Chương 6: Growing Power And Galaxy In Turmoil (Prologue VI)

~~~(POV: Jedi Initiate Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Great Training Hall, Jedi Temple, Coruscant)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 13 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 572 BBY)~~~

Everyone's eyes are on Grandmaster Zana as she stands with her fellow Masters on a balcony overlooking us. It's been a long time coming to reach this point. I've never been out of the walls of the Jedi Temple.

I'm looking forward to what I'll see and learn from the Knight or Master that has selected me. Most of us know who our teacher will be, but I'm not among that group.

Sometimes, the council doesn't ask if you're okay with the Jedi Knight or Master who wants to teach you. It's nice I'm not the only one in this year going through this. The council will decide if a future padawan has multiple offers.

"Today, all of you will meet your Jedi Knights and Masters. You're familiar with the journeys ahead. I'm sure every one of you has been preparing for this day. After today, the Order is another step closer to another generation of fully-fledged Jedi Knights."

A sense of pride does start to well up inside me. All of our hard work has paid off, and now we're being accepted among the Order.

Grandmaster Zana finishes her speech, and the doors around the room begin to open. Knights and Masters start walking through and meeting up with their Jedi formally. Most have already met them before this event.

My attention falls on my Mother, who walks through a door with Master Larkor. She looks at me with a smile and makes her way over.

"Hello, my padawan."

I can't help smiling as Mom places her arms around me and hugs me. I didn't think they'd allow her to be my teacher, but since she's a Master now. I think they believe her ready for this. Says how much faith they have in her.

"Greetings, Master."

It's not something I do often when we've hugged, but I lean my head on her shoulder and squeeze her a little tighter.

We pull apart after a couple seconds, and she looks at Master Larkor.

"Padawan Azure, your first assignment, along with Master Azure, is to help with a trade negotiation between Kuat Drive Yards and the InterGalactic Banking Clan."

Wow, an assignment off Coruscant for my first time out of the Temple. This is amazing! Mother and Master Larkor smile as they sense this.

"As Jedi, many corporations and diplomatic standoffs are asked to be mediated by us. They trust the Jedi to give as fair terms as possible. You and your Master will head to Kuat, and the negotiations will be held there."

Mom is well-known among the Senate and third-party groups with large amounts of power. She's celebrated for her fair deals and tactful negotiation abilities.

"I'll leave you too for preparations. I have more assignments to hand out among the new Masters and padawans."

Master Larkor leaves to speak with others, and Mom motions for me to walk beside her. We leave the Great Training Hall and head for the hanger bay.

After entering the ship, she instructs one of the droids to handle everything. Since this is my first time leaving the Temple and Coruscant, I can't help feeling a tad overwhelmed. It's not like we were prepared for this.

"Don't be nervous, Taylor. The first time I left the Temple with Roland was to help miners caught in an explosion on Ord Mantell. I'll guide you through this as my Master did for me."

She senses my worry and discomfort. Placing a hand on my shoulder and walking with me to the bridge of the ship. The droid takes us off Coruscant, and we're looking into space.

I find myself looking at the world we just left... Coruscant is beautiful when looked at from up here.

"What are we being sent to negotiate? A contract dispute or some trade bargain? While the theories I've studied all my life in the Temple are helpful, I don't know how to do this in actual practice."

Mom laughs a little as she stands beside me and looks out the window. The droid is inputting the coordinates and making sure the hyperdrive is functional.

"The IGBC wants to lower the royalties on the next contract they're about to sign on behalf of one of their clients."

I didn't know the Banking Clan represented people in negotiations.

"Wow, I never knew the Banks would help their clients that way. I was taught the banks are corrupt and constantly lying about the state of the economy."

We've had many lessons regarding the finances of the galaxy outside the Temple. The Banking Clans were always held in the light of self-interest.

"You're not wrong. They do indeed struggle with corruption and greed. However, they're the largest banking institution in the galaxy. They leverage their power to get what they want, and no one can really stand up to them."

There is a lot I must learn about the wider galaxy...

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Krayla Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Jedi Transport Ship Star Jewel, Hyperspace, Hydian Way Hyperroute)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 33 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 572 BBY)~~~

The soft breath of Taylor in her bed tells me she's asleep. I get out of my own and make my way to the holoterminal on the bridge.

I see Haden, Aleya, and Dysare as the connection is established. The meeting is strictly confidential. Since becoming a Master last year, I've been heavily involved in the council's business. All the while not being a council member.

I'm thankful for that. If I were on the council, I doubt I'd be able to take Taylor as my padawan.

"It's good to see you all. The rest of the council is moving to help with the problems in the Rim. Haden and I have been very busy with this."

Piracy has become a galactic issue. Megacorps are unable to proceed without Republic escorts anymore. Hence why Jedi are becoming actively involved. Aleya and Haden are the ones directing all the Jedi involved.

"Any progress on your end, Master Izok?"

Dysare takes on a thoughtful expression and leans back in his chair slightly. He's been the Master investigating the growing Darkness. These last five years have been an incredible surge in the Darkside.

"Sadly, I haven't any progress to report. No suspects. No clues. Nothing. It's rather frustrating, in truth. In the past, a disturbance in The Force was found eventually, but I seem to be running nowhere."

Sympathy for the man is shared between us all.

"First, it was Denon. After that, I was drawn to Geonosis and Zoph."

Zoph... That's an ancient world the Jedi used to retrieve kyber crystals for lightsabers. Before the discovery of Ilum... I don't see a connection to Geonosis...

"Do you think whoever this Darksider is, went to Zoph for a Zophis kyber crystal? History records say they're very powerful and an alternative to the crystals on Ilum."

Dysare nods his head in conjunction with my observation.

"Yes, that's my suspicion. When I visited that world four and a half years ago, some locals were killed. No one was left alive at one of the deposits. No witnesses."

A capable person... A Zophis crystal mine is valuable and would be well protected.

"As for Geonosis, I couldn't get anywhere with the hostility of the Geonosians. I couldn't spend more than an hour on the surface before I was attacked and driven away."

Makes me wonder if the same happened to whoever Master Izok is trying to follow. Geonosians are a fierce race that has the intelligence to match.

"The last planet I investigated was Asusto. A planet powerful in the Darkside and has occasionally produced Sith artifacts of old. After that, I've been given nothing to go on in the last seven months."

If I were doing what he's doing, I'd grow frustrated as he is.

"Unlike Zoph, there were no bodies. Only an inkling of a trail. Took two years before I received a vision from The Force going from Zoph to Asusto. And all I get is nothing for that two years of meditating and searching."

I doubt that's the number of planets this person has been to... Those are only the ones Dysare was drawn to in his task...

"Dysare, I'd like you to return to the Temple. Perhaps mediation away from the chase can bring better clarity."

Aleya is basically saying to come back and reset. At this point, it's the only option Dysare has left.

"I'm not arguing with that. Clearing my head and bringing myself in tune with The Force could be what I need for a break from this. The chase has been exhausting, and a fresh perspective is needed."

After a second, Master Izok's hologram turns off. Leaving only Haden, Aleya, and myself. Haden releases a long sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose.

The Order has been more occupied with galactic issues than we're used to. It's rare for so many Jedi to be on deployment. Knights and Masters are being sent on assignments frequently and with a new batch of padawans.

The risk of dead or fallen Jedi can rise. We've had problems with Dark Jedi in the past, and some remanents remain. However, they're too weak and scattered to do anything.

Most don't have anything against the Order.

"How is Taylor taking to life outside the Temple? All she's seen so far is hyperspace for the last day, but that'll change in time."

The conversation takes on a more light tone. Taking our minds off the problems the Republic and Jedi are facing. Haden is interested in Taylor's reaction to this branch in her life.

"She's enjoying herself. I've begun the same lessons Roland taught me. Thanks to him, I'm the Jedi I am today, and I know it'll be the same for Taylor."

The wisdom of my late Master will be imparted to my daughter through me. In a sentimental way, it's like he's teaching her...

"That's good... Master Garness would be happy knowing you're teaching her the same things he taught you... Sometimes, I wish he were here so I could have his wisdom..."

Aleya closes her eyes and leans back.

"It's time I left; inform me if anything is needed of me. Until then, I must focus on these negotiations between Kuat and the IGBC. "

They nod their heads, and the holograms shut off. I turn around and make my way back to the room. Taylor is still soundly sleeping. We'll be arriving soon. I wonder how she'll take a world such as Kuat...

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Dysare Izok)~~~

~~~(Location: Jedi Fighter, Hyperspace, Hydian Hyperroute)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 62 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 572 BBY)~~~

The light of hyperspace surrounds me, a little blocked out by my hyperspace ring. It's helping me think deeply about everything I've come to find. Which is very little. All I've confirmed is that a person is forcing this shift in the Darkside.

The bodies on Zoph are proof of that.

Denon... Geonosis... What do these two worlds have in common with Asusto and Zoph... Asusto and Zoph hold items and objects helpful for someone learning the Darkside.

Denon was early in my investigation. The first year. By the time I arrived, any trace or evidence of who I was searching for was long gone. It took me a few months to find out about Geonosis. The Force guided me there.

When I arrived, I discovered nothing but hostile Geonosians looking to kill me. If the person I'm trailing was more successful in their efforts on that planet, I'd never know.

Fourteen months after that, it was Zoph. Bodies upon bodies. Broken necks and severe burns from Force Lightning. It's been seven months since Asusto, and that was when I was given a two-year break between Zoph and Asusto.

After a few more minutes, another call comes through. It's coming from the Temple. As I answer it, a familiar face appears, and a smile forms on my lips.

"Greetings, Dysare. Ten months ago, you tasked me with finding any information regarding Zoph and Denon. Well, I've finally come up with something."

My old padawan, now Knight, is helping me with my investigation. Tayda has been one of the best students I've enjoyed teaching.

"Isn't this a surprise, Knight Darsana."

A slight tease at the end of my voice causes her to smile. She was recently Knighted earlier this year. That was a good day...

"Honestly, I wasn't expecting you to come up with anything. But you have a habit of proving me wrong."

All she does is roll her eyes at the surprised tone.

"Have I ever let you down before?"

She's got me there.

"So, what'd you find?"

At this point, I doubt anything she found would be of any value. Maybe The Force will reveal something, though.

"Denon has been having an influx of Sith artifacts coming from multiple areas of the galaxy. Some from Asusto. A world you've recently visited, no?"

Really!!

Now this is interesting...

"I'm on my way back to the Temple. I should be there in a few days. When I arrive, we'll talk more about what you've found. "

The hologram is turned off, and I close my eyes. Taking a breath as I do. A break from this is what I was hoping for. My recovery at the Temple will have to wait until after we're done investigating what she's come up with.

This time, I'm bringing her with me. It'll be nice to have her with me. One of the good things about being a Knight is she's allowed to come with me. Not as my padawan anymore.

It's a source of pride for me. For her, as well.

~~~(POV: Adren Saydra)~~~

~~~(Location: Light Freighter, Hyperspace, Perlemian Trade Route)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 13 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 572 BBY)~~~

ZROOOM

ZRAAAAK

VAAAAZZ

The purple blade of my lightsaber comes to a halt as I finish my exercise. Shutting it off and placing it on my belt. The Sith Holocron on the table grabs my attention. I hold out my hand, and the object darts to me.

It easily opens, and Darth Traya appears. She remains silent as I stare at her hologram, and her neutral expression doesn't change.

"Hello again, Adren. What is it you wish to learn this time."

Darth Traya's ever-even voice greets me. The woman is responsible for everything I've learned and attained. Teaching me about anything I ask. There are gaps in her knowledge. She's a Sith Lord of old.

Very old.

"Tell me about Revan."

He's a man I haven't asked about yet. Out of anyone, she'd know more about him than any records I can find on the holonet. She was his Master before either of them fell to the Darkside.

Revan had knowledge and information about something I'm searching for. Something that I need. No great Sith superweapon. Something far more valuable. It's located in something very personal to him.

His Sith Holocron.

"Ahhh, to know Revan is to know The Force. A man that walked both sides at different points in his life. Before he set out for the Mandalorian Wars, he was a student of mine. When I was still Kreia."

I've never known the life or thoughts of a Jedi. It's thought-provoking to study someone who has walked both paths before.

"But I sense you wish to know where his Holocron is. That is something I don't know. However, a good place to start is Rakata Prime. His destiny often entangles with the Rakatan Empires' weapons."

Damn... Rakata Prime is missing on any star maps today... If I'm gonna find that world, I'll need to start somewhere else.

"My knowledge is yours, Adren. Only remember what I said when I first started teaching you. Never forget that, or you'll find yourself the enemy of The Force."

The Holocron closes, and I place it back on the desk. A sigh escapes me as I sit on the nearest chair. Looking at hyperspace as it passes by.

The glow of my red pupils looks back at me in the slight reflection the window produces.