Dana sat there in the small shuttle, musing to herself about how she would kill the Jedi Master.  She had decided to let Obi-Wan Kenobi live.  She would simply take control of his mind for a moment, force him to activate his lightsabre and run his master through.  After that she would erase the act from his memory and let him come to the realization that he just killed his master.  She would act terrified of him and he would be confused.  They would return to Coruscant, or she would alone, and report what had happened.  She wasn't sure what the Jedi would punish him with, but the knowledge that he killed his master would be far worse punishment than they could think of. 

Qui-Gon glanced at the new apprentice and wondered what she was smiling so slyly at.  He could sense
no ill intent on her part, but there was something he just didn't like about her.  He had an eerie feeling of wrongness whenever he was near her, but he could never sense anything wrong.  She didn't seem to be
thinking about anything at the moment, but she smiled a self-satisfied smirk and stared at her terminal.  He sighed and leaned back in his chair.  "Tired, Master?" Obi-Wan's voice broke the silence and Qui-Gon's wonderings.

He smiled softly and shook his head.  "No, just thinking."

Obi-Wan grinned and tapped his console absently.  "Anything interesting?" Anything wrong, Master?

Qui-Gon stifled a yawn and shook his head.  "Nothing really, Padawan.  Just musing."  Do you sense anything strange about our friend, here?

Obi-Wan reached out quickly and touched her mind softly and said, "What are you musing about?"  No.  I sense nothing unual.  Are you all right, Master?  You've been under a lot of stress.

Qui-Gon sat up a little more.  "Just thinking about the future, Obi-Wan.  Nothing to worry about."  I'm all right, Obi-Wan.  Perhaps a little uneasy around young Dana.  I don't know why.  I just get the feeling she knows more than she lets on.

Obi-Wan grunted and leaned back.  You need some rest, Master.  When we return to Coruscant.

Qui-Gon glanced at Dana who seemed to be off in her own thoughts before giving his student an amused smile.  I've been doing these mission for alot longer than you, Obi-Wan.  I'll be fine.

Obi-Wan smiled and gave his master an acknowledging nod and leaned back lazilly in his chair.  "What about you, Dana?  What do you think of the Jedi so far?"

Dana turned to Obi-Wan and smiled.  "I think it's going to be a hard life, but worth it."

Obi-Wan laughed.  "Whatever you think about it being hard, in about a year you'll double it.  Who will be your master?"

Dana glanced at Qui-Gon and said, "Master Licciardello.  Master Yoda is just going to teach me some basics that I will need later when Master Licciardello takes me as his padawan."

Qui-Gon folded his arms and nodded consideringly.  "He's a fine man, Licciardello.  He'll make a good master."

Dana smiled softly.  "I can't wait.  I hope someday I'll be as good a Jedi as you two."

"You'll be as good as you make yourself, "Qui-Gon said.  "It will be hard, but I believe you have the strength to become a great Jedi."

Dana lowered her eyes and looked at him through heavy lids.  "Thank you, Master," she said softly, licking her lips ever so slightly.  She could barely hide her amusement at his calculating expression.

Obi-Wan giggled to himself and looked to his console.  "We're approaching Corenda.  We've been sent a message.  Three rooms where prepared for us and Senator Daera hopes we will join her for dinner.

"Inform her that we will take her up on that offer.  When we arrive we'll settle in, do a little searching in the lower levels and then have dinner with the senator," Qui-Gon said, standing to collect his things.

"Why have we come to Corenda, Master?" the young apprentice said as he walked by his dark master's side.  He looked to Sideous for the answer.

Sideous didn't reply at first, only walked on with his hands tucked in his black robe.  Finally, "Our Ancient Jedi has come here to kill a Jedi Master.  We are here to watch her and to hope that she survives this."

The young apprentice nodded respectfully, but looked puzzled.  "You doubt her ability?  She is very strong.  I felt her strength briefly before she left for the Jedi Temple."

Sideous nodded.  "Strong she is.  Of that I have no doubt.  But her arrogance will get her killed one day.  She underestimates the Jedi far too much.  This Qui-Gon Jinn might be the one who kills her.  We will watch and see what happens."

"Will we not aide her if she gets into trouble?  Don't we need her?" the apprentice asked.

Sideous shook his head.  "If she is foolish enough to get killed, then I will leave her to it.  Our situation is precarious, Maul.  I would rather let the Force decide if she should aide us in our plans."

Maul nodded, putting his hood over his head.

Seven sighed as she walked by the Doctor's side as they went to meet Paris, Kim and their guest.  She was tired and didn't want to go, but something drew her.  She felt it even stronger as they finally came to stand before the Sunset Cafe.  "Ready?" the Doc said.

Seven nodded, feeling her stomach rumble a little.  "I require nutritional supplements."

The Doctor smiled and motioned for her to go.  "Ladies first."

Seven blinked and then walked through the doors.  A young man quickly came to meet her.  "May I help you, Miss?" he said politely.

"I am here to meet a few of my shipmates.  Tom Paris?" Seven said, looking past him into the dining area.

"Follow me," he said, leading her into the dining room.

Seven glanced back, saw the Doctor behind her, and followed.  When she spotted their destination, saw the young red-haired woman at the table, her feeling of needing to be there strengthened.  "Hey," Tom said, standing to greet them.  "I didn't know you were joining us, Doc."

The Doctor smiled and sat.  "I decided to join Seven.  After we eat she and I are going to the holodeck."

Tom sat back down after Seven sat.  "I thought you were joining the tour?"

Seven shook her head.  "I don't feel optimal for that task," she said tiredly, looking at the menu before her.

Tom shrugged.  "Well, Hannah this is Voyager's Doctor and Seven of Nine.  Doc, Sev, meet Hannah Yzetti, a local of Coruscant."

"Delighted to meet you," the Doctor said in his friendly way.

"Yes," Seven agreed, pausing her menu-browsing to look up at Hannah.  Then she sensed it.  "You've been trying to find out information about me.  For your master.  Why?"

Yzetti widened her eyes and picked up her menu.  "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Seven?" Tom said defensively.

Seven put her menu down.  "You don't like your master.  You have information I require."

"I think maybe you should take Seven to Voyager, Doc," Harry said, concerned.

Seven's eyes hardened a little.  "I am not lying, ill or misinformed.  I can sense it.  What is important information are you hiding?"

Hannah sighed.  "I wasn't going to tell you anything, but since I owe Tom and Harry and I don't bear the Jedi any ill-intent, I'll tell you.  There is some Jedi in the temple working for my master.  I don't know her name, but my master called her "Dark One" or something like that.  She's taking some Jedi Master named Jinn to Corenda to kill him.  That's all I know, I swear it."  Hannah turned to Tom.  "Please, you've got to protect me.  I didn't mean any harm.  My master just wanted information.  He'll kill me if he ever finds out that I told you.  Please, ask the Jedi to protect me."  Her eyes were large and pleading.

Seven stood immediately and turned to the Doctor.  "I'm afraid our time in the holodeck will have to wait.  I must get on the next transport to Corenda to stop her."

The Doctor raced to his feet.  "You can't go alone.  I'll join you."

Seven nodded and turned to face Tom who was trying to consol Hannah.  "You must go to the Jedi and inform them of what is going on.  Thank you, Hannah Yzetti.  You have been very helpful."  And with that Seven rushed from the cafe, the Doctor trailing behind.

Tom stood.  "Well, there goes our plans."

Qui-Gon waited in the lobby of the hotel for the two apprentices.  There was a strange feel to the air seemingly.  The first to arrive was Obi-Wan, must to Qui-Gon's relief.  "Dana's not far," he said as he ran up.  True to what he said, Dana was seconds behind him. 

Qui-Gon stood.  "Well, let's get to the cathedral and check things out."

The walk there wasn't very long, since they had taken rooms in Czerest City.  The degenerate parts of town were filthy and trash littered the halls.  Obi-Wan shook his head at the site.  Then his eyes caught a massive structure.  It was old looking and dark.  "The Cathedral of the Force?" he questioned.

Qui-Gon nodded silently and touched the worn doors.  What do you sense, Dana?" he asked.

She made a show of looking like she was trying very hard to sense what was inside.  "It doesn't appear inhabited.  I can't sense anyone."

Qui-Gon nodded.  "I arrived at the same conclusion."  He looked up and then took a key he'd been given and unlocked the door.  The inside was worse than the outside, falling apart and dust everywhere.  "Let's go."

"What?" Mace Windu said, standing.

Tom looked uncertainly at Harry, unsure how to deal with the Jedi.  "The young girl, Dana.  She's really a Dark Jedi and she's going to kill Master Jinn and possibly his apprentice.  Seven of Nine and our Doctor have taken a transport to Corenda to go and stop her."

"Go to Corenda, we must," Yoda said, standing from his chair.

Mace nodded, unsure of what to do.  "Do you think this information is correct?" he asked Yoda.

"Sense in Yzetti the truth, I do.  We must leave now and aide Qui-Gon," Yoda said.

"Yes," Windu agreed.  "Thank you, Miss Yzetti.  This information is very important.  I'll dispatch some of the knights to go and rescue them.  Master Yoda, will you be joining them?"

Yoda nodded.  "Join them, I will."
 
 

Seven rushed off the transport and to a nearby travel station.  "How may I help you today?" the lady behind the counter asked.

"I require information.  Three Jedi arrived here.  One of them is in grave danger.  I must know where they are," she said urgently.

The lady's eyes widened.  "I don't know where they are, but I do know that they were to have dinner with Senator Daera tonight."

"Where would we find this senator?" the Doctor asked.

"Well, she is at the Museum of Science opening, I believe.  Here.  This is a tour map of Czerest City.  The museum is here."  She pointed to the place.

Seven took the map and with a "Thank you," rushed off in the drection that the museum, the Doctor running to keep up.

The museum wasn't far, but guards stood outside the entry.  "We require access to this building," she said simply.

"A tour of the museum costs 20 credits per person," he said boredly.

Seven shook her head exasperatedly.  "We do not have sufficient funds.  We must speak with the Senator.  It's urgent."

"Are you an official messanger and do you have proof?" he asked smartly.

"I do not.  I come from the Jedi.  You must allow us to pass."

The guard shook his head.  "I can't."

Seven frowned and turned away, then turned back and knocked him to the ground.  "You must comply," she said, igniting the lightsabre at her hip.

"We must comply," the other guard said blankly, opening the door, while the first guard stared in wonder.

"Thank you," Seven said as she walked past them and into the museum.

"How do you know what to look for?" the Doctor said as he rushed behind her.  Seven didn't look at him, only handed him the map.  On it he saw a picture of a woman with tanned skin and blue hair.  Below the picture it read, Daera, Esteemed Senator of Corenda.

Seven spoted the woman on a stage.  Running past the crowd, climbing the stairs and ignoring the bodyguards, she made her way to Daera.  "I require your help," Seven said as the guards grasped her shoulders.

Daera stood.  "Who are you?" she said, alarmed.

"I've come from the Jedi.  Three Jedi came here today and one of them is in grave danger.  I must know where they went before he's killed."  Seven didn't struggled, only waited.

Daera appeared to struggle with herself, but finally she said, "I don't know why, but I trust you.  I don't know where they are now, but they were supposed to investigate the old Cathedral of the Force."

Seven straightened as the guards freed her.  "I require directions."

Qui-Gon blinked and looked up at a large tapesty.  "Nice," he commented, turning.  What he saw chilled him.  Obi-Wan stood there, lightsabre in hand, staring him down with an anger and hatred he'd never have concieved of his padawan.  "Obi-Wan?" he said.  Immediately he had to ignite his lightsabre to hold off Obi-Wan's strike.

"I'm sorry, Master," Obi-Wan said.  "But you have to die now."  He struck and struck with unstoppable strikes as Qui-Gon barely deflected each blow.

"What is the matter with you?" Qui-Gon asked as he deflected, not wanting to strike out and hurt Obi-Wan unless he had to.  "Dana, I need your help."  He glanced to see her standing against the wall, wide eyed and paniced.  "Please," he urged, trying hard not to instinctively strike out.

"If you help him I will kill you," Obi-Wan said darkly, trying desperately to kill his master.

"My God, Obi-Wan, at least tell me why!" Qui-Gon yelled.  Obi-Wan didn't answer, only continued his rapid blows until finally Qui-Gon sank to his knees.  "Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said as his lightsabre flew from his grasp.  "Please, don't do this."  Obi-Wan still didn't answer, only stood above Qui-Gon, ready to strike.

"Adara!" someone yelled.  Qui-Gon used Obi-Wan's distraction to kick him down and take his lightsabre.  Obi-Wan fell easy and unconscious.  Qui-Gon whipped around to see Seven of Nine and the Doctor entering the room.  "Your plan will not succeed," Seven said, igniting the lightsabre.

Dana looked decidedly angry as she called Qui-Gon's lightsabre to her through the Force.  "Seven of Nine.  So, you have come to bend your knee to me finally."

Seven shook her head.  "I do not.  I've come to prevent you from killing Master Jinn.  You will not have Seven of Nine.  I will protect her."

The Doctor cocked his eyebrow.  "Seven?" he whispered.

Seven didn't turn, but said, "She is safe for now.  I've asked her to step back while I take over and claim the rest that is rightfully mind."

"Who are you?" Adara hissed, creeping slowly forward.

"Some hundred years ago, eight hundred about, you bound my soul to never rest as long as your body held life.  I was a young padawan, among those you killed one night after you kidnapped us from the Temple of Light and Dark.  You took my life and my afterlife.  I'm here to take at least the latter back.  Defend yourself, Adara."

"I should have bound you Master Yoda, Nizana," Adara said as she and Nizana circled.

Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan's lightsabre and joined Nizana.  "I will have my rest," Nizana said calmly, closing in on the Dark Jedi and striking.  Adara deflected easily both her strike and the strike that Qui-Gon delivered.

Adara struck out at Nizana.  "You will never rest!" she yelled, striking at Qui-Gon and deflecting a blow from Nizana.

Qui-Gon deflected and countered.  "She'll rest.  I'll make sure of that."

Adara kicked Qui-Gon and struck for Nizana's, only to be deflected.  Then the real fighting began.  Strike after strike, blow after blow the three of them clashed their lightsabres too many times to count.  The Doctor took the opportunity to go to Obi-Wan and scan him.  Obi-Wan sat up.  "What's happening?" he said, looking at the fight.  "I tried...I almost killed Qui-Gon," he said, puzzled by his actions.

"I don't think he minds," the Doctor said, scanning.  "Apart from a few bumps and bruises, you seem to be fine.  I predict a full recovery."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and stood, helpless without his lightsabre.  But then, he didn't trust himself with his lightsabre now.  How could he do that?  And what if he had killed his master?

Adara fought hard and fast, striking and deflecting both Qui-Gon and Nizana.  Finally she managed to kick Nizana down to the floor and just as she was about to turn to fight Qui-Gon, she felt it.  It was a strange heat and very painful.  But she was too shocked to even scream.  She looked down and saw the blue lightsabre light protruding from her chest.  She'd been run through the back.  "No," she whispered, falling to the floor, dead by the time she hit.

Seven lay on the floor, unconscious and the Doctor rushed to her side.  "Seven?" he said, taking her hand.  "Seven?"

She woke up and smiled.  "I'm free," she said, throwing her arms around the Doctor.  "It's all over."

Obi-Wan absently rubbed the back of his neck.  "I'm so sorry, Master.  I don't know what came over me."

Qui-Gon clapped his student on the back and handed him his lightsabre.  "The Dark One came over you.  It's a shame she's dead.  Now we don't know what she was doing in the Jedi order."

Obi-Wan nodded gravely.

Hannah took her last breath and fell to the floor.  Windu stood above her ominously, holding the blaster that had killed her.  "I couldn't thank you enough for the information you gave us, but I regret that you are no longer needed."  He had lured her to his bedroom and shot her, and now he must be rid of her body.  So he opened his window and threw the blaster, then turned, picked her up and tossed her over to fall through the depths of the massive buildings of Coruscant.  Many who turned up missing were suspected of falling off the tall buildings to the darkness below.  And a person that fell down there had no hope of recovery.  They made their grave down there, in the unseen and forgotten depths.  Hannah now made her grave on the lower levels of Coruscant.

"He has ruined our plans!" Maul said from the darkness to his master as they watched.

"Yes," Sideous said with less outrage.  "And one day we will have revenge.  One day you must kill this Jedi who killed the Dark One.  Not now, but someday, Darth Maul."

Darth Maul nodded darkly as she studied Qui-Gon's features, wanting to remember every detail of the man his master bid him to kill.

Chapter 14 - And End To Darkness

Seven stood there in the Council Chambers with Captain Janeway, Ensigns Paris and Kim, the Doctor and the Jedi.  "I regret that I must turn down your offer to teach me the Jedi ways," Seven said.  "I am unprepared to leave Voyager.  They are my family."  She glanced at the Doctor.

Mace Windu nodded.  "We regret the loss.  Thank you for your help in the rescue of Master Jinn.  We are deeply in your debt.  I regret also that this Dark One was not detected and circumvented earlier.  This will indeed prove to be trying times for the Jedi."

Seven nodded in acknowledgement.  Qui-Gon stepped forward.  "Master Yoda," he said.  "Nizana made a referance to a Temple of Light and Dark.  What did she mean?"

"A very long time ago," Yoda said.  "Back when Nizana lived and only one hundred was I, the Jedi studied both the Darkside and the Lighntside of the Force.  When a padawan reached the age of acquiring a master, choose, he would, whether he wanted to study the Dark or the Light.  See the danger, we did not.  Thought we could control it.  We were wrong.  Betrayed us, they did and one night they took the padawans and killed them."  Yoda's eyes betrayed sadness.  "Detroyed the Dark Ones, we did and never again have the Jedi served the Dark."

Janeway shook her head.  "Can you be sure there aren't any more Dark Ones out there?" she asked.

Yoda nodded.  "During the destruction Adara was the only one we couldn't account for.  The last of her kind, she was."

Windu shook his head and took a breath.  "We can only be thankful that she was alone in her actions.  Thank you, Captain Janeway and thank you to your crew members here.  You have a fine ship and a fine crew and we are in your debt for your help.  We wish you a speedy journey on your way home and I hope someday the Federation and the Republic will meet in friendship and peace."

Janeway smiled her characteristic grin and said, "I certainly hope so too.  Thank you for your assistance."  With that, Captain Janeway and her crewmates departed the Jedi Council Chambers for the last time, followed by Master Jinn.  "Thank you for helping to free Seven," Janeway said to him as they walked.

He smiled.  "I only regret that Voyager is leaving."  They stopped and he turned to them.  "I wish you a safe and speedy journey.  May the Force be with you, Kathryn Janeway and your crew.  Thank you, Seven," he said, turning to her.  "For coming to my rescue.  If you had not entered when you did I would not be here now."

"You are welcome," Seven said simply.  Then she remembed something.  Unholstering the lightsabre, she handed it to Qui-Gon.

He refused.  "I think Nizana would want you to have it, Seven."

Seven nodded and kept a hold of it.  "Very well."

Captain Janeway tapped her comm badge and said, "Janeway to Voyager."

Just then, with a sly grin, Obi-Wan cut in and said, "Tell B'Elanna I said goodbye, Harry."

"What?!" Tom asked.

Harry laughed and whispered,  "He's joking."

Janeway shook her head and said, "Five to beam up."

Qui-Gon peered at his padawan as they shimmered away.  "Now what did you do that for?  I could sense your humor, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan laughed.  "B'Elanna said I was cute," he said, smirking self-satisfiedly.  His master still looked.  "B'Elanna is his girlfriend.  I could't resist."

Qui-Gon smacked Obi-Wan's shoulder.  "You're mean, Padawan.  I think it's about time you paid a visit to the gardens and helped the Temple become more beautiful by building another plant bed.  I'm sure you'll find ample materials in the tool shed."

Obi-Wan groaned.  "I wasn't being mean.  He had some very hurtful thoughts about thinking I was rude and arrogant."

Qui-Gon laughed.  "He did not.  I think you were just jealous."

Obi-Wan smirked.  "I don't get jealous.  I'm a Jedi."

"Well, you'll have plenty of time to not be jealous while you are building that flower bed."  Qui-Gon smiled.

"You're not serious, are you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"We'll see," Qui-Gon answered.

Chapter 15 - Freedom

Seven smiled as the Doctor sat at the piano, singing softly and almost absently.  For the first time in weeks she could regenerate without worry that she would have nightmares.  She was finally free of Dara's hold, free of Nizana.  But she was changed too.  She appreciated her friends on Voyager, now more than ever.  She appreciated the Doctor more too.  "What are you smiling at?" the Doctor asked.

Seven's smile didn't fade this time.  "I'm just appreciative of the freedom that I now have.  I am pleased to be here in the holodeck without having to worry or having anxiety."

"Can you still use the lightsabre?" he asked, still stroking the keys.

Seven shook her head.  "I have no memory of how to use it.  Perhaps in time I will try to learn how to use it.  But not yet.  I wish to rest and put these past few weeks behind me."  She sat down on the paino bench with him.  Sing something for me."

He smiled and began to play a soft little tune, singing in low tones as she sat with him, content to sit, rest and listen as he sang for her.