Five days of travel brought him hurtling over the planetary surface of Kandar, a planet of the Outer Rim of the New Galaxy.

He was lucky he had hit the junction just right and shaved two days off of his trip, and then had to travel another two days to the Planet Surface.

He brought his fighter in low again, sweeping low over the surface. Peering curiously at the new sights as this was his first time visiting this planet despite countless times in the area.

He bought his fighter in gently, landing with a burst from the repulsorlift engines bouncing on the tarmac.

He got out as his droid was removed and gazed around.

The planet was a lot like Tatooine, though the sand was pink it was still everywhere, only one sun in the sky but it was a lot more imposing then his many visits to Tatooine. It was hot and not humid as he enjoyed it slightly.

He turned around to the docking bay of the joint Republic Military/ Jedi Order, part of the docking bay. There were two X-Wings docked here, and another slight pursuit fighter, and then finally a shuttle was parked in one corner of the area.

He peered at the shuttle closely and noticed that the symbol of Omega was emblazoned across it, the Republic's premier special forces organization.

Though he did not find time to ponder that fact as he felt movement behind him in the Force. He turned curiously and saw the local Master of the Jedi Order approaching him slowly.

He had on a sleeveless under piece from standard Jedi robes. His black beard and thick head of black hair contrasted sharply with his creamy skin, and intelligent blue eyes.

They finally met in the middle and the two Masters clasped hands and shook them warmly.

"Master Zaun."

"Master Skywalker." Galen grinned, his eyes sparkling friendly at his old friend.

"Enjoyed the trip?" he said as they both started walking down the center of the landing strip and made their way over to the door.

"Not really." Galen started frowning. "Being trapped in a small cockpit for five days is not an enjoyable time."

"I see." Mikal Skywalker said simply. He then frowned. "I must admit that despite my pleasure at seeing you again I must confess myself frustrated at your being here."

"I know." Zaun said uncomfortable.

"I mean it is my jurisdiction, I was put here after the Jedi refused to make me a permanent member of the council. Like I would have taken the position anyways." He smiled lopsidedly. "But they still see fit to send you out here."

"I know." Zaun said pausing in the doorway. "It is your purview, but I guess they figured that you needed the help."

"My butt" Skywalker said grinning. "They just do not like me much. They just sent me out of the way, in a position that no longer means anything since the Republic only maintains a limited presence here. Which is something I am thankful for, but when something happens that really requires their attention they send someone out here. And they send you, the only Master with the experience and who is expendable."

"I suppose." Zaun said frowning, preferring not to comment.

"But still, we should really get to business." He said.

They walked to the lift and took it up to Master Skywalker's personal office.

When they arrived through it and entered the plush office a Republic First Sergeant snapped to attention.

"It's the only thing they could spare for me, an aide, considering I am the leading and ranking Jedi official here." Skywalker said gesturing. "Thank you Sergeant that will be all."

"Sir." The man snapped to attention again and then quietly slid back through the door.

Master Skywalker had simulated Kashyyyk-wood desk and planted himself behind it, picking up a file folder of papers and leafing through it.

"Still using paper?" Galen smirked wryly.

"Yes, I am." Master Skywalker smiled lopsidedly back.

He went back to reading it as Galen sat down in the desk in front of him.

"Well, there so far have been five attacks on five different planets against Jedi, three Knights, two Padawans and a Master. That Master was not here officially. The attacks have been following a line of attack, striking one planet after another after another, and we are the next on the list."

Galen's eye brows shot up appreciably. "How many Jedi are here?"

"Including you?" Skywalker asked arching an eyebrow at him, "Five, four of them on official mission."

"I see." Zaun said feeling relieved. "Well then I guess I should start here." Zaun said thumping the sides of the chair.

"You should? Why not the other planet?" Skywalker said genuinely hoping to hear the answer.

"While I could get new perspective and gain leads, likely by the time I finished another Jedi would be dead here, better to head him off and try to prevent that. Also I would assume that you have started your own investigation?"

"We have." Master Skywalker said with a bow.

"Anything else you can tell me?"

"Well he seems to strike isolated pockets, and not groups of Jedi, either separating one, or striking at those already on solo missions."

"Any here like that?"

"Four of the Jedi are in this city, and are in constant contact with one another. If they died, the rest of us should know about it. Even if this thing can limit Force sense. One though is in a town about one thousand kilometers North of here, investigating a crime syndicate that is 'rumored' to have taken over it. He is pretty much on his own."

"Well then that is where I must go." Galen said with a bow. "Can you provide me with transportation?"

"Yes. Sergeant!" Master Skywalker said raising his voice.

Without barely missing a beat the young Sergeant came in unruffled. "Sir?" He said.

"Provide Master Zaun here with our best available land speeder, also refuel and put a guard on his fighter."

"Yes sir." The man said, leaving.

"May the Force be with you." Mikal told his friend.

"Thank you." Zaun said with a bow following the young sergeant out.

One Thousand Kilometers North

Galen Zaun hid behind the only foliage around, a pair of bushes and rocks that could hide his speeder from view. He moved at a rapid pace behind the town and then into it.

It was a simple Desert side town. A Main Street with a few side boulevards along the side leading to shops.

Sand colored domes and shacks were along the streets, representing shops. Few people were around given the fact that a cold wind was blowing down hard, kicking up sand and causing Zaun's robe to billow around him.

He used the force to keep the sand out of his eyes.

He went to one of the shops that did not have an in area, he was selling rare liquors.

"Greetings." he said friendly.

"Greetings Master Jedi." The shop owner said surprised.

"So you know what we are?" Zaun said testing out the waters.

"Yes, I do. I cannot say you people are popular around here, most of us cannot stand the site of a Jedi, as for me I am just trying to make a living."

"I see, so we are not liked?" He asked.

"You are tolerated, as long as we stay out of each others hair, most of us are not bad people."

"I did not say that you were. Anyone threatening the Jedi here, looking at him, watching him?"

"No," the man chuckled, "well no one specifically, everyone is at least curious of the arrival, looking at him."

"Any new arrivals?" Zaun said pressing, staying mindful of the Force.

"No, no new arrivals that I have noticed." The man said, Zaun picked up a twinge in the force, pressed it, but ignored it, there was a blank spot.

"Thank you for your time." Zaun said nodding friendly.

He went into a salon out of the sun and the blowing sand storm, heading into a dust filled environment that tinted its environment.

Various Aliens, humans, and this Galaxy's equivalent stared at him curiously before going back to their business. Some conspiratorially and some staring guiltily at their feet.

He wanted to be in here for cover, he went out and felt through the force and felt the perceptions without distraction.

He made contact with the other Jedi here, and he felt…tense.

Zaun probed his perceptions.

The man he was reaching felt panicked running, Zaun knew there was something wrong.

A spike of fear and terror, and then nothing.

Galen's eyes snapped open and he ran back out into the street. He closed his eyes and let the sand slam into his face stinging him, causing some blood to be even drawn, but he needed to concentrate.

He could not feel the presence of the Jedi anymore, only an echo. He ran out into the street heading for it, he paused a traveler.

"Is there any place out of the way that is a criminal hideout?" He asked.

"Bagger's drift, about that way a ways." The Pedestrian said, pointing in shock.

Galen ran that way, at full speed, using the force to invigorate him.

He passed groups of people that was looking at him curiously as he ran.

He finally got to the indicated location, and in it was a Jedi sprawled up, his lifeless eyes looking skyward.

Galen closed his eyes and grimaced , then looked at the rock location that he was surrounded in.

Galen jogged over to him and observed the body, clearly dead, and clearly did not have enough time to prepare himself to become one with the force.

Galen crouched down, and carefully examined the body, no obvious signs of injury.

Until he got to the neck.

His eyes widened in shock at what it was. A cauterized burn running across the neck, precise, and clear, keeping the head on. Only a lightsaber could have made that cut.

He ran, this time sacrificing endurance for pure speed.

He got to his speeder and leapt on into it, and he tried to turn it on. It sputtered and was unsuccessful. He tired again…sabotaged.

He got out with a sigh, wondering how he was going to get back to his base.