[center][b]Aria Blair Dantooine[/b][/center] Zhar remained stoic, and Aria couldn’t get a read from him regarding Ken’s comments. There seemed to be a lot of thoughts floating about in the Jedi Knight. What was Zhar’s intention? Alek had to learn to control his anger, she needed to learn more about combat as her masters’ always urged. But, Ken? He was a well-known and respected knight in the order. Skilled with the sword, but mostly a calm practitioner of the force leaning towards the peace of things. To Aria, he seemed every bit the type who would be a master sooner rather than later. Perhaps there was more to it, especially when she saw a slight smile creep onto Zhar’s face when Ken had decided to go offensive at Zhar’s comments. Aria lifted her saber up, the golden yellow glow catching the first stroke of Ken’s assault. It wasn’t the last as a string of swings and slashes came her way. Offensive. Aria’s weakness. Her eyes narrowed, Zhar did this on purpose; pushing Ken into the direction to manipulate her. If she wasn’t continually blocking saber strokes, the padawan might have burst out into laughter from the brilliance of it. Her opponent was fresh off of a battle, and perhaps somewhat tired from the kind of assault Alek laid forth. She took the moments she could to see Ken’s footwork, and adapted to his Makashi. He was exerting himself, and she had all the energy she could need so to begin Aria settled into the Soresu form. It was a great form for deflecting blaster fire, but within a duel it had excellent defensive capabilities with the least amount of exertion. Niman was also a top tier option, but Aria wasn’t confident enough with her ability to utilize it. It was strange, really. Aria fought against the usage of the lightsaber whenever she could, however, once locked into a duel all there was once the plasma was crossed… was battle. There was her, and there was Ken. Two opponents and the area around them. Zhar did not concern her within the heat of conflict, not now. With the sudden speed and augmented nature of his attack, Aria was pressed to fend off the original assault. She had to dig deep within her skill-set to see the arcs and paths of Ken’s saber, for he was just as advertised. Patient, and his abilities were well honed. But, Aria was not like Alek. Alek’s power was immense, and if properly channeled—lethal. The raven-haired Jedi had a cool, collected presence. Her breathing though caught off guard from the first strike became focused, serene, as if she were drawing from an endless well of the force though she had no idea just how much she could truly tap into. Zhar constantly raved about her natural skills, and her cutting intellect. Her intelligence shined with practiced and true footwork, trying to provide Ken with no room for an attack. The blaze of lightsaber flashes glimmered off of her ponderous gaze. Aria could switch into Juyo to slip through the balance of Ken’s attacks, but she hesitated. She simply would have to wait it out, look for the opening she wanted. Juyo would be the last line of defense. [center][b]Anna Sparvic Coruscant[/b][/center] Kavar nodded respectfully over to Anna at her introduction. “I still talk with the Republic enough to know about a quick-rising lieutenant. We need more people like you, Anna.” Anna was flustered from the compliment coming from a Jedi Master. “Thank you so much, the Republic would be pretty lost without the Jedi. It’s an honor to be here, I never thought I’d ever step foot into the high council chamber.” Anna did a bit of an awkward bow, to which Kavar laughed. “No need for that here, lieutenant. We’re on equal ground. Bowing is simply custom for those within the order.” “A sign of respect, I’ve read and heard.” Anna added. “I just wanted to, you’ve done so much for the Republic… Anyway, two knights informed us that you have important matters to discuss.” Anna stopped and looked over at Leon. “Sorry, they informed Commander Athos of the matter at hand.” “Your lieutenant is tenacious, Leon. I sense a bright future.” Kavar noted. Lonna Vash, Atris and Zez-Kai Ell still remained within their seats. “Dark times seem to be stirring.” Zez opened up. Lonna followed. “We will be having a team of Jedi bring you in person proof of a rather immense operation occurring out on the outer rim worlds. The reason we refuse to send it to Republic HQ via holofeed is because we don’t trust the channels. Things have to be kept quiet.” Atris was the last to speak. “We have evidence of a Mandalorian Assault army taking down an entire planet. They didn’t have a chance, and it’s no simple raid. It’s war. Invasion.” “I wanted to inform you first, Leon.” Kavar said. “There’s no one else within the Republic Military that I trust more than you. I tell you because I think they’d listen to you. We expect war on a galactic scale, but we don’t know what the Order’s move shall be. But, we want the Republic to be prepared for a full scale invasion force crossing into our territory. The evidence Lonna spoke of will be brought to you personally. They will then go on a scouting mission to assess the threat… I wish I had better news to give, but that’s where we are.”