16 Send Off

This day marked an entire month before the believed Trade Federation Blockade of the Planet of Naboo. Ventress and Ky Narec were to be sent off to the planet of Coruscant after a Republic Counselor Cruiser came to retrieve them.

Valad was seated upon his dresser with his legs crossed, his eyes shut and his hands rested on his knees. He was at rest, completely enthralled by the feeling of the force passing through him.

He was in true bliss, as he could look back at everything great which had happened to him in his previous life and everything which he had experienced until now. Yet he could also reflect on everything bad and horrible which had happened. There were few bad things that had happened so far in this world, other than his first kills which didn't make him feel to good. Yet there were plenty in his past life which he didn't like.

That's when Ventress wandered into the room without knocking and stared at the man on the dresser. Looking at him, he somehow looked different. The force was flowing all around him, as if it was hugging him in a tight embrace. It was the strongest connection she had ever felt compared to her master. Her eyes were wide, however just as he opened his eyes and looked at her, the feeling vanished.

The force stopped talking with him? No, he was cloaking his sensitivity, completely controlling it. He had mastered the Core Force Powers which would be the main requirement for becoming a Jedi Padawan before passing the Knight Trials.

"Do you have a Master?" Asajj Ventress asked as she stared up at him, as he was staring back in return. There was no tension between them, but it was definitely an awkward standoff.

Shrugging, as if he was unsure of the answer he was about to give. "Her name is Andromeda Systema," It sounded like a completely made out name, at least in the world which he had come from. Yet here, plenty of people had really weird names, especially surnames.

If someone can have the last name of Skywalker, they can definitely have the last name of Systema, even though that was literally a Russian Martial Arts which mainly involved grappling and suppressing an opponent.

Asajj opened her mouth slightly, hearing that his master was a woman. "Where's she now?"

A depressed chuckle left his lips, clasping his hands together as he leaned forward a bit before stepping down from the top of his dresser. "One with the force now she is, killed by a monster, she was." He made a light impression of Master Yoda, though didn't try reaching the tone, just the mannerisms of his speech.

Asajj didn't exactly understand the meaning behind what he had just done, but she will once she reached Coruscant. Should she connect the dots, it's likely she would try asking about him, in which Yoda wouldn't be able to answer in her favor.

From what Valad could feel, Master Yoda had no idea he existed as of yet.

Feeling someone coming up to the door, he glanced over towards Ky Narec who was standing and leaning against the door frame. Watching him like an eagle. Ever since this Jedi Knight was brought back, he had been skeptic of this man. He even figured out that his apprentice had been keeping a secret from him, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure out what it was.

"I'd like to call upon the Jedi Council," Ky Narec said with a compassionate tone, as if he was trying to reason with someone. Though he had no reason to reason with him, he would be given the ability to communicate whether or not he asked the Royal Security Officers or himself.

For a brief moment, Valad thought about it. "Why are you asking me?" He emphasized the 'me' part of the sentence. Why did this man come specifically to him?

"Don't take offense, but I took a brief glance at the technology on board of your vessel. Your transmitter has a better signal output than the rest of Royal's facilities. If I may?" Ky asked, attempting to humble the man though found no response other than a blank stare which both Ventress and Valad shared looking at him.

After a few moments, Ky spoke up once again with a question. "Am I speaking Gibberish?"

Shaking his head slightly Valad snickered at the reaction, Ventress also doing so as if imitating him. They then looked at one another and chuckled.

Valad hadn't indoctrinated the Padawan, instead actually formed a friendship over the past month while indulging in her idea of getting stronger.

"Fine, fine. I'll come with you." Valad said as he stretched and cracked his fingers with his thumb. The three of them exited the room in single file and then fanned out and walked beside one another.

Ventress was in the center, Valad was on the right and Ky was on the left. The Security Officers simply watched as the trio passed by and once they were in the hangar, they were generally left alone.

As they approached the ship, both of the guests could feel the force being used. They watched as the vessel came to life, the boarding ramp coming down and the airlock opening for its foreseen passengers.

Both Ventress and Ky paused at the sight, though Ky Narec seemed a bit disturbed by the display. He had felt emotionally exerted influences over the ship, as if Valad was using his emotions to exert his will upon it. That was clearly a controversial dark side power. Had he been wrong to let Ventress hang around him?

Valad ignored Ky's expression of weariness and walked up the ramp, Ventress quickly following after. Once the three of them made it to the upper deck of the Scimitar, they crowded around the node in the center of the room.

Valad stood back and watched as Ky called upon the Jedi High Council. Moments had gone by when suddenly the appearance of Yoda and Mace Windu appeared on the emitter.

The surprise was written all over their faces as they saw the man who had called them. "Jedi Knight Ky Narec?" Mace Windu called out in validation, taking his signature pose of thinking.

"Alive, he is." Yoda sounded relatively happy about this. "The report from the Naboo was correct." Most of the Order believed this Jedi Knight to be dead having been missing for many years. However, here he was, right before them. They could no longer afford to be skeptic.

Ventress stared at the one known as Yoda after he had spoken, a thoughtful expression on her face. Her eyes then wandered over towards Valad who was glancing away from her. "You were imitating the mi–" She felt a gentle touch on her jaw, a gentle touch through the force. Her eyes wandered down towards Valad's hand who was stopping her from finishing her sentence.

He shook his head slightly and winked, Ky clearly seeing this and stoically standing by.

Releasing Ventress, Valad would look towards Master Yoda as the green hermit was eying him in return. "Master Yoda," Valad stated with a light smirk over his lips as he folded his hands behind his back.

"Knowledge of you, I have not. Hm. Your name is?" Yoda asked in his typical curious demeanor, his ears perking up.

Bowing his head slightly, he stared upon the Master Jedi. "Valad, Valad Katsure."

Hearing the name, he gave no real reaction. He never heard of the name before, nor the surname. Yet it seemed he was of a noble family which had since become extinct. Even though it had never been spoken or seen before.

"To meet you, a pleasure, it is." Yoda said with a nod, tapping his cane on the floor.

That was when Mace Windu spoke up, cynical as ever before. "The Queen of Naboo's statement says you can use the force. Is this true?" He was in his little inquisitive mood, but it was something to be admired, well that was until he went ahead and signed the Jedi's death warrant.

"Yes. It is true." Valad said it in a blatant matter, as if it meant nothing, nor gave him any merit.

Mace Windu and Yoda analyzed that response. Yoda scrunched up his nose slightly, while Mace Windu nodded slowly. "And who was your master?"

"Andromeda Systema," Valad stated as he tilted his head to the side lightly, reading them in return. "From the planet Zeltron." He closed his eyes partially, fabricating a memory in his mind with his thoughts. To others looking in on him, it simply looked like an expression of remorse.

"You may join them on their way back to us," Mace Windu stated as he wanted to see the truth behind Valad Katsure. He was surrounded by mystery, it wasn't safe to let him be free to do as he liked. At least this is what Mace Windu thought.

"Maybe some other time." Valad said with a stern tone as his emotions completely changed as he stared at the man that looked like Samuel L. Jackson.

Furrowing his brow at the denial, Windu nodded in anticipation. His gaze then moved towards the young one between the two men. "And who is this?"

"Asajj Ventress, Master Jedis." She seemed overtly enthusiastic.

Yoda seemed clearly amused by the appearance of the small girl. "A good master, Ky Narec is, yes?" He mused with her as she began talking about their adventuring. It was definitely quite a tale.

After about an hour of Ky Narec speaking with the heads of the Jedi Council, the meeting ended. The transmission ended and the three of them left the ship through the aft airlock.

"So..." Ventress began to speak, but was cut off as the sound of the Counselor class cruiser came landing into the hangar. They all stood there for a few moments before Valad chuckled lightly hearing Ventress give a whine.

Though she was expecting to leave today, she didn't want to leave just yet. Valad was a new friend, but she had a duty as a Jedi. Valad gave a light wave as he watched the two of them walk to the cruiser.

"I'll see you again, soon." Valad said with tone of assurance before turning away and walking towards the exit of the hangar, not even waiting for them to depart. His head lowered in thought, only picking up his pace when he heard the cruiser leave.