Tucked away in a secluded room of the Jedi Temple, Vishara Aashtii was engaged in her daily ritual of floating meditation. She felt the Force channeling through her being, and allowed it to envelop her like a mother’s warm embrace. It was a soothing experience, especially on days where she felt the yearning of her Togruta heritage to be in a community of her own people. This longing was one of the few emotions she had yet to master, and although she knew it was biologically driven, it frequently challenged her confidence.

Being part of the Jedi was better than being in a Togruta community, she knew. Although that life had an appeal of simplicity, she could never fulfill her greatest goal there--to foster peace in the galaxy. She knew total peace was an impossible goal to constantly chase after, but no place other than among the Jedi could she pursue it effectively and actually have at least a small impact. 

These thoughts began to melt away as she fell deeper into her meditative trance, and soon she was not thinking of Jedi or Togruta or even peace; Vishara was simply existing, at one with the Force.

But then, disturbing her tranquility, a strange sensation washed over her. The Force seemed to shudder for a brief, almost undetectable moment--but Vishara’s deep concentration allowed her to feel that something was wrong. Sensing immediate danger, her eyes snapped open and her hand flew to her lightsaber, but there was no other physical presence in the room. 

Gently, she unfolded her legs and landed on the polished floor, her sandaled feet making a soft pattering sound as she stopped using the Force to suspend herself in the air. The strange sensation left her completely alert in the way only a Jedi could be--she tuned her senses to their maximum, assessing her surroundings in an attempt to understand the source of the Force disturbance. 
	
[i]Is it the Sith?[/i] she wondered. [i]No, that is impossible, with Darth Sidious dead.[/i] Deciding that there was no immediate danger to her, Vishara allowed her senses to relax a bit as she left the meditation room and began heading in the direction of the Jedi Council chambers. [i]Perhaps the Council knows what is happening. I must seek their advice.[/i]

Before she reached the end of the hallway, a loud explosion cracked through the peaceful ambience of the temple, followed by a violent rumbling. Vishara’s golden eyes flashed back and forth to witness Jedi bursting forth from rooms or stopping in the middle of conversations, confusion washing through them all. A moment later, another explosion followed the first, and as each Jedi looked to one another, they understood in an instant that Coruscant was under attack. Knights and Padawans alike began rushing toward the Council chambers to await instruction, and Vishara followed diligently, suppressing the spike of fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

[i]-=Five hours later=-[/i]

Vishara, along with a few other Knights, had been ordered by the Council to guard their chambers, should any enemy Force users manage to slip inside during the confusion of the attack. Thusfar, none had--the temple defenses were keeping the direct perimeter of the area secure. She hoped they would be enough. She felt no fear, no panic, no anger at the situation--the only emotion nagging at the corners of her control was the longing, the urgency of loneliness that threatened to envelop her if the Jedi were eradicated this day. She knew she must do everything in her power to stop such a thing from occurring.
 
Just then, Obi-Wan exited the Council chambers and looked toward Vishara and the other Knights guarding the area, saying brusquely, “Knights. Report to the temple’s defenses immediately--they are in danger of failing, and they must not fail. There will be Clone troopers there to assist you. Remember--keep those defenses active, or the Temple will be destroyed!” With that, Obi-Wan departed, leaving the Knights to their orders. 

Vishara glanced around briefly at the others, noting their names in her head as they all began sprinting to their new post. She would remember them, and fight for them as if they were blood family. None of them would die this day. The defenses would not fall. They could not fall.