Prologue
Rescued

Light reflected off the surface of the ice. That was all the planet was. Nothing else was visible to the eye except the pale horizon. Freezing winds blew constantly. The sun was high in the pale, cloudless sky.

Jedi Knight Tey Lamun found himself shielding his eyes. A cold breeze whipped at his hair. He pulled his robe further around his shoulders. He sighed. His breath was visible in the air for a moment. Where is it? He asked himself. What is it? He had felt a disturbance in the Force while out in space and that had led him to this planet. He looked out at the horizon. There were people suffering somewhere out there.

Suddenly he heard a distant cry, full of pain and anguish. It was a woman.

He stared around and saw nothing but the flat terrain. Then suddenly, in the distance, a small, thin figure staggered into view.

He raced towards it. What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks.

Red blood stained the white snow. A trail of it led from the horizon to the woman.

The rags that were her clothes clung to her emaciated form. She was a young human woman, barely more than a girl. Her pale face was a mass of bruises and cuts. She looked ready to collapse at any moment, but she clutched something to her chest. The woman paused, not noticing Tey, and looked up at the sky. �Keylas mei weren?!� The woman yelled at the cloudless sky. Her voice cracked with each word. �Keylas mei weren ti yan? Solan! Solan ti yan mela!�She looked down at the bundle she held to her chest. �Solan ti metsi, Zarah.�

Tey slowly moved closer. The snow crunching under his boots made barely any sound.

The woman saw him. She stared at the Jedi for a moment with piercing emerald eyes, and then bolted.

Tey followed her, keeping at a distance. The woman ran fifty meters before falling into the snow. She struggled to her feet and faced the Jedi, clutching the bundle protectively. �Tayen isan ti mer! Tayen isan ti mer! Solan!�

�I am not going to hurt you,� Tey said, � I only wish to help. Do you understand?�

"Solan!" The woman cried. She staggered backwards and fell. Tey moved forward. The woman was already dead.

A cry rose from the bundle that had fallen to the icy ground. Tey saw what the woman had been holding so desperately. Wrapped in the makeshift blankets a small infant looked up at him with bright emerald eyes.

Chapter 1
Dreams

Sunlight streamed through the small window. It illuminated the minimally furnished room. A few shelves lined the plain walls, a computer terminal was off to one side, a chair and a cot sat by the other wall.

Sixteen year-old Zarah Quay awoke with a start. She gasped for air. It was only a dream! she told herself, Only a dream, nothing more... nothing more!

She squeezed her eyes shut and the images came back.

She had been walking through darkness. Distant stars could be seen. She had heard faint voices whispering chants and verses in an alien language. She found that she knew what some of it meant, but the rest was a blank. The strange part was that she remembered none of the words when she woke.

But what troubled her most was the sense that throughout the dream she was being pursued. She had no idea what the thing was.

It was something dark, evil; it was beyond hatred. It could not be a person. Like a wisp of the air it had floated behind her as she had ran. She had ran for miles and miles. In the end she had fallen into an unseen void. She had felt the darkness following. It came closer. Then nothing. At that point she had awoken.

What was that thing? Zarah asked herself.

Perhaps she would meditate on it later, but that might be rather difficult. She had rarely had the patience for meditation. She had a reason. She just did not like delving into her own mind. She had memories, of another time almost. The memories weren't clear. They were hidden deep in her consciousness and she only occasionally got glimpses of them, but they were familiar. In her memories people were running and yelling...no they were crying for help, as they lost everything and nearly their lives.

Her master had said the best way to deal with them was to bring them out, yet Zarah had found that anytime she tried she found herself facing a self-constructed barrier. Part of her mind wanted to view all the memories, yet another put a transparisteel wall between her and them. Overcoming it had proved nearly useless. What was the point in fighting herself?

But at that moment she had no time for meditation. She had to leave. She and her master had been given a mission.

She changed into clean clothes and paused, pulling on her tunic. She stared at the strange markings that went down her right arm from her shoulder to the top of her hand. They were made up of fine black lines. The designs were rather elegant, but their meaning was unknown. They had some connection to the memories...but what?

Meditation, She thought, continuing to dress. When I get the time I will meditate on it.

Chapter 2
A Message

Walking through the seemingly infinite corridors of the Jedi Temple could make anyone feel lost. Zarah remembered when it had happened to her. She had ended up in a laundry room somewhere. One of the caretakers had finally found her. She doubted she could find it today even if she really wanted to. Zarah was unsure of how many levels the Temple really had. All the structures on Coruscant were built over the ruins of previous buildings. The lower levels were a labyrinth of dark passages filled with all walks of life. There were carnivores of unknown species and even some humanoid creatures, which had adapted to living in total darkness.

Zarah passed the meditation room. As usual, at this time of the morning it was filled with apprentices. Zarah paused to watch them. As she did, an utter sense of calm came over her. It seemed strange to her. Perhaps because she had never felt comfortable with it. She shook and off and continued.

She passed a group of small children being led by their caretaker. Off to the cafeteria for breakfast, no doubt. Many of them looked up at her with sleepy eyes. She watched them go on. As they passed she remembered herself at their age. A short little four-year-old with dark braids, tagging along at the end of the line. The thought made her smile.

Zarah finally came to an exit, and walked out onto the landing pad. A small shuttle was waiting at the edge of the platform. A man stood near the lowered landing ramp. He wore a dark brown robe nearly identical to Zarah�s. His dark graying hair was cut short. It was her master, Tey Lamun.

Zarah approached the shuttle. She readjusted the bag on her shoulder to untangle some of her dark hair from the shoulder strap.

�Ready to leave, Padawan?� Tey asked.

Zarah nodded. �Yes, Master.�

* * * *

Zarah stared at the ceiling of the cabin. She had been counting the bolts that ran along the supports over and over for nearly an hour: thirty-five on each beam. She shifted on the bunk and stared out the view port. The lines of hyperspace sped by: blue mixed with a dizzy white. She closed her eyes and sleep came.

And the dream returned.

Once again she was standing in darkness. She tried to find the stars she had seen before, but found none. Only the dismal dark, then suddenly the voices came.

She listened for a moment. There was a fear in the voices that she had not noticed before. She repeated the words to herself. Then, all of a sudden, she understood.

�Run! Do not turn back! Run swiftly and live.� It was a single voice now.

�What? Why should I run?� Zarah called into the darkness.

�Danger.�

�From what?�

�It is coming�Zarah�� said the voice. �Your mother died to keep you from it. They all did. It searches for you even now. Run!�

�Run from what?� Zarah yelled.

Run�

The voice was gone.

Then it chased her. It came from nowhere. She ran for hours. It was never right behind her, only out there somewhere. Then it stopped.

Zarah stopped running. She stared into the darkness. She could see the faint stars again.

The voices came back. Chanting once again, still in the strange language, and once again she could not understand it. But she remembered what the one voice had said.

* * * *

Zarah awoke. She shielded her eyes against the light from the glow panel above. She sat up and pushed aside the thin blanket that covered her.

Her attention was drawn to the view port. The stars were back to normal. A blue-green sphere dotted with red hung in view. They had reached Elluim.

Zarah started to strap her utility belt around her waist. She was clipping on her lightsaber when Tey entered.

�We�ll be landing in a few minutes,� her master said, �Just as soon as we can get clearance.�

Zarah nodded in acknowledgment. She pulled on her boots, then her dark robe. Her long, nearly black hair was plaited down her back, except for the thin braid that hung over her right shoulder, that signified her status as a Padawan Learner.

She started to follow her master from the cabin and abruptly stopped.

�It is near�� The voice came from thin air.

�What is?� Zarah asked. She stared around.

�Padawan?� Tey asked. He looked at her in question.

�You must not let it find you��

Zarah stared at the air. �What! What is it?�

�It is searching for you, Zarah��

�What is?� Zarah said.

The voice did not answer.

�Zarah?� Tey asked. His expression changed to concern. �Are you all right?�

Zarah strained to listen. All that she heard was the hum of the engines. The voice was gone. She shook her head. �Nothing, Master.� She started past him, but he grabbed her arm and held her back.

�What was it?� He asked again. His voice was firmer this time.

�A dream.� Zarah answered.

Chapter 3
Arrival

Walking down the landing ramp, Zarah paused. The instant she had stepped through the hatchway she had felt something. The faintest hint at the back of her mind. Something here was familiar�no�it wasn�t that. Just something about the air seemed strange. Something or someone familiar was near�

�Padawan, are you going to stand there all day?� Tey asked. �Or is there something really interesting up there?�

Zarah realized she was staring blankly at the hangar ceiling and quickly directed her gaze to her master.

Tey was watching her with concerned eyes, a look she had very often seen from him. He seemed to be watching her, looking for some unseen hint of something. What he could be looking for, she had no idea. For as long as she could remember she had known him. It had been no surprise to anyone that he had chosen her as his apprentice.

Zarah walked off the ramp and stepped onto the hangar floor. She was aware of everything around her at that moment. The sound of her boots hitting the duracrete pavement echoed in her mind as she surveyed the area. Three other ships sat in the hangar: a space yacht, another shuttle, and some sort of fighter craft. All three looked in desperate need of repair. Two mechanics, a human and a Twi�lek, stood near the fighter, disputing over whether or not one of them installed a guide drive properly.

Another figure stood in the hangar, a tall dark-haired man. It was their welcoming party no doubt, if that�s what it could be called. The man approached them. �Welcome to Elluim, Jedi. If you will follow me, there is a speeder ready.�

* * * *

�What was bothering you back on the shuttle?� Zarah�s Master asked as the landspeeder headed for the Governor�s home. The concerned look had not left his face. �Who were you speaking to?�

Zarah did not answer immediately. She looked at the two other people in the speeder, the guide and the speeder driver. Surely they would hear anything they said. But it did not take Zarah long to realize that her master was blocking what was said from the ears of the two non-Jedi.

�Nothing,� Zarah finally said. �There was nothing there. I thought I heard something, that was all.�

�Zarah, you�ve never been one to lie, but then you�ve not always told the complete truth either,� Tey said. �What is bothering you?�

Zarah felt the hint of persuasion her master used when he spoke. It was a simple trick all Jedi learned how to use and how to avoid. He was trying to get her to talk. Padawans were supposed to be honest with their masters, but Zarah felt like she could not tell him. But she wanted answers. Answers perhaps he could provide a hint to. She took a deep breath and spoke, �Master, where�where am I from?�

�Zee, I have told you that-�

�Told me what?� Zarah asked suddenly. �Master, every time I have asked you, you have only told me of what your mission was and that you returned to the Temple with me. But you never mentioned anything of where I was found, nothing of my family, nothing at all.�

Tey nodded slightly to himself. �Perhaps later. Now is not the time for the subject.�

* * * *

The Jedi walked up the front steps of the large building that was the Elluimian Governor�s home. Greenish stone columns stood on either side of the entranceway. Arched windows covered the entire front of the building. Little could be seen inside though through the dark tinting.

The doors burst open. A man hurried out to greet them. He had an eager smiled. �Welcome, Jedi. Please follow me.�

They were led through three rooms and down a narrow hall before coming to a spacious office. The walls were of a gray stone, polished until it gleamed. The office was unoccupied when they entered.

Zarah studied the room. The windows behind the massive desk gave view of an immaculately manicured garden complete with fountains. Her gaze shifted to the walls where a series of holo images were hung. They were obviously family of the governor. One of a girl about her age caught her eye.

Zarah heard footsteps and looked up to see Governor Wes Namel.

�Jedi, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for you coming.� The Governor said. He tried a smile, but his grief clearly overcame it. His tone carried both anxiety and relief. He was almost as tall as the guide had been, with reddish hair. �I am certain you will be able to help me. Please, sit down.� He gestured to two chairs placed in front of a massive wooden desk.

The Jedi took their seats as the Governor took his place behind the desk.

�Could explain why you requested our presence here?� Tey began.

�My daughter has been kidnapped,� The Governor said. �She disappeared from here ten days ago. No ransom has been made. Security could not find out how the kidnappers got away, or how they even got in.�

�How can you be sure she was kidnapped?� Zarah asked.

�I just know,� The Governor said. �I have many enemies, Young Jedi. Many who would want to harm my family to get at me. All I want is for you to find her. Jen is only fourteen. Space only knows what they might do to her to get me to resign.�

�Can you show us where this happened?� Tey asked.

�Of course. Come with me.� The Governor stood and led them to the back door of the office.

They walked up a flight of steps and down another hall, stopping in front of a door.

The Governor opened the door. Light streamed out into the hallway. They entered the room. The light came from the ceiling high windows that lined one wall of the room. The room appeared undisturbed. The bed was made. Clothing hung in the open wardrobe to the Jedi�s left. A stack of data cards stood on the small desk by the windows. What gave only the slightest hint that something had happened was the shattered glass that sprinkled the floor.

Zarah knelt down to examine it. There were only fragments of what had existed of the glass. But one piece was larger than the rest. She picked it up, careful not to scratch herself on the sharp edges. The piece was the face of a figurine.

�Your daughter fought them,� she said, �This was broken by hitting someone.� She handed the fragment to the governor.

Namel turned it over in his hands. �They found no trace blood here.�

Zarah nodded and picked up another piece of the glass, trying to get a feel of what had occurred. �Ouch!� A sliver of the glass had cut her index finger. Red blood covered fingertip. She stared at her hand. She had never been cut before. She had never seen her own blood. She wiped the blood away, but noticed that a drop had fallen on the thick white carpet. She stared at it. The next instant it was gone. She quickly looked up. Neither of the men had seen it. Tey was staring about the room and Namel was still handling the fragment of glass. She stood.

�You say there�s no evidence of how they got in,� Tey said. �No broken windows, footprints, anything?�

�Nothing,� Namel answered. �But there was a sign that they were downstairs first. A vase was shattered in the hallway. The authorities have already been through here. They say Jen ran away, but a guard swears he heard someone downstairs.�

�She did not run away,� Zarah said, �There was a struggle here. The Force is disturbed.�

Her master nodded. He turned back to Namel. �Who could have done this?�

Zarah walked to the window. A large garden was below. Flowers of all hues bloomed from wall to wall.

Suddenly, a hint of motion drew her eyes to a tree at the far back of the garden. Someone was hiding in the tree. A pair of eyes peered towards the window where the Jedi stood.

�Do you have a gardener?� Zarah asked quickly.

�Yes,� Namel said, �But he�s not here today.�

�Then who is that?� Zarah stepped back from the window.

Tey took one look and bolted from the room. Zarah followed him, lightsaber already in hand.

They burst into the garden. Zarah was first to the base of the tree. The person was gone.

�There!� Tey yelled.

Zarah saw a figure slipping over the garden wall.

The Jedi pursued, clearing the wall in one jump.

They found themselves on a crowded street. The people backed away at sight of the Jedi. The man was pushing his way through the thick mob. The Jedi were close behind him.

The man led them through the city for several blocks. Then he turned into an alley. Zarah and Tey trailed behind.

They stopped dead when they entered the alley. The man was gone. The alley was a dead end. No doors or windows showed. The buildings towered up at least twenty stories.

Zarah turned around in a circle, looking. �Where did he go?�

Chapter 4
Questions

Rain pounded against the windows of the Governor�s home. The two Jedi sat quietly; neither had spoken a word since they had returned. The governor of Elluim had quickly excused himself from their presence when they had entered.

The door slid open and Namel entered. He was shaking, carrying a data pad in one hand. �They�ve threatened to kill her�� He collapsed into a chair. �No ransom demands yet. There was a message left on the computer in my office.�

�Have you informed the authorities?� Tey asked.

Namel nodded. �They will be here any moment.�

Tey nodded and turned to his apprentice. He started to speak, but stopped. She was staring out the window, completely still, emerald eyes intent on something. �Zarah, stay here,� he said, �I�m going to contact the Council.� Zarah turned her head and nodded to acknowledge him. He nodded back and left the room.

* * * *

Zarah watched the water streaming down the windowpanes. Lightning cracked the cloudy sky. The thunder sounded a split second later, shaking the earth. She looked to where Governor Namel sat, rotating a credit in his hands. Her eyes were drawn back to the window.

�It saw you.�

The voice startled Zarah. She looked around the room. No one was present aside from herself and the governor.

�It knows you are here.�

Zarah closed her eyes and concentrated. What does?

�The Followers.�

Followers of whom? she asked.

No reply.

Who?

No answer.

Zarah shook her head in frustration. Abruptly, a memory flashed into her mind.

She stood in the doorway of a dwelling. The dwelling was on a hill high above a city. Starships flew through the orange sky above. Laser fire blasted between them. Some were hit and spiraled down into the city below. The city was already burning. She could make out people running through the streets. She turned to look into the dwelling. She caught a glimpse of a man sitting in the darkness of the room, and then a sudden flash of light came.

Something shook her.

�Zee!� Tey�s voice said. �Zee, snap out of it!�

Zarah blinked. �What?� She realized where she was.

�Are you all right?� He asked. He studied her carefully.

�Yeah,� Zarah replied, �I�m fine.�

Tey nodded. He looked over his shoulder. The room was empty aside from them. �Perhaps we can have that conversation now.� He sat down next to her. �But first, tell me what is happening to you.�

Zarah took a deep breath and told him everything from the voices to the memory.

Tey listened intently holding back a grimace. He thought before he spoke. �What did this voice sound like? Was it more in your mind than something actually spoken?�

�Neither,� Zarah answered, �But maybe more in my mind. It seemed much like an echo of a memory. The same voice was in my dream.�

�Man or a woman?�

�Indiscernible,� she said. �But who could these �Followers� be? And why would they be after me?�

�I do not know,� Tey said, �But I can tell you what saw when I found you. Zarah, I found you on Helska. I was drawn there by some disturbance in the Force�� He continued, telling every detail.

Zarah listened closely. �Did�� She noticed she was crying and wiped the tears from her face, �Did my mother have the markings like me?� She indicated her arm.

�I don�t know,� Tey said, �But there is something that would explain your talent in the Force. She disappeared after she died. Just as a Jedi becomes one with the Force.�

�She was Force-sensitive?� Zarah asked. �That makes sense. It might explain the dreams I�ve been having. Perhaps she left an imprint on me of her life and experiences. Maybe the memories are hers.�

�Most likely,� Tey said. �And perhaps these voices are part of it too.�

�Either that or I�m just going crazy,� Zarah remarked. �But that she disappeared, wouldn�t that mean that she was trained to use the Force?�

Tey nodded. �There are other orders in the galaxy aside from the Jedi.�

The door opened and Governor Namel entered. �The Police are working on tracing the message. It may take until tomorrow; there�s a lot of traffic on the networks now.� �We will return in the morning, then.� Tey said.

* * * *

Zarah stared at the ceiling of the room in the guesthouse she and her master had found to spend the night in. She could not help but dwell on the day�s events. Something poked at the back of her mind.

Who had that man been?

She closed her eyes and focused on the chase. The man had dark hair. It was nearly as dark as hers. He moved fast, weaving easily between the pedestrians on the sidewalk.

The spot where he had disappeared approached. But as the man turned into the alley, the memory blurred. It seemed to split. She had two different memories of what had happened. In one the man ran into the alley and disappeared. In the other he kept running and did not turn into the alley. But Zarah had followed him into the alley. One memory was false. Persuasion. The man had used the Force.

But how could it have fooled two Jedi?!

* * * *

The next morning Zarah awoke to see that her master had already gotten breakfast. A tray of fruit and toast was on the table in the middle of the room.

Tey sat in the corner, meditating quietly. He came out of the trance when Zarah got up. �Any more dreams?� he asked.

Zarah shook her head. She went to her bag and took out her hairbrush. �But I thought about that man we saw yesterday.�

�As have I,� Tey said. �He did not simply disappear. It was a mind trick.�

�I know,� Zarah said. She stood and started to brush out her long locks. �Do you believe he has anything to do with the kidnapping?�

�Probably, Padawan.� Tey replied. �We should go to Namel�s home. There will be extra security.�

Zarah laughed. �Politics.� She went to the mirror on the wall and started to braid her hair. �How can a government be run by people who do not represent the majority?�

�What do you mean?� Tey asked.

�Politicians are normally wealthy,� Zarah said. �Show me a planet where everyone�s wealthy.�

�There are some.� Tey said. �Others are yet to be discovered.�

Zarah smiled and brushed a few stray strands from her face. She studied herself in the mirror for a moment. Her skin was light in sharp contrast to the dark mane of hair. She was human, but the green of her eyes was so solid and intense that she often wondered.

Tey thought for a moment. �Zee, does the word �solan� mean anything to you?�

Zarah stopped braiding her hair and turned. �Where did you hear that?�

�Your mother said it. Shouted it, actually. Repeatedly,� Tey explained. �What does it mean?�

Zarah shook her head. �I don�t know. Something bad.� She went back to braiding her hair.

* * * *

They took a transport to the Governor�s home. Sure enough, several guards were posted at all the doors. They all wore blasters.

They let the Jedi in immediately.

The governor met them in his office. �The message was traced to a public terminal in a store about three blocks from here. Another came this morning. They are not asking for me to resign, they only wish for an�artifact I have in my home.�

�What artifact?� Tey asked.

�I collected some pieces on a trip to the Outer rim a few years ago,� Namel explained. �I don�t know how they know I have it, but they can have it. Anything to have my daughter back.�

Zarah thought, then spoke. �Where is it?�

�Here.� Namel stood and led them out of the office. They went down the corridor and into a small room. A few display cases lined the walls.

The governor switched on the lights of one case. �This.�

The object was a small circular silver disc about the size of a hand. The surface was smooth and it reflected the light around it. A design was etched into the metal.

�Why didn�t they just steal it?� Namel asked.

�I think they tried to,� Zarah said. �Did the guard hear the person down here before or after he realized you daughter was gone?�

�Before,� Namel said. �What are you getting at?�

�It means that they tried to steal it, but your guard probably stumbled in on them,� Tey explained. �They must have run for it and taken Jen as a way to ensure they would not be unsuccessful.�

�What would they want with it?� Zarah wondered. She studied the object more closely.

She was standing in a pillared hallway with a high-arching ceiling. The walls of the hallway were decorated with intricate line patterns. She moved slowly towards the wall of the corridor. Her attention was drawn to one spot. Set into the wall was the disc. It seemed to fit as part of the design. She reached for it and it seemed to fall right into her hands.

�I have no idea,� Namel was saying. �But they can have it. I�m supposed to drop it at a warehouse tomorrow morning.�

�And regarding the return of your daughter?� Tey asked.

�They claim they will send instructions after they have it,� Namel said.

�Governor,� Zarah interjected. �What do you know about this?� She indicated the disc.

�It�s supposed to be from some culture out past Dantooine. I got it as part of a collection, so it�s not worth much alone,� Namel said. �I don�t why they would want it.�

�It must have some value,� Tey said. �Perhaps they��

Zarah watched them converse. Something told her to keep her vision to herself.

Chapter 5
Recovery

The Jedi stood on a rooftop a short distance from the warehouse where the drop-off was to be made. The area was an abandoned cluster of old industrial storehouses. The local authorities were behind them. They had set up surveillance sensors around the surrounding buildings, and a few of them now sat watching the monitors.

Tey turned to Zarah. �If you see anyone, follow them, but do not try to capture them. We only wish to find where they are coming from.�

Zarah nodded. �Yes, Master.� Her dark hair was loose, with a few thin braids weaved into the locks. She kept one hand on her saber hilt.

Behind them, an officer spoke, �The Governor is moving in now.� He nodded at the Jedi.

Zarah went to the side of the building and watched.

Namel approached the warehouse. The doors were open, but the inside was cloaked in shadows. He placed the case down and quickly withdrew.

Several moments passed. Nothing happened.

The case sat in the shadows. Suddenly, there was a flicker of movement and the case was gone.

Go! Tey sent the thought to Zee.

Zarah saw her master already on the ground. She jumped and took off after the shadow she saw running from the scene.

Zarah reached out with the Force as she ran. She sensed her master running several meters away. She reached out for the pursued. She found nothing.

They were led through the alleys between the warehouses. Soon enough they were out of the cluster. They entered the normal streets.

Zarah looked ahead and saw the figure running far ahead of them. The person moved as if everything shifted around them.

Suddenly, something caught her by surprise. She heard the blaster fire, but too late.

Zarah opened her eyes and found Tey shaking her awake. He helped her sit up. They were in the middle of the street. She started to ask, but he answered her first.

�A stun bolt,� the graying Jedi Master answered. �I lost track a short distance ahead. The person seemed to just disappear.�

Zarah stood. �Why would they shoot me?� She asked quizzically. �There must have been someone watching.�

�No doubt to deter us,� Tey said. �Let�s get back to the warehouse.�

* * * *

Zarah sat staring into her cup of caf. Her cloak sat on a chair in front of the hearth in hopes of drying. On the way back from the warehouse the rain had started again. Her clothing was drenched, as was she. The effects of the stun bolt were still wearing off. She felt stiff and tired. She let out a frustrated breath.

�Patience, Padawan,� Tey said from across the room. He stood studying the garden. �Answers will come in time.�

�Why would they shoot me and not you?� Zarah asked. �You were closer to the suspect.�

�I don�t know, Zee,� Tey said. �But it�s obvious they do not want to hurt anyone yet.�

�They are here.�

Zarah was so startled she dropped her cup. It shattered, and the liquid spilled onto the carpeted floor. She barely seemed to notice it.

�Zee?� Tey asked. He rushed over.

Zarah closed her eyes.

"You must run. It is the only way to escape them. You know they are near.�

Zarah reached out with the Force. She pressed her senses outward. She sensed everything around her. Governor Namel was in his office, the guards were posted at all doors, and�there was something else.

She reached for it. It was a presence. It was unclear what or who it was. But a shadow loomed in her senses, wherever it was.

Suddenly, she felt it searching her. She broke the link and opened her eyes.

Tey was looking at her with those concerned eyes again. �Padawan, what is it?�

�Someone�s here.� Zarah spoke quietly. �On the grounds.� She stood and went to the window.

Tey went and stood behind her. �I don�t sense anyone. Are you sure?�

�Yes.� She stared aimlessly out at the world.

Namel walked in, a concerned look on his face.

�What is it, Governor?� Tey asked.

�I�ve received another message. They�ll release her, but�� Namel�s view went to Zarah. �You�d better hear this.�

The Jedi stood and followed Namel into his office. He pressed a button on the terminal. It was audio only.

The transmission was short and full of static. �Send th-�girl who chased us�if any-�else is there�daughter will�be killed.�

Tey looked at Zarah. �They want you to go. Is this all?�

Namel shook his head. �I received a text message with the location.� He looked from Tey to Zarah. �What should we do?�

Zarah finally spoke up. �I�ll go.�

Tey nodded. �It is best to cooperate now, but I cannot understand why they want you to go. It is strange.�

* * * *

Zarah took one last look at the map on the data pad. There was a section of abandoned office buildings ahead. Apparently the Governor�s daughter was somewhere in there.

Zarah glanced back at Tey who stood waiting with the authorities.

He nodded to her.

Zarah took a deep breath and started into the buildings.

The rooms were in shambles. The windows were boarded up.

Zarah walked through the first room and then out into a long corridor that connected all the buildings.

She reached out with the Force and felt the presence of Jen Namel further ahead. The girl was afraid.

Zarah started in that direction, but stopped when she felt something else. The dark presence she had felt looming over her before was there.

Something crashed into the hallway behind her.

Zarah did not even bother to look; she ran.

Whatever it was pursued her.

Zarah ran up a flight of stairs and across an elevated walkway. She soon found herself in darkness. She felt it coming straight at her.

Zarah panicked and ignited her lightsaber.

The blue glow illuminated the room. It was full of old computers and desks. The presence was gone.

A sound made her jump. She turned to see a blonde-haired girl bound to a chair and a strip of fabric gagging her mouth. Jen Namel.

Zarah let out a sigh of relief and went to untie the girl.

* * * *

The young Jedi sat in front of the fireplace in the governor�s home. Her eyes were closed in an attempt at meditation. She finally opened her eyes and let out a sigh. She was getting nowhere.

Tey entered and sat down across from her. �What�s wrong?�

�The wall is still there.� Zarah answered. "I can't get into anything. I still feel though that the answers lie in my memory.�

�Many answers do, Padawan.� Tey replied. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. �You�ll find them eventually.�

�Eventually may not be soon enough.� Zarah said. Her expression was one of impatience. �Something tells me it won�t be.�

Tey seemed to dismiss her reaction and stood. �The shuttle is waiting in the hangar. We must report to the Council on this mission.�

* * * *

Zarah took one last glance around the hangar. Whatever she had felt when she had arrived had faded. She smiled to herself. It was probably nothing. She turned and boarded the shuttle.

A short distance away, a man in a black cloak slipped out of the shadows.

Chapter 6
Visions

Zarah flipped through the pages of the text. Nothing. At least not yet. She might as well try researching the history of her own order. She left the book on the desk and walked back to the computer terminal and typed in a search.

Force-using organizations

A moment later the results came up. No documents found.

Zarah let out a breath and dropped into a chair. There was information in the databases on meditations, trances, lightsaber construction, and many more things the Jedi used. She buried her face in her hands and sighed.

�Don�t let yourself get too overwhelmed,� A familiar voice said.

Zarah turned to face the Jedi. �I�m not, Master Lamun.� She looked up at the towering form of her former master.

Tey smiled. �What do you hope to find here?�

�Mention of other orders aside from the Jedi,� Zarah answered. �Excluding the Sith.�

�Any luck?� Tey asked.

�None so far.� Zarah said. �But I need to find something.�

�Necessity can outweigh desire,� Tey said. �If you truly need it, you will find it.�

�I know,� Zarah said.

�Zarah, are you certain you want to pursue this?� Tey asked pulling up a chair and sitting down. �You may discover something you do not want to know.�

�Master, I am twenty-seven years old. I live here on Coruscant. I�m human. I�m a Jedi Knight.� Zarah said. �But along with all that I have these markings down my right arm, voices in my head, memories that cannot possibly be my own. I need to find out where they all came from. I�ve meditated for hours, days even, and still nothing. All I can hope to find here is some mention of�anything�that will point me in the right direction.�

�I wish you luck, Zarah.� Tey said. �I�m leaving for a mission to Agamar in a few hours. Perhaps you will discover a clue by the time I return.�

Zarah smiled. �Perhaps, Tey.�

Tey raised an eyebrow when she spoke his name. Never in all the years he had known her had she used it. �Are you getting bold, Jedi Quay?�

�I would not call it boldness.� Zarah answered. �Have a safe journey, Master.�

A few hours later, Zarah was still in the library. The sun was beginning to set outside the large transparisteel window. Zarah ran a hand through her long dark hair and let out a breath of frustration. She leaned on her arm and turned through the pages of yet another text. On this one the flimsiplast pages were so yellowed the print was beginning to fade away. She had found it tucked away on a back shelf. After days of searching, she had finally found something. The manuscript told of the Fallanassi of Lucazec, the witches of Dathomir, and even some group called the Jensaarai. The use of the Force was seen in some cultures as witchcraft and in others gifts from local gods. But one thing in particular caught her eye.

There is a rumor of an order known as the Lumyn�. The rumors originate from the far Outer rim, near the Tingel Arm. Many Jedi have dismissed their existence as nothing more than rumors, and say that there would be evidence if this order truly did exist.

She stared at the words. �Lumyn酔

�Light-weavers��

The voice made Zarah jump. She pressed a hand to her forehead. �Not again�� She whispered to herself.

�The weavers of Light. Your place is among them��

Zarah closed her eyes. Why are you telling me this? Who are you?

She waited for a few moments more, but the voice did not answer.

* * * *

Zarah stood in the doorway of the same structure as in previous dreams. The star ships swooped down out of the sky. People were running just the same. But now she could actually hear the cries.

�Telna, come away from that door.�

Zarah jumped at the sound of another person�s voice. She turned to see a man standing there. He was at least a head taller than her. He had dark hair and his eyes�they were�green, the emerald color of Zarah�s own. Could this be? It was her father.

�Telna, come now,� The man said. �We must leave. Before they come! You see what they are doing to our people, we must leave while there is still chance!�

Zarah�s view shifted back to the door. Fires had erupted in the city below. She turned back to the man�

And awoke. She was in her own bedroom. Her robe was draped over a chair. Her lightsaber was lying on her desk along with the datacards she had been carrying.

Night had fallen outside her window. But as was normal with Coruscant, life still buzzed through the never-ending sky lanes.

Zarah swung her legs over the side of the bed and went to look out. An air taxi passed right by the window. The group of tourists sitting in the passenger�s seat waved at her. She hit the shutter control, ignoring them.

Zarah entered the living area of her quarters. She got a cup of caf from the kitchen unit and sat down at the table. The book from the library was lying on the tabletop in front of her. She sighed and pushed it away.

Even if these Lumyn� exist, where do I start? she asked herself.

It made sense, partially. She had been found on the icy world of Helska Four in the Outer rim, quite close to the Tingel Arm. But Helska was an uninhabited system.

She thought of the vision. And of the man who had spoken: her father. And what he had called her. Telna. Her mother�s name had been Telna.

The visions were her mother�s memories. But who had her mother been? Why had she died? The voice had once told her that her mother died to keep her from something.

�Where do I start?� Zarah asked the air. She took a sip of caf and thought.

A moment later she grabbed her robe from the bedroom and headed out the door.

The star map room was vacant at the late hour of the night. She sat down and stared at the ceiling. Specks of light surrounded her. Each was a star system. Helska was there, sure enough. This database was so vast, and yet it did not cover every meter of the galaxy. There were systems between hyperspace routes, primitive civilizations incapable of light speed travel, and a million other scenarios.

�Strange is it to find you here, Jedi Quay.�

Zarah turned to face Master Yoda. She regarded him with a slight smile. �I�m thinking, Master Yoda.�

�Of your origins you are thinking?� Yoda asked. He leaned on his walking staff.

Zarah nodded.

�Wish to know, do you truly?� he asked.

�Yes,� Zarah replied.

�Hear voices, do you?� Yoda asked.

�I have,� Zarah answered. �I�m not sure what they mean, though. Sometimes I think I�m losing my mind.�

�Wish to find a planet you do now,� Yoda said. �But not here can it be found.�

�Then where?� Zarah asked.

�Guide you, the Force will.� Yoda said. �Only with the Force will you find it.� He left the room, leaving Zarah in the dimly illuminated room.

Zarah sat gazing at the stars some time more. Finally, trying to suppress a yawn, she stood and started back to her quarters.

Very few Jedi were up at this hour. The small number she passed kept going, not even seeming to notice her.

Zarah stopped outside one doorway. She hesitated, and then finally entered. The meditation room was vacant. She sat down on the floor, and, closing her eyes, she reached out with the Force.

* * * *

It was the sound of soft footsteps and whispers that roused Zarah from her meditative trance. She opened her eyes.

Several Padawans were already entering the meditation room. Light from the rising sun filled the room.

Zarah stood and departed from the room.

She made her way to the spaceport level. Several transports were already arriving. The lobby of the Jedi Temple was the only area open to the public. People poured in, hoping to catch a glimpse of what they felt were legendary warriors. Zarah always steered clear of the lobby. She had no desire to mingle with tourists.

Zarah went to the edge of a landing platform and leaned against a railing and looked out over the city below. It was almost impossible to find someone if they were lost on Coruscant. Her task was more difficult. She needed to locate a planet in the galaxy.

�Hello.�

Zarah jumped and turned at the voice.

A man stood a pace away. He was two heads taller than her. But what startled her most were his eyes. They were a deep green, much like her own; they seemed to peer into her thoughts.

�Who are you?� Zarah asked.

The man did not reply.

Zarah went to walk away, but the man grabbed her arm. Spinning reflexively she twisted in the man�s grip and pulled away. She turned to face him, one hand on her saber hilt, but he was gone.

Zarah stared around the platform. There was no one near her.

She spotted a holocam on the tower nearby.

****

Zarah banged on the door of the security room. The door slid open and Zarah pushed her way past the technician. She started searching the various holos for the spaceport platform.

�Zarah, what is it now?� The tech asked.

Zarah seemed oblivious to his words. She kept searching the holos and finally found it. She pointed it out. �I need to see the last ten minutes of this recording.�

The technician stepped forward and brought up the holo. �What is this about, Zee? You catch some scumbag stealing a speeder again?�

�Shut up, Tam!� Zarah demanded. Her eyes stayed on the holo. A moment later she gasped.

Chapter 7
Journey

Jedi Master Tey Lamun walked out onto the balcony. His footsteps did not seem to disturb the other Jedi, but as he stepped next to her she immediately threw her arms around him. She shook with sobs. He sensed that she was afraid of something.

Untangling her arms from around himself he looked down at her. �What�s wrong, Zee?�

His former apprentice did not answer. Her green eyes were red with tears.

�The voice?� He asked.

�No, Master,� Zarah answered. �I was standing on the south platform and a man said �hello� to me. I asked him who he was, but he did not answer. He grabbed me, but I pulled away and� I checked the holo recordings. I was alone on the platform.�

Tey leaned on the railing and thought for a moment. �You�ve seen things before.�

�But in a vision,� Zarah said, �Not actually in my sight.� She shook her head. "I hope I'm not going crazy." She turned away. "Maybe all these things have just been in my mind."

"You're not going crazy, Zee," Tey assured her. "Whatever is causing this happened before you could control it."

"You mean my mother," Zarah said. She tried to laugh. "I don't even know who she was. I don't know why she died, what in Sith she was doing on that planet, nor do I know what I'm doing." Her face glistened with her tears. �For all I know she could have been a criminal.�

"There has to be some reason for these...experiences you've been having," Tey said.

Zarah fiddled with a lock of her hair. "Master, there is something," She turned back and faced him, "When we were on Elluim eleven years ago, when I started hearing things, and when the visions began, there were some I didn't want to tell you about."

Tey regarded her with a concerned look. "What were they?"

"When I first saw the artifact that was asked as ransom, I saw something," Zarah said. "I was in a long hallway, lined with pillars. There were designs on the walls. The artifact was there. That's not the weirdest part," She turned away. "The place, that hallway, wherever it was, felt familiar. I've been there in real life."

Tey listened intently. He did not seemed surprised at her revelation. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Zarah shook her head. "I was scared. But another thing. I felt a certain presence the whole time. When I entered the building to find Namel's daughter, something chased me. Things are beginning to make some sense."

"How?"

Zarah sighed. "Whoever kidnapped Jen Namel was from the same place as me. They noticed me. That's why they asked for me to go, that's why they shot me and not you, and that's why the voice was telling me to run. They were the 'Followers'. I think that the fact that we ended up there was just coincidence, however."

Tey did not reply. He studied her.

Zarah stared at him. "You think I'm crazy?"

Tey smiled. "Of course not, Zee! I believe you. It's just that when we were there I never sensed anything."

"The man we chased," Zarah began, "he was Force-sensitive. You say my mother was. That man was one of them. It is entirely possible that they were concealing themselves."

"Most likely they were," Tey said. "But why did you feel them?"

"They wanted me to," Zarah said. "That's all I can think of."

* * * *

"I don't see why you're asking me about this now." The woman on the other end of the holo message shook her head. She pushed a strand of blonde hair from her face. The light of the holo flickered. "It was eleven years ago, I got out fine, the people went uncaptured, and that's it."

"I know it's been a long time," The Jedi pressed a hand to her face. She shrugged back her dark locks, "But what do you remember of them?"

"Everything I told the police." The blonde woman was Jen Namel. In eleven years she had grown from a skinny teenager to a mature woman. Now she was Governor of Elluim in her father's place. "They moved like shadows. I never saw a face. But they were men. I picked up the statue and hit one of them. It must have cut them because they yelled in pain. I was knocked out in the struggle. After that I only remember you barging in with a laser sword."

"Governor, for my own memories sake, did they say anything?" Zarah twisted a strand of hair between two fingers and leaned on the desk, "Anything at all. It may have been gibberish to you, but anything?"

The Governor's image flickered again. "Look, there's nothing I remember. Nothing audible." She turned away and shouted something at a person in the background. "Look, Jedi, I've got a guest here. If I think of anything I'll get back to you." She reached for the control and the holo stopped.

Zarah leaned back in her seat and let out a groan. Things were not getting anywhere. She picked up the datapad that sat in front of her and skimmed through it. Sure enough, Jen Namel had told her nothing more than she had told the authorities years before. She tossed the pad back on the desk and picked up the text she had found in the library. She flipped to a page and skimmed down. The same as she had read before.

"Lumyn�," Zarah laughed. "More like 'loony' in my case." She flipped the page. "Ouch!" The tip of her index finger had been cut by the page. She threw down the text on the desk and started to get up when her eye was drawn to the edge of the page.

The spot of crimson blood was fading. An instant later it was gone.

* * * *

Tey was walking out of his quarters when Zarah came running after him.

"I talked to Jen Namel," Zarah started as she followed him. "She told me everything again. And..." She stopped and held out a datapad to him.

Tey took it and eyed her curiously. "And what?" He ran through the data. "These are blood tests from a non-human. What's the relevance?"

Zarah stared around then met his gaze. "It's mine."

Tey's mouth gaped. "Zee?" He took a moment to collect his thoughts and then lifted the datapad. "What does this mean?"

Zarah started to explain. "I had a healer run them. Remember on Elluim, in Jen's room, there were no signs of blood or any DNA, even though Namel swears she cut one of them? Master Lamun, if the kidnappers were my people, this explains why there was no trace. My blood vaporizes an instant after it hits the air."

Tey was listening intently. "You're right," He said finally, "Every time you were hurt, there was never any." He thought for a moment. "But your mother, the snow?"

"Temperature variant," Zarah said. She walked to the window and stared out. "It's said by some that we must leave our past behind when we come here. It can deter and distract us. Some Jedi come here without a hint of who they are. I can't be like that. I need to know."

Tey sighed. "Zarah, is there any way I can help you with this?"

"Master, this is all a shock for me," Zarah answered. "But I'm okay." She turned to him. "Hey, why aren't you on Agamar?"

"The mission was dropped," Lamun answered. "Things resolved themselves."

Zarah smiled. "They always do. Whether for good or bad."

* * * *

"No! No!" Zarah awoke to her own screams. She sat up and buried her face in her hands. She barely noticed the light flashing on the holoprojector. She pushed aside the blanket and stood from the bed.

She sat at the desk and hit the button.

"Who threw you in the fodder pile?" Jen Namel asked.

Zarah realized her hair was clinging to her face with sweat. "Nightmare. What is it, Governor?"

Namel smiled. "I remembered one thing. The men they said one word. It was before you found me. I must have been half awake."

"What is it?" Zarah listened. She was fastened to every word.

The blonde governor sighed, then answered. "Solan."

* * * *

Zarah rushed through the hallways. She knew exactly where she was going. She had not bothered to change from her sleepwear, and only wore her long Jedi robe over it. She was barefoot, but she paid it no mind. She had only bothered to pull back her long mane of dark locks with a hair tie.

None of the Jedi she passed said anything about her appearance. It was the middle of the night, and lately she had grown a reputation for these appearances. All her friends knew she hardly slept soundly anymore. She passed practically unnoticed until she reached the turbolift.

She stepped into the lift, completely unaware of the other Jedi. He was a younger man with reddish hair. He shook his head and sighed. "Quay, what is with you lately? Zee?"

Zarah jumped at his voice. "Sorry, Tarnam, I was thinking. I'm heading to the library."

"And what are you looking to find this time?" Tarnam asked. "Look, Zee, there's a joke going around that the Council is considering committing you."

"To what?" Zarah asked. Her emerald eyes studied him. A smile came to her face. "I'm not insane, Tarnam."

"No one said that, Quay," Tarnam said. "But look, you've been running around the temple for the past week. Jocasta said she's seen you in the library every day for the past three months. Then this morning the security tech is ranting on about some ghost you say you saw. On top of that, Merian said she actually saw you meditating."

Zarah smiled. "And meditation is bad, how?"

Tarnam shook his head. "You've never done it much. Either you're actually starting to act like a normal Jedi or..."

"Or what?" Zarah asked.

Tarnam shifted uneasily.

"What, Tarnam?" Zarah questioned insistently. "Or I'm going crazy? Is that it?"

Tarnam stared at her. "Zarah, everyone's worried about you."

"Well, don't. I'll be fine," she said as the lift slowed. She went to exit, but he grabbed her arm.

"Zee, look, just be careful whatever you get into," he said. With that, he let her go, and the doors closed.

�Of course I will!" Zarah shouted. She turned and saw that her raised voice had made some other Jedi stop and look. She just shook her head and kept going.

She entered the library and went quickly to one of the terminals. She was pulling something up when footsteps made her turn.

"Jedi Quay, may I help you find something?" The thin old archivist Jocasta Nu stood behind her.

Zarah nodded. "I have a word that I need to find out what language it's from."

A few minutes later the two Jedi stood staring a the screen filled with results.

Zarah let out a breath. "There are too many to be any help."

"A single word may not point to any specific language. There are billions of spoken languages that a single word may be repeated. It would help if you knew the any other words," Jocasta said. "Do you?"

Zarah shook her head. "Only 'solan'--"

"Solan, ti lan metsi! Solan, Keylas!" The voice screamed them out in her mind.

Before she knew it she spoke them. The screen blinked, searching for it, then came up with one line.

Zarah smiled. "It's been heard on Icumenic. That's near enough to Helska to make sense."

"Make sense of what, Jedi Quay?"

"That I'm going to Icumenic," Zarah answered.

* * * *

"Zarah, the Council has not granted you leave for this trip!" Tey stood in the doorway. "They already have a mission for you."

Zarah stopped packing and turned to him. "Master, I need to do this now. I don't need the Council's permission."

"These actions are the grounds for expulsion," Tey said. "You know that!"

"I'm not your apprentice anymore, Tey!" Zarah shouted suddenly. "Why don't you just go back to your own life?"

Tey stood, shocked at her words. His brow furrowed, and he shook his head. "What has gotten into you, Zarah?"

Zarah threw another shirt into her bag. "You know what has gotten into me, Master. Reality. The reality of who I am. Believe me, I'm perfectly fine with my life, but there's something that won't let me live it as is. There's something I need to find out. I don't know what I'm going to find. I might find nothing. But if there's nothing on Icumenic, then at least I can put this to rest."

Tey sighed. "She's haunted you your entire life. Who was she? Where was she from? You've always wanted to know."

"She was my mother," Zarah said. "I need to know. I think she wanted me to know."

"There is no ignorance; there is knowledge," Tey said the line of the Code calmly. "In questing to gain knowledge of yourself, you've become ignorant of your duties."

Zarah stopped packing. "I haven't. I know my duty to the Jedi, but I also have a duty to myself." She finished packing and sealed the duffel bag. She slung it over her shoulder and proceeded to leave the room.

Tey watched her go. "May the Force be with you, Zarah!"

She turned around and smiled one last time before she disappeared from his view.

Chapter 8
Search

Icumenic was a swirled dot of blue in the distance when the shuttle dropped out of hyperspace. The planet orbited a slowly dying sun that hung in the darkness of space. Two silvery moons loomed in the planet's orbit. The shuttle passed through the shadow of the smaller one and continued to descend towards the surface.

Zarah sat in the dimly lit cockpit. Her face was lighted by the flashing lights of the controls. Her eyes were fixed on the blue sphere ahead. Of course the Council had not given her leave, nor had they given her permission to take a ship, so she had relied on her connections and had managed to borrow the small shuttle as a favor. She was not the best pilot, but she knew the controls well enough to fly nearly every craft she had come across.

Icumenic. It was well out of Republic space and was not along any major hyperspace routes. The inhabitants were human colonists who had chosen to live outside of Republic rule. Their main economic resource was agriculture and they often traded with whatever ships happened to pass by. There were no definite cities, but Zarah had chosen a landing site outside a major settlement. As it turned out, she knew someone on the planet. Yelina Deraffi, a Republic scientist, was living there. Deraffi was doing research on the plant life, hoping that it might hold some miracle medicine. Zarah had met Deraffi about two years before on a mission.

As the shuttle set down, the landing ramp extended. Zarah walked down the ramp and looked around at the surrounding landscape.

"Are you going to stare as if you've never seen trees before, Quay?" The voice was familiar.

Zarah turned to see the woman standing by a beat up landspeeder. "Yelina, I've seen trees."

The woman laughed. Her auburn hair was cut short, no doubt because of the rather hot climate. "You Jedi spend too much time on Coruscant. So what brings you way out here?"

"A search," Zarah said.

Overhead lightning cracked the seemingly calm sky.

"Great, you can tell me all about it, but I think we'd better get back to the settlement. The storms around here are short, but fierce." Yelina started for the speeder.

Zarah followed and they soon sped off for the settlement.

* * * *

Yelina's home in the settlement was little more than a shack of four duracrete walls. Off to one side was a cot and a small kitchenette. The opposite wall was lined with laboratory equipment. The only door aside from the entrance led to a small refresher. Two chairs were set up in the middle of room. It was there that the two women sat talking over cups of steaming caf.

"You're not human?" Yelina's hazel eyes studied her friend as if she had never seen Zarah before. "Are you joking?"

Zarah shook her head. "I know it seems odd, but it's true. I'm trying to find out exactly what system I'm from. I remembered a few words from my mother's language, and the only place I could trace them to was here."

Yelina shook her head. "Sorry to disappoint you, Zarah, but everyone on Icumenic is quite human."

"I know that, but I've also heard that there are a lot of traders that come through here. I'm sure not all of them speak Basic." The Jedi's words were calm.

"Everyone I've encountered has," Yelina said. "Unless you count those Rodians that came through last year. And I certainly don't think you have green skin."

Zarah shook her head, laughing. "No, certainly not, but is there anyone who would remember?"

Yelina nodded. "Sure, there's a merchant down the lane who should know. We can go talk to him after the storm lets up. He's pretty ancient, but his memory's still intact."

Zarah smiled. "That's all I need." * * * *

The merchant's home was only a bit larger than Yelina's. It was clear that the man ran his business out of it as well as his home. Yelina was conversing with the merchant, while Zarah was staring out the window. She knew she was definitely near them. The presence was back. Along with the same feeling she had had eleven years before.

While they had been walking down the street to the merchant's shop, it had felt as if something was right behind her. When she reached out with the Force she found the dark presence, but could not pinpoint it.

"Zarah?" Yelina asked. "Are you all right?"

Zarah turned from the window. "As good as I can be now." She looked at the man. "Why wouldn't he talk to me?"

"He won't talk to anyone he doesn't know now. There have been rumors of strangers going about. I don't understand it either," Yelina said.

"But what did he say?" Zarah asked hopefully.

�He says he knows who you're looking for. He says everyone here knows of some people called the Shenti. I've never heard of them. He says if you really want to know more you should talk to his friend Alin Unsa. Another old man. He lives outside the settlement," Yelina explained. "I can show you--" She was cut off by an electronic beeping. She grabbed the comlink from her belt. "Sith! Zarah, I've to go check something. Look, you can go check Unsa's place, it's right up the road." She darted from the shop.

Zarah watched the other woman leave, then set out towards the outskirts of the town.

As the buildings began to thin out, Zarah noticed the home of this Alin Unsa. It stood atop a small hill. Zarah began to walk towards it.

�Where do you think you�re going?� A voice came.

Zarah whirled around and found herself face to face with a gray-haired man who towered over her. �I�m looking for Alin Unsa. I was told he lives here.�

The man was carrying a bundle of firewood under one arm. He placed it on the ground. �What do you want with him?�

�I assume that you, Sir, are Alin Unsa?� Zarah asked.

�Yes,� The man said. �You still haven�t answered my question. What do you want?�

�I was hoping you would have some information,� Zarah began.

�What kind of information?� The man asked. He eyed her suspiciously.

�I�m searching for some people.� Zarah said. She brushed a strand of hair from her face with her right hand. The cuff of her robe fell back slightly, revealing her markings.

The man stared at her hand for a moment. Suddenly he smiled. �A Shenti! I�ll be.� He picked up the tinder and started up the hill. �Come along.�

The house was a simple flat-roofed duracrete structure. The door slid open as they approached.

The old man ushered Zarah in. He kept smiling. He placed the firewood beside a stone-built hearth and took a seat on a wooden chair. He gestured for Zarah to sit. She did, and studied the room with curiosity.

�It�s quite a shock to see your kind here,� he said. �It�s been so many years, everyone has nearly forgotten. So what�s kept you away?�

Zarah tried a smile. �That�s what I�m trying to find out.� She spoke slowly. �My name is Zarah Quay. I�m a Jedi Knight.�

�I didn�t know the Shenti had ties with the Republic,� Alin said.

�They don�t,� Zarah said. �I was orphaned and found by a Jedi. I�m trying to find out who these Shenti are.�

�Well, I can tell you that you�re one of them,� he remarked. �Those tattoos are unmistakable.�

�When did you last see one of them?� Zarah asked. �Tell me all you can.�

The man leaned back in his chair and studied her. �No one ever learned much about them. They only came here to trade. And those that came barely ever spoke. They were rather secretive. There were no women among those that came to trade, that's why I was so surprised to see you, as you can imagine. Anyways, after a time of meeting with them, I had a few small conversations. They were very traditional and they prefer isolation to culture mingling. It was about thirty years ago that they stopped. Right before it ended, the ones I spoke to talked only of their families. They were afraid of something. As if the end was coming.�

Zarah thought she could venture a guess at what. "Exactly how many years has it been?" Zarah questioned further. She was definitely on to something.

"Well, thirty is on the local solar calendar. If you go with Republic standard time I think it would about twenty-seven years." The old man leaned back in his chair. "Why? How old are you, girl?"

Zarah stared at the man blankly, then answered. "I'm twenty-seven."

The man shook his head. "You don't look it. None of them looked it."

"Do you have any idea what system they came from?" Zarah asked.

Unsa shook his head. "Sorry, girl. I have no idea. But even if I did, would you really want to go back there? The Shenti I spoke to last were taking supplies like they would never have the chance to again."

Zarah smiled. "I have to. Somehow I have to." She stood from the chair. "Well, thank you."

Alin stood and saw her out.

* * * *

Zarah walked straight down the path towards the settlement. Midway she halted and turned towards the trees. Her eyes barely caught the shadow moving through the trees. She reached out with the Force and found the shadow there too. She darted after the figure.

It led her through the tangled underbrush. She moved through it easily, using the Force to move the branches ahead of her out of the way. She moved as quickly as she could. The trees began to part and the figure kept alluding her. First, it seemed right ahead of her, so she went that way. Then it seemed to the right. She ended up turning several times before it dawned on her. There was more than one!

They were trying to lead her somewhere. She had to get out. She turned back and started through the trees again, but they followed. Her pace quickened and so did her breathing. She moved faster, trying to avoid them, but she felt them coming closer. She didn't bother to move the branches aside, she just hit them and ran through them. Her lack of discretion caused her foot to snag on a tree root. She felt herself falling, just as she felt them moving in. She pushed herself up from the ground in time to see them. The shadows materialized into men. Five of them, all wearing black. They stood around her.

One of them spoke. The words were foreign to her, but were no doubt her mother's language.

Another laughed in response. "She's a girl, what were you expecting?"

That one pulled her up by her arm. Her eyes met his gaze. She gasped. It was the man she had seen back on Coruscant. His distinct green eyes matched hers.

He smiled. "So you do remember me." His smile was strangely familiar. She had seen him before, not just on Coruscant. She searched her memory, but nothing surfaced.

Zarah didn't answer him. She closed her eyes and the voice screamed out inside her head: What are you doing? Run! Run if you want to live! He�ll kill you if you stay here! She blocked it out. It simply stopped. She opened her eyes and looked around at the five men. All of them had the raven dark hair and either vivid green or blue eyes. She instinctively went for her lightsaber, but it was gone. She twisted from the man's grasp and tried to run, but she lost her footing and hit her head on a gnarled tree root. The blow stunned her. She only recalled someone hauling her off the ground and the men laughing before she blacked out.

Chapter 9
Among the Followers

Zarah awoke slowly. Even the dim light hurt her eyes at first. Gradually the world materialized. She was lying on the metal floor of a cargo hold. Around her there were several shipping crates all marked in some form of writing. Her robe was gone, as well as her utility belt. They must have taken her lightsaber long before.

She stood and began to study the walls of her makeshift prison cell. The room was larger than she had initially thought. Her view had been limited by the crates stacked around her. The parallel walls around her ran another twenty meters before they met another wall. On that far wall was a door. The only door.

Hopeful, but still thinking realistically, she went to the door and pressed the control panel. Nothing happened. Sure enough, it was locked.

She turned from the door and began to look for another possible exit. She surveyed the walls and found nothing. Upon studying the ceiling she found a ventilation grate. It was bolted and the ceiling was high, but that was no problem. Zarah drew on the Force and...found nothing. Where the Force should have been there was a hole. Nothing at all. Someone had to be blocking her, but even with a block she should be able to sense something.

She laughed. This was not surprising. These Followers were different. They used the Force differently. Silently she contemplated what to do. These men, the way they moved, the way she sensed them as shadows, it was almost as if they were ghosts. Refusing to give up, Zarah reached out for the Force again. She found the barrier this time. It was small, but strong. Something about it startled her. Hate emanated from it. The Dark Side. The Followers were Dark Jedi. Maybe not the same ones Zarah had heard of, but they were users of the Dark Side nonetheless. She let her view of the Force slip away and she went back to studying the grate.

They must have sensed her searching the barrier; a moment later Zarah heard the door slide open behind her. Before she could turn, someone spoke.

�You will find it is quite a futile attempt to try to escape, Zarah.� It was that green-eyed man again.

Zarah turned slowly to face him. She crossed her arms and smiled. �Nothing is futile.�

The man smirked at that. �You are certainly who they say you are. And if you are wondering, I am Brathir. Brathir Nyralda.�

The words sunk into Zarah�s memory. She already knew that she had met this man before, but where?

�What, Zarah? No words or questions?� Brathir sneered. �I�m certain you have questions.�

Zarah just glared at him. �A name doesn�t always say much about who a person really is.�

Brathir smiled. �You�re very sharp, but to some extent incorrect. Your name tells exactly who you are and what you are, as mine does, but I�ll have to tell you what it means. I am commander of the order which follows Lord Solan.�

Zarah took a step back. �Solan.� She whispered the word. She pressed her hands to her face. There was some hidden emotion that came out when she heard that name. Hate at the same time as love. She was surprised to feel a tear roll down her face.

Brathir stepped towards her. He stood only a pace away as he spoke again. �You are Zarah Nyralda, Daughter of Mikay and Telna, who were the rulers of our home world before Lord Solan came to power.�

Zarah looked at him in defiance. �My name is Quay.�

Brathir�s smile grew. �That is the name those Light-users gave you. It is an abomination to even speak it here. Your name is Zarah Nyralda.�

Zarah smiled back. �How do I know you?�

�My father,� Brathir began, �had three sons. One died in the Battle of Arsaed; I joined Lord Solan, and the last married the Lumyn� daughter of the ruler. The last was your father.�

Zarah said nothing as she took in his words. He was her uncle. No doubt that explained things. �What do you want?�

Brathir shook his head. �It�s not what I want, Zarah. I want nothing from you. Lord Solan wants you.�

She ran a hand through her dark hair and sighed. She turned away. �In that case, I have nothing to say to you.� She walked away and sat down behind one of the large crates. She waited for him to say something, but instead heard his footsteps echoing across the floor followed by the swish of the door closing.

She was trapped in a cargo hold without the Force. Even if she could get out, what was beyond the walls of this room? It was obviously a ship, so there had to be some sort of escape pods or even more, judging from the size of the hold; it probably held other ships. If she could get out there was the possibility she could steal one.

She pushed at the Force barrier again, but it was useless. This time the wall got stronger and something forced her away. Literally. She slammed against the wall of the cargo hold as if an invisible hand had pushed her. She took a moment to recover from the sheer force of the blow. She stood from the floor and decided to find another way. Not long after she had gotten up the glow panels went out.

There was only darkness. She let her eyes adjust, but it was useless. There was no light at all. She felt the wall behind her and sank down to the floor, letting out a curse under her breath. Without the Force she was as clumsy in the dark as a Gungan. She closed her eyes and tried to become more comfortable in her dark prison.

* * * *

It was the bright light from the open door that finally roused Zarah back to full consciousness. Footsteps echoed across the hold floor towards her. Before she could react she felt someone pull her to her feet. Her hands were pulled behind her back and restrained with a pair of binders. She started to twist the binders, desperate to get them off. She stopped when the cuffs administered a slight shock. Stun cuffs.

The man pushed her forward and led her from the dark hold. Outside the corridor was only slightly brighter. The man led her through a maze of corridors and turbolifts. They finally emerged onto what appeared to be the ship�s bridge.

The viewport was filled with the lines of hyperspace. Zarah�s captor finally released his grip on her arm and stepped away.

�Zarah, how kind of you to join us.� Brathir turned from one of the control stations. �We�ll be leaving hyperspace soon, so I thought you would not want to miss the emergence into normal space. It�s quite a spectacular view of the system when the ship first drops out of lightspeed. I didn�t want you to miss it.�

�Why do I sense that I could live without seeing it?� Zarah asked quizzically.

�I am trying to extend every courtesy to you, Zarah. There are only a few that I can, given the circumstances,� he told her. �You understand this, of course.�

�I understand that you�re trying to lull me into a false sense of security,� Zarah answered.

Brathir�s eyes glared her down. �You�re just as ungrateful as your father.�

Zarah smiled. �You know, the Jedi will send someone to look for me if I do not return.�

Brathir laughed and turned back to the control station. �They will find nothing. We are only seen if we wish it. Your Jedi cling to the Light Side as a hatchling to a nest. Too afraid to go out and explore the depths of the forest. By possessing all the power we are the stronger.�

�The Dark Side leads to self-destruction,� Zarah said wisely. �Is it worth the price?�

�Do not speak of what you do not know, Zarah,� Brathir said sternly. He turned away from the station. �We�re dropping out of hyperspace.�

The blue of hyperspace turned into star lines, which shortened into stars. As the ship initially slowed, only the black of space could be seen, but soon enough a system came into view. Swirling in the darkness was a mix of green, blue, and reddish clouds set aglow by the bright stars shining within them.

�The Calidea Nebula,� Zarah observed. �Thought uninhabitable.�

�Yes,� Brathir said behind her. �Only a few patches of clear space exist within it. It�s there that our home is.�

Zarah stared in amazement. For centuries since its discovery the nebula had been only for sightseers, and daring ones at that. The gases were far too dangerous for any ships to travel through or even go near. Zarah had only seen holos of it, but had never thought anything of it. She felt her curiosity rising about how they were able to navigate it, but her senses and morals told her not to ask. These people had kidnapped her, and they were no doubt the ones who had caused her mother�s death.

�The Force allows us to get through safely, of course,� Brathir went on talking. �Though there were several challenges when we first began to venture off planet. It was then that the Royal House decided that all navigators had to be Force-users.� His voice carried a slight tone of disgust during the last sentence. He motioned to a guard and issued a command in the Shenti tongue.

The guard came forward and took a hold on Zarah�s arm.

�I think you�ve seen enough for now, Zarah.� Brathir smirked. He removed something from his belt.

Zarah did not know why she had not seen it before. Brathir had a blaster trained on her.

�I do apologize for having to do this, Zarah, but please realize that we cannot risk your escape. I promise you no further harm.� He fired.

The bolt hit her and she dropped instantly into unconsciousness.

Chapter 10
Truth Be Told

Waking up had never hurt this much. It was not her head that hurt. It was an ache that radiated from a point on her side. She reached down and felt that it was bandaged. Her entire body screamed out in protest at the slight movement. Where was she? Her mind was blank. She frantically tried to remember. She reached for the Force and still found it blocked. Suddenly, she remembered the searing pain before darkness had taken her.

She opened her eyes and saw only darkness. She could tell she was lying on a metal floor. She tried to move, but the pain only got worse. Instinctively she tried to suppress it, but cursed when she remembered that Jedi pain suppression techniques required the Force, something she did not have right now.

She tried to push herself up from the cold floor, but it was no use. Her legs seemed not to exist, and the rest of her body was too racked with pain. She gave up and fell back to the floor.

The lights blared on overhead. A supernova of bright light struck her eyes. If she had not had a headache before, she had one now. The walls of the room were gray. She tried to look around the room, but her view was limited. From what she did see, the room was completely empty. She was lying only about a foot from the nearest wall. A door opened and footsteps echoed towards her. The sound of each step thundered in her head.

She made one last effort to get up, but collapsed again. She sat against the wall and closed her eyes, trying to block out the light as the footsteps came closer and stopped right next to her.

�Zarah, open your eyes.� It was Brathir. It sounded like more of a command than a request. Hesitantly she did. His face came into focus several feet above. The same green eyes. He smiled, then his expression changed to apparent concern. �You shouldn�t be moving around.�

Zarah just gave him a defiant glare.

�I thought you might like to know that we�re on the home world,� he said.

Zarah sighed. �I have asked you what you want. You still give me no answer.�

�It is as I told you; there is nothing I want from you,� he said. �Lord Solan wishes to speak with you. That is why you are here.�

Zarah finally let her curiosity get the best of her. �Who is Solan?�

�Before the war he was an advisor to your mother,� Brathir answered cooly. �Today he is the head of my order. He is also an advisor to the current ruler.�

�You said he was in power,� Zarah put in.

�He is,� Brathir replied. �You would not understand. You were raised outside of our society.� He shook his head. �If only your parents had agreed...none of this would have happened.�

Everything happens for a reason, Zarah thought to herself. If they had agreed to what? She wondered.

�Lord Solan wishes to meet you,� Brathir continued. �He will be here in a few days time.� He gazed down at her. �In that time I would suggest that you stay put. I�ve promised you no further harm. It will be up to you to keep it that way.� With that he turned and exited the room.

A moment after he left the lights went out again.

* * * *

Sirens awoke the Jedi from her light sleep. The alarms were blaring outside the doors.

Zarah heard the door open suddenly. Footsteps rushed towards her.

It was a woman. She spoke Shenti. �Keylas sets ansi?�

She was expecting Zarah to reply. �I don�t understand you,� Zarah said flatly.

The woman shook her head. �Keylas?� She took Zarah�s head in her hands.

Zarah felt the woman using the Force. The woman reached for Zarah�s hidden memories. Instead of reaching the wall, the woman met nothing. Images flashed through Zarah�s mind. The people running, the fires, her parents, and her language.

The woman let her go. �Can you understand me now?�

Zarah nodded in surprise. �Yes.� The words were not being said in Basic, but she knew them. Along with that she had the Force back. She was quickly able to stand, though a bit shakily. She turned to the woman. �Who are you?�

�Save it for later,� The woman answered. �We have to get out of here. The Followers won�t be held off for long. I think you might want this.� She put something in Zarah�s hand.

The metal grip work of Zarah�s lightsaber hilt felt natural in her hand. She felt herself smiling. �Thank you.�

�Thank me when we have the time,� The woman went on. �Let�s go.� She moved from the room.

Zarah followed her closely. She studied the woman briefly. She was tall and had the same raven hair as everyone else. Her tunic and pants were of a pale blue color. She walked quickly, but with grace.

Outside the holding room was a long corridor lined with windows. As they ran along the corridor, Zarah caught a glimpse of the city below. She recognized the structures from her visions. Apparently she had seen the truth. Not one of the buildings stood without some sign of destruction. She was brought back to reality as they made it to the hall�s end. One of the window panes was gone. A grappling hook was secured to the window sill. From it a cord stretched thirty meters to the ground below.

The woman turned to Zarah. �Go down the rope. The others are waiting there. They will help you.� She turned to head back down the hall.

�Where are you going?� Zarah asked.

�Look, Jedi, I had other intentions in coming here than to free you. I have a job I need to do,� The woman answered. She turned and ran.

Zarah stared after the woman. It might be a trap, but Zarah felt she could trust this woman. She took hold of the rope and lowered herself over the edge of the window. She slid down and touched the ground.

She looked around, reaching out with the Force. Her gaze closed in on the trees only a few meters away.

Two women stepped out of the shaded branches. They wore garments similar to the other woman�s.

One of them laughed. �A Jedi?� Her dark hair was cropped to her shoulders, but it was a mess of waves. She appeared to be the younger of the two.

�I guess Laeriun was wrong about it being one of us,� the other said. This one had a hint of gray in her hair, but her face was youthful.

�One of who?� Zarah asked. �Who are you?�

The two women exchanged glances.

�A lost one, eh?� the elder said. �With the war it happened a lot.� She turned to Zarah. �I apologize. We didn�t realize you could understand us.�

The younger nodded. �We lost many in that war. It reduced us to a secretive lifestyle.�

Zarah studied them. �You�re Lumyn�, Light-weavers?� She brushed a strand of hair from her face.

The younger woman gasped and just stared at Zarah�s hand. �This is impossible!�

The elder was just smiling. �Yes. We are Lumyn�. And you are too, Zarah.�

�I told you she was one of us.� The woman who had found Zarah was approaching them quickly. �Let�s get out of here.�

One of the women took Zarah�s arm, leading her into the trees.

They ran, dodging the low branches and jumping over the tree roots. Zarah was able to keep up for a while, but suddenly fell. Her strength was gone. She felt the Force slipping away from her grasp.

The elder woman ran back and lifted her to her feet. �Laeriun, she�s hurt!�

That was the last Zarah heard before she slipped into darkness.

* * * *

�I would have thought a Jedi would have been more resilient to a blaster,� the elder woman was saying as Zarah awoke.

�They�re no more in tune with the Light than we are, Maerin,� Laeriun said. �And since when do the Followers use blasters?�

�North Section reported they did last year,� the youngest put in.

Zarah opened her eyes. She was lying on a cot. The ceiling looked gray, but as her eyes focused it became stone. She sat up and looked around. They were in a cave. Her hand went to her side. The blaster wound was gone.

The women were watching her.

Maerin, the eldest, smiled. �You have questions, I�m certain.�

Zarah nodded slowly.

�We have just as many for you,� Laeriun said. �Reanna wants to know how you survived, for one.� She pointed at the young short haired woman.

�Survived what?� Zarah asked.

�The ship crash,� Reanna said. �How?�

Zarah shook her head. �I have no memory of that. I don�t remember anything before the Jedi found me.�

�How did they find you?� The young woman pushed on. She smiled eagerly.

Zarah smiled and went on to explain how her master had found her and of her upbringing in the Temple.

The Lumyn� listened intently. Finally, the one called Laeriun stood.

�I don�t know where to begin exactly,� she said. �Our society was peaceful, but then our world began to die. There�s enough atmosphere for us to live here, but there�s not enough to grow food and mine the supplies we need. So we started looking off-planet. There were a few small worlds nearby where we could trade easily and stay near our home, but soon our own supplies to trade became scarce and we had to consider leaving our planet. The Ruler was in total support of it. He knew his world was dying. He assigned the Lumyn� to help the ships in navigation.�

�I think I�ve heard this part,� Zarah said. �But is there something wrong with navigating?�

Laeriun shook her head. �Our elders saw nothing wrong, but Solan did. He was an advisor to your mother. He and a certain group of our order believed that we should not expose ourselves because for hundreds of years foreign ships have been lost in the Nebula. He felt that if we came out, people would see us as pirates. That they would blame us for the lost ships.�

�The irony is that Solan�s answer was piracy,� Reanna mentioned.

�The Ruler did not approve of it, of course,� Laeriun continued. �So Solan convinced him. It was then that the order split. Solan took our men away because nearly all joined him. We women were forced to hide and plan our own coup to get Solan out. We fought them and they destroyed our homes and our families. During that time Solan figured the only way to convince the Ruler was to kill your parents. They were on a trade vessel trying to flee to another system along with a thousand others. Solan rigged it to go down and made it look like a Republic ship had fired on them. The Ruler gave in immediately. He made Solan the head of government. And things have progressed from there.�

Zarah listened intently. The woman�s words sunk in. �And you�ve been trying for thirty years since.�

Maerin nodded. �We were hoping yesterday to find one of our heirlooms in their stronghold, but it was not there.�

�What is so important about heirlooms?� Zarah asked.

�This particular one holds a record of our traditions. Our training styles and basic lessons.� Maerin replied.

�Like a holocron.� Zarah related.

�I suppose that is what a Jedi would call it,� the woman replied. �We teach what we can to our students, but our memories are fading with age. The disc was our failsafe.�

Zarah�s memory snapped in. �A disc?�

Maerin nodded.

�About hand-sized, silver, finely engraved?� Zarah questioned.

�Yes, that�s it,� Maerin answered. �How do you know?�

�I�ve seen it before,� Zarah said. She ran a hand through her hair. �On Elluim, eleven years ago. It was asked for in a kidnapping ransom. I saw the Followers take it. We practically gave it to them.�

�What?!� Reanna exclaimed. �How could you have done that? You may not have known what it was, but surely you must have sensed something!�

Zarah was taken aback at the young woman�s yelling. �A girl�s life was at stake. I was doing what was needed. I am a Jedi.�

�How could you?!� Reanna shouted continually.

�Reanna, calm down,� Laeriun said firmly. She shook the hair from her face and turned to Zarah. She sighed. �Reanna has yet to learn some of our techniques that are only contained on that disc. And we do not blame you. You were a child yourself at that time.�

�Let�s hope your senses have sharpened since then,� Reanna said. She was calmer, but her voice still had the edge of rage. �You�ll need them.�

The Jedi furrowed her brow at that. She considered the young woman. �What are you speaking of?� She waited for an answer.

Reanna opened her mouth to answer when Laeriun cut her off. �Now that Solan knows you�re alive, he�ll be looking for you. We�re not certain of what his intentions were for you, but they could not have been favorable.�

�Does he know where we are?� Zarah asked.

Maerin shook her head. �But he can find us. Easily. We got you away from them, but it may not be for long.�

�How long?� Zarah inquired.

�A day, maybe two.� Maerin answered. �We know that the Followers have intelligence of our locations, but it will take them time to search them.�

Zarah�s expression changed to horror. �You mean they�ll raid your hideouts?�

Maerin shook her head. �If he�s only looking for you, he need only use the Light, or �the Force� as you call it. Your life is the only thing that could destroy him.�

�What do you mean?� Zarah asked curiously. �How could my life destroy him?�

�Solan is a fool and a tyrant, but he can do nothing to the Ruler,� Maerin explained. Her gaze was steady as she addressed Zarah. �He stays in power on the lie that you were killed by the Republic. His power would be lost if the Ruler saw you alive.�

Laeriun stood. �So that is what we must do before Solan finds us. I�m going to alert our sisters.� She turned from them and left the cavern.

Zarah watched Laeriun leave, then turned to Maerin. �How many of you are left?�

Maerin�s gentle smile turned into a frown. She shifted uneasily. �There are only those of us who were alive at the time of the War. Half our numbers were lost. Some, like Reanna, were born shortly after. Currently there are nearly two hundred Light-weavers in our ranks. In contrast, there are more than two thousand Followers.�

�Who is this �Ruler�?� Zarah asked. �Why does Solan obey him?�

�As tyrannical as Solan is, he does have respect for our monarchy. But the Ruler�s views are easily influenced by Solan,� Maerin went on. Her gaze met Zarah�s. �The Ruler is your grandfather.�

Zarah took it in. Someone else of her family was still alive. She did not care for Brathir, but her grandfather. . . She just hoped he was not corrupted.

Chapter 11
Meditation

The Lumyn� gathered in the chamber were calm as they discussed what their plans. There were twenty of them including the three who had helped Zarah. Zarah had been rather surprised to learn that Laeriun and Reanna were the daughters of Maerin. The Lumyn� worked in family groups like that; they always had, according to Maerin. If that was true, then there were at least four other families there.

�The hard part will be getting into the Palace,� Reanna was saying. �None of us have ever tried.�

�And for good reason,� one of the newcomers put in. She had vivid blue eyes hidden beneath a fierce brow. Her name was Alleid. She seemed to be the leader. �The Followers guard it like birds of prey.�

�We only need to get Zarah in,� Laeriun commented. �That would only require a distraction.�

Alleid nodded. �It would have to be something major. We would need the attention of all the Followers standing guard. We can�t take the chance of even one of them sensing her.� Her gaze shifted to Zarah. �How stealthy are you?�

Zarah let out a breath. �I once snuck past a sleeping rancor, but that was ten years ago. I�ve not really needed stealth. Most of my missions have involved going in with weapons ready. But honestly, I can be very quiet.�

�Good,� Alleid conceded. �You�ll need to be.� She turned to address the whole group. �Until the scouts return, we�re not going anywhere. I suggest that if you need rest you take it now.�

The remaining silence was broken as the group split off. Some remained in the chamber, while the rest went off.

Zarah was among those to leave. She sought out a quiet spot and found an alcove not far from the main room. She sat on the stone ground, cross-legged, as an apprentice would. She closed her eyes and opened herself to the Force.

The voice found her. Danger is coming.

I know, Zarah replied. By now she had learned just to accept the voice.

You must not face it. It may take your life.

I have to, Zarah thought.

Run and live.

I will stay and live, Zarah said. I cannot run from this.

The voice gave her no answer. For once there was only the peace of her mind.

Through the Force she saw the planet. It was a mottled blue and brown sphere hanging in a clear patch in the Nebula. The women were right. The world was dying. At least the life upon it was. Storm clouds consumed the southern hemisphere. Only the North was inhabited now, but there were signs that the south had once been inhabited as well. What was left of the north was covered with patches of drought-stricken land. The inhabitants had set up what they could in ways of farms and industry, but they were barely surviving.

Her mind shifted to the people. There were roughly three million of them. Their fears were growing. Something had happened. The memory of people running filled her mind. She knew at once that the Followers had begun their search.

She started to drift out of her meditation, but something grabbed at her mind. She pushed it away. It was the darkness.

He was searching for her.

Zarah�s eyes flew open. She caught her breath. Her face was drenched in sweat. She wiped it away with her sleeve and caught view of the markings on her arm.

�If you have not noticed,� the voice echoed from behind her, �You�re the only one of us who has them.�

Zarah rose from her spot and turned to see Alleid leaning casually against the wall of the cavern. The woman was flipping a lock of her hair between her fingers. Like the rest of the Lumyn�, she wore a light-colored tunic and trousers. Her azure eyes studied the Jedi intently.

Zarah stood unwavering. She could sense the woman�s apparent distaste.

�They are the markings of nobility,� Alleid stated. She gestured to her own bare arm. �I have none, neither do any of the others.�

Zarah thought and then spoke. �A man on Icumenic recognized me because of them. He said all the traders had them.�

Alleid nodded. �All the ones to leave our world first were nobles. There is somewhat of a gap in wealth here, Zarah. But it did not matter as long as someone got the supplies.� Her gaze flicked to Zarah�s lightsaber. �Do you know how to use that?�

�Yes,� Zarah said. �Better than most.� In her mind she shunned herself for even the slightest show of pride.

�We do not approve of weapons, but the Followers do use them,� Alleid went on. �You�ll probably get some use of it.� She stared Zarah in the eyes. �I can see that you are very gifted in the Light. Tell me, what part of it do the Jedi use?�

�Only the Light Side,� Zarah replied. �Only that. The darkness is for the Sith.�

Alleid nodded. �Very well.� She turned. �Come, we are preparing to leave.�

* * * *

Zarah stared up at the massive structure that dominated the landscape ahead of her. Across the top of the hill, the Palace stretched out as far as could be allowed. It rose five stories into the sky. The hill itself was extremely steep, and according to Alleid it was a maze of trip lasers.

To her left two Lumyn� were waiting silently. They were both about Zarah�s age. One named Diren had brown eyes and a small build, but she appeared nonetheless fierce. The other was a tall woman who had eyes as emerald as Zarah�s. Her name was Leilin. Both of them seemed to ignore Zarah�s presence for the moment.

Then suddenly Diren motioned to Zarah and Leilin. She began to climb the hill slowly and was careful not to slip. Leilin followed soon behind her, copying Diren�s exact steps.

Zarah began to follow them. Their ascent was slow, but careful. Halfway up, Zarah was beginning to feel easy about it, but suddenly her footing gave way. As she fell she was smart enough not to scream, but she flailed out an arm to try and catch something.

Diren caught her hand and pulled her up.

Zarah composed herself. �Thanks.�

Diren nodded an acknowledgment and they continued their climb.

As they came closer to the Palace wall, Zarah could see the pillars that lined the first level. That part of the building was open, so there was no wonder that the only way in was secured.

Diren made it to the edge first and stepped into the building. After a moment she waved for Leilin and Zarah to follow. Zarah stepped into the Palace and was taken aback. The corridor was so familiar. It was the place where she had seen the disc in a vision years before.

Leilin spared her a smile. �How does it feel to be home?�

Zarah returned the smile. �I know I�ve been here before.�

�It�s changed, believe me,� Diren put in. �And our job is not done yet. The Ruler�s chamber is that way.� She pointed to their left. �Let�s hope he�s there.�

They started off through the halls.

Zarah kept herself aware of the Force, but was still careful not to use it in fear that the Followers would sense her. She could not sense them, however. They appeared not to be anywhere near the Palace. Apparently Alleid�s distraction had worked.

Zarah moved along quietly a step behind the other women, her hand resting on her saber hilt out of instinct.

Diren slowed suddenly. So did Leilin. Zarah felt their defenses rise.

Out of nowhere a shadow launched towards them. The man went for Diren, who stood awaiting the attack. She held her hands up in readiness. The fight was a blur. Diren knocked away the man�s first attack and telekinetically shoved him away. But a split second later there was a flash of light- Zarah could sense the Dark Side energy -and the next instant Diren was gone. Simply gone.

The man turned and faced the other two women. His face was hidden in the shadows.

Zarah stepped beside Leilin and ignited her lightsaber.

�Do you believe that will do any good?� The man spoke. His voice was stern. �Zarah, lower your weapon, your friend here can go, and you will not be harmed.�

Zarah stood bathed in the blue light of her saber blade. �I believe that you are wrong. I believe that it is time this ended.� With that she charged and arched her lightsaber towards him.

The blade went straight through him, but he did not stagger. A moment later he simply disappeared.

Zarah cursed beneath her breath. A Force projection. Only once before had she been fooled by one.

�You seem to have missed.� The man�s voice now came from behind her. Something about it itched at her mind.

She spun around. She kept her lightsaber at ready stance. Leilin was gone. Zarah did not even want to know what had happened to her. �Who are you?� Zarah called into the shadows.

Footsteps approached. The man stopped a few paces from her. His face was unfamiliar, but his presence made her mind scream in fear.

�Solan.� Zarah told the shadow.

Chapter 12
Encounter

In the shadows the man smiled malevolently. �So you do know my name.� Every word rolled off his tongue like a serpent�s.

Zarah twinged in disgust, but kept at guard. She kept her lightsaber at a defensive stance and eyed her enemy.

Solan moved closer and began to circle her casually. �I see a great resemblance between you and your mother. Young, but wise. Dangerous, yet insanely beautiful.�

Zarah stepped back as he came closer. She stayed in stance as he moved around. She felt sweat on her brow.

Solan stopped and studied her. �I heard you were alive a decade ago, but I did not believe it. Nonetheless, my men swore they had seen you alive.�

�Everyone makes mistakes,� Zarah taunted.

The man shook his head and sighed. �I have only made one, and that one will soon be corrected.� He stepped closer.

Zarah whirled her lightsaber in a quick, impressive show of warning. �Your last mistake will be trying to correct your first.� She charged at him and swung her lightsaber.

Just as suddenly as she had taken a step she hit an invisible wall and was knocked back. She lost grasp of her weapon and it clanged to the floor. The blade cut off the instant it hit.

Zarah started to get up, but was soon thrown against the wall. She struggled against the invisible hands confining her. She pushed at him with the Force, but it was to no avail. He was too powerful.

Solan stepped closer. �As your parents passed from this life, so will you. As soon as I was able to say hello I must say goodbye.�

As he spoke Zarah spotted her lightsaber lying a meter behind where he stood. She felt the Force and reached for it, but found the same darkness pushing her back.

He raised a hand and light swirled above it, cascading into a fiery orb. The Dark Side energy pulsed through it.

Zarah watched in horror, but kept reaching for her lightsaber.

�Goodbye, Zarah.� The words were little more than a whisper. He hurled the fiery globe towards her.

At that same moment Zarah�s Force hold grasped her lightsaber. In a blur the blue blade snapped to life and lunged forward spearing the figure before it.

As the man collapsed, Zarah felt the hold on her release, just in time for her to dodge the burning missile Solan had launched at her. The fiery orb hit the wall and dissolved into nothing.

Zarah stood and called her lightsaber to her hand. She clipped it to her belt and stepped forward to take a look at the man who had almost destroyed her life.

As she came closer, she gasped. A cry of horror escaped her lips.

The face of Jedi Master Tey Lamun stared up at her.

Epilogue
Destiny

Zarah stood staring out at the city below from the Palace corridor. Her mind was still racing. She closed her eyes and shook her head in frustration, fighting back the tears that nonetheless came. After all this, she did not want to stay there any longer. She only wished to return to Coruscant, yet what pleasant memories could be there now that she knew the truth?

Over her sobbing she did not hear Alleid approach.

�You are wondering how this could be, no doubt?� The warrior woman asked. �You should know that Solan was the first person to leave our world and come back to it. You were the second.�

Zarah stared at Alleid through red tear-streamed eyes. �What did you know?�

�We knew he was Jedi,� Alleid said. �That much we knew. We could not have imagined how close he was to you.�

Zarah tried to compose herself. �He was almost like my father, Alleid. I never sensed any of this. I don�t see how I could have been so blind.�

Alleid put a comforting hand on Zarah�s shoulder. �The darkness shrouds much. Even our own sight.� She started to walk away.

Zarah called after the woman. �Alleid, I have a memory of my mother�s. It�s of when he �found� me. He spoke to her as if he did not know her, as if he was just a Jedi trying to help. Why would he do that?�

Alleid listened and was silent for a moment. She studied Zarah curiously. �So that�s how you know so much.�

�What?� Zarah asked. She stepped closer to Alleid. �What?�

�Imprinting.� Alleid replied. �You hold all the memories your mother had until the moment she died. He knew that. He knew you would remember.�

Zarah shook her head violently. �All the times he could have killed me, why not?�

�He never wanted to.� Another voice came. Brathir stepped into the hallway.

Alleid was taken by surprise and stepped to Zarah�s side defensively. �What do you want, Follower?�

Brathir held up his hands. �I mean her no harm. I only believe she should know the truth.�

Zarah wiped the tears from her face. �I do know the truth!�

�Not all of it yet,� Brathir went on. �You should know that he never wanted to kill you, you only left him no choice. Zarah, it was by chance that you survived the crash. You were not his original target, so he had no reason to take your life.�

Zarah pressed her hands to her face. She now knew why she had been shot on Elluim and not him. Also, why he had his mission to Agamar had been �cancelled�; he had known she was onto something. �He was never at the Temple when I was young, he only showed up when it was my chance to be a Padawan. Now I know where he was all those years. Meditative retreat! And banthas can fly!� she scoffed.

�What will you do now?� Alleid asked.

Zarah ran a hand through her hair. �Return to Coruscant. I have to report to the Council. They need to know this.� She looked out at the city.

�The Ruler has been told of you,� Brathir continued. �He wishes to meet you. I believe he wants you to take his place.�

Zarah studied him. �I�m no ruler, Brathir. I�m a Jedi Knight.�

Alleid sighed. �Zarah, in this matter you may have no choice. It is your duty.�

�Everyone has a choice in life.� She stared at Brathir and then at Alleid. �I know mine.� She turned from them both and walked away to her destiny.