Sic transit gloria mundi
Coruscant, sweet Coruscant. It had been years since Siobhan Kerrigan had last set foot on Coruscant. Almost seven years had passed since she had left the Jedi Order, though taking care to keep her lightsabre, and instead sworn allegiance to Omega Pyre, at that time still a small mercenary band trying to wrest order from the chaos in the western rim, its future still uncertain.
She had never looked back, never regretted her decision through all the conflicts, upheavals and challenged she had experienced since then. Now she found herself back on Coruscant. On the surface at least the vast city planet had not changed much, the vast skycrapers shot into the sky, which was packed with traffic, countless denizens went about their business in the streets. But that was the surface, those who were perceptive and dug deeper would discern the patterns of the wind of change that had swept across the Galaxy, not even leaving the Eternal City untouched.
A few months ago the Protectorate and the Republic had come to blows at Polis Massa, a clash of their mutual manifest destinies that left the recently brokered alliance in tatters. The chancellor had fallen and now the youngest Jedi Master of the age sat at the levers of power. The more cynical called this is a Jedi plot to assume direct control. Siobhan had dismissed these claims, not the least because it seemed all too obvious a ploy. Driven by a crusader spirit that harkened back to the days of Lord Hoth, the Jedi had launched an assault on the world of Metalorn to liberate it from the Sith, a brutal clash of arms in which Siobhan had participated, volunteering for the mission.
Well, if they got their groove back, all the better. Before they start having a big debate about whether it's ok to attack first, she thought. Unlike many Jedi that went into exile after her, Siobhan had not left because she thought the Jedi had become pawns of the Republic or were too aggressive. Quite the opposite really. Being put into the same group of conscientous objectors, apostates and exiles was a source of amusement to her.
Perhaps out of hatred for the Sith, perhaps out of a sense of duty or simply because she liked the action too much, she was not one for introspection. The brutal duel with the Sith Master Velok had left her strongly scarred and fried by lightning, though she had prevailed and forced the Whiphid to retreat. Still a strong limp characterised her stride as she walked across the great Republic Square that held the Senate Building, an imposing domed structure. The last time she had seen it years ago it had still been under construction and the building site had been filled with frentic activity.
Not that Siobhan was feeling nostalgic as she gazed upon the building like a tourist. Still she felt curious about seeing the new regime in action. It was a hard face that beheld it, her scarred features showed just how she had earned her rank, brown hair falling loosely across her shoulders, her bionic eye flashed for a moment; she wore a long black coat, for there was a strong and slightly chilly wind. Her lightsabre was attached to her belt, though she had foregone the heavy blaster pistol she usually wore on her hip, a rare concession to diplomatic formalities.
No attempt was made to mask her Force Signature, though Siobhan had a novice's understanding of the Qey'tek meditation and so it was plain for all too discern. After all, on the surface the Republic and the Protectorate were not enemies.
On the surface. Ever since Polis Massa things had become...complicated. Siobhan had little love for the Republic, she had been furious after the incident. Still if there was an enemy, then it was the Sith and that was why she had taken up her bolter and lightsabre and went on the Crusade to Metalorn.
She strode across the broad avenue of the Senate dome, which was filled with its share of reporters, security guards and drivers awaiting their senatorial masters in luxurious limousines and skycars. Some glances were shot her way, while not part of the leadership of the Protectorate - and quite happy with that - Siobhan was not an unknown anymore, especially after marrying an Exarch, much as she hated the limelight.
But then, maybe she had torn down one roof too many to avoid it!
She had never looked back, never regretted her decision through all the conflicts, upheavals and challenged she had experienced since then. Now she found herself back on Coruscant. On the surface at least the vast city planet had not changed much, the vast skycrapers shot into the sky, which was packed with traffic, countless denizens went about their business in the streets. But that was the surface, those who were perceptive and dug deeper would discern the patterns of the wind of change that had swept across the Galaxy, not even leaving the Eternal City untouched.
A few months ago the Protectorate and the Republic had come to blows at Polis Massa, a clash of their mutual manifest destinies that left the recently brokered alliance in tatters. The chancellor had fallen and now the youngest Jedi Master of the age sat at the levers of power. The more cynical called this is a Jedi plot to assume direct control. Siobhan had dismissed these claims, not the least because it seemed all too obvious a ploy. Driven by a crusader spirit that harkened back to the days of Lord Hoth, the Jedi had launched an assault on the world of Metalorn to liberate it from the Sith, a brutal clash of arms in which Siobhan had participated, volunteering for the mission.
Well, if they got their groove back, all the better. Before they start having a big debate about whether it's ok to attack first, she thought. Unlike many Jedi that went into exile after her, Siobhan had not left because she thought the Jedi had become pawns of the Republic or were too aggressive. Quite the opposite really. Being put into the same group of conscientous objectors, apostates and exiles was a source of amusement to her.
Perhaps out of hatred for the Sith, perhaps out of a sense of duty or simply because she liked the action too much, she was not one for introspection. The brutal duel with the Sith Master Velok had left her strongly scarred and fried by lightning, though she had prevailed and forced the Whiphid to retreat. Still a strong limp characterised her stride as she walked across the great Republic Square that held the Senate Building, an imposing domed structure. The last time she had seen it years ago it had still been under construction and the building site had been filled with frentic activity.
Not that Siobhan was feeling nostalgic as she gazed upon the building like a tourist. Still she felt curious about seeing the new regime in action. It was a hard face that beheld it, her scarred features showed just how she had earned her rank, brown hair falling loosely across her shoulders, her bionic eye flashed for a moment; she wore a long black coat, for there was a strong and slightly chilly wind. Her lightsabre was attached to her belt, though she had foregone the heavy blaster pistol she usually wore on her hip, a rare concession to diplomatic formalities.
No attempt was made to mask her Force Signature, though Siobhan had a novice's understanding of the Qey'tek meditation and so it was plain for all too discern. After all, on the surface the Republic and the Protectorate were not enemies.
On the surface. Ever since Polis Massa things had become...complicated. Siobhan had little love for the Republic, she had been furious after the incident. Still if there was an enemy, then it was the Sith and that was why she had taken up her bolter and lightsabre and went on the Crusade to Metalorn.
She strode across the broad avenue of the Senate dome, which was filled with its share of reporters, security guards and drivers awaiting their senatorial masters in luxurious limousines and skycars. Some glances were shot her way, while not part of the leadership of the Protectorate - and quite happy with that - Siobhan was not an unknown anymore, especially after marrying an Exarch, much as she hated the limelight.
But then, maybe she had torn down one roof too many to avoid it!