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Chapter 4

High-altitude prophecies

Kaleth was Kaidan's favourite place for a walk, despite the fact that the ancient ruins were crawling with equally ancient, aggressive droids. But for that reason Kaleth was off-limits to Padawans too young to travel there unharmed and stand their ground against the insane automata.

Kaidan, Rex and Lilian actually found the mindless, futile attempts at eradicating intruders to be amusing and turning them into scrap entertaining, if not very challenging. While it was awfully impressive to see functioning 30,000 years old droids, their underpowered weaponry couldn't do more than singe the skin, their brittle armour gave out under even a sustained assult with a tree branch and their targetting system couldn't even lock on to a barn.

But most importantly, the ruins were rarely visited by anyone not on any trials.

„Okay, as surprising as it sounds, I'm kind of sick bashing these droids over and over." Said Rex, sheating his training blade, having beaten up a droid into non-functionality.

„You're only saying that cause I outdid your kill count by a tenfold long ago!" Replied Kaidan.

„If you want, we can go up that way, deeper into the Temple comples and fight some of the more battle-ready models." Suggested Lilian.

„You know what? We should do just that, let's go!" Rex excalimed enthusiastically, pointing depper into the ruins.

„You go ahead, we'll catch up with you. I need to rest a while." Kaidan encouraged his friend.

„Yeah, me too, go ahead and start killing. You have alot to make up" Lilian agreed with the wolf.

„Ohhh, I see what's going on," Rex said with a wry smile. „Allright, you go ahead and 'rest'," Rex made quotation marks with his fingers. „I'll see you there!"

Rex skipped in the direction of his goal, eager to test himself against worthier opponents, leaving Kaidan and Lilian alone in the ruins.

„I had no idea he was so astute." Lilian said.

„Me neither," Kaidan said, scratching his chin. „We may have to kill him. One witness is too much."

„Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking or not," Lilian looked at the wolf suspiciously. „But so long as you don't murder me under pretense of an alone moment, I don't care."

„Speaking of alone moments..." Kaidan stopped mid sentence, looking at Lilian seductively. He didn't have to wait long for a response, as the hawkess grabbed his hand and tugged him in the direction of a nearby hill. Kaidan loved when she did that, gleefully running up the hill, turning around all the time to hasten the wolf. They both knew they were not supposed to do it, but both enjoyed it all the more because of the thought.

They hot to the top and quickly started shedding their robes and throwing them under the single tree there. Getting out of Jedi robes is surprisingly difficult and Kaidan always wondered if that's why Jedi don't get laid very often. No challenge is too great if you want something very much, the two aided eachother in undressing intermittent with passionate caressing and kissing.

Finally out of their chastising clothes, Kaidan gently lowered her feathered lover onto the grass, under the blue sky and hot, summer midday sun. Her snow-wite plumage was almost blinding, exposed to sunlight, giving Lilian and eerie, divine glow and underlined her curves. She moved her clawed finger, enticing the black wolf to move closer. Kaidan eagerly complied and laid on top of her body, tracing his hand across her body from bottom to top. He could feel her heart beating quickly and he felt his do the same.

The lovers couldn't restrain themselves for long and soon the romanticism turned into an act of animalistic love, as the youth ground their bodies against eachother, fondling the curves with their hands, exploring eachother's mouths with their tongues. It felt to Kaidan like an eternity and wished they could stay like this forever, joined in heat of passion. But all good things must come to an end.

As the fires of lust cooled down, the lovers laid next to eachother, basking in sunlight and afterglow. Kaidan laid on his side, looking at Lilian who was tracing clouds with her eyes, smiling from side to side. He teased the hawkess with his finger on her belly and chuckled.

Lilian turned her sight to the wolf. „What's so funny?"

„Nothing. I'm just glad I have you here with me." The wolf replied, smiling.

„I wish we could just lay here all day like this," Lilian said after a while. „But we should get going before someone stumbles across us." She added, concerned.

„Already? I was thinking of going again." Kaidan said teasingly.

Lilian prodded Kaidan delicately in the arm, laughing softly. „Stop it, we've already wasted enough time here!"

„You call that wasted time? Because I call it differently." The wolf replied, amused.

Lilian's expression suddenly turned into a frown. „What will happen if they find out?" She asked Kaidan.

„What can happen? Do you think they'll kick me out into the streets and send you back do your parents on Dromund Kaas?" He asked her in return.

Lilian's expression turned even gloomier and Kaidan realised what he had said. „Don't worry about that, no one will know." He comforted her, as the moved closer. „I'm sorry." He whispered into her ear.

Kaidan and Rex were both orphans, they didn't know their parents. Travelling Jedi found them wandering the streets of Corellia and Brentaal IV, recognised their Force-Sensitivity and brought them to Tython while they were just little children.

Lilian was a diffirent case however. Her parents were Imperial citizens, who discovered her daughter's Force talent early. Hearing about the atrocities happening in the Sith Academy, they paid someone to smuggle her off the planet and to Tython. Hiding a Force-Sensitive was a capital offence in the Empire and Lilian knew her parents were probably dead, which is why her friends avoided that subject in her presence. Kaidan embraced her, wanting to make her feel safe and comfortable.

They laid like this for a while longer, before they decided it was time to get up, get dressed and catch up with Rex. Energetic, they raced down the hill and up the ruined pillars deeper into the ruins. Running like there was no tomorrow, leaving behind all problems. Not for long however, as a rather earthly, physiological problem overcame Kaidan.

„Hey Lily? You run ahead, I need to, um, go to the side." Kaidan shouted to her friend who was already far ahead.

Lilian simply acknowledged with a wave, not even slowing down and went on her way. Kaidan looked around for a suitable place for a quick oil change and went to a tree overgrown by bushes and surrounded by a low, stone fence. He positioned himself so that the bushy growth adequately obscured him from waist down and fumbled with his belt, when suddenly he felt the floor escaping from under his feet.

Caught completly by surprise, Kaidan didn't even manage to react and fell into the dark hole. The floor was not far down, yet the fall was rather uncomfortable nonetheless, thanks to the rubble left from the collapsing floor. Kaidan slowly got on his legs, thanking the Force for a strong bladder, dusted himself off and examined his surroundings. It was dark, so he reached into a fold in his robe and pulled out a flashlight. Illuminating the dark, dank cavern revealed ornate murals on the walls. The cavern was connected with a corridor leading further into the darkness. Against better judgement, Kaidan decided to explore, knowing that nobody ever heard of any subterranean sections of this part of the Kaleth complex before. Who knows, maybe he had just made a big discovery.

Kaidan attached the flashlight to his belt and followed the corridor. The murals on the walls changed to depict scenes of a figure speaking to other figures. The same figure looked like it was cast out from the rest, with some other figures. Then the figures are seen making droids, which are seen attacking even more figures. The last scene shows the outcast figures struck down by the other figures.

With the last mural, the corridor ended with a small room a tall, hooded statue towered in the center, holding a stone tablet with writing on it. Behind the statue was something strongly resembling a stone coffin. In front of the statue stood two pedestals, each holding a stone: one red and one blue.

Kaidan approached the statue carefully, wary of any traps that might be hidden in places like these. To his relief, nothing happened. He focused on the stone tablet, which read, in faded Aurebesh signs:

We were wrong.

Rajivari saw the adherence of the Council to the light as a flaw. That mercy was a weakness. That the strongest should prevail, as nature dictated. They cast him out and we followed. We believed he'd return the Je'daii to strength. Strength we needed to battle threats from beyond our system. But we couldn't see what he had become untill it was too late. His own Principles corrupted him and even as the Je'daii came and destroyed us, he'd cling to his believes, cursing his enemies who cast him out for eternity.

I felt ashamed to have ran, instead of standing by his side and dying with him. But I couldn't die for something I did not believe in. Only by experiencing both sides firsthand had I realised the truth. There is no Ashla, there is no Bogan. There are choices and their consequences. The Force is what we make it to be and instead of focusing on extremes, we should once more nurture the balance between them.

If you are reading this, Journeyman, heed my words. Take these crystals, my legacy. They represent the duality of the Force and they are strong in it's aspects. Use them to spread the philosophy of balance and uphold it. I only hope that my misguided actions have not affected what we've been trying to build for millenia.

Oh Master. Oh my Master.

One day we will face the Void together. And I hope They will forgive us by then.

„Rajivari." Kaidan said the name out loud. They were taught about the ancient precursors of their Order from eons ago. And from what he remembered, Rajivari was not a positive character, though he was an important Council member before he, well, went crazy, for lack of a better word. And whoever made the inscriptions was an apprentice of his, from the looks of it. Kaidan took a closer look of the crystals, exhibited on the pedestals.

He could tell they were indeed as powerful as the description said. The power seeping from them was immense. The dark red one was lit dimly and Kaidan could almost swear it was emitting a thin, black smoke. It was oddly hypnotising and enticing. Kaidan held out his hand to grab it, but snapped out of a the trance and withdrew his hand. He turned to the othe crystal, which was flashing brillianty with a blue-white light. It looked pure, in some way. Kaidan thought to himself that the crystal was 'happy', but couldn't specify why, even to himself.

The young wolf looked back at the stone inscription once more, specifically the part about the crystals. They were meant to be taken out of here and used to uphold a balance in the Force. It was a concept Kaidan was personally very fond of, to the dismay of many Masters in the Temple.

It would be a waste to just leave them here collecting dust. I'll grab them and think what to do with them later. I'll let someone know of this place though. Kaidan thought to himself, as he grabbed the crystals and hid them in the folds of his robes.

As he made his way back to the collapsed piece of ceiling, he heard a familiar voice calling.

„Kaaaay? Kaaaaaaaayyyy! Kay, are you there?" Lilian's voice reverberated in the stone corridor.

„Oh, way to go bird-brain, you lost your boyfriend." Rex voice sounded, less audible that the last one.

„You want a piece of me, furball?" Lilian asked threateningly.

„Guys! I'm down here!" Kaidan shouted down from the tomb, hoping to keep his friends from fighting.

„Kay? What are you doing down there?" Rex shouted back.

The wolf propelled himself upwards with the Force and climbed out of the hole.

„You were supposed to go for a leak, not go spelunking," Lilian berated him. „Didn't you know that pissing on relics brings bad luck?"

„I was just undoing my pants when the ground suddenly collapsed and I fell down there. There's something of a tomb down there, of one of Rajivari's apprentices. Redeemed one, from the looks of it." Kaidan explained.

„Rajivari?" Rex scratched his head. „Oh man, you're in so much trouble. Padawans who even stand next to something that is somehow related to the Dark Side spend weeks tormented by all the Masters of the Temple, reeducated about the 'dangers of the Dark Side' and whatnot."

„I'm sure they won't make a fuss over a musty, old dungeon." Lilian reassured her friends. „Unless there was something else in the tomb?"

„Well..." Kaidan hesitated.

„There_was_ something there." Lilian guessed, afraid for her friend.

„Yes, but please don't tell anybody and don't make a fuss over it." Kaidan pleaded to his overzealous friend.

„Kay-" Lilian spoke but was cut off by the wolf.

„Promise. I'll show you everything back at the Temple" Kaidan said.

Hesitant, Lilian nodded without a word.

„We better head back and tell our Masters about this place. That's gonna earn us some points in the Temple!" Rex exclaimed joyfully.

„Earn_us_?" Kaidan asked.

„Oh c'mon, you're not gonna hog all the glory, are you? Besides, I could use some more prestige, unlike you two! Greedy Huttspawn." Rex said with slight desperation in his voice.

„We shall see." Kaidan chuckled, as the trio headed for the Temple.

A sudden tug brought Kaidan out of his sleep, back to the present. They have arrived in the Coruscant system. Kaidan felt the inertial dampeners readjust to the proximity of a planet, as the shuttle approached Coruscant.

Kaidan reached for a switch underneath his droid's head, flipped it and heard the hum of systems booting.

„HK, we're here. We need to get to the Senate Spaceport, a friend of mine can get us alternative transportation." Kaidan briefed his droid.

„Revelation: Master, I'm afraid our plan has just become more complicated. This shuttle is bound for the Industrial District, 4000km eastward." The droid explained.

Kaidan's mouth went slightly agape. „You have got to be kidding me! How are we supposed to cross half a planet undetected?" Kaidan thought for a moment, then continued. „Are we, by any chance, going to fly _over_the Senate District?"

„Answer: Why yes, in about 10 minutes. Do you have a plan to threaten the crew of this vessel with severe bodily harm and have them land there?" The droid enquired hopefully.

Kaidan walked to the storage bay doors of their ride and tapped at the console next to the door, revealing the sprawling ecumenopolis underneath. „No," He said. „We're going to jump."

While the droid was not build to express emotions through facial mimicry, Kaidan could swear he could see the droids enthusiasm turn into concern.

„Diagnostic: Master, I believe my aural sensor are damaged, because I swear I could hear you saying that we should jump out of this craft onto the planet below." The droid said, terror ringing in his voice.

„You heard me right. We're jumping out." Kaidan corrected the droid.

„Explanation: Master. I am obliged to inform you that your delicate, organic frame was not built to withstand a high-altitude impact of this magnitude." HK chided his master. „Indeed, I'm afraid that even my superior robotic frame will yield to the incredible forces involved in the process of freefalling."

„Oh, don't be such a wuss. It's only, like, two..." Kaidan looked out of the open bay door. „...Ten kilometres from the ground. No big deal. Besides, with the Force on our side, nothing can go wrong". He reassured the droid, even he didn't believe it that much himself.

The droid only gave out a sigh in response, resigned to loyally follow his Master into oblivion.

„Get ready. We're jumping out soon" Kaidan looked outside once more.

The view was breathtaking. The Galactic City looked magnificent from this point of view, glistening with golden spire and city lights. The city-planet still bore the scars of Great Galactic War and Sith treachery. Many districts were either mostly ruined, slowly rebuilding or pockmarked with bomb craters. Construction teams could be seen going back and forth, working to rebuild the glory of the heart of the galaxy.

Kaidan could finally see the characteristic Senate building, sticking out of the crowd of other buildings, dominating the district. It was time to jump.

I have a very bad feeling about this.

Kaidan discarded his cloak and signed his droid to move closer to the doorway.

„GO!" Kaidan roared and plunged forward, his trusty companion following suit.

In one moment, he was overcome by immense cold, friction and noise as he fell, very possibly to his death. The air blowing up his nostrils made him gag and gasp. The sounds were deafening and the cold made his body paradoxically feel like burning.

He closed his eyes, trying to focus amidst the many distractions from the environment. The task turned out to be more difficult than he'd imagined and his efforts barely slowed their descent or shielded them from elements. HK was quick to point it out.

„Urging Statement: Master, as we are descending quickly and inevitably towards the ground, I suggest you ask that Force you speak so fondly of to miraculously save us from a gruesome demise!" The droid shouted, trying to overcome the sounds of air rushing.

Kaidan said nothing and tried again to save himself and his droid. This attempt was more successfull, as the cold and horrible noise subsided. That will make things easier.

He concentrated more deeply, reaching out into the Force to slow down their fall and steer them into a safe landing spot. His effort were successful, as he felt himself slow down and the droid alongside him. Kaidan felt great relief over his success and proceeded to plot a landing trajectory on instinct.

He was actually enjoying himself, yelling joyfully, doing spins and sommersaults in the air. He felt free, unbound. I should do this more often! He thought to himself.

The ground was closing in and Kaidan had to land very soon. He poured the Force out, cloaking the pair and decelerating intensively. Kaidan picked a spot far in the back of one of the monument alleys, behind a statue. Should keep us out of sight.

Touchdown. Kaidan felt waves of pressure travel over his body, as his feet touched the ground. The landing was a bit too hard. He felt his legs ache from the residue impact and the ground was covered in cracks. He bent over to rub them and turned his head over to his droid. HK looked normal and didn't make any complaints, so Kaidan assumed all was fine. It was time to enact his plan of escape. Uncloaking, the Jedi and his droid walked from behind their cover.

„Let's go sightseeing." Kaidan said to himself and the two went on their way.