-From the perspective of Nizzal-

  Meanwhile, on the surface of Corust, in an idyllic, peaceful atmosphere, Nizzal endiime in the pany of her old friend, Hava the besalisk and her restaurant server Kate, the human woman with warm brown hair. They have shared stories of how they mao get away from the pace. Of course, Nizzal didn't tell the specific details of her escape, sihat would reveal some of her muarded secrets. She liked Hava, but they were ly that deeply ected to sharing suformation. It would only bring trouble over her friend's head and would lead to even more questions.

  For that exact reason, Nizzal fabricated a minor story of her lucky escape that used the jedi as the main protagonists who had e to her rescue and saved her life from certaih. It was easy to do as the jedi's involvement was well known among the public of Corust. The jedi didn't really try to hide their attempts, to pacify the Zygerrian queen, but they have denied all accusations of supposed assassination attempts.

  Hava and Kate have listeo my story with i and I have fluently showcased my well-practiced power of imagination. In less sophisticated words, my ability to lie with a straight face. It was kind of amusing. Anyway, the three of us have spent a rge quantity of the m hours in such a manner.

  Hava was the chief cook here, therefore she could leave most of the actual work to the others and there were more than enough servers in the restaurant they could spare Kate's help for a little while at least. It was Kate's reward that she mao actally bring su old friend into the arms of Hava.

  She was more thao hear that and even got the ce to eat Ava's specially prepared meal. She ractically beaming with happiness as she ate the delicious food while listening to the exg stories of this supposed young jedi.

  Time flew by quickly as their versation became heated. They ughed and smiled a lot at the uedly good pany. After a few hours of tinuous chitter-chatter, the versation came to a tent halt. So many things were talked about, and the brain could jure only so many questions and answers at oime.

  Nizzal was actually beginning to feel her tongue being tired and heavy. She couldn’t remember when she had to speak so mu one go. She also realized that it could be the result of her self isotion while she meditated over days and weeks tain her sight at will. All for naught, as she seemingly wasn't closer to the answer by a single millimeter.

  It robably only the child speaking from her, as she had done simir things in different lives for much-much loimes. It was not that unusual per se, and she was over the initial sense of paniow she kind of got used to this new vision of hers... It was still impossible to walk around in a pletely unfamiliar pce that was not strong with the force. She would be hit by a car or a hovercraft in a few minutes, and she would probably die pitifully.

  That would be something... I bet I would bee the seost retarded archivist in the history of the order. Exactly after Cil-Cil Muz. Probably I shouldn't think about that right now.

  Nizzal heard a slight movement happenio her. She also felt that Kate was moving on the seat, which they both shared.

  When she heard that she was a force user... aka jedi, as in Kate's belief there were no other sort of force users, she immediately ged seats and sat o her. Leaving Hava to take the entire seat across from them, as the besalisk woman was still quite a rge thing, in her whole glory.

  A few seds ter, the slight movement abated, and another voice filled the room, ohat seemed to appear in the middle of a sentenbsp;

  -the Gactiate has brought together an emergen the early hours of this m. We just mao get some information and, as we had expected, the meeting was ing the irregur activities of the e army. Which has, to the shock of trillions of republi citizens, unleashed a cruel backstabbing assault against all jedi in the gaxy. This attack is the cause of the battle that erupted around the Jedi temple of Corust, ohat has yet to e to a clusion.

  All three of us were shocked by the hat were currently broadcast by the holo vision device that Kate just activated. The report was still far from plete, and we listened carefully to the rest of it.

  -One of our informants asked a special police member about the i of the Kaminoan representative's sudden impriso and interrogatioated that the kaminoans were denying any sort of misfun, or internal geiipution of brain matter in e troopers. Saying that the units were following the orders of the cellor, and therefore they have no responsibility iraying the jedi order.

  Hava couldn't hold back his words anymore as she excimed in disbelief.

  -What the fuck is going on here?

  Kate was frozen rigid in her seat, and she was shaking slightly from the shod uain fear of what was being of this already terrifying war. She didn't say anything, though, and we tio watch the news.

  -The police didn't seem to be amused by the statement of the kaminoan representative, in the first pce, how would the cellor be able to give out su order, without the discussion of the rest of the senate. Such important decisions were not something one man could deci-...

  The report was cut suddenly, as a new reporter appeared in the hologram.

  -We have just received special news about the Seandpoint. The e army has been decred a rogue army with unknown goals. The Gactiate orders all loyal e troopers to put down their ons and turn themselves in for further biological analyses. If the ss showcase any internal manipution, then they will be absolved from their crimes. Those who fight against the forces of the Republiate will be executed by military standards. The Senate orders all reservist soldiers to report on duty as fast as possible. We have also received video footage caught on camera by a viewer that shows that a rge force of senate guards and other none ilitary personnel have e to the aid of the Jedi Temple led by Master Windu.

  -The situation sihen has escated to an all out war between e troopers ae forces. Through this live drone footage we see that the jedi temple is on fire at multiple pces. There are es ae forces battling it out ireets around the temple and in the air as well. I would say that it is clear that the Republic will pay no more credits for the kaminoan e factories. Especially as there seems to be no answer from Kamino expining the sudden madness of the es turning on their own anders. We advise every civilian personal in the area to stay in their home, as that is the best way to avoid possibly fatal bodily harm.

  -Our informers state that the where being of the former cellor is still a mystery. Some people have begun to believe that the cellor was killed and that his authority was used in his pce. Other, more radical theories have also appeared, stating that the harmless old cellor was actually a Sith lord trying to take over the gaxy and drive the Republito a colpse. While that is indeed an iing idea, I wouldn’t give it much credibility. We will show some of the people's reas to the ragie currently going on around the cellors’ mysterious persona.

  The camera ged to a pink skin colored twi'lek woman in tight-fitting clothes, showing more cleavage than some would think to be det.

  -I never liked the old fart. I bet he got his hand ooo mah sticks! His eyes were always creepy as fu- zzzZZZ.

  The s ged back to the earlier reporter.

  -Cough, cough. Unfortunately, it seems that the e was lost. We will ge to other news until it is repaired.

  There was an awkward silence filling the room as we listened.

  In the meantime, I was having a small scale enlightening moment. I felt a bunch of force disruptions over the hours of this m. her one of them felt particurly ected to me. I was having a good time here, so I tried t it off, as if it was a headache induced by the giher. At least now I know what was causing it.

  A sudden shriek filled the room with a high-pitched voice. I reached up to my ear, protrusions c them from the ued shout. My ears were extremely sensitive to suoises, especially since I had bee somewhat blind. It was not that my ears became aced to such things in the mere few weeks sihis new dition started to bother me. It had more to do with me, using the force to pick up the smallest of sounds in my surroundings.

  I winced while c my ears, not knowing what had caused them in the first pce.

  Then I heard a quick series of movements as Kate fumbled to turn off the holo device. Was she afraid of me seeing the jedi temple attacked and probably half destroyed at this moment? Well, not that I could see anything but hear. Well, it is possible... After all, I just lied that I was with a jedi for some time now. I mean, it's not a plete lie. There was Anakin and Ahsoka... she must think that I treated them as my new family.

  Truth be told, I couldn't really care less about what happens with them. They treated me like shit. It's not that I am that angry, maybe a little... More like, I don't know; I guess I just don't care. Ahsoka is safe, and I don't really have any other friends from the jedi. e to think of it... she would be pletely crestfallen if she heard about this.

  Following that line of thought, my expression turned ugly.

  Oh no, she is going to hate me if I didn't do anything after hearing this... and, and it's not like I lie to her... if she sehat I am disho, she will grab my head tails, and force it out of me... Damn girl, she knows that I am way too kind to my friends, the few I have anyway...

  Even so, I 't do anything. I 't exactly risk my life as an archivist and the grandmaster for no reason. It would be extremely risky in my current state... and anyway, it seems the people of Corust are not orain that would let the jedi fall so easily, and I only got the news now, when most of the a was already over.

  Yes... that should be a suffit reason to not go there... I don't pn to be captured by them one more time. They would surely misuand my presehere. There is simply too much to lose with such a stupid decision. I won't go there after all, sorry Ahsoka.

  While I was lost in my thoughts, a loud argument broke out in the room.

  I raised my face after I stopped spag out and listeo the other’s argument.

  Kate was saying this in a sad and frustrated tone.

  -What will happen to us if the e army turns against the Republic? There are too many of them... and they are well equipped. There is also a Separatist army that we have to fa top of that. We are going to be obliterated!

  Hava shouted at the panicked girl.

  -Calm your tits, Kate. Instead of throwing around wild ideas in the blind, you should turn on the device more! Why did you even turn it off!?

  -It's because of Nizzal, of course! She is too young to see such things...

  Hava smirked loudly, then probably made a deadpan face at Kate. She knew me better than to be afraid of such things.

  -Nah, turn it on, she is a jedi, and a former sve... Do you seriously think she didn't see and experienough dark things in her life to not be shocked by a simple news report?

  -Well, if you put it that way...

  There was a moment of hesitation, then Kate reached for the trol panel aivated the holo vision device more. Then we tio listen to the news, but there was nothing iing said at the moment. There were just three people sitting in a studio, discussing curres, but it was more of a superstitious guessing game than anything meaningful. Our i quickly abated.

  I was thinking about what to do now, as I was not ied in going back to Unity just yet. If I do, I will be forced to meditate in isotion for who knows how long, and it was getting ever clearer for me, that through simple meditation I won't get the answer I am looking for. Not even speaking about the fact that I actually 't go home from Corust. It was a one-way trip from the start.

  I don't have credits on me, and I would rather avoid stealing from people. Through the smart use of force teiques, nothing was ever easier than stealing money. You simply suggest it with a retively easy mind trick for weak-minded people to give their moo you, and they will do happily. As, that feels just wrong... There is a certain pride to be an apostle, you know, and a grandmaster too.

  For that matter, I turowards Hava and asked.

  -I know it is kind of ued to say, but I stay here with you for a while?

  My story of being with the Jedi seemed to work in my favor. Now I don't have to figure out a believable lie to expin why I am homeless. That was actually quite the relief.

  Hearing my hesitant request, Hava stood up, walked over to my side, lifted me out of my seat as if I were some sort of plush animal waiting for a cuddle... uh... I-I kind of like this to be ho...

  I found myself being squeezed once more between her rge arms as she said in a warm, almost motherly voibsp;

  -Of course, sweetheart. You stay as long as you like. You probably couldn't see this, but this pce is a hotel and a restaurant at the same time. I have a perma room here until I work here, that is. It is rge enough for both of us. I would hrow you out in such a situation. You even help out as a server in the restaurant. That way, your presence here won't be suspicious. We don't know yet how things will turn out, eventually. You might o hide for a time, as a jedi padawan.

  I was holy touched hearing and experieng this rea. I was ready to be rejected, even if that was somewhat uo happen knowing Hava's personality. Hiding someone who could be easily associated with the jedi, in a time where jedi might bee hunted, was not something I could expect from other peoples to do so readily.

  Aside from that, it felt really good to be accepted with open arms. I will have to pay this back to Hava in one way or another. For that reason, I nodded and hugged her around her neck. I was feeling blessed. It seems I have mao make some reasonable friends in the end, not just stupid sods like Anakin who left me oreet while being blind. Thinking about that fool just makes me want to break something. I shook my head slightly, chasing away the annoying thoughts. As I focused on the present, I felt my leks ends curling upward. I was ba a good mood. So I smiled and said.

  -Thank you, I will help out wherever I , Ava... You t on me.

  I was squeezed once more, and couldn't help but giggle loudly. I 't seem to remember a day when I was hugged so many times in quick succession. This seems to be a good day, after all.

  At least the child buried in my subsciousness was certainly having a bst with it. I closed my eyes while a tented sensation washed over my body and filled my soul. I was rexed, truly rexed. Since I became a grandmaster, I have beeremely stressed with things, especially with my new eye dition.

  The moment I opened my eyes, my body went rigid.

  My... my eyes? They turned back? I see again... but why did this happen, what caused it...

  Sensing the tension going through my body since she was still holding me, made Ava stop, as she looked into my face with a worried expression. My eyes turowards meeting hers, and we looked into each other’s eyes.

  Seeing her dark green skin color, with the familiar brown eyes and bck hair still put into the same single low pony tail style.

  There was a moment of fusion crossing her features. She was looking into my eyes with deep scrutiny. As I sensed her gre, I looked into her eyes, which caused her's to take up the shape e saucers.

  I felt her jovial mood take a straurn as she held my body a bit harsher and held me further from her chest now with two arms, while the other arms took up an intimidating position on her hips.

  A sense of worry went through my body. Is... is she angry, but why all of a sudden?

  I had an urge to get away, but I was literally hanging in the air... I mean, Hava was about two hundred and teimeters tall and strong like a bull, and where would I go in the first pce? My eyes could literally turn back at any moment. e to think of it, why did it ge back right now? Was it because I felt happy... then why didn't it turn back when I ying around with Ahsoka in the forest a few days ago... or on the practice field... No, something else must be the reason... but what?

  I couldn't think about it right now, as the t figure of the alien woman was looking at me even more annoyed.

  I heard her speak with a fickle amount of anger.

  -So... did you just pull a joke oh that blindness young dy? I hope you didn't, because if you did, then you will have to wash every pte i for a week.

  I swallowed, feeling a sense of dread creeping over my back. She khat washing ptes was the thing I hated the most ba that damn pace. Even then, it was more of a punishment, as I was not expected to tes in my position, but wherever the queen wasn't satisfied with me, she seo tes i as a punishment.

  -I... Ugh, I told you that I am not blind... didn't I? My eyes simply ged... and I 't trol it just yet? Please... don't make me wash the ptes...

  I felt her anger subside siderably.

  -Hmmm... you did indeed say that, but you could have expi more clearly. It's not like I know anything about your so-called force thing... I simply thought that you were delusional, or just trying to cheer me up with a white lie.

  -Hey! That's... kind of rude to assume...

  Oher hand, it made sense... I guess I was too used to being in the presence of force users to take that into sideration.

  -So you see now?

  She asked after a moment of pause.

  -Yes, at the moment... but I still don't know what caused it to ge back... from what I know, it could ge at any moment. A teique without proper trol that ges one's vision is extremely dangerous. That is why I wasn't supposed to be out of the temple until I learo use it properly.

  -So... how e you are here? The temple is pretty far from this part of Corust. You couldn't wao this pce by just a mere act.

  -Ugh...

  I actally told her more than I meant to... Now what am I supposed to say...

  She saw me beiant; she put me down on the floor finally and said once more. There was a seething anger under her smiling expression that spelled doom. Luckily, it wasn't directed at me. A mischievous idea popped into my mind. I guess it ayback time.

  -So?

  I acted shyly while fiddling with my feet.

  -Spit it out, girl... I will hahe rest.

  -Well...

  I looked downwards to the side to hide my breaking smirk.

  -My master left me... and he rushed away somewhere... I don't know where... Probably back to the temple...

  There was a sense of foreboding, as the besalisk woman neared a state where she might just burst with anger. She walked a few times left and right, striding across the room in a few gigantic steps. Then she said with a somewhat calmed demeanor.

  -I uand why he left in such a rush... seeing the news and all. However, it is still unfivable to leave a blind girl oreet to fend for herself. What would happen if someoh bad iions appeared, or you wouldn't have met with us by sheer luck?

  I would probably use a stronger mind manipution on them, sending them on their way to think over their life choices.

  Hava finally mao calm herself down after saying this.

  -I will have to speak with his head when he finally es back to pick you up.

  I smiled, already imagining the s. Unfortunately, Ava caught on to my suspiciously eted smile and made her own smirk while slowly patting my head.

  -I am not doh you either. You made me worry for no reason, just because you couldn't care less to expin properly why you 't see!

  The smirk immediately disappeared from my face. As my pink eyes widened with a sense of fear. She hit the nail on the head with that! Did she read my mind?

  I saw her expression being somewhat annoyed, seeing my surprise.

  -I know you more than enough to figure out such things, but I saw enough zing around for one day. You said you would help, yes? So go with Kate to the restaurant and take up some orders. This will be your punishment for your ck of expnation.

  I nodded quickly, seeing that she was not in a joking mood anymore. And I could use some walking after ing all that food... I must have missed her cooking more than I realized. My stomach is about to burst... Oh boy, if I eat like this every day, my leks would grow teimeters a week! Then I wouldn't be able to lift my head eventually from the extra weight. That would be way too ridiculous.

  It was time to move a bit. That should help me avoid that oute.

  With that, we headed towards the restaurant where, uhe careful supervision of Kate, I began to help out and serve some of the ers. Half an hour ter, I was already used to the basics. It was not a plicated thing, really. To my surprise, my eyes didn't ge back, but I was too occupied to think about that iail.

  I was just bringing the food to one of the tables when I heard the doorbell ringing, signaling the arrival of another er.

  I turowards the door with a natural curiosity to see who had e in. Then, seeing what I saw, I almost dropped the damhat I was currently carrying. Luckily, my gray Jedi Training activated in time, and I mao hold on to the pte thanks to my trained reflexes and sense of bance.

  One of the ers, seeing my quick save, cpped his hands in amused delight, but I couldn't care less about that. My jaw dropped to the ground as a single name left my lips in an unscious wonder.

  -Hondo?

  The eyes of the infamous pirate captain turowards me with a spark of curiosity.

  -Oh-my, oh-my? Do I know you, sweet young dy? You seem familiar, but I 't exactly pce where we met. Would you tell me your mother's hat may help me remember...

  ... did he seriously fet about me? And what does he imply about my mother... oh wait, ah! I... I see... this bastard never ges...

  Wait... that is actually a reasohing... I look literally the same as two years ago, since I was frozen on ice most of the time. He wouldn't expect me to look the same way.

  I gathered myself, pulled my act together, and said.

  -I... never knew my mother... I am an orphan.

  I pyed the part seamlessly; it wasn't that hard, si was a solid truth to begin with.

  He ged his act as well, just as fluidly saying in a milder tone.

  -Oh, sorry. I wouldn't wish to remind you of such sad things. But, tell me then, where do you know my name? I am ly famous around here.

  He was looking at me suspiciously now.

  -Well... I didn't know that it was you... people talk and your description was very simir to what I heard about a certain pira-... uhmmm?!

  Ihan a moment, he jumped closer to me and forcefully covered my mouth with his hand while chiding me.

  -Alright, alright... I uand, my name must have reached far and wide in the known gaxy after all.

  In a silent whispering tone, he added.

  -So... do Jedi have to work in part-time jobs nowadays? I don't know why you look the same as two years ago, but don't think that you fool me girly. You were the kid that scared the crap out of some of my men. First of all, I would like to say that it was nothing but an unfortunate misuanding. I have no beef with you anymore, so what do you say, we pretend to not know each other and everybody goes his and her own way.

  I that. I didn't want to cause any trouble in the restaurant, and Hondo wasly the type of person you could deal with without causing a huge ruckus.

  He let go of my face, ag as if he was simply ing my mouth. From some leftover food stuck to it... what a shameless bastard.

  I whispered ba.

  -Don't mention so casually that I am a Jedi, you fool! Don't you know what is going on? The es turned on the jedi everywhere... Eveemple is under siege!

  There was a shocked gasp appearing behind Hondo, and I looked up, surprised to see that a bunch of other people had e into the hall. I saw a greenish yellow-skinned mirian woman covered in bck clothes from head to toe. She stepped forward with a strict demeanor and demanded an answer in an authoritative tone from me. At least she had the brain to whisper.

  -You... you are a padawan?! And you work here, while being friends with this two-faced shameless man? You should be ashamed of yourself, girl... More importantly, what was that you said about the es and the temple being utack? Tell me at once.

  My face was turning ever paler as I uood that the person in front of me was a damn Jedi Master... I don't know her personally, but it was obvious from her way of speed the rea she showed just now.

  I took a moment for myself and looked over at the newly arrived pany.

  There were two unfamiliar weequay men. There was Cire, seemingly still scared of me... Hondo, another woman that was gring daggers at me and Anakin's wife, injured and half unscious...

  ...Hold on...