11 Chapter 11: Initiate Training 6

First off, thanks to vmage2 for helping me catch most, if not all, of the grammar and spelling mistakes.

...

I have gone back and altered the XP needed for skill/power levels mentioned in Prologue 1.

This was done as I felt his growth rate for Skills risked getting out of control too early.

As in he would've been able to get a Doctorate in certain subjects by the time he was 12 even while learning in the Jedi Temple. (with only 2/3 hours a day of studying)

While this is possible still, he would now need to commit almost all his free time at the Temple to be able to pull this off, leaving him woefully short of other important skills.

"This is going to be easy," Sia-Lan muttered with a large smile as we both stepped into the sparing circle.

"Do not become overconfident young one, Initiate Shan has gotten to this round the same as you and has shown more variety in his approach than most Initiates do." Master Drallig countered.

I resisted the urge to smirk at the praise. I'd won my 1st spar thanks to a well-timed TK pull. My 2nd had ended when I'd made my opponent's lightsaber too hot for them to hold, allowing me to tag them the required 3 times before they could pick it up again and my 3rd match had been won when I'd let an attack phase through me; allowing me to place my blade to my opponent's neck as he stumbled forward when his attack met nothing but air. Feeling a lightsaber phase through me was a little nauseating, but it had gotten me to the 4th round.

Now if I could just pull off a miracle and beat Sia-Lan I'd make the free-for-all and complete the last of the 3 main objectives for the 'Trials of the Initiate' quest.

"That is true Master, but he has never scored a mark against me in spars." Sia-Lan replied to the Battlemaster. "Or anyone else in our Clan."

I smirked at her as we moved to our start positions. "Maybe that was on purpose. After all, I'm not really a member of your Clan, so why should I reveal all my secrets to someone I don't trust."

Sia-Lan's smile faltered a touch at my words even as Master Drallig stepped out of the circle.

"Prepare yourselves." He stated as he stepped away and there was a faint buzzing as the safety net powered up.

The gong sounded, I got the notices that Precog, Bullet Time and Player's Mind had all engaged, and we ignited our blades; Sian-Lan adopting a standard starting stance of Ataru while I adopted Makashi.

'I need to get her off her game.' I thought as we began to walk slowly around the edge of the circle. I kept my eyes locked on her, looking, waiting for a sign of what she had planned.

Almost before I could blink, she had cleared the distance between us and I shifted my weight to push her attack away. I flicked my blade, hoping to clip her as she landed but she spun gracefully and slid under my blade and out of reach.

"Not bad," she said with a small smirk. "You have been holding back."

I smirked back at her, letting her think that was the reason I'd lost so many spars and not me failing to use the Force properly.

"Let's see how much," she added before coming at me fast.

If not for Player's Mind I may have freaked at the speed she moved, but thanks to it I didn't, and my blade moved quickly to meet hers, guiding it away from my body with the minimum of effort – as Makashi was designed to do.

She jumped over my head, swinging as she did, and I spun and ducked simultaneously to try to avoid the attack.

"Point, Wen." Drallig called out and I looked at my combat log to see I'd lost about 15HP, meaning I hadn't been fast enough.

"You're definitely better than I expected," Sia-Lan said as I shuffled back to increase the distance between us. "But still not good enough."

She leapt, blade held high, towards me and I brought my blade up to block hers. Though this time I lifted one hand from my lightsaber to grab hers, locking our blades in a cross between us.

"Speed kills." I replied as she tried to pull her hand away even as I used the Force to rapidly cool her hands, my own and her lightsaber; ice forming almost instantly around our hands.

I ignored the chill and pushed forward, trying to trap her head between the twin blades of energy. After a moment's shock, she did the same and our faces came closer and closer as we both put all our strength into the push.

A small smirk crept onto her face as the blades moved closer to me. "Not. Good. Enough." She grunted out as I began to feel the heat of the blade against my neck.

'Shite. She's older and stronger. I really need to find a way to level up my stats. But what to d…' I smirked as an insane idea came to mind and I pushed my face forward, planning to give her a headbutt.

However, she sensed my move and tilted her head, trying to avoid the hit, resulting in our lips meeting.

The reaction was instantaneous as Sia-Lan's head snapped back in shock, her grip failed her, and I pushed her backwards, driving her to the ground with both blades against her throat. Without Player's Mind, I doubt I'd have been in any better a state than her, but with it, I used the advantage her shock created.

"Winner, Shan." Drallig stated and I powered down my lightsaber, ended the cold spell on Sia-Lan's hand and step backwards, mentally sending a prayer of thanks to the PtB for Player's Mind, while cursing at having just kissed a freaking child! As I caught her eyes, I thought I saw something shimmer in them as she lifted her free hand to her lips.

"Wh, what. What did you do?" She asked slowly as a finger traced the outline of her lips.

"I meant to distract you." I replied, extending my hand to her. "I wanted to headbutt you, but you moved, and…" My voice trailed off as even though there was no emotion clouding my thoughts, finding words to apologise for kissing an 8-year-old when you're 28 – on the inside – didn't exist. "Sorry."

"Um, no. It's ok." She gave me a weak smile and accepted the hand.

As I lifted her, my other arm went to her waist to support her weight and she inhaled sharply under her breath.

"Are you ok?" I asked slowly, wondering if the kiss had had more of an effect than I realised.

She continued to smile at me as our eyes met again and her cheeks reddened a touch. "Y-yeah. That was just unexpected." Her smile grew a little. "And different." The smile shifted into a smirk. "Just be more careful in future."

"OK. And, again, I'm sorry. Whatever you want me to do make up for this, I'll do." I replied honestly.

Her cheeks reddened a fraction more at my words. "I'll remember that."

She stepped past me, letting her hand brush against the back of mine and I stood there for a moment trying to ignore the apparent signs of her flirting with me.

"Is something the matter Initiate?" I turned at the firm voice to find Master Dooku standing in the circle with 2 other Initiates. His brow was creased as he watched me.

"No sir. Just thinking I may have used the wrong distraction. If you'll excuse me." I slipped passed him, and the 2 Initiates, and walked quickly over to where Dragon Clan was gathered.

I noted Sia-Lan was talking rapidly in whispers with Trudie and Jyl, the younger of the pair giving me a big smile when she caught me looking.

Having an inkling of what they were discussing, I sat beside Jaeman; as far as I could from the trio without not sitting with the Clan.

"Well that was different." Darihd stated with a grin from Jaeman's other side, as he kept his eyes on the sparing circle. "I don't think I've ever seen someone kiss an another to win a spar."

I chuckled a little and rubbed the back of my head. In hindsight, it was feeling like more and more of a bad choice, quest notwithstanding. "Yeah. I just meant to headbutt her, but she moved and… well." I replied nervously.

"So how do you think Serra's going to do?" Jaeman asked, tilting his head towards the circle and I felt a cold shiver shoot down my spine as I saw that 1 of the Initiates that had stepped into the circle with Dooku was the girl I suspected had a slight crush on me.

"Fuck," I mumbled out as I realised that I'd said nothing to her as I'd left the circle and she'd just watched me kiss her friend/rival in full view of her. "I'm so dead."

"Hey, it's not that bad. I'm sure that Serra unders…" Darihd's words were cut off as the gong sounded and Serra leapt at her opponent, slashing rapidly and aggressively in a way I'd never seen before. Her opponent, who looked a little older than her, stumbled backwards under the powerful onslaught.

"What the fuck?" I muttered as Serra landed 2 quick hits before sweeping her opponent's legs and driving the butt of her saber into the other Initiate's chest.

"Winner Keto," Dooku called out and I turned to look at Darihd.

"What was that?"

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "At a guess, her channelling her anger into her attacks. I'd say Juyo, Form VII, but that's not taught to anyone below the rank of Knight." He replied adding another nervous chuckle at the end.

"Huh," was the extent of my verbal response as the girl marched out of the circle and towards us. Internally I was worried I'd hurt her more than I'd expected and that she'd just had her 1st brush with the darker side of emotions and the Force.

I stood as she came closer. "Serra, listen. I…"

I was cut off as she walked past me, clipping my shoulder in a way I felt was intentional. I stumbled backwards, landing on the floor on my butt, and watched as she continued to storm out of the hall. The only outward sign of the anger I suspected was flowing through her was the tightly clenched fists she held at her side; unnaturally not swinging with her steps.

"What was that about?" Jaeman asked as he and Darihd helped me up.

"No idea." I said but internally I knew that I'd hurt her emotionally with accidentally kissing Sia-Lan. I sighed at having to deal with this childhood bullshit and glanced at the 2 other boys. "I'll see you later." I walked off, hoping to find Serra and talk to her.

"Don't be too long. The free-for-all's in less than an hour." Darihd called out as I exited the hall.

I looked in both directions the corridor went but saw no sign of her, or anyone else. I sent out a ping with Force Detection, but it brought up over a hundred people within its radius of 400m. Without knowing which way she had gone, I had no way to lock onto which one was her.

"Dammit!" I grunted and punched a wall. All I could do now was relax before the free-for-all and hope that Serra calmed down before then.

'Guess this is what I get for only caring about winning a quest and handing out with kids who've known nothing but the Temple.' I thought as I began to walk to the mess hall. Though I slid to a stop as I reviewed my log and saw a red notice.

Skill Usage Warning!You have attempted to access an age-locked skill.[Kissing]This skill is linked to your age and as such cannot be seen or increased until you reach the required age.…

'Guess I should've seen that coming.' I remembered all the adult skills it gave me from my past life had been age-locked, so getting the warning made sense.

With nothing to do until the free-for-all in a few hours, I continued on my way to the mess hall then planned to just relax beforehand. I could've practised Makashi, but I doubted a few extra hours would make a big difference to where I finished in the contest.

…

I stood with the other 7 Initiates in the free-for-all for those 10-and-under and took a deep breath as the Battlemaster and the 2 Masters who were assisting him stepped into the hall.

Once we'd all assembled for the finals, but before we'd entered the sparring hall, I'd talked to Aayla about working together to clear out some of the others until only we and Serra were left. She'd been receptive to the idea, but Serra had simply glared at me when I'd tried to bring up the idea with her.

I'd explained slowly and calmly what had happened with Sia-Lan, making sure to say I was only looking to win, yet she'd just given me a cold shoulder and irritated me enough that I'd walked off before I lost my temper at her acting like a freaking child. Which we both were technically, but we were meant to be Jedi, and be above emotions, or that's how the teachers drilled us in class about the meaning of the Code regarding our emotions.

I didn't totally agree with those teachers, but I kept my head down and stayed silent since making waves wasn't going to help me currently.

Serra's glare had intensified when Sia-Lan had wandered over to wish me luck – placing her hand on my arm as we spoke – and I was silently praying to both the Force and the PtB that I was taken as a Padawan as soon as the Trials were over or I might just quit the Jedi to avoid this juvenile bull-crap.

"The rules of the free-for-all are slightly different," Battlemaster Drallig stated as he stood in front of us with Masters Bondara and Dooku. "As this event uses the whole of this sparring hall, there is no way to be eliminated by stepping foot outside the hall. However, jumping to the viewing gallery above will result in instant disqualification.

"You will also be eliminated by taking 3 strikes to non-critical areas, being trapped in a fatal strike manoeuvre or rendered unconscious. We will call out when this occurs, however even if you are the sole survivor when the free-for-all ends, this does not guarantee victory. We will examine recordings to ensure that the order of elimination is correct before posting the final standings after dinner."

He paused and smiled at each of us in turn. "Regardless of how you do in the free-for-all, you should all take pride in the fact that you are the current best in your age group with a lightsaber but take heed to remember that a lightsaber is a mere tool of the Jedi; not the solution."

He turned and left the hall with Dooku and Bondara and 8 spots on the floor were lit up.

"Move to a designated start position." A male voice stated from speakers above and around us.

I walked slowly to one of the light sources, trying to not look upwards at gallery ring that surrounded the hall as I'd learnt that there were some important visitors to the Temple today as they wished to speak with me after the free-for-all.

I had initially been surprised about anyone outside the temple caring about me being here, but after a while thinking things through and I realised that my arrival would've set off a few notices.

The Galactic Senate must have received a report about someone arriving claiming to have killed a Sith before being taken in by the Jedi, so the politicians would be curious, especially a certain Senator from Naboo.

That had me worried that I'd already made it onto the Sith's radar, and possibly become a target to kill or convert to their cause.

I pushed those thoughts out of my head once more as the light marking the 8 starting points faded and the others all ignited their lightsabers.

I followed suit, sliding into a Makashi stance and breathing deeply as a klaxon sounded and the room was showered in light. Makashi was not a good choice for this, but since my only other option was Shii-Cho, and that was the most basic of Forms, I would just have to adapt and survive as best as I could.

DUCK…

I did as the warning advised and felt the heat of a saber as it whizzed through where my head had been.

'Crap.'

I turned, blocking a rapid strike from Serra before pushing her back with TK.

I opened my mouth to try and talk to her.

ROLL RIGHT…

Again, I followed the advice and did so, but grunted as I felt a sting on my left shin; meaning someone had caught me.

I looked up to see a green-skinned Twi'lek had engaged Serra, though Serra smashed through her opponent's defences with ease, scoring 2 quick strikes to the Twi'lek's arms.

Seeing an opportunity, I pushed my lightsaber forward and clipped the Twi'lek on her lower leg.

I heard Master Drallig's voice call out, but whatever he said was lost as Serra turned towards me and attacked.

I blocked, weaved and followed Precog's warnings for as long as I could, but Serra was just too fast and aggressive for me at my current level and I was quickly tagged twice more.

"Initiate Shan has been eliminated." Drallig called out and I stepped back, hoping/figuring that Serra would turn her attention to the others.

However, she swung at me again, and I was forced to pirouette away from the strike, and on instinct, brought my lightsaber upwards, managing to clip her hand; making her lose her grip on her weapon.

"Serra, calm down!" I said as I pushed my saber into her hand, not wanting her to be eliminated because of her anger driving her to focus solely on me. "Get your head back in the fight Initiate." I tried to push the Force behind the command and I watched as she blinked a few times.

"Cam? Wha... Ok." She turned from me and I sighed in relief as she moved to engage someone else. This didn't mean she was no longer angry with me, but hopefully, she wasn't blinded by her anger.

I picked up the lightsaber Serra had dropped and walked towards the exit, though I noted a flashing notice in my log.

Force Power Discovered!CompulsionThis is the ability to persuade a target to do something.Chance success depends on factors including reputation, emotional state and LUCK.Force training, such as that of a Jedi or Sith, also affects the chance of success.NOTE:Certain Species are immune to mental Force powers.…

'Sweet! Not much use in a building full of Jedi, but I guess even they are susceptible when emotional.' Now I had another power to level up, though how to do so without using it on Jedi was going to be an issue while I was stuck in the Temple. That was also why I hadn't bothered to learn it since arriving and learning about it in the Archives.

I dropped the lightsaber in a basket as the doors to the hall closed behind me, ignoring the Jedi standing there, and began to walk away.

"Initiate Shan," I turned at a voice I recognized and found myself looking up at Qui-Gon Jinn. "I have been instructed to escort you to members of the High Council. They wish to speak with you."

"Yes sir." I replied walking beside him down the corridor. "Did they say why they wished to see me?"

Qui-Gon smiled. "You are not in trouble, of that I am certain. I believe this has to do with how you arrived here and members of the Senate who are attending today's event."

'Fuck! I thought when they said after the free-for-all they meant later in the day, not right afterwards. Shite!'

I did my best to remain calm as I followed Qui-Gon down the corridors. A few glances at him to try and determine his age – and get a hint as to where I was in relation to the movie timeline – failed as beyond seeing he was probably in his 40s or 50s, there was nothing to indicate the current time, and Obi-Wan was not present.

I'd already learnt that the current Chancellor was a Human female named Kalpana and that Palpatine had been a member of the Senate for just over a decade, but that didn't tell me much. I was reasonably sure that Kalpana wasn't the Chancellor during Episode 1, but I wasn't certain exactly who had been, nor how long they had held the post before the Invasion of Naboo. This is what I get for not having seen Episode 1 in nearly a decade and the part played by the former Chancellor being relatively unimportant, save for how he was removed to allow Palpatine to ascend to power.

I breathed slowly as we entered an elevator and I sought to put my thoughts in order. As the doors opened and Qui-Gon stepped out, I quietly whispered to activate Player's Mind and called up my stats. A quick mental calculation told me I had about 20 minutes before I ran out of Player Points and Player's Mind automatically stopped, so hopefully this meeting wouldn't go on for too long.

Eventually, we stopped outside a room in an area of the Temple where I hadn't been to before. We were in the central spire, however from the view, I figured we were a dozen floors below the Council Chambers.

"Grandmaster Yoda is inside along with other members of the High Council and members of the Senate." Qui-Gon stated with a soft smile. "They merely wish to discuss with you how you arrived here and your plans." He chuckled and looked each way down the corridor before leaning down. "A word of advice when dealing with politicians, keep your answers short, accurate and simple. That way they have no chance to spin things to suit their own narratives."

"Yes sir." I replied, already knowing that advice from my past life when explaining how things went wrong to superiors or hiding facts from those that I didn't want to know what my work entailed.

"You summoned me, masters," I said as I stepped through the door, figuring playing the loyal Initiate would help make things easier. I noticed Master Windu's brow rise a touch at me addressing them by their titles instead of my usual sir or madam.

"Ah, Initiate Shan, come, come." Yoda said, waving me over from where he was sitting with Windu, Sifo-Dyas and Belfarr and a half-dozen people who I didn't know. "Chancellor Kalpana, this is. Most interested in speaking with you, she is." Yoda added, indicating an older woman who sat opposite him.

"Chancellor," I said slowly, bowing a touch to show respect for the office, and take my eyes from a face behind and to her right. Palpatine was here and I was glad I'd engaged Player's Mind beforehand.

"This is the child of Revan?" Kalpana asked and my eyes came back up to meet hers, allowing me to take in features.

She was old, at a guess I'd say in her 70's, with her white hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, and sharp blue eyes that seemed friendly, but I imagined would've looked like ice when angered.

"Great-grandchild according to his story," Master Belfarr stated in a tone that made me want to smack him.

"A story that our technicians have collaborated by data recovered from the ship he arrived on." Windu countered instantly, given his fellow Jedi a short stare.

"Indeed. Most interesting." Kalpana said and with a smile, tapped a space beside her. "Please, sit." The man where she had tapped stood, leaving a space for me, and moved to sit beside her, meaning Palpatine would be directly behind me.

"Thank you, ma'am." I replied as I sat down, turning to face the Chancellor. "Was there something specific you wished to discuss?"

Kalpana chuckled. "No, no. I like to attend the Initiate and Padawan tournaments when I can and after reading the report that was brought to me by my staff, and watching your remarkable performance in the obstacle course, I found myself most interested in speaking to a child of a Jedi still taught about over 3000 years later."

"Do not forget that his grandfather was a former Chancellor, nor that another famous member of their family was Grandmaster of the Jedi." I was again thankful for Player's Mind as Palpatine spoke.

Kalpana laughed softly. "I am aware Sheev. I read your comments about Satele Shan when I went through your very detailed account of the Shan family." She shook her head and looked back at the man who would – if I couldn't find a way to stop him – one day bring about the destruction of the Jedi and the Republic. "I never knew you were so interested in ancient history."

"My father was something of an enthusiast for military history, his love of it is one of the few things we shared."

"Forgive me, but who was Satele Shan?" I asked. I knew the name from having played a little of KOTOR, but I hadn't stuck with it as I'd never enjoyed MMO's and if I didn't ask, it may lead to questions as to why I wasn't curious about a possible member of my family.

"Records are, hazy, regarding your family tree, but Satele Shan rose to become Grandmaster of the Jedi Order during what was known as the Galactic War between the Republic and the Sith Empire. She was known to be a descendant of Revan, and came along a few hundred years after you, so she would've been your, great-great-great-grandniece, or something similar. The war was about 3,700 years ago if I remember correctly from Senator Palpatine's report."

"You do, Madam Chancellor."

Kalpana turned from giving him a smile to stare at me. "I am a little surprised that you haven't researched your family in the Jedi Archives."

"The Council decided to restrict information about Initiate Shan's family from him, as we do with all Initiates." Windu stated slowly. I met his eyes as he spoke, a little annoyed by them doing that, but remembering that they had done the same to Serra, I quickly lost my annoyance. "Familial attachments are against the code of the Jedi."

"Hmm, I've never questioned the Jedi way, but would learning about what is ancient history really be a risk for young Cameron? You don't mind if I use your name, do you?"

"No ma'am. It's a nice change from being called Initiate Shan all the time."

She chuckled. "Yes, I imagine it would. So about those records?"

"We will discuss this with the rest of the High Council, but I do not see a risk in allowing him access to those files." Windu said with a slight bow to the Chancellor.

"Provided he stays," Belfarr whispered loud enough for everyone to hear and I mentally cursed him for revealing that in-front of Sidious.

Kalpana turned to me. "You do not wish to be a Jedi?"

"I am, uncertain, about my path." I answered slowly, trying to frame things to get Palpatine uninterested in me, without making it obvious. "While I am grateful for the Jedi for taking me in, it is difficult to let go of everything I knew and learnt before I arrived here. I find that what I was taught by my grandfather at times runs counter to the Jedi way."

"Living example of the reason for taking in Younglings so early, Initiate Shan is." Yoda added with a smile. "Though tendency to use the force in unexpected ways, he does have."

"Yes, I saw the recording of his obstacle run. I didn't know Jedi could phase through solid matter." Kalpana stated and I knew Palpatine's eyes were on me; wondering how I did such a thing.

"It is an unusual application of the Force. Only a handful of Jedi even attempt to learn it and only 1 is known to the Council who has mastered the art." Sifo-Dyas explained.

"Indeed. Well, I can think of a few times when such a trick would be useful." Kalpana said with a chuckle.

"Maybe, but the usage of the Force in such a way is not commonly taught as it involves manipulating the laws of matter; an approach the Council has long since deemed as dangerous for learning by any below the rank of Knight." Windu countered. "Initiate Shan has been forbidden from teaching it to his peers."

"Though I know a few Masters who are interested in taking on the Initiate as their Padawan solely because he can do the unexpected, myself included." Sifo-Dyas countered with a small smile. "With the various conflicts occurring in the last few decades, it would do the Jedi good to have such abilities widely known through the Order."

"It sounds as though they don't want you to go young one," Kalpana stated to me with a smile.

"Maybe, but I am my own person."

She laughed softly, as did a few of her entourage. "Yes, you are." She reached behind her, and someone handed her a datapad. "Now, I've read the report that reached my desk, but I would love to hear, in your own words, how you ended up here; displaced by nearly 4000 years."

I sighed. "Yes ma'am." While I had no interest in going over this story again – especially in front of Palpatine – I couldn't exactly refuse the Chancellor of the Republic.

…

I slumped against the wall of an empty conference room a few doors down from where the I had met the Chancellor and sighed deeply.

What I had hoped would only be a 20-minute meeting – due to the limit on Player's Mind – had turned into a near 2-hour discussion.

Chancellor Kalpana had listened quietly as I told my story once more, tapping at her pad as she did until I finished; then the questions began.

She'd asked about little things at first in my story, like where on Talravin we lived and what my daily life was like, before slowly working her way to what was different about technology then and now.

She had been especially interested in the fact in the time I'd come from, personal force-shields were commonplace and had clearly hoped I knew something about them since no-one today used them; save stationary versions used by rich individuals or expensive droids like the droidekas used by the Trade Federation.

She'd asked about other pieces of technology, but it was clear that she – or someone in her group who was subtlety manipulating her – was interested in getting their paws on technology that could potentially give them a leg-up in future conflicts.

I'd played dumb – which wasn't hard as I knew literary nothing – to those questions until I decided to turn the tables and ask about how the Republic worked. I knew that the current Republic was far larger than the one in Revan's time, yet I had asked why the military and security forces seemed so much weaker.

Of course, I knew that this was probably the work of the Sith over generations, but the Chancellor did not, nor did the Council.

Palpatine had agreed with me at that point, catching me off-guard until I worked out that he came from an Outer Rim sector; one that would be more at risk to pirates and exploitation than the Core sectors, and as such, should be pushing for more security forces in public.

Master Sifo-Dyas – who's name kept setting off a warning in my head, but I couldn't quite place where I knew it from – had also chimed in with his opinion that things were slowly deteriorating to a degree that open conflict between the Rim and the Core was a possibility in the next century or so.

Kalpana had then mentioned how private organizations, such as the Trade Federation, helped to provide security to the Mid and Outer Rim by arming their trade-ships.

It had been hard for me to not argue too fiercely against letting private companies arm themselves to such a degree, or be gaining seats in a supposedly democratically elected government by all but buying off Senators, without letting on I was far more mature and knowledgeable than my age suggested, but I had held my ground until a member of her staff had informed the Chancellor she had a dinner meeting with the Senators from the Corellia and Alderaan sectors in 30 minutes.

The moment that it was stated I could leave I had bolted out of the meeting and into this empty room.

"That was fun," I muttered to myself as I slumped to the floor. "At least I have a timeframe to go on now."

One little tidbit that I'd gotten was that Kalpana was standing down at the end of the year and her main aide, Senator Valorum was expected to become the next Chancellor. Hearing that name – and having the Photographic Memory Perk – had helped me to link that name to the Chancellor before Palpatine.

Since I'd already learnt that a Chancellor could only serve for 2, 4-year terms, that meant I had no more than 8 years until the Blockage of Naboo took place.

Now I just had to come up with plans to slow, if not stop, the Clone Wars and alter things so that the Sith wouldn't win. Though how to do so was not going to be easy, nor did I expect it to be one giant single quest, though I suspected that if I could pull off all 3 'Changing Fate' quests, things would be different and hopefully better.

'Actually, I'm a little surprised I haven't gotten a quest to stop Sidious or the Clone Wars.'

Do you really need a quest to do try to stop the Sith?If you don't do anything, you will die like the rest of the Jedi.Or replace Skywalker as the Emperor's puppet.As for stopping the war between the Rim and the Core of this galaxy, nothing can do that.All the Sith have done is fanned the flames of discontent that have existed from millennia.You even made mention earlier when in the room with a Sith Lord as to why this war is inevitable.However, without the control of Sidious, the death toll will be worse.Instead of billions dying in the war, trillions will.This is a greater number than all those killed in the Clone Wars and by the Empire during its reign.This will also leave the galaxy weaker when facing even more dangerous threats than the Banite Sith.However, the choice is yours.…Quest Alert!Sever the HeadCan you remove Darth Sidious from the board before the outbreak of the Clone Wars?Rating: S***Objective:Kill Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious before the Clone Wars beginsBonus: ?Bonus: ?Rewards:30000XPDeath toll in the quintillions over the next 100 yearsPenalties:Your deathDeath of everyone you care aboutDeath toll in the quadrillions over the next 100 years.Accept?Yes/No…

"Um no." I muttered as I read through the rewards and penalties.

It seemed that no matter what I did, the galactic death toll was going to be insane, which had me frowning as it suggested that even if I was able to change things so that Palpatine didn't become Emperor, there were still other threats to worry about. Which the PtB message had stated existed and was somehow worse than a galaxy-spanning evil empire. Also, what was a Banite Sith?

"Man, I sure picked the wrong bloody universe to be reborn into." I mumbled as I slipped to the floor as the reality of just how hard it was going to be to stop the Sith sank in; and the realisation that not having followed Star Wars outside of the movies and Clone Wars cartoons was going to be a major issue for knowing what was really going on in the galaxy.

"Player's Mind." I said after a while for sitting there and instantly felt the worry, fear, anger and regret drain away. "Man, that is so abusable I can't wait until I get high enough to just leave it on 24/7." Though based on how long it took to regenerate Player Points from 0, I'd have to be about level 25 for that to be the case.

'Right, I know I can't just go out and hire an assassin to take out Palpatine, but perhaps I can find other ways to hamper his plans.' I stood and moved to the door of the room. I needed to get back to my quarters and start making plans for how to weaken the Sith for when war did finally come.

"Initiate Shan, is something the matter?" I slid to a halt as I exited the room and turned to see Master Sifo-Dyas talking with the very man I didn't want to talk with.

"No sir. I just felt a need to meditate after meeting the Chancellor." I paused, keeping my eyes on the Jedi Council member and away from the Senator. "I felt I became too emotional at times."

"There is nothing wrong with being passionate about what you feel is wrong about the Republic my child," Palpatine said with a kind smile. "In truth, it is heartening to see such desire to change those flaws in one so young."

I nodded a touch, showing respect for his office even if all I wanted to do was grab a lightsaber from my inventory and gut him with it. 'Thank you, Player's Mind.' "My grandfather was keen on me speaking my mind Senator, however, such emotional outbursts are unbecoming of a Jedi."

There was the slightest wrinkling of Palpatine's brow as Master Sifo-Dyas gave me a smile. "It is good to see you are taking your lessons to heart Initiate, but both the Senator and I share your concerns regarding the dangers the Republic is facing."

"Yes, however, we differ greatly on how to deal with our concerns." Palpatine added with the smile still on his face. "I know you are young, but what was the status of the Republic's standing military during your Grandfather's time?"

I shrugged a little. "I can't give you exact figures, but as I mentioned to the Chancellor, the Republic back then had fleets spread across the Rim and Core; the ship that brought me here detected over 30 cruisers in range as I left Talravin, most with Republic colours, I think. If that helps."

Palpatine nodded and rubbed his chin. "It does, it does." He seemed to be thinking about something. "I am unsure of the current status of Talravin's defence force off-hand, but I do know that the Republic military has only a single sub-fleet covering that entire sector."

"That's about 50 ships," Sifo-Dyas explained, making me nod even as I wondered just how unsure the Senator really was. He prepared a report for the Chancellor on myself and my family, and I suspected he was one of those who'd pushed her to ask me about what I knew of technology from Revan's time.

"That does seem low," I shrugged, "but I can't say for certain if the number of ships when I left home was normal or not."

"True. However, I know for a fact that 95% of the Republic military is patrolling the Core and Colonies." Palpatine added in what sounded like he was just adding to the conversation, but I could see he was fishing for more from me and trying to influence my thinking. "Many Rim-worlds are forced to rely on their own meagre defence forces. Republic law has strict controls on the number of ships non-Core worlds can have in their defence forces."

I nodded. "I guess I can see the Senate's thinking there but doesn't that limit Rim-worlds from raising forces to counter pirates and criminals?"

Palpatine smiled warmly and nodded. "That is my opinion too." He paused and looked at Sifo-Dyas. "It is encouraging to see that the Jedi are so keen to promote such outward thinking in their younglings."

Sifo-Dyas frowned. "Sadly, Initiate Shan is something of a unique case. Most Jedi do not share our concerns about the problems brewing in the Rim, nor the danger it poses to the Republic."

Palpatine's smile fell. "Hmm, that is most troubling." He turned back to look at me, kneeling a touch so we could see eye-to-eye. "Do know young-one, that your concerns are shared by some by others. Indeed, if you ever wish to know more about what is going on in the Senate or think of any ideas on how to improve things for all the Republic's citizens, please feel free to contact me. I am sure Master Sifo-Dyas will be more than helpful in arranging such a meeting."

I smiled back at him, though I could see through his plan. "I will Senator, but since I am currently an Initiate, and not allowed to leave the Temple, I do not know how likely it is that we can speak any time soon." 'Hopefully, it would be never again, but totally avoiding you might just make you suspicious.'

"You are only an Initiate for now young one. I expect the Council of First Knowledge will meet to discuss the next batch in Initiates to be taken as Padawans and I am certain your name will be mentioned." Sifo-Dyas said and I caught the very slight twitch of Palpatine's lips at hearing I that.

"Truly?" he asked, and Sifo-Dyas nodded. "That is impressive as I was under the impression that most younglings were not taken as Padawans until they passed 10 cycles."

"It is uncommon, but not unheard of. I do know that Master Koon was taken as a Padawan learner when he was only 9 cycles old."

"Hmm. Then it is even more impressive given your lack of time with the Jedi." Palpatine said to me as he smiled in a way that reminded me of Vaner Shan, though I doubted it was a pure as my grandfather's had been. "I will be watching your career most intently young one."

"If that is your desire." I replied, brushing off his interest before turning to Sifo-Dyas. "If I may be excused. I am feeling hungry and I'm worried that my clanmates will be worried about my apparent disappearance."

Sifo-Dyas smiled and nodded. "Of course. You should eat as you will be competing in the 13-and-under lightsaber duels tomorrow."

I bowed a touch, before turning and walking towards the elevator as quickly as I could without making it seem that I was running.

As the doors closed and I began to descent, I gasped as I was finally able to place who Sifo-Dyas was. The Jedi who ordered the Clone army. I'd honestly thought that It had just been a false name used by Dooku or Palpatine to hide their involvement, but if it was a real person, then he would be murdered by one of them – or whomever Palpatine got to replace Dooku if I could prevent his fall to the dark side. Perhaps there was a way to prevent that.

Quest Alert!Changing Fate [Sifo-Dyas]Can you prevent or delay the death of Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas?Rating: BObjective:Delay the death of Sifo-Dyas for long enough that other Jedi can learn he placed the order for the clone army.Bonus: ?Bonus: ?Rewards:2000XPLarge reputation gain with Jedi Master Sifo-DyasFailure:Place yourself in Darth Sidious' crosshairs.Death of someone close to you.Accept?Yes/No…

I looked at the quest carefully. The quest was more about keeping Sifo-Dyas alive long enough to make sure other Jedi – presumably the High Council – learnt about him placing an order for a clone army for the Republic than preventing his death. Thus, one of the bonuses was probably about keeping him alive until the outbreak of the Clone Wars.

I was concerned about the fact failure could result in my ending up in Sidious' crosshairs – and I suspected that the fact it used that name there meant I would be a threat instead of currently being a possible asset – and the idea that someone close to me would die. The only people who even spent time with me were… Dragon Clan. Shit! Did that mean one of them might die if I failed this quest?

Player's Mind had cleared any emotional response to that already, so I could examine the quest logically, and I could only see 1 course of action. While the risk of losing someone that might be a friend was high, the benefits of keeping Sifo-Dyas alive long enough to warn the Jedi were greater. To quote another movie franchise; the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few or the one.

"Yes."

The quest disappeared as the doors opened and I walked to the mess hall calmly, even as I played over everything that Palpatine had said in the last few hours in my mind.

'Damm, he's good.' Nothing he'd said had hinted at a darker motive, and yet he'd phrased things, or added little details, to just shift the conversations towards topics that if thought about longer would raise questions about the Republic and its effectiveness.

…

There is now a poll on my profile for who should be Cameron's Master.

Normally I won't do this, but for this choice, I'm open to changing from my current thinking if enough people push for someone else.

The poll will run until the middle or end of February. Depends on how close the voting is and when I have time to write during Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)