AN - Last chapter I did an absolutely outstanding job of forgetting to explain a few things.

First of all, in this (my) Star Wars Universe, there is another planet and species.
Shilerria is a planet kind of on the edge of the unknown regions, but still as accessible as other planets from a point of view of hyperspace lanes.
Originating from is a different species. They are very similar to humans except for a major difference (and a few minor ones).
Over the course of millions of years, the resistance to the aging effect of oxygen as gradually increased, meaning they age more slowly. Or, more accurately, they grow older slower.
They still grow and develop at a similar rate to humans before adulthood, but when they have finished developing, they grow old only half as fast as humans.
So a human of twenty years and a Shilerrian of twenty years are about the same age. But a Shilerrian of fifty is not the same as a human of fifty – it is a lot more similar to a human of thirty-five.
I hope I explained that ok. If you have any questions about it (or anything else), leave it in a review.

Also, I DO NOT own/have affiliation with Star Wars. I only created my OCs, Shilerria, Shilerrians, and this chain of events.

Perspective

Chapter II

Council Chambers

"So the Separatists are looking to employ Seron Rin for the duration of the war?" asked Adi Gallia, the Tholothian Jedi Master.

"It would appear that way," confirmed Mace Windu, "We can't let that happen. He is too dangerous."

It was sunset on Coruscant, the sky turning a fiery orange-pink as the day neared its end. Following Master Keen's return from the underground stronghold on Serenno, a meeting had been called regarding the information collected, and all members except Keen himself were present, either in person or through hologram.

"He already carries out certain tasks for them," said Ki-Adi Mundi, "It can't be that different can it?"

"He carries out tasks for anyone offering a reward," scoffed Depa Billaba, "He has hindered the Separatists on multiple occasions. If he were permanently under their control it could prove to be disastrous. We must track him down and make sure that doesn't happen."

"Tracking him could prove an almost impossible task," said Plo Koon, "We have no idea where he is, and even if we found him, what then? If he chooses to fight, anything could happen."

"Dangerous, this position is," Yoda agreed, "But to trace him, nearly impossible it is."

Mace Windu listened to the different arguments. He agreed Seron Rin couldn't join the Separatists, but how could they stop that? He was possibly the most slippery and dangerous character in the galaxy, but also possibly the most contradictorary. He had killed many clones and even a few Jedi on occasion, but on another he had saved Mace's life.

"Is it possible we could get him to join us?" asked Shaak Ti, "He could be a huge asset to the war effort."

"First, find him we must," concluded master Yoda. "Once finished going through the data, we are, then plan further, we will."

Eela Vasaway lay on her bed, alone, contemplating the last seventy-two hours.

Her quarters consisted of a small living room, a small kitchen, a small bathroom and two small bedrooms. Everything was small. Jedi rarely had many more belongings than their clothes and lightsaber, and so there was little need for personal storage. They also were either on missions, training or socialising with other Jedi anyway, so apart from sleeping and meditation, there was little need for their private quarters.

She shared quarters with her master, like most master-padawan pairings, but now he lay in the medical bay, and she was unsure if she would ever speak to him again. When they were making an escape from the stronghold, they had been attacked relentlessly, leaving her master with extensive injuries. She still found it difficult to belive she had got them both out of the situation.

She felt sick. The image of her master, injured, bloody, burnt and helpless, lying in a pool of blood in their ship...if he did die, what would she do then? Become apprentice to someone else?

It wasn't like she had got on amazingly with her master. He was very a very skilled and experienced Jedi, and so he had been tough on her, always pushing her to train the hardest she could train, to be the best she could be. Right from day one, he was always, always pushing her, to the point rest days felt about as common as her birthday. To the point missions almost felt like a break. But even then, in the long hours and days in hyperspace, he would get her training.

And she had always resented him for it. Always. Always pushing her to the breaking point, and then some. All day, every day, every week. All the time, non-stop.

And now he wasn't here. She would likely never speak to him again. Only two days before they departed before their last mission, they had argued, and it had stung. And now she may never get to take what she said back.

But she could finally see. Lying on her bed, alone, her master probably dying, she could see.

She was probably the most powerful padawan in the Order. Force, she was probably more powerful than some of the Knights. She had lead a battalion of Clones into battle, and against all odds, they had won. She had fought and held her own against the feared General Grevious. She had brought back data which had put the High Council into a meeting immediately.

She had saved her master's life.

And now she couldn't even thank him for his training.

Then honour him by training as hard as you can. Yes, that is what she would do.

A beep from a comm brought her out of her thoughts. Summoning it to her hand, she saw a message telling her to meet with Master Kenobi in the room of a thousand fountains tomorrow morning.

Oh dear was her first thought.

"I finished going through the files," Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi told the dark skinned Mace Windu, as they walked side-by-side through the temple, "A lot of useful information was collected. I've sent it all to you, but apart from the report about Seron Rin, there was only one which stood out from the rest."

"What was it about?" asked the Jedi Master, his curiosity piqued.

"It was an audio recording of Dooku confering with his master," Obi-Wan said, "it appears they are looking to lure a powerful force user to their side."

"Was their any indication as to who the master was?" asked Mace, "if we can find that out, the war may end much sooner."

"Unfortunately not, master," Obi-Wan said, "but I think you will be interested in who it is they were talking about."

"Do tell."

"The late Michael Shepherd."

They were impossibly outnumbered. Three Jedi Masters left, against thousands of battle droids, fighting their way to the escape pods on a dying ship.

Their mission had been a success. The explosives were armed, the plans sent back to the temple. If they died, there was no major loss, apart from three more dead Jedi.

But they didn't want that. Two had already died upon this mission, they couldn't afford three more to go. Especially not these three. So they fought. Three of the most powerful Jedi in the Order at the time, fighting legions of droids. Mobile blurs of purple and blue flashed among the storm of red blaster fire flying in all directions.

And they were there. A row of escape pods. Escape. Salvation. Now they had a gap to the droids behind them, still shooting thousounds of blaster bolts a second, and Mace Windu realised a terrible thing. At the moment they were still alive by virtue of their lightsabers, and whilst the pod doors closed they could still fend it off, but the moment they sealed the blaster fire could and would destroy the escape pod.

Apparantly Michael Shepherd realises too, because in his head he hears Go! I'll hold them off so the pod doesn't get destroyed, and you can escape. And already he has taken station outside the pod, even before the others are in, shielding them from the onslaught. No! He "hears" from Dex Keen, Michael's longtime best friend, and he tries to grab Michael so he can sacrifice himself. Mace already knows it is futile; only two of them will make it, and Michael is far too stubborn to let Dex die. Without even so much as turning, without so much as moving his arm (which is already too busy with his purple lightsaber), he flings Dex back, back into the pod, still holding off the onslaught of droids. Somehow.

But knowing his defense won't last long, Mace climbs into the pod, shuts the doors, and sets it too escape. They are flung out into space, watching the huge ship shrink away, with their three Jedi friends onboard.

After what seems an eon, the ship explodes. It is a huge explosion, debris flying everywhere, and they both know that no one survived.

Mace frowned, unsure if he had heard correctly. "Michael Shepherd?" When Kenobi nodded, he said "But he's been dead for eleven years."

"Dooku seemed to think so too, but his master doesn't," Obi-Wan said, "It's very odd. I've sent you the recording."

"Thank you. In the meantime, why don't you see if you can find any information concerning the whereabouts of a certain Seron Rin?"

"Where would I start, master?"

"I will leave you to judge," smiled Master Windu, "We need to find him, and we know how resourceful you are."

"I...thank you, master," replied Kenobi, quite baffled. He had to find the most elusive man in the galaxy? It would be impossible. "When do I start?"

"As soon as possible. As Master Keen is injured, padawan Vasaway will be helping you. You are to meet her in the room of a thousand fountain's tomorrow morning."

And Kenobi was left there, flabbergasted at the sudden change in events.

So Dooku's master thought Michael Shepherd survived. That was an interesting development.

Mace Windu was sat on his bed, thinking about what Kenobi had told him. It wasn't possible. Surely. And how could it be? Both he and Dex had seen that ship explode. Whilst it was true there were more escape pods alongside the one they had taken, Mace had felt his presence disappear. Furthuremore, there was a reason only two of them escaped. Had Michael attempted to take another pod, it would have been destroyed.

And no matter how powerful he was, not even he could survive all the blaster fire alone for long.

"The plans to retake Geonosis are complete, Master. We will strike at once."

"Very good, my apprentice," the hoarse voice praised, faintly chuckling, "The Republic will wish they never existed. You however...you will not be going to Geonosis."

"Master?"

"I have another task for you. If you succeed, the Jedi will be destroyed."

"What must I do, Master?"

"You will go to , lying in wait, lies a Jedi which is believed by all to be dead."

"Who am I looking for?" Dooku sounded hungry now – hungry for a task away from the infernal trade federation.

"Michael Shepherd. Once he is on our side, the Jedi will be no more."

"But my lord..." Dooku was at a loss for words. "Michael Shepherd died before I left the Jedi. I would know if he survived."

"The Jedi think similarly, and it will cost them!" the master snarled harshly, "Go to Taatooine."

"Yes Master."

Dooku's master thought Michael Shepherd was on Tatooine, and was convinced he was alive. Mace Windu searched his mind for other possibilities, knowing Michael was long dead. Perhaps he wanted Dooku out of the way for something? This would certainly keep Dooku busy.

Maybe there was something else on Tatooine he wanted Dooku to pick up on? It was unlikely.

The recording was only four days old. Dooku would be on Tatooine by now, searching for the lost Jedi. It was a prime opportunity to take him by surprise, all things considered.

Mace put his head in his hands. Perhaps Yoda would know what to make of this.

That evening, another Council meeting was called.

"Act on this, we must!" Yoda started, after the Council had finished listening to the recording. "For Dooku to find him first, disastrous, it would be. Even if dead Michael is, capture Dooku, we can."

"We plan to send a group of three," Mace said, "preferably including someone who has fought Dooku before."

"Why don't Anakin and I go? We have both fought Dooku on a number of occasions." Master Kenobi was only temporarily filling in for Dex for the duration of his injury, although Mace thought it likely he would fully be on the Council soon.

"Anakin is too reckless," answered Shaak Ti, "Don't get me wrong, he gets the job done, against the Separatists, but against Dooku he may give you away. Besides, he has only just got back from his last mission. Also, aren't you tasked with Seron Rin?"

"Why don't I go with Kenobi and his temporary padawan?" asked Plo Koon in his slow voice, "Seron Rin can wait, or someone else can start searching. Kenobi is likely to have as little luck as the rest of us."

"That could work," said Mace. "Just be careful. Dooku may be old, but he still is competent with the dark side."

"When do we leave?" asked Obi-Wan.

"Tonight," said Yoda. "Extend Dooku's headstart we cannot."

"Meanwhile, I can work on locating Seron Rin," said Master Ti.

"It's settled then," concluded Mace, "Master Kenobi, Master Koon and padawan Vasaway will leave as soon as possible to Tatooine, to hunt Dooku and find out about Michael Shepherd. May the force be with us all."

Two hard knocks came at her door, and when Eela opened it she was greeted by Plo Koon.

"Master Koon," Eela said, confused, "What can I do for you?"

"You can pack your things. We're leaving for Tatooine tonight."

What? Everyone, or just her? Why? Wasn't she meant to be meeting Master Kenobi in the morning? She suspected she had misheard the Jedi Master but he said, "Don't worry, it's nothing permanent. We just have a mission there, that's all. Master Kenobi is coming with us, so don't worry about tomorrow morning."

"I..." she was stunned. Why was she heading to Tatooine for a mission with two of the most respected Masters in the Order? "I will be ready soon."

"Thank you. Master Kenobi will explain everything on the way."

And that was how she found herself, barely an hour later, in hyperspcace headed towards an outer rim backwater.