Chapter 1
Flowing through all, there is balance.
There is no peace without a passion to create.
There is no passion without peace to guide.
Knowledge blinds without the strength to act.
Power blinds without the serenity to see.
There is freedom in life.
There is purpose in death.
The Force is all things and I am the Force.
The room is quiet, lit by the faint blue light radiating from the nearby consoles. The sound of a breath echoes off the walls as a woman exhales slowly. She rests on her knees, hands lightly placed on her thighs as she meditates, gray robes falling loosely around her small frame. The summons to Coruscant was not anticipated and little information was provided in the request. It had come from the Admiralty, not the Core Jedi Council, which brought its own questions. She exhales again in an attempt to fall deeper into meditation as the door behind her slides open.
“Master, they are ready for you.” The voice is just above a whisper, its timid nature an accurate reflection of the young man who had stepped through the door. His dark hair is disheveled as his brown eyes cast a wary glance at the woman. A few long moments pass before she rises to her feet in a single fluid motion. With the room now lit at the opening of the door, the woman’s hair shines in the artificial light. It is shades of pristine white and bright silver, not due to age but a mutation that manifested a few years after birth. It is pulled into a tight ponytail, the end of which rests between her shoulder blades. Her bangs fall neatly above her left eye as she glances backwards, allowing sharp blue eyes to appraise her padawan for another moment. She nods slightly in acknowledgment of his previous statement, thinking to herself ‘He seems to be more timid than usual since our arrival here. I can’t say I blame him this time.’
She takes a deep breath, making a note to have a discussion with her Padawan after the meeting. Steeling herself for what is to come, the woman begins to stride from the room. “Come Rend, let’s not keep them waiting.” The pair walks in silence as they navigate a couple large corridors, moving around individuals as they go about their duties. They pause a moment upon reaching a large door as it slides open, revealing a circular auditorium with five individuals arranged on the far side of the room. Anhiel moves to the center of the room, her padawan following closely glancing around the room as he walks. Offering a slight bow, she addresses the individuals “Admirals, what can I do for you? The communication I received did not provide much in the way of details.”
The older woman in the center nods in return “We apologize for that, Master Anhiel. It was felt that this matter was better discussed face to face. As you know, there is a delicate peace with the Sith Empire for the time being. Losses during the war were extensive and we have received reports of attacks on the outer rim. Who is behind the attacks is unclear at present.” Anhiel appraises the woman quietly, her arms folded behind her back as she stands unmoving, waiting for the other woman to continue. “It is the position of the Admiralty board that the nature of these attacks be determined and put to an end. However, we do not have enough information on who is behind them which makes moving to intervene risky. We do not wish to reignite war with the Sith if they are not behind the attacks.”
Rend fidgets quietly behind his master, his presence in the force radiates his confusion and unease. He alternates looking towards his master, the woman talking and a couple of choice patches of the floor and walls. It takes a few moments to realize his master had started speaking. Her demeanor is level as she speaks, emotions hidden well by her outward appearance “What does the Council say about this? I would not think I am the first Jedi to be told about this.”
The older woman nods slowly, releasing a long breath before replying, “They do not have much to add at the moment. They recommend caution but beyond that…” she trails off offering a slight shrug. “The republic cannot move openly on this. However, a task group commanded solely by a Jedi, separate from the order and the Republic would be able to move and act more freely.” Anhiel fixes her gaze on the woman as she continues speaking, her padawan’s growing confusion seeping its way through the room. “We felt you would be the best choice. Many of us remember your actions during the war and it is our understanding that you and your enclave still stand apart from the Jedi Council?” The question hangs in the air for a long moment before the Jedi nods slightly before the woman continues “With that being said, will you accept command and look into these attacks as you see fit? If so, we will make all details available to you immediately.” After a moment, Anhiel bows slightly “Admirals, I accept.”
Rend watches in stunned silence, his mouth opened slightly. He knew his master had been in the war but never to what extent. She did not speak of those times often, if at all. He did not hear the rest of the conversation as he attempted to process his racing thoughts. His master bowed once more before turning and striding from the room. After a brief delay, Rend repeats the gesture to the admiralty before hurrying after her. He catches up and goes to speak but stops abruptly at hearing Anhiel speak “Rend, prepare the ship for departure as soon as possible. I will be onboard shortly.” He replies timidly “Yes Master.” He hesitates going to speak again before deciding against it and moving towards the landing area.
Shortly after Rend’s departure a young woman approaches Anhiel and salutes briskly before presenting a datapad. “High Admiral, all information regarding the task group is here, including its location. They should be ready to get underway by the time you arrive.” Anhiel accepts the datapad “Thank you, Specialist…“ After a few moments the specialist realizes the reason for the pause, standing up at attention quickly. “Specialist Sun Veruna, Ma’am.” Anhiel inclines her head briefly, appraising the woman for a few long moments before responding “Specialist Veruna, report to my ship within the hour. You will be accompanying me for the duration of this mission. I have a feeling your skills will be needed.” Sun remains at attention before snapping off a crisp salute “Yes Ma’am.” Anhiel strides away, looking over the datapad as she makes her way to her ship. She contemplated the young specialist, she did not know her, yet the force pressed upon her during their interaction. ‘It feels the same as when Rend and I first met’ the jedi thought to herself. She made a note to meditate on the events of the day once they were underway.
A low hum emanated from the Defender class ship resting on the pad. Rend was standing at the base of the ramp, looking over a datapad while running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Fuel, good. I think? Where are we even going?” He lets out a frustrated groan before straightening up quickly as a voice spoke behind him. “Is this High Admiral Anhiel’s ship?” Sun asked, a small field bag clutched in her left hand. Rend nods, confused “Yes ma’am, did you have business with my master?” The young woman paused, questioning whether she had heard correctly earlier. “Yes, my orders were to report within the hour to accompany her on the upcoming mission. Perhaps I mis….” The words cut off as Rend straightened up more upon feeling his master approaching. “Master, I believe we are ready to go. However, there might have been a mix up. I did not see any communication regarding additional passengers”.
“There is no mistake, I just recently issued the order to Specialist Veruna. She will be accompanying us on this task.” She turns, looking at Sun, “Specialist, this is my Padawan, Rend Vega. He will show you where you can store your things until we rendezvous with the fleet.” Without waiting for a response, Anhiel strode up the ramp into the ship, leaving the two behind her. The two stand quietly for an extended period before Rend reaches out a hand, “My apologies for the confusion on my part. May I take you bag Miss Veruna? We will be underway shortly.” Sun nods quickly, passing her bag to Rend, “Yes, thank you.” She paused a moment before continuing quietly, “Is she always so…..curt?” Rend offered a slight smile, “She is, but she means well. I suspect it is a result of the last war. She does not speak of it much but I sense a great weight around her at times.” The two walk up the ramp into the ship as the ramp begins to lift from the ground. It hisses as it seals, steam rolling out from the edges.
The ship lifts cleanly from the pad, thrusters casting a glow over the area. As the ship continues up, Anhiel rises from the controls, offering a curt nod to her padawan as he takes over the controls. The plate flooring produces a dull nose with each of the master’s footsteps as she walks to her quarters. Upon entering, she strides to a control panel next to a smooth wall of steel. After a moment's hesitation, she keys in a code and the wall recedes a few inches before sliding to the side, revealing two outfits arranged on separate mannequins. On the left are white robes wrapped around a suit of durasteel plating, slight scuffing can be seen upon a close examination. On the right, a uniform of white with a cape just covering the shoulders and falling to inches above the ground. Adorning the left chest are symbols of rank, previous honorifics and name “Anhiel Dulcinae”. Lying between them are an identical pair of saber hilts, smooth silver metal reflecting the rays of bright light from the nearby console. Anhiel gazes upon them for seconds, perhaps minutes before they rise slowly from their stands towards the woman. She reaches out, allowing them to land gently in her hands before igniting them, allowing the pale purple color of the blades to bathe the room in their light.