"....I need all Jedi to be present for Livia's Knighthood ceremony." and just like that, Master Cyle departed once more.
All of a sudden, the Senate Chamber flooded with Republic Guard reinforcements, most likely called by a surviving, and panicking, politician. The eerie silence was soon replaced by a cacophony of metallic boots against the ground.
Garen pushed off the pillar he leaned against while listening to the Councilor's orders. It really wasn't eavesdropping since the Miraluka Jedi had probably already sensed Master Balfour's presence.
"Now then, about that Trandoshan..." he pondered, not bothering about the message. He left that up to Master Jarec.
Garen quickly retraced his steps and sure enough, he found the incapacitated Sith exactly where he left him. He took a few moments to check his fallen foe, examining for any hidden weapons or poisons or any other countermeasures against capture. The debilitated Trandoshan still laid unconscious, lying in an awkard pose as a consequence of the fresh broken limbs suffered from Garen's attack. As an added measure for security, Garen knelt down and placed his hand near the Trandoshan's head, reaching into its mind with the Force. As soon as he located its consciousness, he carefully 'nudged' it back further using his control over the Force to keep his prisoner from waking prematurely.
"Strange. I feel barely any Force sensitivity in this one. Just like-" a sudden suspicion entered Garen's mind. "-all the others, save for the Zabrak. Why would they send nearly Force-devoid Sith to attack us?"
He realized that that last question was completely unnecessary. An attack force of disposable pawns only meant one thing: distraction. But for what? As he pondered this, the sound of metal boots drew nearer. The Echani turned and saw a small squad of heavily armed Republic troopers combing the hallway. "Excellent timing."
"You there, I require assistance." Garen called out.
"Yes, Master Jedi?" the squad leader replied when as the approached.
"Detain this Dark Jedi. Place the proper restraints on him and sedate him. Then bring him to the Jedi Cruiser for interrogation."
"Roger." the squad leader turned to his comrades. "You heard the Jedi. Harlin, Vosh, Quinne, get to work on that Sith scum. Avery, Parkins, secure the rest of the hall. Redo, call the Interrogation Corps and-"
"That last part won't be necessary. We Jedi are fully capable of extracting information." at this mention from Garen, the Officer twitched slightly, almost as if a shiver ran down his spine. "Oh, and one more thing, I'll need one of your men to go to the Jedi Cruiser and gather a few of the Jedi there. We will not leave Master Bandros here to rot."
"Understood. Stratch that, Redo. You're gonna go to the Cruiser to bring some Jedi now. What're you waiting for? Get to it!" and with that, the Republic soldiers dispersed and set about their dedicated tasks.
With that settled, Master Balfour hurried his way back inside, sensing an unfamiliar presence in the Force near Livia and Zak.
*************
"Leave me alone..."
Though he already knew what to expect, Livia's grief-stricken dismissal still rang painfully in his ears. "Damnit! Why is it always like this?! Why am I always powerless to protect those I who are dear to me?! I'm so useless!" he screamed in his mind. He then realized that more and more people gathered around his mourning comrade.
"L-Livia. I..I'm sorry..." Zak quickly sputtered before he turned to face the spectators. "Please, leave her be. My friend here needs a moment alone." he pleaded. The young Padawan quickly strode forward, not wanting burden anyone anymore. But he instantly met resistance as he walked straight into someone. He could tell from the smell and the familiar instinct he felt that it was his Master.
Garen gazed at Livia and his apprentice. Both were sweltering under clouds of unbridled emotion. He concentrated for a moment, and felt a tiny, miniscule bit of the Dark Side from them. Master Balfour's eyes quickly furrowed with worry. Though he followed the belief that Light and Dark were simply paths to the Living Force, he did not want the mission compromised. He glanced around, looking for something to keep Zak distracted from his inner thoughts.
It was at that moment that he located the unfamiliar presence in the Force: a gray-robed, black-haired man who emitted a fair amount of the Force (Rai). In one way or another, that man had to be a Jedi of some sorts.
Somehow, Zak had already caught on, tracing his Master's inquisitive gaze until it settled on the gray-robed stranger.
"I got it, Master." Zak muttered as he approached the stranger (Rai). Once he got up close, he noted that the man was only slightly taller than him and he felt a strong 'air' about him that was similar to all the other Jedi. "I know you have a connection with the Force. But you're not associated with the Order. Please, tell me what your business is here, sir."
