…Jedi Temple on Coruscant…

Naan Sho carefully put on his best robes. After his recent promotion to one of the heads of the Temple Security, this would be his first night watch alongside his former Master Cin Drallig. He attached his lightsaber to his belt and placed his holobook in the pouch next to it.

The abduction and return of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the news that Master Kenobi had engaged General Grievous had the Temple on high alert. There were murmurs that Master Windu had just departed with some of the Order's finest warriors and were heading to the Chancellor's office.

Master Drallig rang at Sho's chamber door. Greeting one another, they began making their rounds. One did not have to be a Jedi to sense Drallig's anxiety. There was a sudden tremor in the Force, filled with pain and despair. Sho and his Master looked at each other in alarm.

"Secure the upper balcony.", commanded Drallig.

Turning to ascend the staircase, Sho was stopped by the Battlemaster. "Keep a sharp eye. Something is not right.", he said. Sho bowed and returned to the task at hand. Standing out on the balcony, Sho looked towards the Senate Rotunda. It was in complete disarray, appearing to be under siege.

A large number of Republic LAATi gunships were heading directly for the Temple's main entrance. As they landed, Sho saw General Skywalker disembark the lead vessel accompanied by a large group of fully armed Clones following close behind.

Gate Master Jurokk had sealed the doors and had been stationed in front. Approaching Anakin, Jurokk was speaking in earnest, though what was said, Sho could not tell. Suddenly, time appeared to stand still as Skywalker drew his lightsaber and pierced Jurokk through the head without warning. The Clones accompanying the betrayer began firing on the Jedi who had been too late to aid their fallen Master.

One by one, they fell, whether to the Clone's blasters or to Skywalker's blade. Sho quickly turned to look down inside the Temple, hoping to stop the guards from opening the main gate. He was too late, the Temple had been breached.

Sho watched as Master Drallig, along with several guards under the Battlemaster's command, confronted Skywalker on the staircase. He drew his lightsaber and took a step towards the melee. Sho was stopped dead in his tracks.

Blinded by a spotlight, a gunship hovered above him. The blast doors opened, revealing several Clones who began firing upon the young Jedi. Sho deflected the blaster bolts back upon his attackers, killing two and damaging the engine. The ship spun out of control and crashed through the balcony.

Turning back to the staircase, Sho froze at the sight of Master Drallig laying on the floor. Skywalker sent a pair of Jedi hurtling down the stairs. "NNNOOOOOO!", cried out Sho.

He raised his saber and made a motion to charge. Anakin turned his blazing red eyes towards the Kel Dor and conjured the most powerful Force Wave Sho had ever witnessed. Sho was sent over the edge of the destroyed balcony and plummeted down into the depths of the lower levels of Coruscant…

…Al'doleem…

"Again!", commanded Infil'a, throwing Eras's saber back to him. The last four years had seen his transformation into a hardened warrior under the strict tutelage of the old Jedi Master. Kirak had delivered on his promise. Eras had been forged into a weapon, no longer the boy the Battlemaster had saved all those years ago.

He attacked, transitioning from one form to the next beautifully. Kirak followed insync, but was caught off guard by his student's deviation from the traditional methods of saber combat. Eras dispensed with any complex maneuvers and resorted to explosively direct attacks. Every block was a strike and every strike was a block.

Master Infil'a broke his offensive with an overhead blow. Eras stopped Kirak's hand in midair using a Force hold. The old man dropped his blade into his other hand and thrust forward. Having anticipated this, Eras retracted, sweeping his Master's blade to the side while simultaneously turning behind him. Infil'a was pulled slightly off balance. Recovering quickly, he spun towards his student, stopping right in front of the second lightsaber Eras had secretly hidden, which now danced centimeters in front of the Battlemaster's face.

A smile slowly creased Kirak's face. "Well done!", he complimented Eras. The young warrior stepped back and bowed. The old Jedi had been a father figure to him.

Master Infil'a's demeanor abruptly changed, leaving him with a mixed look of complete bewilderment and anguish. He dropped his lightsaber, staggering to keep his balance. Eras felt it as well, but did not understand the growing hollowness he now experienced. Steadying the old man, a look of concern for his mentor creased his brow. "What is it? What has happened?", asked Eras.

Kirak stared blankly, as if gazing into an unseen abyss totally void of hope. "The Order has fallen.", he whispered…

…Level 1313: Coruscant Underworld…

Coruscant's sprawling cityscape with its once bustling skyline was now cloaked in eerie silence. The Jedi Temple lay in ruins, smoke billowing from its shattered spires. Fear and oppression filled the air as the Jedi were now being hunted. The vibrant colors of the planet that had been were now dimmed, replaced by the sterile uniformity of the newly announced Galactic Empire.

Naan Sho sat in silence, watching the entrance from a corner table at the back of a cantina called BG-RT's Tavern and Spirits. Donning the attire of the common low life that roamed the streets of the lower levels, Sho had been living rough the last few weeks. Clone Troopers constantly patrolled every level. Searching to destroy every last surviving Jedi, Sho was forced to descend further and further into the lower levels of Coruscant's Underworld, never staying in one place for more than a couple of days. He had to find a way off the planet.

It was painful to come to terms with, but he knew the Order had been destroyed and the Temple lost. It had been a miracle he had survived. Sho replayed the event in his mind…

…"How could he have betrayed the Order?! Others had said he was supposed to be the Chosen One!", Sho thought as Skywalker struck down his Master before his very own eyes and threw him off the balcony to his doom. Sho spiraled into freefall, narrowly avoiding speeders rushing by. Spotting a small freighter from below, he reached out with the Force and pulled himself slowly towards the vessel. Landing safely on its hull, Sho looked up to see the Temple in flames…

…"Hey pal! Either you buy something or you get the hell out of here! Paying customers only!", one of the bartenders yelled, pulling Sho back to his present circumstances.

"Give me a glass of accarrgm!", said the Kel Dor testily.

"There are not enough Wookies to keep it on hand.", answered the annoyed server.

"Fine! Bring a bottle of Claing Whisky!", demanded Sho. He slammed a handful of credits down on the table. A friendly disposition instantly replaced the bartender's gruff demeanor. "You got it!"

"That will not be necessary. Drinks are on the house.", spoke a woman's voice. It's owner inconspicuously swept her hand to the side as she spoke.

"That will not be necessary. Drinks are on the house.", repeated the bartender monotonally as he turned and walked away, leaving the credits on the table.

The Twi'lek sat down across from Sho. "It is unwise to risk exposing your identity with Jedi Mind Tricks.", said the Kel Dor.

"Same old Sho.", she spoke with a smile on her face. Tears welled up behind her eyes.

"Tarak.", whispered Sho as he reached across the table and grasped her hand.

Laranth Tarak was a Jedi Knight and Grey Paladin. While wielders of the Force, Paladins were more militaristic, even preferring blasters to the traditional lightsaber. The Force was simply a tool to them.

Most Jedi did not approve of this, however the Order still tolerated their beliefs and accepted them. Sho's Master had told him to learn from Tarak. They had entered the Order at the same time and had gradually become the best of friends.

Sho was so pleased to see Tarak had survived. Releasing her hand, the Kel Dor sat back. "Jax?...", he inquired of their close friend and fellow Jedi.

She shrugged. "Who knows?...", she replied. "...Drallig?", she followed.

Sho shook his head slowly, lowering his gaze to the table. Tarak sighed. "Did you receive Obi-wan's transmission?". Sho nodded. "What will you do now?", the Twi'lek asked.

"I need to find a way off planet, but the Empire has made it impossible.", replied Sho.

"Almost impossible.", said Tarak, a devious smile appearing on her face…

…Al'doleem…

Eras continued his lessons under the tutelage of Arex, the Monastery's Jedi training droid. Ever since the fall of the Order, Master Infil'a had demanded to be left in solitude. Eras had not seen him for days.

Having helped many Jedi in their training, Arex's advanced programming and extensive memory archives made him a formidable instructor. The droid had Eras on a strict regimen, with physical conditioning in the morning, intense studies in the afternoon, and combat training in the evening.

The hum of lightsabers echoed in the training room as Eras faced holographic adversaries. "Focus. The Force flows through you. You must allow it to guide your movements. Use the Force without force.", instructed the droid, his metallic voice resonating with years of experience.

As Eras gracefully deflected holographic blaster bolts, the entrance to the training room slid open, revealing Master Kirak. Weariness marked the old Jedi's face. "Leave us, Arex. I must speak with Eras alone.", Kirak said with a heavy heart and a hollowed voice.

Eras lowered his lightsaber, exchanging a glance with Arex before the droid silently exited the room. "Eras, the galaxy is in turmoil. The Jedi Order has crumbled, and the darkness looms," Kirak sighed as his gaze fixed on the distant stars visible through the training room's windows.

"I feel it too, Master, but what can be done?" Eras questioned, his determination unwavering. Master Infil'a looked at his student.

"The time has come for us to part ways…", he began. Bewildered, Eras made to protest, but was cut off with a wave of the Battlemaster's hand. Kirak continued on. "...I have taught you everything I know…how to think, how to fight, how to survive. You must continue your training under the guidance of others, Eras. The Force is leading us down different paths and we must follow. I have seen it. Something evil is coming and I must face it alone."

"What am I to do? Where am I to go?", asked Eras imploringly.

"You once told me a long time ago that you wanted to help. It was for this reason I trained you. The Republic depended on the Jedi. It is my last task for you to find any survivors you can. Protect and serve alongside them as you have protected and served alongside me all these years."

Eras nodded silently.

"It will take three days to prepare for the departure. You are to return to Corellia. I sense your journey shall begin there.", continued Infil'a

"Yes Master.", obeyed Eras…