the door to another. Until the Order you remembered no longer existed and what you are left with is something less of the monastic brotherhood of days prior. Becoming more a military order of free associates who could do what they please how they please and damn the rest. A'Sharad understood, he just didn't fully agree that he was the one to tackle such a mess. It didn't help to lament he supposed, for he had taken the oath and had knelt before the Masters. Now he was the High Executor of the Jedi Covenant. A title he could not share, nor one he should anyways.

A'Sharad stood overlooking Coruscant as midday meandered across the planet. The tinged skies and warming airs doing little to calm his nerves. Regardless, he had not been paying all that much attention to what was going on besides his own business. He didn't really have much else going on, and sleep...while sounding great was not something his brain would allow for. Sure, he could center himself through the Force. As was common among weary Jedi, but he just felt too...active to let himself rest now. Better to get something done, to feel productive, and to let this unease and surrealism pass him by. To let the unusual become more well…usual.

"You wished to see me, Master Hett?" A'Sharad did not turn as he heard the male voice address him from his right. Instead he remained staring out through one of many thousands of viewports the Temple sported. His brown eyes drained of much emotion as he had made himself a statue in mind and manner.

"I hear you are quite the investigator, Kolvori." A'Sharad began, folding his hands before himself.

"I haven't the faintest of cl-"

"Save it. I have been made aware by the Council to your abilities, and your name was among a list of Knights who may prove useful in the cessation of activities unbecoming of Jedi. Regardless of rank or position." Hett glanced right to see the fair skinned man, stubble about his chain and above his lip, blue eyes piercing that seemed almost gray by the daylight eyed him back critically. Though he soon smiled and clasped his own hands together ahead of himself and bowed his head of darkened short hair.

"Forgive me, Master Hett. I hadn't known the Council to have shared my discoveries with you."

"The Council has shared much with me, and it has come to me to resolve such matters."

"You mean-"

"I mean you are not to know of what I mean until I have discerned your worth in these matters." Hett was sure to be somewhat cool. He needed these Jedi who would work under him to understand their position. Beneath him and his own insight on such activities where the Covenant may be involved. The brotherhood of Jedi was less so where such investigative and underhanded matters were concerned.

"Ah, I see Master. Well what may I do to meet your standards?" Kolvori was quick to ask. Carrying an all too comfortable smile about him. A'Sharad could see how this man was so easily able to undertake such investigative matters. He seemed hardly a threat by his slim physique and bookish nature, even if he was well dressed and groomed. His voice lighter than some but deep enough. The kind of man regardless of station who could ease into the shadows of a room and watch it without anyone the wiser to who they were. If anyone saw him there to begin with.

"Knight Kolvori, what background do you have with these matters?"

"Well I was the one who collected the list of names with their accompanying data! I know of three Jedi carrying on secret liaisons with non-Jedi and one that has potentially been carried on between two Jedi."

"Yes. What has made you interested in such matters so eagerly?"

"Eager?" Kolvori repeated seeming aghast.

"Master, no one can be eager with these matters! These are Jedi who you would think your brothers and sisters! These Jedi who took the same oaths as myself and who so flippantly betray them to fulfill their own sickened needs! I hold them in higher regard than even they hold themselves, and I would see them healed."

"If they are not capable of healing then?" A'Sharad curiously wondered.

"Then I would see them expelled! A message should be sent that war or no war we still hold to the Code, and what it means to be a Jedi! As it has been since the Ruusan Reformation and even before. There is no excuse for betrayal! Save for if the one betrayed is a tyrant and you are the proven good man or woman."

"So there can be no middle ground? There can be no reason to betray the Order?"

"If we were an Order that had become corrupt and used our powers to gain control and dominate others, then perhaps. We are not though." Kolvori was quick to iterate. A firmness to his voice, a conviction of will.

"'We are not.'" Hett intoned. This Qallahan Kolvori eyed him but nodded seeming to have heard the Master's whisper. A stray thought passing through A'Sharad's mind of a blue twi'lek Jedi who he had long known. Before she had fallen. Though he let the stray thought, itself, fall away.

"Qallahan, if you were to be joined to this...venture you could tell no one. You would be by oath obliged to never speak of it, nor mention the work you undertake. None but myself and the Council would know of your involvement."

"All the more power to you, Master. I have few whom need hear what I do in regards for the Order and its sanctity."

"You have, nor hold any scruples toward investigating or convicting other Jedi?" It wasn't really a question A'Sharad needed answered. Though, for some reason he wanted to hear Kolvori's answer.

"None at all, Master." Kolvori began easily. "I seek to help the Order be the best it can be for the sake of us all. For the sake of the righteousness of our oaths! Allowing one to betray those ideals is allowing all the Order; the thousands of years of tradition we owe ourselves to, to pass into nothingness. To be meaningless. It is not an Order I should so readily wish to serve, Master Hett." A'Sharad nodded. The man certainly sold him on his convictions. He doubted he could find another so...zealously loyal to the ideal of being a Jedi.

"Very well."

"Thank you Master!"

"Now hold on." A'Sharad quieted the man as several other Jedi passed them by in their own conversation.

"Apologies Master."

"You are not yet party to this thing, Kolvori. I require you to commit a task for me to show your readiness."

"Anything you wish, so long as it does not defy the Code, of course." Kolvori smiled and Hett nodded.

"I have made a personal log containing information; fake I can say, as to the whereabouts of a secret sect of Jedi that seek to undermine the Jedi Council in a sort of coup. If you can find that document then I know you have the investigative ability and wit to be my Shadow." To this adventure Kolvori smiled, and A'Sharad could tell such a task seemed to almost brighten this man's spirits. The Knight would surely see the task done, but A'Sharad wanted his skills to be a certainty.

"Only when you've found this document can you begin the work you wish to do. You have a week to complete the task. If you succeed, then you may be party to this endeavor."

"You have my word! I will see it done!" Kolvori turned and bounded off with the quickest and most excitable of bows offered. A'Sharad shook his head and laughed a little as he returned to the silence of this lonesomeness. He had other names to consult, and more Jedi to perhaps bring into the Temperance WatchCircle. The Jedi Covenant.

---

Anakin had sped his way as best he could through the halls of the Temple down a few flights and levels to try and meet Obi-Wan and the other Jedi involved in the direct war efforts on the ground. However, as he had neared the meeting Anakin noticed the conference room being deserted of its attendees. He sighed but pressed on. The Jedi exiting the room passing him nods and bows. Some giving sideways glances. Probably knowing he was supposed to be there. Though many of them paused and gawked his way. The first time many of them had seen him since before the fiasco begun at Elom. Anakin smiled all the same and pressed past them. Hearing whispers concerning his return as he stepped inside and down a flight of marble stairs. His Master stood to the holo-projector and was clicking some keys along its console.

"You missed the report on the Outer-Rim sieges." Obi-Wan stated plainly as the terminal shut down.

"I'm sorry. I was held up, I have no excuse." Anakin folded his hands before himself again as he reached the bottom steps. Honestly he felt he did have an excuse, but best to not try and use Yoda or even Gandalf to gain Obi-Wan's sympathies. He sensed his Master was uneasy anyways.

"In short, they're not all too well."

"'Not all too well?'" Anakin repeated as Obi-Wan nodded.

"Saleucami has not yet fallen, and the forces we have trapped there are still being harassed by the forces left in Dooku's wake." Anakin's expression dimmed as Obi-Wan explained. The war once more hitting him head on. A momentary memory of what happened to Master Vos also playing in his head. Only seeking to deepen his forming frown.

"I assume we will be sending another Task Force?" He offered.

"In time perhaps. The Council will be meeting in the next few days to assess the situation. Master Allie is on Boz Pity and her forces are holding steady. An operation orchestrated by Master Hett is soon to be underway that may un-entrench the Separatists there."

"'Master Hett?'" Anakin furrowed his brow and Obi-Wan chuckled some.

"I was as surprised. A'Sharad has proven himself capable in the months since our little adventure on Arda."

"I see." Anakin had to admit just the faintest glimmer of irritation. Somehow A'Sharad Hett, a Jedi he had...no current scruples with and knew to be a good man from past experience, had somehow been made a Jedi Master, and he had not? What had he not done that Hett had? Palpatine certainly thought he should be made a Master. Council politics...he supposed.

"Anakin?"

"Hmm? Oh, sorry Master was thinking about something."

"You certainly seemed it, my friend." Obi-Wan intoned. Seeming equally as distant as Anakin, however.

"What's wrong? Something troubling you Master?" Obi-Wan nodded and folded his arms over his chest.

"The Senate is expected to vote more Executive Powers to the Chancellor today."

"Well that can only mean less deliberating and more action." Anakin shrugged.

"Is that bad? It'll make it easier for us to end this war. Especially now with the situation in the Outer-Rim in such a deteriorated state." Obi-Wan passed him a look that Anakin knew form experience meant he had strayed into the position of being opposite his Master's opinion on the matter. Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed and he looked off for a moment before beginning to walk by Anakin.

"Be careful of your friend, Palpatine." He warned passing him by. Anakin felt his brow crease and was stunned for a moment before turning to follow Obi-Wan.

"Be careful of what?"

"He's requested your presence." Well that was quick, and not exactly an answer to his question.

"What for?"

"He would not say." Alright, somewhat unusual but not wholly without precedent considering their friendship.

"Wait, he didn't inform the Council? That's a little unusual I suppose."

"All of this is unusual." Obi-Wan was quick to cut him off stopping to look him in the eyes as they reached the top of the stairs.

"And it's making me feel uneasy." They both moved back into the main hallway.

"You seem more tense than just about this, Master."

"Perhaps, but you discount just how uneasy this makes me. And the Council, Anakin."

"Why?" Anakin prodded. Again, Obi-Wan paused and looked him in the eye. He remained silent which threw Anakin off before Obi-Wan strode forward again.

"The Chancellor has always been one to push his nose into Jedi business, and he continues to do so since our return. His requests for your presence border on the habitual." His Master finally offered as he walked.

"We've only been back a day, Master."

"I mean before Arda. Even before then you'd be requested time and again. No other Jedi is granted such unnecessary access to the Chancellor's person, Anakin."

"Yes, but certainly you and the Council understand he's been a friend, and a mentor since my coming to Coruscant?" Obi-Wan only sighed to that.

"Yes, and to some among the Order that is unusual. To some it's not even right."

"There's nothing against being friends with anyone, Obi-Wan. Not since last I checked our mandate. Politicians I can maybe see something to be worried about, but I only trust four or so."

"Yes, and look how one of those friendships turned out." Obi-Wan snapped tersely. Anakin paused this time as Obi-Wan kept walking. Anakin's brow furrowed a bit more deeply. A cold and hard hitting sensation rippling through him as he watched Obi-Wan continue to walk ahead. The younger Jedi sensing a great deal of agitation from his old Master as Obi-Wan finally paused and loudly sighed.

"I'm sorry Master." Anakin offered. Feeling once more like a little kid being accosted by his parental guide.

"Nevermind it, Anakin." Obi-Wan began lowly. "I'm sorry. I've got a lot on my mind at the moment." Anakin nodded. As much was clear to him...let alone anyone else. Though it did also make Anakin think that perhaps now wasn't the best time to talk about his visions. He'd tell him later maybe? When he was in a better state.

"I can tell." Anakin offered coming to stand beside Obi-Wan and resume their walk together.

"The sieges are on my mind. The meetings, many of which I have with the Council. Bound to be longer sessions. Plus, there's the matter of Dooku to attend to."

"Ah." Anakin nodded. "Has the traitor woken up?"

"Not as of yet, and be careful who you say that around. Some of the Masters still have a sore spot where he's concerned. Especially Master Yoda. He did train Dooku after all."

"Right, you're right. I will."

"Good." Obi-Wan smiled thinly.

"How is Padmé, my friend?"

"Oh...uh yeah she's...she's great."

"Happy to see you I imagine?" Anakin laughed and rubbed his hands beneath his cloak. Realizing then he hadn't told Obi-Wan about his having children. Maybe...yeah maybe now wasn't the best time for that either. His old Master had enough on his proverbial plate.

"She was very happy, Master. So was I. I do hope we can work on getting that resolved with the Council. Soon. Or, I should say whenever we can."

"Yes. Me too, Anakin. Me too." Anakin sensed something from Obi-Wan, but couldn't quite place what the feeling was.

"Something upset you about that?"

"That? Oh, no not that Anakin. Well...not anymore my friend." The two chuckled a bit. At least there was levity now where Anakin's disobedience of the Code was concerned.

"The Council meeting today was just long and many matters were attended to. My mind is a bit of a haze."

"Hopefully they'll let you rest a bit? After all we did save the Chancellor and deliver Dooku yesterday."

"Yes, technically I am relieved of any duties today."

"As usual, you're not actually taking a break." Anakin rolled his eyes.

"As usual, I have other matters I'd rather get done now than procrastinate, my old padawan."

"One man's procrastination is another man's break, Master." Anakin grinned and Obi-Wan chuckled, giving a shake his head. Anakin reveled in bringing some humor to his friend's seemingly bleak day.

"Oh! I don't know if you've heard, but I know something that might cheer you up!" Anakin began again.

"Hopefully not another secret marriage I need be party to?"

"Now Master, I may have broken...a very important aspect of the Code, but I'm no polygamist." Obi-Wan gave a signature throaty chuckle causing Anakin to smirk.

"I certainly hope not. If so, I officially give up on you."

"Ouch, that hurts Master." Both again laughed before Obi-Wan motioned him on.

"Guess who I...oh kriff it. Gandalf's here!"

"What?" Obi-Wan turned with a furrowed brow.

"I met him in the Senate yesterday after you dropped me off. Well, I met Padmé first, and then we headed to the Senate. Gandalf met up with us, and he apparently brought some familiar faces with him!"

"What do you mean by 'apparently?'" Obi-Wan chuckled.

"Well, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli too. Oh, and the Queen Galadriel!"

"The elven queen?" To that Obi-Wan showed true confusion. though he was quick to compose. "Interesting. Then this must be the delegation Aragorn promised."

"Yeah, apparently so. They apparently came during the end of the Battle."

"What?" More shown confusion from Obi-Wan! He must've really been worn out, so Anakin mused.

"Yeah I said the same thing. Gandalf I'm sure could regale you. He and the others, and a few new faces I might add. Well maybe you'll remember some of them better than I had."

"Oh good. I see your diplomatic articulation is unchanged since before Elom."

"You're the Negotiator here, Master." Anakin smirked eliciting another laugh from his Master.

"They do have some desire to meet with the rest of the Council. If possible of course."

"Hmm, well I'll see what I can do."

"What say you and I meet back up with them?" Anakin offered. Obi-Wan thought it over for a moment. He turned quiet and his eyes seemed distant before he finally bowed his head once.

"Perhaps later? You should have your meeting with the Chancellor, and then I can meet you wherever they have them holed up?"

"Sounds like a plan to me, Master! I'll send you the suite the Republic has them locked up in." Anakin smirked broadly at the thought.

"I'm sure it does. Now go on, attend your business." Obi-Wan shooed him off and Anakin bowed eagerly wishing him farewell as he broke off into a jog. Leaving his Master to smile. Though it did wane as he remembered the many happenings of today and all such things that made him uneasy.

Meeting with Gandalf would be a treat though.

---

L's Note: Hey another chapter somewhat sooner than expected! To all of those who reviewed, you have my and Lord Kun's thanks! I was surprised to see any really with the large gap, and it always helps to inspire Lord Kun when he gets your reviews! Anyways, as usual I will be going back and editing this chapter again when I have time. I've done a preliminary review and editing job, but something always slips through. If you see any grammar errors you feel need immediate correction, let me know and I will take care of it.

Oh and this chapter? A very important one. All's I'm gonna say. Till the next!

-L

Edit Note: Edited/Updated 9/14/2020