[center][b]Master Kasari and Arren Kae Coruscant[/b][/center] “You mustn’t be afraid of your anger.” Arren spoke through the vision, feeling the sudden influx of emotions flowing through the young padawan standing on the crossroads of a heavy decision. “Do not let yourself be dragged down within the pull of different feelings tugging you on all sides. If you hadn’t struck, they’d be dead. Now face your fears. Hiding in fear of the idea of anger and killing will only make you falter in the face of the darkness.” Back within the vision, the mercenary groaned from the hard hit of the force push against the wall. He wasn’t wearing heavy armor, so the padding didn’t quite pillow the crackling smack against the firm surface. Guiding himself to his knees, he could only grimace in the pain burning against his ribs. His eyes glanced up with a flurry of rage. He tossed his blaster rifle far away. “I see… I’ll just have to kill all of you then.” The mercenary spat venomously onto the ground. With a loud scream he pulled out his vibroblade and charged towards Xeviiy. The man was quick, and his intention was pure. Unlike the padawan, he meant to kill. He made that choice long ago, and as the gap closed between them he lifted his blade high into the air and began the down-swinging arc towards her body to give himself either a killing blow or enough protection the moment her lightsaber was drawn. The mother and daughter went to their dead loved ones, the husband and the young woman. Though, the intensity of battle did not allow them to grieve just yet. They could only watch in horror as the murderous mercenary closed in on the Jedi. This single fight held a significant amount of lives in the balance. Kasari watched her apprentice with concern. She had heard much about Arren’s tactics, but thrusting the feelings of anger and other dark side leaning emotions upon one so young… It made her worried. Could Xeviiy handle it? Was it the right thing to do? The master breathed in and remained calm, deciding it better to wait for the final results than interrupt. Instead, she whispered to the Cathar woman next to her. “Is this your first time seeing Arren Kae in action as well? She’s certainly… interesting, isn’t she?” [center][b]Anna Sparvic Coruscant[/b][/center] Anna wanted to smack herself in the face. She felt like she sounded like a jerk attacking him when he didn’t expect it. The man was a soldier, a war hero, and here she was lecturing him on something that seemed to have lost any form of meaning it might have once before. A battlefield could be a terrible place, or that’s how it has been told to her many times. Leon had seen dozens of battles in a ferocious war. He had probably seen both Jedi and Sith in action with their incredible powers. The holovids made it seem romantic and artistic in its own way, but seeing the way he clenched his prosthetic hand; Anna doubted that there was anything beautiful about it. Whatever brotherhood bond of soldiers he spoke about, it was an element Anna couldn’t know until she had been into combat herself. The lieutenant found herself sighing. “I didn’t mean to bark at you, sir. All I wanted to say is that it would be nice to have you around more often, and not in whatever space land you zone off into. Just say the word back at the offices and you and me can head out somewhere for a walk.” Anna looked around the park, watching different droids and various races go about. An Ithorian couple played with their children on the playground, a Selkath played a game of pazaak with a Twi’lek. The sight of so many unique races interacting peacefully made her feel as though all of Leon’s work within the war was worth it. A peace of this kind anywhere was worth the fight. It had to be, right? “Should we head back? I could buy you a drink at Fer-El’s Cantina if you’d like.” Anna placed her hand on his shoulder. “It’s the least I could do on my salary.” [center][b]Aria Blair and Alek Garrus Dantooine[/b][/center] Aria never intended to take either Ken or Alek lightly, and she had understood enough about Org to know that that particular Jedi Master stressed lightsaber combat at least near or equal to which Zhar Lestin did. She gave Ken a simple nod, not wanting to delay the dueling set-up her master had intended. Besides, she wanted to take this time and study both Ken and Alek’s combat techniques in full. It was one aspect about her which Zhar never quite understood. She had a keen eye for technique, style, form, footwork, how to position herself and how to move, yet… Aria simply refused to acknowledge her own talents in favor of a different approach. One of the more stubborn, yet hard-working students within the entire order. Zhar watched Aria for a moment before looking back to the two taking center stage. Alek’s blue training saber glowed as he listened to Ken. The battle was ready to begin. “I don’t believe any of us will be using our original saber for this duel. My power cell is one of a rather high output of energy. It lends me more power than the typical saber. This training blade may not give me what I usually put into a strike, but it shall suffice…” Quiet. A moment of calm between the two duelists as Alek studied his opponent’s stance. Alek waited mere seconds, for if his opponent didn’t know his style and he didn’t know his: the best course of action to him was to begin with a ferocious initial strike so to counter-balance the peaceful nature that Ken exuded. Alek’s foot planted into the training mat and he leapt forward, with pure power he came a quick stop before changing direction with a sweeping turn. His saber swinging to Ken’s left with impressive force. The Twi’lek master took note. “Amazing, isn’t it Aria?” “What is, master?” “I’m sure you saw it. The power to be able to stop like that and come sweeping back with a swing that strong. Alek appears to be exactly what was promised.” “But, too many moves like that and he could tire quickly.” “Excellent deduction, you are correct. Alek must be in considerable shape, and his duels have always ended with speed. It’s not a bad strategy. Most Jedi don’t come under such ferocious assault, and if they don’t find the ability to remain calm quickly…” “Then their defenses are broken.” “Exactly.” [center][b]Vrook Lamar Dantooine[/b][/center] “Most disturbing, most disturbing indeed.” The smallest Jedi Master amongst the council spoke, his ears twitching atop his olive green head. His wrinkles flexed as he stood in deep thought after the entire video of the Mandalorian assault had ended. “The Republic has no idea that this is happening?” He cocked his head toward a holo-feed of the Coruscant council including Lonna Vash, Atris, Zez-Kai Ell and Kavar. “No, Master Vandar. Nothing from our sources within the Republic fleet suggest any knowledge of the raids.” “One wonders if they do know, and simply do not see it as a threat.” Vrook suggested, folding his arms. “The Mandalorians have been raiding planets for years. They won’t change.” Lonna shook her head. “We haven’t seen the Mandalorians move in this number since Exar Kun’s days. The Republic worlds will be in immediate danger on the outer rim. We should dispatch a few knights, and a few masters to investigate what’s happening.” “Or we shouldn’t get involved. Do I need to remind everyone else on this council what happens when the Jedi go to war? Jedi fall, and not only to death. They fall to the disease of the dark side. Ulic Qel Droma and Exar Kun were the single greatest threats this galaxy has ever seen. The Republic has an army, and if war comes then they will be able to handle it. I sense there might be more to this attack than we see.” “While I agree with you, Lonna, I also sense what Vrook does. Something isn’t right about this. The Mandalorians have never been this organized and efficient.” Kavar spoke. “We should not send a mass party of Jedi out, but we do need someone to go investigate.” “The Council is most needed with the students. I think it unwise for any of us to go.” Atris added, wiping a strand of snow-white hair out of her face. Zez-Kai Ell took his turn. “Sending padawans also seems to be an ill-advised decision. They wouldn’t be ready to face an army of warriors who live and breathe nothing but war.” Every council member nodded in silence. Vrook spoke once more. “I have two candidates who may be able to take this task on. Jedi Knight Markus Bionte has returned.” “What? When?” Lonna Vash bursted out. “He’s been dead for—“ “Nineteen years it would seem, but not dead. Rather alive. My only fear is that I sense disorder with him. He is not at peace with the force. This is why Ken Grant could work well as a team member. His training and balance could counteract anything from Markus.” “Before any decision to be made, we must call Markus forward to the council.” Vandar suggested. To that, everyone agreed. ----- Within Markus’s quarters, the holo-feed machine on the wall flickered to life. Vrook appeared in an image within the room. “Markus. This is Master Vrook. I am currently in session with a few members of the council. We request your appearance.”