Tarnis

I made my way back to the senate tower to find general var Suthra throwing a fit.

" A Sith working as my chief scientist. How can I defend the republic when I can't even trust my own people? Tarnis entire engineering team vanished along with the planet prison. They're all traitors too!" Var suthra shouted aggressively.

" Don't be so sure about that General. We can't say for sure. If we panic, then we'll get sloppy." I told the man.

" Tarnis is going to use the planet Prison to cripple the republic. Trapping us here and preventing us from escaping and keeping us hostage. You're our only hope of stopping that." Var Suthra explained.

" Kira, did you trace the Holo?" I asked the woman.

" Sure did. Tarnis was communicating down in sector 439." Kira replied.

" Justicar territory. Tarnis knows we're not allowed down there. The Justicars are paramilitary vigilantes. They took over a sector- cut ties with the rest of Coruscant. And they don't like visitors." var Suthra explained.

" You called them Vigilantes? Explain." I asked.

" Many Justicars are former republic military who came home to find gangsters controlling their neighborhoods. They believe the republic abandoned Coruscant to crime. So, they've taken matters into their own hands. The Justicars are well trained and armed." Var Suthra explained. " But they don't concern me. It's the Sith Lord I'm worried about."

" You shouldn't face Tarnis alone. I may only be a padawan. But I can help you." Kira spoke.

I turned to the girl and inspected her. Kira was strong, that was undeniable, but she's never faced a Sith Lord. They can vary. Some of them are simple brutes, while others are conniving snakes who'll take advantage of any distraction. " Are you sure about this, Kira? You've never faced a Sith." I asked the girl.

" I'm sure." Kira replied confidently.

Her enthusiasm and confidence aside, the girl was gifted with her double-bladed Lightsaber, and it couldn't help to have the backup. If she says she can handle it then... " All right, Snips. Let's go save the world." I told the girl.

" You two stop Tarnis, before he can use the planet prison against us. The fate of the republic rests on your shoulders, Jedi. May the force be with you." Var Suthra spoke.

Kira and I both nodded and then with T7, we all left the senate tower and made our way down to Sector 439. As we walked through the lower levels of the planet, I could see that the people were visibly frightened by our appearance, and I grit my teeth in anger.

" Master, are you alright?" Kira asked, catching on to my annoyance.

" These people are afraid of us. What the hell has the republic been doing? We're supposed to help people like this, not scare the life out of them." I told the girl.

" The planets too big. There are just too many people for the republic to keep track of." Kira replied.

" Is it that there are too many? Or is the Republic just being lazy? Look around, Kira. How many guards did we see back at the Senate Tower? How many did we see on the upper levels of Coruscant? They're treating these people like they don't exist, instead of helping them. I don't care how they try to spin it. It's wrong." I spoke. I felt angered by the way these people were treated, but I couldn't do anything at the moment and that's what pissed me off the most.

Kira reached up and placed her hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed it.

I looked over to the girl and cracked a small smile. Just to reassure her that I was fine. " Thank you, Kira." I spoke. " Come on, we got a maniac to stop." Kira nodded and we continued towards the location where Tarnis had sent his call. ' I doubt he'll be there still. but he might have left us some kind of clues as to where he would go next.

" This is it. Are you ready?" Kira asked as we approached the signal's location.

" I was getting ready to ask you the same." I told the girl. Kira grabbed her Lightsaber, and I opened the door in front of us. The first thing we saw when we stepped in were lightsaber burn marks on the walls and dead bodies. Judging by the smell they had been dead for quite some time.

" Looks like we found Tarnis' team." Kira spoke.

" Yeah, but no Tarnis. I figured as much. Kira you and T7 search the place for the planet Prison. I'll look for any survivors." I told the woman. Kira nodded and walked off with T7 to search the base.

I ventured forward and eventually I stumbled on a man still breathing. Though from his wounds I knew it wouldn't be long before he passed. It was a miracle he was even still alive.

" Sir, can you tell me what happened here?" I asked the man.

"A jedi? Thank the stars." The man coughed as he spoke, barely able to get his words out at all from the gut wound.

" Focus, I need you to tell me what happened." I told the man.

" Hey, I didn't find any planet prison...." Kira spoke. She walked up behind me and cringed when she saw the man's body.

" Focus, what happened?" I asked again.

" We were such fools... Tarnis. He's a Sith." The man spoke.

" We're here to stop him. But I need to know what happened." I told the man. I could feel his lifeforce slipping with every breath and knew he wouldn't last much longer.

" Tarnis tricked us. Said your Jedi were going to shut the project down. Told us to bring the planet prison here. Keep it safe. Thought we were saving the republic. We brought Tarnis the Prototype. He turned on us. Killed everyone." The man cried. " Tarnis, has the prototype. You must stop him. The prototype creates a massive heat signature when activated. Run a thermal scan. You'll find Tarnis. Planet prison needs time to build up power. Enough time for you to destroy it and save Coruscant." The man explained. His last words were to save Coruscant.

" I'm sorry. I promise, I won't let him get away with what he's done." I told the man. I leaned down and closed his eyes and bowed my head respectfully. " T7 send general Var Suthra a message explaining what happened here. I want you to wait here until the General arrives to make sure this place stays secured." I told the droid.

" T7= Hold it down." T7 replied.

" Kira, you're with me. I trust you can run a thermal scan from one of these terminals?" I asked the woman.

" I can. Just give me a second." Kira replied. Kira walked over to one of the terminals and began tinkering with it. " Whoa the technician wasn't kidding. something's really lighting up. I'm tracking it now... Here we go. Sector 167, coordinates 8863..." Kira suddenly froze before listing off the rest of the coordinates.

" What is it?" I asked.

" Oh, you've got to be kidding me." Kira exclaimed.

" Where is he?" i asked again.

" The signal's coming from the ruins of the Jedi Temple." Kira explained.

When she told me where Tarnis was, all I could see for a brief moment was red. I grit my teeth and clenched my fists together so tight, I thought I'd bleed..

" Then that's where we're going. Do you know how to get there?" I asked.

" The temple ruins are in some place called the works. People go in but they don't come out. There's an old elevator down to the works near here." Kira explained. " Hope your ready for anything. Because that's about all I know."

" That's more than enough, come on." I told Kira. I didn't feel like carrying on a conversation. I wanted to end Tarnis.

Kira led me to the old elevator, and we rode it down to the works. I know she wouldn't it say it, but I could tell she was both curious about my past and sad.

" Are you okay?" Kira suddenly spoke up and asked.

" No, I really not. But I don't have time to worry about how I feel right now. If we don't stop Tarnis, then the entire republic will be finished for good. That's more important than anything else right now." I explained to the woman. " But thank you for asking, Kira. I appreciate it."

" No problem, tough guy. Just... Just know I'm here if you need to talk." Kira stated.

When the elevator finally stopped, we stepped out into the works. It was filled with mercenaries and droids that were less than friendly. I led the way through, keeping the blaster fire off, Kira. She was good at deflecting the bolts back, but the sheer number of them was more than she could handle. She was still a novice. But she showed promise. We made it through the works without much problem. And finally, we arrived at the old temple. We took the elevator down into the ruins and when we stepped out, I saw what remained of my old home, and saw that Sith were roaming about within these sacred halls. I felt my blood boil. I walked up quietly behind the Sith squadron, my presence hidden to them. I pulled my saber out and drove my through the first one's back, killing him instantly.

The other Sith turned towards me and pulled their sabers out.

Kira grabbed her lightsaber and got ready to fight.

The first one ran towards me with his blade held high ready to strike down. I simply swung my blade across his stomach and cut him in half.

The rest of the Sith rushed me at once, swinging wildly. I dodged the first one's strike and cut him across his back, I spun my blade around and stabbed under my arm pit nailing the guy behind me in his chest. I turned around and faced the remaining two Sith.

" You can surrender, or join your friends. I'll only warn you once." I told the two.

The two men looked at each other and started running towards me. I sighed and threw my saber at them. the two men dodged the saber and continued running at me. While they were distracted, I ignited both Blades and pulled the saber back. By the time the men realized what was happening they had already been beheaded. I caught my saber and quickly tucked it back onto my waist before continuing on.

" Wow! You took care of those guys like they were nothing." Kira spoke. Amazed by how easily I dispatched a group of Sith warriors.

" They were nothing. Most likely acolytes who had just graduated from korriban." I explained to the girl. " Real Sith would have known how outmatched they were and would have tactically retreated." I told the girl. " Come on. We need to find Tarnis." I continued walking forward with Kira right behind me.

We soon arrived at the source of the Heat Signature. The Jedi Council's Chambers. We walked into the chambers as Tarnis, was speaking with more Sith.

" I'm departing Coruscant now father. The planet prison deploys in minutes. The Republic will have no choice but to surrender." Tarnis told his father.

" You return to me as a hero of the Empire, my son. Our victory is complete." The man replied.

" I wouldn't be so sure about that." I told the man. Everyone in the room immediately turned towards me and Kira.

" What's this, Tarnis? A loose end? For shame." One of the Sith lords taunted the young man.

" Have you come to die Jedi?" Tarnis asked as he ignited his lightsaber.

" I don't die easily. Haven't you figured that out?" I asked the man.

" Fighting petty criminals is nothing. Now you face a Sith." Tarnis replied.

" Channel your rage my son. Don't let this Jedi steal your moment of triumph." The man behind Tarnis spoke.

" Your blood flows through me father. I cannot fail." Tarnis spoke boldly.

" Now, that I look closer, i do recognize you." I spoke to the man on the holo. " Darth Angral. You're the one who helped lead the attack on Coruscant years ago." I spoke.

" You know me boy?" Angral asked.

" Yeah, I do. because I was on Coruscant when you attacked it." I replied. " You think this is my first time fighting Sith Tarnis? I killed Sith in this very temple when I was only ten years old. Your fathers' fighters chased me with everything they had and yet me and another padawan managed to fly a ship right off this planet." i explained to Tarnis. " He was a failure then and he's a failure now. Just like you. Now, I'm giving you this chance Tarnis. Surrender now and I won't hurt you. Fight me and I can't guarantee you'll live to see tomorrow." I told the man.

" Enough of your Insults Jedi! Time to die!" Tarnis shouted.

Kira and I drew our lightsabers as Tarnis rushed us. His attack was vicious, but unrefined. He lunged at us and swung his Saber down at Kira. i blocked the Strike and got between the man and Kira and started pushing him back. " Kira, don't worry about Tarnis, Stop the planet Prison." I shouted to the girl.

" But Master!" Kira replied.

" It's fine, Kira. He's nothing but a child with an inflated ego. I can handle him with ease, you need to stop that weapon before we're all doomed." I told the girl.

Kira hesitated, but quickly nodded and put her saber away.

" NO!!!!" Tarnis shouted. He raised his hand fired out Lightning directly at Kira. I stepped in the way and blocked the torrent of energy with my Lightsaber. I ran towards Tarnis, keeping the energy from hitting me and Kira at the same time, and once I reached him, I underhand swung my blade upwards and cut his arm off.

" AHHHHH!" Tarnis screamed. he dropped his lightsaber and collapsed to the ground whil holding onto the place where his arm had been.

" Last chance, Tarnis. Surrender now and I'll spare you." I told the man.

Tarnis, whimpered as he held his bicep. He growled in pain.

" Surrender now." I told the man once again.

" Death before Dishonor!" Tarnis shouted. He reached down and grabbed his lightsaber. He pointed the blade at me and ignited it. I deflected the saber and spun around, I swung the blade at his head and decapitated the man.

" AGHHHH! Jedi Filth! You killed my son!' Angral shouted in anger.

I turned towards the man and smirked. " Well, I gave him the chance. I can't help it he took after you." I told Angral.

" He'll die for this master. I'll see to it personally." Angral's apprentice spoke.

" Yeah, okay. I'll be waiting on it." I told the man.

" You have no idea what you've unleashed, Jedi. There's no place in the galaxy to hide from my wrath." Angral spoke.

" I ain't hiding, Angral. Jacen Skywalker. I have no family; I have no home planet. I was raised by the order. I have nothing else. You want me come get me." I told the man.

" I will fix unimaginable suffering on your people. Billions will die because of you." Angral threatened.

" We already control your secret weapon facilities. All that power is ours now." One of the other Sith spoke. I turned and looked at the man like he was stupid.

" You can't be Sith. I refuse to believe anyone so stupid is. You just told me everything I needed to know about where you are. Now that I know you're at the facilities, you won't have to find me. I'll be seeing you soon." I told the man.

" You don't get it Jedi. My son's death will be avenged on the entire republic. And you will bow down before I let you die." Angral spoke.

" You've lost your mind." I told the man.

" Tell your masters that Darth Angral has returned. And this time there will be no mercy." Angral spoke before cutting the transmission.

" Such a charmer. I miss him already." Kira joked.

" I know right? Such a wonderful man. Wonder what lady went to bed with him?" I asked.

" Who knows. It might not have been a lady at all. I mean look at Tarnis." Kira replied.

I laughed and patted the girl on her back. " So, the planet prison?" I asked.

" Is turned off and has been turned to dust. That's one problem out of the way." Kira replied.

" And now, we have to deal with Darth Angral. Or at least I do." I spoke.

" At least we won't get bored." Kira replied.

" That's true. Let's head back to the Senate Tower. T7 should be there by now." I told Kira.

" Right behind ya. Just let me say goodbye to the toxic fumes and all the ruins." Kira joked.

" No time for that. Maybe later though." I said with a smile. Kira seemed to have calmed down. I could feel her worry before, but now it seems like she's relaxed at least a little anyway.

Kiran and I made our way back to the Senate Tower as fast as we could. But once we got back to the surface I realized that the sun was rising. Meaning we had been down in the works all night.

" Damn Coruscant is big." I complained.

" Not getting old on me already are you?" Kira asked.

" Not by a long shot? Little girl." I joked.

" I am twenty years old." Kira replied.

" So am I." I told the girl.

" And yet here you are complaining like your sixty." Kira stated.

" Hey, don't you start that with me." I told the girl.

" Or what?" Kira asked.

" Or... I don't know but I'll think of something." I told Kira.

" Yeah right." She replied.

" Whatever, let's just get this over with." I spoke.

" Sure, whatever floats your boat tough guy." Kira joked.

I sighed and rubbed my face as we walked into General var Suthra's office. I was already beginning to get tired of the

" No one saw this coming Satele. not even the jedi council." I heard Var Suthra say. I knew just hearing that sentence that this conversation was going to suck.

" We have sensed it for weeks general. Had you told us of your secret project, we might have everted this disaster." Satele replied.

" That's what I said." I spoke as I entered the room.

Master Satele and Var Suthra both turned towards me and smiled.

" There he is. The hero of Coruscant. Welcome back, son." Var Suthra exclaimed.

" Wasn't just me. T7 and Kira were both very vital to stopping the planet prison. I did unfortunately have to kill Tarnis." I explained to the man.

" Yes, we've heard. We also know that Tarnis was the son of Darth Angral." Satele replied.

" Public channels are being flooded by death threats from that maniac vowing revenge." Var suthra explained.

" It's always one problem after another. Well, old Angral won't be as successful this time." I spoke.

" Be careful, Skywalker. Angral led the forces during the last war. As I'm sure you already know." Satele explained.

" Looks like he's back to finish what he started ten years ago." Var Suthra stated. " The empire has formally disavowed Darth Angral's actions. Saying he's gone rogue. It's a lie, but the senate refuses to authorize a military response." Var Suthra explained.

" And with good reason. Neither the republic nor the jedi are prepared for another war. We would lose. Billions would die." Satele stated.

" And if the enemy turns our weapons against us. Billions would die. Tarnis transmitted details of all our top-secret projects to his father. We traced that transmission to the planet Ord Mantell. Darth Angral must have a base there. I need you to find it." var Suthra explained.

" I'll see what I can do." I replied.

" We might not find the man there. But any clues will be a great start." Var Suthra stated.

" Master Orgus senses greatness in you. As do I. This mission is yours." Satele spoke.

" I'm going to. master Kiwiks left me here to help." Kira stepped forward and spoke.

" Agreed. take Kira. Train and protect her like she's your own Padawan." Satele explained.

" It's an important responsibility that I won't take lightly. You have my word master." I responded.

" We'll get to know each other. it'll be fun." Kira joked.

" I must inform the council of these developments. Travel safely young Jedi. May the force be with you." Master Satele spoke. She then cut the holocall and went to inform the rest of the council.

" All I've ever wanted was to protect the republic. I was stationed here when the empire attacked." Var Suthra spoke.

" So, was I General. We both survived those dark days." I told the man.

" Then I hope you can understand why I've done what I've done. Seeing the Jedi temple destroyed. All those Padawans and master's cut down... I started these weapon programs in their honor." Var Suthra spoke.

" You had good intentions, General. That I will not dispute. But you should have been more forthcoming with the Jedi. If you had maybe this wouldn't have happened." I told the man.

" Maybe your right. Who's to say." Suthra replied.

" That's true as well. But what we need to focus on right now is stopping the empire from turning those weapons against us." I told the man.

" I already have one of the best starships waiting for you at the spaceport. Your astromech droid is prepping it for takeoff. There's civil war on Ord Mantell. It's a no-fly zone. Dock at the orbital station there and contact me. Good luck." Var Suthra told me. The man saluted me and with that Kira and I were on the way.