Corust the Elder's house. An emergency meeting had been called after republiformators reported a rge military movement from the separatist armies. The enemy fleets had beeowards Zyggeria, of all pces, and a world-wide blockade had beeed around the p. Meanwhile, a p-wise invasion had begun just a few ho, and hundreds if not thousands of small and wide scale skirmishes are currently happening on the p's surface. There had bees of massive pary bombardments and ominous rumors that the Zygerrian Queen had been assassinated by her than t Dooku. Those particur rumors even mao reach the ears of the Jedi High cil.

  This pletely unforeseen turn of events led to the immediate emergency meeting of the cil. In the cil room, every cil member who was able to appear be that personally or in the form of a blue hologram, resent.

  The masters present physically were Grandmaster Yoda, Master Eeth Koth who is an Iridonian Zabrak, Adi Gallia a Tholothian Jedi Master and Saesee Tiin Iktotchi Jedi Master.

  The rest of the cil members appeared in a holographical form, as they were sent out in the gaxy on many different missions, serving as diplomats enerals of the e armies.

  Those masters were, Mace Windu, Plo Koon from the race of Kel Dor, Ki-Adi-Mundi a Cerean Master, Oppo Rancisis a Thisspiasian, Shaak Ti a togruta and Kit Fisto who is a Nauton.

  Ten members of the Jedi High cil were present. The retly deceased Master Even Piell's p the cil had not been filled yet, and Obi-Wan Kenobi couldn't be reached since he was currently on a mission on Zygerria. The phat had been the trum of attention because of this internal war in the hearth of the Separatist systems.

  The moment Kit Fisto's smiling hologram appeared at st, the cil meeting officially began.

  As it was tradition, the Grandmaster of the order opehe discussion.

  -As you all must have already know, Zygerria, the newly reborn sve empire and a distinctly separatist and radical phis m had been attacked with a plete invasion force of the separatist droid armies. The p is pletely surrouhe unication signals are disturbed. Therefore, we lost the means to unicate with Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Knight Anakin Skywalker, and his padawan Ahsoka Tano, who were sent in an infiltrating and rescue operation to locate the position of an eogruta tribe. Our st unication with Master Kenobi, happe night. He didn't observe anything unusual that could serve as a possible expnation for this sudden new situation. Yet, he has stated oroublesome thing, and that was the following information. Anakin and Ahsoka met Nizzal the Gray ihe pace, who was currently w as a personal servant of the queen. We have requested him to find a way t back the girl, even if that means capturing her. I do not believe that this is the result of a failed attempt to capture her. It would be too soon for that. Master Obi-Wan isn't impatient. He would never make su error. I request the cil advise on this matter, what should our move be. Speak your mind freely, my dear friends.

  After Yoda further described the situation, an ominous silence fell oirety of the cil.

  After a few minutes of silent ption, Master Ki-Adi Mundi decided to speak up.

  -I personally think, that the beginning of suternal strife in our enemies lines was nothing more than a matter of time. Our enemies methods were always questiohey were svers and in many cases dht criminals. It is their way to solve their flicts. I say, it is a good thing if anything. Let them destroy each other, if they wish so.

  There was a series of whispering in the room as Master Mundi finished his monologue. o speak up was Mace Windu.

  -I for one, agree with Master Mundi. We are stantly fag overwhelming numbers of droids on every front. I feel for the is of Zygerria, but the p's position is far beyond the main separatist spaces, and we have little dominan thions. Even if we wish to, it is impossible tanize a rge scale attack that could break through the blockade. And what would we gain in the process, nothing but the tyresome responsibility to handle a world that is trolled by svers and crooks. We have already failed to tame the beast called Zygerria once, and that was iive peace time. We 't waste resources in a useless endevour. However, we o at least rescue Obi-Wan and his pany, if he didn't leave the p before the blockade was fihat is. We should wait till tomorrow, if he doesn't report in, we should proceed with a stealth evacuation mission.

  There were a series of agreeing nods, and murmurs around hearing Master Windu's suggestion. Adi Gallia was the one who chose to speak.

  -I volunteer myself to lead the evacuation force, if the need arises. I have no other more important obligatiht now, and I rested enough from my st injury to go.

  Yoda o her request.

  -Good, you will go then, if the need arises.

  -Thank you, Grandmaster.

  Oppo Rancisis took over the lead in the versation.

  -What should we do with the girl? Should we try to capture her, or only focus on the evacuation.

  There was another wave of uain silehen Shaak Ti stated.

  -Masters, if you allow me, I think that we should not chase the girl in a warzone, if she es from her own will, the, but do not chase her. We 't allow to lose another cil member, not so soon after Yarael Poof, Yaddle, an Trebor and Even Piell's ret departure. Depa Bilba is also heavily injured, so much so that she had to momentarily retire from her duties to focus on recuperation. Although there are others to p cil member positions, but it would heavily damage the morale of the people, to withe death of more members of the Jedi High cil. Its possible effeilitary morale could be devastating.

  Oppo Rancisis tinued after Shaak Ti finished her speebsp;

  -Viewing the situation strictly from a strategic perspective, I wholeheartedly agree with Master Ti's proposal. We shouldn't take such risks in an already uain situation. There would be a heavy price to pay for such arroganbsp;

  Yoda o that and closed the topic of the evacuation mission for now.

  -Good, then, for noill wait for Obi-Wan's report. Let us hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. The st thing we o talk about is the possible repercussions of this internal strife between the Separatist. What could have caused it, any suggestions? Hmm?

  The holounicator device pced in the middle of the cil room suddenly activated and the form of aremely tired and visibly injured Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared.

  -This is Obi-Wan Kenobi Jedi Master. I have mao leave the battle-ridden atmosphere of Zygerria through a momentary opening in the blockade. I think, Zyggerian troopers mao infiltrate a separatist battleship, and they took over its bridge. In the momentary chaos they shot down another battleship and rammed themselves into a sed ohis way destroying the blockade above aire sector. Hundreds of Zyggerian ships exited the p esg into hyperspace. I am on one of those ships, did you hear anything about Anakin and Ahsoka? We lost e whetle began in the pace, and sihen I have failed to reach them. As if the very earth had swallowed them whole! I am worried for them, sihe whole battle started in the pace, and it quickly extended outwards. I have seen quite a few battles, but this one is one of the worsts... It is practically a meat grinder right now...

  Everybody seemed relieved when they saw Kenobi alive and without any serious injuries. No one has said it yet, but most of the cil members had doubts about his possible safe return. Thankfully the force willed it otherwise, and their dear friend, were still alive. However, the atmosphere quickly turned sour, when they heard the news about Anakin and Ahsoka's disappearahey were in the trum of the events. If Master Kenobi could hardly escape, how much of a ce could Anakin and Ahsoka have?

  Grandmaster Yoda had taken the responsibility to inform Kenobi about the unfortunate possibilities.

  -General Kenobi, I am afraid that we couldn't provide any information about the wellbeing of Anakin and his padawan. They did not tact us... You should be aware of the possibility, that they might have been captured by the enemy, or worse. If it is so, we will enter iations for their release wheime arrives. Until then, we only hope and pn for a possible rescue mission, if we have enough information.

  -... I uand, Master.

  -Now then, we must ask you to share every bit of information you have ouation. Tell us everything you know.

  Kenobi began to report on his mission from the beginning to the best of his abilities, while the cil listened in silenbsp;

  On the p of Zyggeria, in an underground cave, covered by thick yers of water and rock, a tall golden pyramid like building finally rose out of its thirty year-loombment. It had a pletely unfamiliar and dht alien desigher Ahsoka nor Anakin had ever seen anything like this.

  From the perspective of Anakin.

  This thing, it didn't resemble any known culture's building style I had seen or ever learned of. It was simplisti desig still mao express a refiaste. The most unusual thing was this. When I try to focus my eyes on a single part of it, I always find my gaze wandering in such a way as to look at its ey as a whole. As if an invisible force tried to tell me that I was supposed to look at it in that way. It was an artistic creation, that was nothing special; if you studied its small details. The moment you look at the whole picture, each of those small details, as one, were creating something magnifit.

  Only when a few minutes had passed since we mao lift the building above ground, did I realize that I was just standing there, awestruck looking at this thing in front of me. I forcefully shook off my stupor, and turned around to che Ahsoka. Lifting this thing was aremely exhausti after all. Damn, I felt pletely exhausted after managing such a thing. At first I thought that we wouldn't pull it off. I don't bme the blue girl for not wanting to do it alone...

  -Are you okay Snips?

  She is just as awestruck as I must have been seds ago. Even her mouth is partially open, heh. Whatever, she seems alright, if a bit exhausted. I looked over Ahsoka's head because some small movements attracted my attention. My eyes widened as I realized, that every one of the force sensitives were standing around. All of them seemed exhausted, yet they were happily smiling, looking at each other, from time to time, sharing knowing gnces. Nizzal was standing just a few steps from us. She had a rge red mark in the middle of her forehead... What the hell, did she fall on her fabsp;

  She saw what I was looking at, the me a gre and said.

  -Don't ask.

  -Didn't po.

  -Good then.

  I smiled and turned around, while weakly shaking my head. So that was the reason why we mao lift it in the end... Everybody joined.

  I looked up at the rge building.

  There was just a single row of stairs leading up to its top, where a hollur arch was carefully pced. The building was about thirty meters high, and it seemed as if it was created from a single pieetal. Such things were not unlikely at this time and age of space exploration, but they were definitely not the norm. Especially in this size! A thirty meter tall building formed from a single pieelted metal. It spoke of aremely advaeology, ohat could create a reusable form for a building to create it in a standardized produ. And to think that the building they create in such a way is supposed to be a star gate of all things... What the...

  I took a step closer, then stopped as a thought, almost forcefully, jumped into the forefront of my mind.

  Unity.

  I looked around, seeing if I imagihings, or if someoually talked to me? Well, no one was looking towards me, so probably nobody had spoken to me... But then, what? Sigh... I must be more tired than I thought.

  -So what now, I asked?

  -What do you mean, master?

  Asked Ahsoka, but wheepped closer, her eyes widened for a sed, and she looked around just like I did... So I was not imagining things after all...

  -I mean, are we going up or what?

  This time Aomi stepped closer, after she apologetically petted the head of Nizzal on the way... She seemed to smile for a sed, but then immediately covered it up while ag as a genuinely sulking kid... Aomi only smiled at that, and walked closer to us. She didn't rea any obvious way, to a voice speaking in her head... I guess that is expected, if she is the one who built the thing, ht it here... I don't know whie is less believable.

  I guess I will figure it out soon enough.

  Aomi walked by I followed her, o me. Nizzal and Ahsoka were ing along.

  -Oh wow... What happeo your fabsp;

  Asked Ahsoka immediately, and I had to stifle my ugh.

  -Ugh...

  Was the only answer from the irl.

  -Did you fall on your fabsp;

  -... I guess you say that...

  I was kind of feeling sorry for Nizzal at this moment... ime she might think twice before pg in a force choke an oppo she 't possibly defeat, well, I guess she only wao stop Aomi to tell something awkward about her... But I already guess, from the little she told us, what this was all about... In the end, Aomi easily dispelled her attad she clearly suffered the sequences in the form of some type of force push. Yeah, we all heard her scream like a banshee from the dire of the ship. Was it worth it... I don't know about that...

  The rest of the team followed us to the top.

  -So how does this thing work?

  I asked.

  -That's a secret, I don't pn to share, I am afraid. But you are wele to try and figure it out on your own. We mao do it, after all, in a few thousands of years.

  She said while smiling at me pyfully. I 't seem to figure out this woman. Is she trying to annoy me or is she really that desperate?

  -You are thinking about something rude... judging from your expression boy.

  -W-well, I was trying to figure out if you were joking back there...

  -Hmmm... was that it? ~She smiled at me knowingly. - I did not joke, you know, our little sect, aside fr to reach a ban the force used to have a lot of free time... We decided that seeking knowledge and expl the universe is the best thing to do. So we have found a lot of alien teology, new races and mysterious ps along the way. The gaxy is a pretty big thing...

  The whole pyramid began to hum under our feets as the triangur hollow arch at the top began to fill with a swirling blue colored energy.

  -This one is one of the most mysterious alien tech we found and even mao activate, or rebuild in the end. Cool isn't it?

  -Impressive.

  She looked at me with an annoyed expression, as if she was trying to say, is that all?

  -Well, I will say more, if it actually mao send us away in one piebsp;

  -Ah I see! Then allow me.

  She stepped closer to the gate. She smiled at me one more time... then walked into the blue swirling energy vortex. The moment she touched the vortex, her body pletely dissapeared.

  We stood in plete silence... what was that...

  Nizzal stepped forward now. She turned halfway behind, and said.

  -Go o a time, and hold your breath before you walk through. That's it really. See you oher side.

  Then she also disappeared.

  I looked at Rika, and asked.

  -What happens if we walk in at the same time?

  She looked at me, and her face turned pale from my question. That is probably more than I wished to know...

  Laora shouted at us.

  - one please.

  I took in a fresh breath of air and stepped into the gate while holding my breath. The moment I touched it, I felt an incredible power pull me into the gate. It happened so fast that I had no time to feel pain or shout. Then darkness, and silence weled me. It was cold, nothingness. I didn't know how much time went by. When I felt another wave of pain and suddenly I was standing in knee-high green grass. I felt a small hand grab my arm and pull me away from the gate, while I was feeliremely fused. I looked up, and realized that it was Nizzal, who ulli of the way, so instead of questioning her, I followed on my own.

  I sensed a nearby star's warm rays caressing my skin and heard as hundreds of birds were singing around us. There was a stream nearby, I could hear the sound of flowing water.

  Wheopped I began to look around. We were in the middle of a forest? Everywhere I looked I saw nature, but it was too orderly to be a normal forest... It must be a park, then... I looked up to the sky... and froze...

  Above us there was no sky, just a cupo, that was at least a few kilometers high, and who knows how wide, I could not see its end... I turned around and I saw a bright energy source shining in above us. It was like a small sun... I realized as this thing was clearly funing as such. Its light was warming up my skin just simirly to a true star. Uhe meical star, and above the shroud of the trees I could see a giant golden pyramid. It was hundreds of times bigger than the one we used to e here for. It was almost reag the top of the cupo that served as a meical atmospheric border. Only now did I realize, that the sun I had seen before, was basically pced oop of that pyramid.

  -WOOOAHH?! What is this pce!? I.. is that a star? Master, do you see it?

  -Y-yes, I see it... I don't know what that is...

  -Haha!

  Sounded a healthy ughter nearby.

  I turowards the sound, still heavily shocked by the new spectacle. Aomi was looking at me and smiling from ear to ear.

  -Now, that is the expression I was looking for. Master Jedi.

  She cpped her hands a few times. I realized that everybody had already arrived, and the gate had been turned off.

  Aomi walked closer to me. She grabbed one of my hands and also Ahsoka's hand and said happily.

  -Wele to our home! Which is actally one of reatest discoveries, a lost city of an unknown race that was extremely knowledgeable of space travel. Through the intuitive use of the force, and thousands of years of effort, we mao uand a rge part of their teologies. They were far beyond space-bending teologies than our widest dreams would ever imagihis is our home, for a long time. Here, we are untouchable. No one could reach this pce, without us letting them in!

  -Wele to the city of Unity!

  -...

  -Cool!

  Said Ahsoka and she even began to cp for her small speech.

  -You seem sure about the fact that the separatists or the republic will never find this pce. I am ied why?

  Aomi gave me an ominously pyful smile.

  -Well, you see Anakin, even if they would know the exact pce to find us. They wouldn't have time to reach us.

  What the heck is she talking about? They wouldn't have time? With hyperspace teology... except... if... but that... is ridiculous...

  -What do you mean?

  -Because we, my Jedi friends, are currently in a different gaxy.

  -...What?

  I said in plete shock.

  -SO COOL!

  Shouted Ahsoka in the background.