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Interlude 1 - A Disturbance in the Force

  Yoda sat cross legged in the quiet depth of his chamber within the Jedi Temple, atop his padded chair, his eyes closed, attempting to get settle back into his deep mediation. He often found solace here due to his connection with the Force … but at the moment … something was different, and he believed the Force was responsible for his difficulty maintaining his meditation.

  Over the past several days he had felt strange fluctuations echoing through the currents of the Force, ripples that were noticeable even in the usual chaotic push and pull, that he normally felt in the Force … but less than ten minutes ago there had been a disturbance that echoed through the Force, a ripple so significant that it had caused him to almost fall off his chair in surprise and had so far managed to prevent him from re-achieving the calm necessary to meditate.

  With a furrowed brow, Yoda opened his eyes, shaking his head slightly, realizing that he was unlikely to get back to his meditative state in this condition. Slowly he made his way to the door, his senses tingling with a feeling that … something was coming … a sense that things were about to change. He could feel it, the sensations, though fading, so palpable that even without actively meditating, they sent shivers down his spine.

  Walking down the hall, the diminutive Jedi Master made his way through the corridors of the Temple, his mind focused on the source of the disturbance.

  Approaching the main hallway, a small smile graced his face recognizing the presence of the individual who was approaching from one of the other branches. Seconds later he nodded at the sight of Mace Windu who came around the corner looking as equally disturbed as Yoda felt.

  A look of silent understanding passed between them, as they both knew what brought the other into the corridors and away from their meditations.

  "Master Windu," Yoda greeted, his voice steady as he kept moving forward.

  "Master Yoda," Mace replied, his expression serious. "Something is happening … I was able to feel something through the Force. Something faint. Something unlike anything I have ever perceived before."

  Without another word, receiving only a nod, Mace joined Yoda as the two Jedi Masters continued their journey, their steps echoing through the halls of the Temple. Their destination clear – The Jedi Library.

  As they entered the vast chamber, Yoda's gaze swept over the countless shelves of ancient tomes and holocrons. He usually felt a sense of calmness from being in the presence of so much knowledge … but today the comfort was overshadowed.

  "Master Yoda, what is it?" Mace asked, his voice low as he followed Yoda slowly making his way towards the navigation sections.

  'This disturbance we felt," Yoda replied, his eyes fixed on a holomap of the galaxy which had popped up in front of him, allowing him to physically walk between the stars and planets, pausing every once in a while before moving slowly off in another direction. "Distant it was, but localized to one planet I have no doubt."

  Mace's eyebrows shot up in surprise, before he shook his head, looking over and following Yoda's path through the holo galaxy, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "Which planet?"

  Stopping in front of a small, rotating, golden-hued holographic planet, Yoda answered slowly, not removing his gaze from the planet, his voice barely above a whisper, "Tatooine."

  "Tatooine?" Mace echoed, surprise evident in his voice. "What could possibly disturb the Force that significantly on such a desolate world?"

  "Find out, I intend to." Yoda said, determination shining in his eyes as he turned and made his way over to the main desk, approaching the librarian whose gaze was fixed on the datapad within her hand.

  Clearing his throat softly as he arrived at the desk, Yoda caught her attention causing her to look up, her expression one of mild annoyance at the interruption before recognizing who it was that had interrupted her.

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  "Ah, Master Yoda," she greeted pleasantly. "How may I assist you?" Come to discuss the history of our order again?"

  Yoda shook his head respectfully. "Greetings, Master Nu. Not today. A particular planet, I seek information on."

  Master Jocasta Nu raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "And what planet would that be Master Yoda?"

  "Tatooine," Yoda replied evenly, his gaze steady.

  The librarian's eyes shot up even higher. "Tatooine? From what I recall there isn't much to say about it. What, pray tell, do you seek?"

  Eyes narrowing slightly at her dismissive tone, Yoda shook his head slightly. "A disturbance in the Force, I sensed. From Tatooine, originated, I believe it did. And it's significance, I wish to understand."

  The librarian's skepticism was palpable as she shook her head. "A disturbance in the Force, you say? On Tatooine? Highly unlikely, Master Yoda. Tatooine is little more than a backwater planet, hardly worth the attention of the Jedi Order."

  Yoda stared up at her, unfazed by her skepticism, his expression serene. "Any information you can provide, appreciated it would be."

  Master Nu sighed, "Very well, Master Yoda, I will collect what you seek and personally bring it to your mediation chamber. But I assure you there is likely little of note about Tatooine in our records. It is a harsh and unforgiving world, populated by criminals and scavengers."

  Looking at her steadily, Yoda questioned, "Certain you are, that no more to this planet there is?"

  Bristling slightly at the implication, she laughed slightly. "Of course, Master Yoda. The Jedi Library contains the most comprehensive collection of knowledge in the galaxy. If there were anything of significance about Tatooine, rest assured, it would be recorded here. And if its not recorded here … it's not worth knowing."

  Yoda nodded, positive that there was something more to this planet than what appeared, "Appreciate your help, I do, Master Nu."

  With a curt nod, Master Nu, headed off to collect the files for Yoda, leaving him to ponder her words. After a second he turned and motioned for Mace to follow him to a more secluded corner of the library.

  "Troubles me, this does." Yoda confessed in a low voice.

  His expression serious, Mace nodded, "Indeed. This is concerning. Although Master Nu is right, why would something happen on Tatooine? Do you have any idea what is happening?"

  After several moments of silence, Yoda sighed and shook his head, his mind racing with possibilities. "Unknown these events are but caution we must exercise. Know not what this disturbance is."

  Mace quickly nodded in agreement, his features hardening. "Should we send word to Master Jinn? I would need to check but I believe that he and his padawan may be the closest to Tatooine …" he paused and looked around, before looking back to Yoda and continuing in a quieter voice, "… although we still haven't heard from them since they arrived in the Naboo system for their … assignment."

  Yoda considered the suggestion before shaking his head. "No, not yet. Trust in the Force to guide us. Observe and wait, for now we shall."

  Mace paused looking at Yoda as if he wanted to say something before nodding slowly.

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  Meanwhile just a short speeder ride away in the very heart of the bustling metropolis that was Coruscant, the towering spires of the Galactic Senate loomed over the cityscape below, casting long shadows over the throngs of the beings that filled the streets.

  Withing the upper floors of the building, Senator Palpatine sat in his opulent office, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he felt the disturbance in the Force, relieved that it had happened after his last meeting had ended and he had managed to keep his masking of his Force presence intact.

  While his primary focus was not in the nature of the Force, he was proficient enough that he recognized that this disturbance was significantly different than anything he had sensed before … it almost felt as it was a threat directed at him and the legacy of the Sith. It whispered of light and hope, its tendrils reaching out from across space.

  Pausing, he allowed a smile to form on his face as he opened his eyes. While he couldn't help but feel this disturbance was a threat to all the Sith, since Darth Bane, had worked for, he recognized the faint impression of darkness … of anger.

  "Plagueis," Palpatine whispered, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. "It seems fate has more in store than we expected."

  With a twisted smile marring his otherwise smooth features, Palpatine rose from his seat, his mind already trying to work on how to respond to and take advantage of this.

  Gathering his resolve, Palpatine exited his office, making his ways through the labyrinthine corridors of the Senate building, before finally making his way to his private communications center.

  Activating the holocomm, he waited for several seconds, observing the silence on the other end of the line, which was broken only by the crackle of static. Then a figure materialized before him – a figure cloaked in shadows.

  "Master, what is it you require?" Maul greeted, his yellow eyes blazing from under the hood of his cloak.

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