Jedi Temple Hangar
The temple was bustling with activity, more so than usual. Younglings and non-combat ready Padawans were busy being ushered to the Temple's hangar bay by the more senior Padawans or their trainers. As per Plan Zero, all younglings, non-combat Padawans and elder Jedi who are no longer capable of fighting effectively in long pitched battles were to be transferred off-world in an unmarked Jedi transport to a Hidden Temple which location is only known to the High Council.
"Come on young ones, on board the transport," said Master Tera Sinube calmly to a group of younglings placed under his care. The transport that the younglings and Sinube were assigned to would be the first transport to depart the temple. Other transports would leave at staggered times as to not cast suspicion on the Temple.
The group of younglings boarded the transport single filled, exchanging words between each other. One of the younglings, turned around to face Sinube before boarding the transport. "Where are we going Master Sinube ?" The other younglings who had already boarded turned around as they heard the question. In reality that question has been running through their mind ever since Master Sinube had asked them to pack all their essential items for travel.
Master Sinube looked to the young Tholothian girl, "We are going somewhere safe Katooni. You will know when we arrive," answered Master Sinube
"I see," replied Katooni without further probing the elderly Jedi Master.
Sinube watched as the younglings under his care enter the transport before walking up the boarding ramp on to the transport. Sinube took one look back at the hangar he was about to depart, a hangar he frequented when he was still active in the field.
As soon as Master Sinube had boarded the transport, the transport retracted its boarding ramp and departed the Temple's hangar and flew off into the Coruscant sunset.
Jedi Archives,
Madame Jocasta Nu walked through the empty hallway of the Jedi Archives which she has spent more than half of her life taking care of. If Jocasta had ever developed an attachment to something, it was the Archives that she cared for.
"Madame Jocasta." Called a voice from behind the Chief Librarian. The Chief Librarian turned around to address the voice.
"Master Fisto, how can I be of assistant ?" asked the elderly Chief Librarian.
Master Fisto gave one of his trademarked smiles to the Chief Librarian, "I was wondering whether all the archives' files has been duplicated and copied." As per Plan Zero, all data in the Jedi Archives were to be copied and sent off with the evacuating non-combat Jedi. In addition to that, all data pertaining to secret Sith locations or Sith knowledge were to be highly encrypted to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Sith.
Madame Jocasta reached for one of her belt's pouches and retrieved several data cards from it. "Here you go Master Fisto," said Jocasta as she handed the data cards to the Nautolan Jedi Master, "all the information that the order has acquired over its entire existence."
"Thank you," expressed Kit as he placed the data cards into one of his belt's pouches. But Kit did not leave immediately.
"Is there a problem Master Fisto ?" queried the elder Chief Librarian.
Master Fisto nodded his head. "Madame Jocasta, I think that you should be on one of the transports that are evacuating," voiced a concerned Fisto.
The elderly Chief Librarian closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before releasing it, "Master Fisto, I have taken an oath to care and protect the archives," explained Jocasta firmly, "I won't leave it behind. If the archives were to fall, I'll fall with it."
Fisto nodded his head, "I understand Madame Jocasta. May the Force be with you."
"And the Force be with you too Master Fisto. "
With that, Master Fisto left the archives and Madame Jocasta. The elderly Chief Librarian took a moment and looked around the archives which she has come to care so much about before returning to what duty she had left.
Jedi Temple War Room,
"Can I help you master Jedi ?" asked the holographic figure.
"Yes, get me Senator Organa."
"Senator Organa is in a meeting at the moment with the anti-war committee," replied the Senator's aide.
"Just tell him that, 'Ashes have blackened the snowy mountains again'. He will understand."
With that, the aide left to relay the message to the Alderaanian Senator. A few moments passed and instead of the aide reappearing on the war room's holo table, it was Senator Organa this time.
"Master Windu, I got the message. I hoped we would be talking under better circumstances," said a visibly distressed Senator. "Are you certain about the threat ?"
"Yes."
"Master Windu, I know that my house has pledged to support the Jedi Order in whatever capacity it can. But what you're asking is...we have never had a standing army since the end of the Great War. We are not prepared," stated the Alderaanian Senator.
"I know. But the Order needs your support Senator," replied Windu nonchalantly. "And it doesn't have to be in terms of military. Grant the non-combat Jedi's sanctuary on your world."
Bail Organa took a moment to think before replying the Jedi Master, "I will contact my house immediately and inform them of the situation."
"Thank you Senator. And if all goes well, we can hopefully avoid another war."
"If this one wasn't bad enough already," replied Organa before closing the channel.
Senator Bail Organa's Office,
Senate Building,
Senate District.
As soon as Bail had finished his talk with Master Windu, he immediately contacted his house on Alderaan. Bail waited for a response, and it finally came.
"Bail, how good to see you," greeted Bail's wife Breha who was also queen of Alderaan. "What's wrong ?" asked Bail's beloved wife after seeing the look that he had on his face.
"Ashes have blackened the snowy mountains again," replied Bail to his wife.
"I see," replied Breha, "What are we to do ?" asking her husband for his opinion.
"The Jedi have stood by House Organa since the beginning. Through thick and thin," answered Bail, "I think we should do the same now."
"But we have no standing army Bail," replied Breha ,"we cannot conscript the men. Our ancestors promised that after the Great War."
"I know, but the Jedi are not asking for an army. Just sanctuary for the time being." replied Bail.
"If that is the case, I will inform Erik to prepare for the arrival of the Jedi," informed his wife.
"I'm sorry that I have to leave you like that Breha, but I must return before someone becomes suspicious."
"Go, and be safe," wished Breha as the the hologram of her husband flickered off.
Cato Neimodia,
Forward Command Base.
"Where are you going again General ?" asked Commander Wolfe to Jedi General Plo Koon who was busy tending to his personalised Delta-7 Aetherspite.
"I've received information from Jedi Intelligence that I need to investigate on," replied Plo Koon as he finished recalibrating his starfighter's system.
"General, with all due respect I think you should take a squad with you sir," expressed Wolfe ,"we don't know whether that information is legit or just a trap."
Good man this Wolfe, thought Koon to himself. Although Koon trusted Wolfe as a warrior and a friend, the activation of Plan Zero meant that everyone not listed to be a part of the plan had to be kept in the dark. In reality, there was no intelligence from Jedi Intelligence for Koon to follow up on. Instead, Koon was in charged of reactivating the Jedi safe house on Dantooine, under the ruins of the ancient Jedi Enclave.
"I will be fine Commander," replied Koon to Wolfe, "continue leading the assault on the capital. Hopefully when I return, the battle here will be over. And so would this war"
"Sir, I must protest to this," expressed Wolfe, "you might be walking into a trap."
Plo Koon stepped onto his starfighter and proceeded to step into the cockpit, "Do not worry about me Commander, I will return shortly," I hope.
The cockpit hatch sealed shut and General Koon's fighter's engines came to life before taking off. Wolfe watched as the the General's fighter gained altitude. Wolfe reached for his hand comlink, "This is Commander Wolfe, I need a squad prepped up and ready to leave."