[color=fff79a][center][b][u]Cain Sunstrider[/u][/b][/center][/color]

Whispering voices darted throughout the Jedi’s mind, all speaking of their joys and sorrows of their everyday lives. Some were travelling on their way to their daily occupation, others were taking care of their children. It was a calm, but bustling day for the everyday passing for the people of Coruscant; causing a smile to stretch across his face. But with this smile, came a break in his concentration of meditating with his former master. Knowing he was sensing it as well, the Jedi Knight removed the emotion and returned to focusing on clearing his mind. After all these years, meditation was still a daily struggle for him as opposed to his skill with a lightsaber. As the voices died away and a stillness came over him, he felt the vast connection of the Force. All the strings, though apart, were connected like tethers to each other. Looking beyond these strings, into the center of himself, he found the clearing of consciousness he knew was a conduit of the Force. While all visualizations of the Living Force differed, for him, the Force appeared similar to a nebula cluster. Finally centering himself in his visualization, the Jedi completed his transition and was connected to the Force as one.

[color=39b54a] “I seek knowledge with a clearest mind, please give me your infinite wisdom.”[/color]

Opening his “inner eye,” a vision came into his new reality and showed him to the near future. He stood alone, surrounded by the blackened husks of fallen trees scarred by flames and blasters. The air smelled of death and decay, enveloped with black smoke and ash. As he began walking, he heard the cries of pain and sorrow; though he knew this is an illusion, it still caused his heart to sink. War was not a simple way to solve disputes and this battlefield was a testament to this. Continuing on his journey, he took into account the charred armor and flesh of fallen people of different species who partook in this conflict. Trying his best to step over their bodies, he couldn’t help to step on someone’s brother or sister who laid dead here. Stopping in middle of the battlefield, he took in the sight of the thousands of bodies that littered the landscape. It was heartbreaking to think that people would do this to one another for a simple grasp of power. That’s when a shadow loomed over him, causing the Jedi to turn to face this shadow; only to find a massive starship above. As it opened its ports, a bright light began emitting from its openings. Shielding his eyes with a hand, he watched as the light vaporized everything into nothing but particles in the vacuum of space. Nothing was left… 

[color=00aeef] “Cain.... You saw and felt it too, didn’t you?”[/color] His old master’s voice echoed through his mind.

Returning into reality and the bustle of Coruscant, Cain Sunstrider opened his eyes as he drew back his robe’s hood. Across from him, his former master sat cross-legged on a platform similar to his own, arms crossed and head still lowered. When their eyes met, Cain nodded and finally understood why they were being dispatched into system where this massacre occurred. When he was given his briefing by the council, there was information left out and Master Qin-Lin wanted his former Padawan to understand what had happened. From what Cain could recall, there was not a battle, but a defense from the ship that caused the light of destruction. But what type of ship had the capability to seamlessly destroy a planetary defense and the planet itself? Their mission was to find out what occurred in that system, but Cain knew their real task was to find out what that ship was. The rumble of their transport as it escaped Coruscant’s atmosphere caused the Jedi Knight to stand from his seat and move to the glass that gave view of the stars. Crossing his arms as he tried taking and assessing the information that he just discovered, he was soon joined by Qin-Lin in a similar fashion.

[color=00aeef]”We have to find out what that ship is and where it came from, you understand this. But, we have a duty to ensure that other systems are protected from this sudden assault. In addition to this, the council has asked me to personally meet with a Sith counselor to gather information. You, however, will continue on to that system and meet with the leaders of their local government. Do whatever you can Cain, but be careful and trust your instincts.”[/color] Qin-Lin spoke suddenly.

[color=a2d39c] “I understand Master… You be careful as well. I will do what I can to help in this.”[/color] Cain replied.

With all being said, Jedi Master Qin-Lin patted Cain on his shoulder and walked out the room. When silence rejoined him, Cain’s fists clenched in frustration of his inability to protect those people who died. He vowed to not make the same mistake when he arrived to speak with the leaders of the system’s planets. As his anger dissipated, he heard a sinister voice speak within his mind but did not understand its words. Was this the Dark Side tempting him…?