High Council Member Si Quan

Name: Si Quan [Sī Kwan]
Race: Human/Epicanthix
Age: 69
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190lbs

Appearance: Si Quan is an older man, though being part Epicanthix he appears to be in remarkably good shape for his age as those among his species usually live well into their 130's. Being 68 years old, Si appears middle aged, like a normal human in his mid 40's. Si's hair has retained most of its dark brown color save for a few locks of silvery gray. His short and scruffy beard however has long since lost all its color. For a man in his late sixties Si's face has been able to maintain a good deal of its youthful appearance, however some creases have begun to form around his mouth and eyes.



Personality: Though physically Si is an imposing figure today as he was in his youth, at heart Si Quan is a kind and gentle man who despises violence. Most of Si's free time is spent alone in wilderness or in the cozy confines of the Jedi Temple Library. A love for knowledge and nature was instilled in Si at a young age by his masters. Above all else, however, Si Quan's passion is for teaching. Si believes strongly that the future of the Order depends upon its Younglings and Padawans, not just its Masters.

Si Quan has lived a life fraught with pain and loss but has come out on the other side stronger for it. Most importantly he has never lost his faith in others or in the Force. Having supervised the training of so many, Si Quan has come to believe that the path to understanding the Force differs for each individual. This being the case, Si Quan's views on how to train younger Jedi do sometimes conflict with the traditional dogmatic views of some of his contemporaries. Despite the occasional disagreement, Si has maintained his respect for the Council and the Order.

Later in life Si Quan would become well known among Jedi and Dark Jedi alike across the galaxy for his patience and his skill in the use of Form III: Soresu. So much so in fact as to garner the moniker "Soresu Si Quan". This came after his confrontation with former Jedi Master Alex Drake in which Si Quan vanquished the self proclaimed Dark Lord with the patience of his blade.

Birth place: Tatooine

Faction: Jedi Order
Rank: High Council Member (Master/Sentinel)

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Equipment:

Lightsaber: Single Blade, Singe Phase.
Color: Green (Ilum Crystal)

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Stats:

Strength: Above Average
Intelligence: Above Average
Agility: Above Average
Charisma: Superior

Force Stats:

Telekinetic: Master
Telepathic: Adept
Body: Master
Sense: Adept
Protection: Adept
Healing: Apprentice
Destruction: Unskilled

Lightsaber Training:

Shii-Cho - Master
Soresu - Specialist
Djem So - Expert

Combat Training:

Hand to Hand - Expert

Force Training:
Force Repulse - Master
Crucitorn - Master
Force Valor - Master

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Bio:

Si Quan's mother was a young Epicanthix woman named Yu Quan. For most of her life Yu lived on Panatha as the wealthy daughter of the Senator Lun Quan. The Epicanthix were known to the inhabitants of nearby planets as fierce warriors. It was a reputation many among the Epicanthix took pride in. The Quan family was no different. Yu would train daily in the hand to hand combat style of the Epicanthix. One particular day during her training, Yu encountered a Human man named Jal Ando. Jal was a treasure hunter and a mercenary who moved from planet to planet in search of rare gems and big contracts. Thus far he had not found the score he'd spent most of his life looking for.

Down on his luck and in debt to the Hutts on Tatooine, Jal decided to risk it all hunting on Panatha. It was a world most avoided. While combing the jungles Jal stumbled across Yu Quan in the midst of her combat training. Jal was struck immediately by her beauty... her long flowing black hair, her smooth skin and icy blue eyes. Treasure hunting was a quick way to make credits, but the Hutts were even more fond of slaves... It was one of the first thoughts to cross Jal's mind upon seeing Yu. A woman so beautiful could easily be worth enough to the Hutts to pay off Jal's debt and then some.

In daydreaming about his potential payoff Jal hadn't even noticed that the Epicanthix woman had slipped away into the jungle. Before Jal could figure out what had happened Yu attacked from the side. She quickly disarmed the hunter of his blaster and pinned him down on his back with a blade to his throat. Though she was a warrior, Yu was no killer. Instead of simply finishing off Jal she decided to take him back to the Tree City as a prisoner. Being a full day's speeder bike ride from the city, however, forced Yu to wait until morning.

Jal was defiant toward his captor at first, but Yu's unique gift soon softened him up. Many among the Epicanthix thought Yu Quan to be a "Siren" of sorts, as her abilities to manipulate the emotions of others was well known to her people. However, Yu was far too kind hearted a person to ever use her abilities to be luring anyone to their doom. Though Yu herself wasn't quite sure how she was able to do it, she found that she could project her emotions onto others. After calming Jal and speaking with him through the night, Yu finally got the hunter to confess his situation. Yu was empathetic to the man and being quite wealthy herself, offered to help him pay off his debt. It was an offer neither Yu's father... nor her husband would be very pleased with.

Jal himself couldn't help but fall in love with Yu. Her kindness and beauty was unlike anything he was used to growing up in the blowing sand dunes of Tatooine among all the worst sort of scum in the galaxy. In order for Yu to get the funds needed to pay off Jal's debts she was forced to deceive her husband, Kade, telling him she needed the credits for a vacation trip to Naboo. Kade was an heir to a great fortune of his own. Yu's father had arranged their marriage when she was only 13. Though his family was well renowned, Kade himself was loathsome man of few redeeming qualities. For the most part he kept his wife on a tight leash, monitoring all her actions including the money she spent.

After using her charms to convince Kade into allowing her to take a holiday on Naboo, Yu took the credits and left Panatha with Jal on board his ship. Kade however was not as simple a man as Yu had given him credit for. He knew all too well his wife's gift for manipulation. This paranoia had led him not to trust her. After Yu left, Kade had her followed. The scout returned with the news that Yu had boarded an alien freighter with an unknown human male. The ship's last known trajectory put it on a course for Tatooine.

Catching his wife in a lie Kade became furious. A man as powerful as he would not sit back and be made a fool of. Kade immediately tipped off the Hutts to Yu and Jal's impending arrival.

Unaware of the danger, Yu and Jal landed at Mos Espa. They were met there by Ubese bounty hunters who immediately took them into custody. They were both brought before Granda the Hutt where, after paying off Jal's debt, Yu was informed that she was to be returned to her husband on Panatha.

At that point Jal could have jumped into his starship and burned sky until he saw lines. His debt was paid and he was free to do now as he pleased. Only a man with a death wish or perhaps a special sort of idiot would have thrown that away. Love, it seems, has a way of making fools of the best of us. Jal could not bring himself to leave Yu behind. Jal broke into Granda's palace late at night to rescue Yu Quan. It was a move that would insure that Jal would live with a death mark for the rest of his days... but in his eyes it was a small price to pay.

And so it begins... (Age 0 - 6)

With a hefty bounty now on Jal's head and Kade still hunting for his ex-wife, the couple was forced to go into hiding. They began living a simple life among the endless sands of Tatooine's dune sea. While there, Yu gave birth to the couple's first and only child, a baby boy they named Si. The first five years of young Si's life were spent living rather simply. Jal supported the family spelunking for rare gems in the caves of the duen sea and selling the spoils in Anchorhead. It was a dangerous occupation that yielded precious few credits.

Yu instructed Si in the art of hand to hand combat, as was customary for Epicanthix children. Si got the hang of it quickly though he was still very young. Yu noted Si's quicker than normal reflexes. This sort of skill was essential to the form of hand to hand combat the Epicanthix taught but usually only came to them after years of training. It came very naturally to Si, something Yu had not seen since her own training. Si also learned some of the Epicanthix language, Epicant, from his mother. Though he was never able to speak it fluently. Jal also spent a good deal of time teaching his son. Si's father often would take him along to the caves.

For the most part Jal found nothing but rocks and sand on his trips. The few gems he did find brought in modest earnings, but the real money was in Krayt Dragon pearls. Jal had only ever slayed such a creature once when he was a much younger man. He sold one of the pearls he retrieved from the beast and kept the other on a chain around his neck. Jal always claimed he'd sell it should the family fall on hard times, but Si never believed it. He saw the way his father admired that pearl as if it were a member of the family itself. Si would not have wanted him to sell it anyway. The pearl was a badge of honor, proof of his prowess as a treasure hunter. Si longed for the day when he could retrieve a pearl of his own.

Into the Dragon's Den (Age 6)

The opportunity for Si's own pearl came after a trip to Anchorhead with his father to sell the spoils of their most recent hunt. On their way back home Jal's speeder broke down and they were forced to stop in the middle of the Dune Sea as the twin suns settled beneath the sand. While he waited for his father to finish the repairs a cold feeling came over Si. It was something he couldn't explain, but it gave the boy an uneasy feeling. When Si told his father about it Jal suspected that it might be something big. Though Si was hesitant, Jal was compelled to take a closer look at the surrounding area. After only a short walk Jal stumbled upon a cave that had been camouflaged with the dunes. Jal recognized it immediately as a Krayt Dragon's den.

Bringing down a Krayt Dragon was no easy task. Jal only had two mines with him. It was doubtful they would be enough. Jal instructed his son to remain far back away from the cave and out of sight as he set the mines at the cave's entrance. Si did as he was told, watching from afar as his father encroached dangerously close to the cave mouth and began setting the charges. The cold feeling running through Si's blood was growing now. Something bad was going to happen, he just knew it. Before Si could jump up to warn his father the screech of a speeder bike caused him to duck back down behind his dune.

Back in Anchorhead a Mandalorian bounty hunter had recognized Jal even though it had been ten years since the bounty had been put on his head. The Mandalorian sabotaged Jal's speeder while he was selling his Wraid plates and followed after him. He now had Jal cornered at the mouth of the Dragon's Den. The Mandalorian was clad in armor from head to toe. A vibroblade was sheathed at his back and a heavy blaster pistol holstered on his hip which he quickly drew and held out toward Jal. From his position several hundred yards away Si couldn't quite make out what they were saying but he understood that his father was in danger. The fear had almost completely paralyzed him and before Si could think to do anything, it was all over.

Jal suddenly went for his rifle and the Mandalorian squeezed off three shots that cracked and rippled loudly across the barren landscape. Two of the blasts struck Jal and sent him limply to the ground. As the Mandalorian knelt down and ripped the dragon's pearl from the chain around Jal's neck Si could contain himself no longer. Without thinking he stood and shouted, "NO!"

The shout caught the Mandalorian's attention and he began to stalk after Si. Realizing that he was in serious trouble, Si stumbled trying to get away when a rumbling beneath his feet stopped Si and the Mandalorian cold in their tracks. The loud blasts of the Mandalorian's pistol had disturbed the Krayt Dragon which now stirred in it's den. Si looked on in wide eyed horror as the massive beast at least 50 meters long emerged from the cavern. The pair of explosions at its feet from the mines Jal had set only succeeded in pissing it off more as the dragon let out a mighty roar. The Mandalorian fired his blaster at the beast, the bolts smashing against its thick leathery hide and causing the creature to bellow and charge forward. In a panic the Mandalorian squeezed off a few more clumsy blaster bolts before the dragon threw the Mandalorian a good 30 meters with a buck of its head, causing him to drop his blaster and Jal's pearl. In a daze the Mandalorian was unable to flee as the dragon slithered after him and gobbled him up into his jaws. Si could hear the twisting of the Mandalorian's armor as the beast gnashed its teeth before finally swallowing the bounty hunter down.

With a low groan the dragon shook itself off and lumbered back into its den. Si had sat frozen watching the entire ordeal. It was only after an hour had passed without sight or sound from the dragon that Si worked up the nerve to rush to his father's side. Both blaster bolts had hit Jal in the chest. He might have survived the initial attack but after over an hour he had succumb to his injuries. Si wept over his father's body, collecting the broken chain from around his neck. Si spent most of that night in the cold sifting through the sand around Jal in search of his father's pearl. The thought had crossed his mind that the dragon might have swallowed it with the Mandalorian, but Si somehow could feel that it was close.

Finally Si's feelings paid off. The pearl had been buried in a few inches of sand and might have been lost forever if it had not been for Si's intuition. Si was too little to drag his father's body away from the den and he couldn't linger much longer. The dragon had been fed but it would soon get hungry again. Si didn't know the way back home, only the general direction in which he and his father had come in returning from Anchorhead. The odds of making it back on foot were slim to none, but Si had little recourse.

Si spent the remainder of the night and most of the next day trekking through the Dune Sea until at last collapsing under the heat of the twin suns. With his physical strength drained and his spirit broken, Si resigned himself to the sleep in which he began to sink. But this was not the end...

As fate would have it a Draethos out for a ride on his speeder bike was passing through the dunes on his way to Anchorhead when he stumbled across Si. The Draethos was a Jedi Master named Udin Thos. He had come to Tatooine purely by chance and now had stumbled upon this child. Master Thos could feel the Force within the boy and began to think this trip to Anchorhead had been no accident. Udin rescued the boy from the sand and brought him to Achorhead where he could be revived. Upon finally coming around, Si was able to recant to Master Thos what had happened.

With Udin's help Si was able to return to his home only to find it had been ransacked. Yu was no where to be found. Si would not find out for many years that the Mandalorians had been tracking Jal for some time. At the same time that Jal was being attacked, a seperate bounty hunter had gone after Yu, who herself had accumulated quite a bounty for her return to Panatha alive...

Si was alone now with no where to go. Udin could feel the strength of the Force within him and offered to take the boy back home with him to Coruscant. Udin explained that the feelings he had while on the hunt with his father were caused by the Force. It was a Jedi trait that he could be taught to use. Udin had shown kindness to Si that no one else would and for this Si had come to trust him. With no where else to go he agreed to return to Coruscant with Udin Thos and train to be a Jedi.

Youngling Si (Ages 6 - 12)

Coruscant was a busy, fast paced world where life whizzed by at a mile a minute. The planet, combined with his rigid training schedule, was precisely the kind of distraction Si Quan needed to occupy his thoughts. Having lost both his parents and even witnessed the murder of his father, Si had become distant and detached. He preferred to spend as much of his time as possible alone in the Temple Courtyard or the Room of a thousand fountains. A few small natural oases amidst an endless desert of concrete and steel.

The stillness and quiet of nature provided a great deal of calm for young Si. His father had taught him a lot about it during their hunts. Being alone among the trees and the waterfalls brought Si back to a happier place. The time Si spent meditating and centering himself alone as a youngling would be the beginning of his legendary patience. As a boy Si would sit in meditation for days at a time simply listening to the world around him; The roar of the falling water pulverizing the rocks below, the wind sweeping through the leaves and branches of above, and the murmur of life that surrounded and suffocated all things on Coruscant. It was a subtle thing at first, difficult to perceive, like white noise. There were billions of souls that crowed into the galactic capital, each touched by the Force, all having a distinct sound all their own. One had only to listen... to the impetuous ear they were one, a mass of life that could be smothering. However, with patience one could begin to make out the distinctions among the masses.

Si rather enjoyed his meditations and he applied this sense of calm and patience into his daily training as well. His progress was slow, but steady. Like with his combat training under Yu, Si's ability to anticipate attacks and counter was a great asset with his lightsaber training. However, everyone here seemed to possess a similar talent. If Si was going to stand out here he would have to find some other advantage. He wouldn't find it as a Youngling. By the age of 12 Si's saber work was average at best. This didn't bother him much however. Seeing his father cut down as he had, Si came to realize sooner then most the horrors of war and conflict. It made Si a pacifist who hated the idea of violence. The boy felt his efforts were much better spent in meditation and in the acquisition of knowledge. Master Thos had introduced Si to the Jedi Library where the Youngling would come to spend a good deal of time. Early in his life the path of a Consular seemed to be the path for Si, but as he grew Si's opinions on these matters would change.

The man, the myth, the legend (Age 12 - 15)

Si Quan graduated to the rank of Padawan at age twelve. The Jedi who took him on as an apprentice was a young Rattataki Knight named Maha Rishii. Though only in his thirties, Maha had wisdom beyond his years. The two Jedi had much in common. Maha too had witnessed the loss of his father and the destruction of his home. Also the Rattataki, like the Epicanthix, were renown as warriors, but Maha too had grown to despise violence. Seeing the way Maha carried himself, always with a sunny disposition and a smile, was inspiring to Si. Maha Rishii taught Si Quan to stop feeling sorry for himself and to start enjoying life again. It was a lesson Si would be sure to need for the tumultuous years to come.

Maha's first impression of Si Quan was of a boy satisfied simply with being. Si was making no effort to strive for something greater. The boy's enthusiasm for knowledge was admirable, many a great Jedi had chosen to specialize in such pursuits. However, to completely ignore all other areas was a mistake. By the time Si Quan became a Padawan, calling his saber skills average was being generous. Maha began his instruction of his new pupil by redirecting his focus back to the lightsaber arts. Maha Rishii himself was a master of Form II, Makashi. It was an elegant and precise form that was executed "like a dance" as Maha would describe it. Maha enjoyed the theatrical arts and often likened his lessons to the theater. A form such as Makashi melded well with Maha's own musical personality but it did little for Si. For a pacifist Jedi such as his Padawan, Maha chose Form III: Soresu.

The concept behind the form was one that fit with Si very well as Soresu was essentially about calm and patience. A series of short, quick strokes close to the body created a barrier that would redirect an opponent's energy rather than block it. This allowed the user of Soresu to conserve energy as opposed to wasting it. With enough patience one could use Soresu to wear out an opponent and then finish them off once their fatigue caused them to make a mistake. At first Si was resistant to the lightsaber form that he would later be known for. He honestly just did not see the importance of keeping up with his sword work, but he went on with his training. He did so, if for no other reason, than out of respect for his master.

What really captured Si Quan's enthusiasm was the many new applications of the Force Maha was introducing him to. Si had quite an affinity for the Force but his abilities simply lacked polish, as most his age do. He had been taught the basics as a Youngling and come out as only slightly above average. This was due in large part to Si's lethargic attitude towards his work. However, with Maha's help Si developed a new love for the Force. Maha explained to Si the concept of the "Living Force", a philosophy which Maha himself was a stout believer. This doctrine simply stated that the Force was a strong presence in all living things and thus all life was connected through it. The Jedi who adhered to this relied on their instincts and attuned themselves to the life around them, careful to remain focused on the here and now. Si Quan was a lover of nature and all things living. Thinking of the Force in this way made it much easier for the boy to apply himself.

Enter the Dark Lord (Age 16)

By the age of 16 Si Quan had accompanied his master on several missions, most of which were uneventful. During these assignments Si used a lightsaber given to him by Maha. At some point he would have to make his own, but Si was in no hurry. In fact, he hadn't experienced any real hostilities until an evening on Coruscant spent with his childhood friend, Miles. Miles was two years older then Si and well on his way to becoming a Jedi Guardian. As Younglings the two were rivals but upon becoming teenagers they grew to be friends.

Miles was the son of two former Jedi Masters, Alex and Sarah Drake. The details of what happened to Miles' parents were hazy, even he did not know who they were. Bringing either of them up around any of the Masters was considered a taboo and therefore the subject of countless rumors among the other Younglings. Miles himself didn't know all the facts as he was only an infant when Alex was exiled.

One evening after the two Padawans had completed their training for the day, Miles mentioned to Si noticing a suspicious looking man stalking the grounds around the Temple. Miles swore to have heard the man speaking to him through the Force, though this seemed very unlikely to Si. Such a powerful use of the Force would have been felt by him, or at the very least by the Masters. Miles was steadfast, however, and it wasn't long before he noticed the shadowy figure again outside the Temple's public promenade. Making a rash decision, Miles opted to pursue the man. Si followed, calling after him to come back to the Temple.

After chasing Miles into the alleys of Coruscant Si caught up to his friend as he confronted the mysterious figure in black, "Are you Miles Drake?" the man asked simply, extending a hand toward Miles. The poor tattered nature of his cloth and the sickly paleness of his flesh was something that bordered on the macabre. Miles recoiled from the vagrant's reach, careful not to take his eyes off of him.

"I am Miles, but...?" Miles had never heard his last name before. The Order had taken great pains to hide the circumstances of Miles' past from him, including the names of his parents. Miles' hand settled over the hilt of his lightsaber. Seeing Miles reach for his weapon Si suddenly became very nervous.

"Let's just go back to the Temple, Miles," Si suggested, tugging at Miles' robe as he attempted to walk away. Miles however shrugged Si's grip loose, keeping his gaze locked on the old man who took another step forward. His gloved hands extending out from the frayed sleeves of his robes and reaching up for his hood. As he pulled it back a pair of yellow eyes glowing dimly from the darkness beneath became visible. Sensing the impending danger Miles tore his lightsaber away from his belt.

"Si! Run!" he shouted. Before Miles' blade could even ignite the man was behind him. He was fast. Too fast. With a burst of Force energy from the old man, he and Miles had disappeared down the darkened ally. It all happened in a matter of seconds and then... nothing.

When Si returned to the temple and informed Maha of what had happened, he seemed strangely unsurprised by the news, as did most of the other Masters. Si was called before the council to give his account of the kidnapping as well as a description of the attacker. Unfortunately all Si could remember seeing was the man's hands... and his eyes. Those cold yellow eyes that seemed to skewer the soul. Si wanted to know what was happening with his friend but no one would give him a straight answer. It was obvious that the Masters knew more about what was going on then they were sharing. They felt that there was no need for a Padawan to know, but Maha recognized the pain in Si and the worry for his friend. He decided then to inform Si as to exactly what he knew.


Warning, the following section has graphic and potentially disturbing content.

The disturbing story of Jedi Master Alex Drake

Alex was born on Coruscant amidst the fires of a terrible battle. He was found being protected by the corpse of his mother who had given her life to save his. Alex was seen to have a great gift for the Force and was taken in that day to be raised by the Jedi. As a child Alex was... odd, for lack of a better word. He would talk to himself often and had little tolerance for his peers. Because of this Alex was extremely introverted, preferring to shun others. Despite these short comings none could deny Alex's genius. Though his social skills were lacking Alex's intelligence and skill was far and away ahead of the others his age.

For all of this Alex had become the subject of ridicule and teasing from his fellow Younglings and speculation among the Masters, many of whom feared grave repercussions in his continued training. It was agreed upon, however, that cutting the boy loose after already starting his training would be far more dangerous then providing him with continued guidance. It was for these reasons that Alex continued to live with the Jedi, despite his anti-social tendencies.

Among Alex's peers there was only one to ever show him kindness, a young girl named Sarah. Through becoming Padawans and even after becoming Jedi Knights, Alex and Sarah were the closest of friends. Even though Alex had feelings for Sarah, his commitment to the Jedi prevented him from acting upon them. Everything was more or less stable in Alex's life until the death of Sarah's older brother, Blaze. As a Youngling Blaze was one of the children who tortured Alex the most and even as adults the two had a general distaste for each other. It wasn't until after Blaze sacrificed himself to save Alex that the two became friends. Blazes dying words to Alex were, "Look after my sister for me..."

After Blaze's death Alex became increasingly closed off. He was obsessed with his studies and with Sarah. The two carried on a relationship in secret, even as they were eventually named Masters by the Jedi Council. Several years later Alex would claim to have a vision of Sarah's death at the hands of the Jedi. The other Masters found this prophecy disturbing to say the least, but encouraged Alex not to let himself get too involved. Of course, it was already too late for that. Sarah was pregnant and these visions of death were growing more vivid by the day. Alex believed that the Jedi were going to kill Sarah for breaking the code and his behavior became increasingly erratic. Even Sarah began to fear what he might do.

This culminated with the evening the Jedi discovered Sarah's pregnancy, as the signs had become too much to hide with loose fitting robes alone. Alex's visions foretold the Jedi coming for Sarah first, and then for him. When Alex went to Sarah telling her they needed to flee, she refused. After a heated argument Alex was convinced that Sarah had been compromised... but there still might be a chance to save the baby.

A crash and the sound of screams attracted the attention of other Jedi within the temple, a young Padawan named Maha Rishii being one of them. The scene he came upon as he entered Sarah's room was one that would never leave him for the rest of his days. There had been a struggle between Alex and his wife, her head had been slammed into one of the mirrors knocking her unconscious. As she lay sprawled out on the floor Alex was knelt over her with a look of absolute madness in his eyes. Using a shard of glass from the mirror he had cut into his wife's abdomen and was in the process of tearing the infant from her womb. The gruesome scene made Maha's blood run cold. He and the other Jedi who had stormed into the room were frozen in place by the sheer horror of what they were seeing, unsure of how to react. Alex went about his business as if he hadn't even noticed the others, cutting the umbilical cord and cradling the blood covered babe in his arms.

"Get away from her you monster!" Maha finally called out in a cracked voice. It was then that Alex's eyes flashed up at him, those icy yellow eyes that simply could not belong to a man in his right mind. His gaze alone caused the Jedi in the room to back pedal in unison before brandishing their lightsabers. Alex then glanced back down at his wife. Sarah was dead. The baby in Alex's arms did not cry, it hardly moved at all. Alex gently set the infant down next to Sarah and rose to his feet, turning to face the Jedi who now crowded the doorway.

"You've come at last..." Alex responded simply before suddenly blasting out a nearby window with the Force and firing the shards of glass at the Jedi. A Force barrier was swiftly raised to block the onslaught. Using the diversion Alex approached his fallen wife again and the Jedi had finally seen enough. Maha himself charged forward and with a spin of his lightsaber took off both of Alex's forearms before he could touch her again. Alex stumbled backwards and then flung himself through the broken window. His body was never recovered. Miraculously the infant would survive the ordeal.

Homecoming (Age 17)

The story of Alex Drake was an unsettling one, and Si's concern for his friend never waned after the day he was kidnapped by who the Council presumed was his own father. However, life for the Jedi went on. Nearly a year after Miles' disappearance Si and now Jedi Master Maha Rishii were assigned to a mission on Panatha. Si himself had never been to the Epicanthix homeworld, he'd only ever heard of it from his mother.

Unfortunately the trouble on Panatha would prevent Si Quan from gaining much enjoyment from his homecoming. Up until this time Si's missions had been mostly diplomatic, non-violent affairs. Panatha was a different story. Civil war threatened the planet's war-like population. The dispute was between the long standing Senator from Panatha and his son in law, Panatha's Military Secretary, Kade Dysar.

Kade was a staunch supporter of the Panathian Independence Movement (PIM) which called for Panatha to secede from the Galactic Republic. The Republic's anti-militarization laws restricted the size of Panatha's armed forces and also required them to designate a percentage of their forces to the Republic's military. This policy was very unpopular among the largely militaristic Epicanthix population whose distaste for the Republic was only heightened by the occupying force sent to Panatha to keep the peace as the threat of a coup loomed. Senator Lun Quan had done his best to quell the uprising, but a recent riot within the planet's capital that claimed the lives of 10 Republic Soldiers and hundreds of Epicanthix protesters now threatened to push the planet to the breaking point.

The Republic requested the Jedi send ambassadors to assist in the ongoing peace process and hopefully stabilize the tense situation. Among those sent to Panatha were now Master Maha and Si Quan. Upon meeting the Senator, Si of course did not recognize his own grandfather. They shared the same last name, though that certainly wasn't such a strange thing for two members of the same species.

Once the Jedi ambassadors had all arrived, they, along with the top Republic officers and Senator Quan, began their meeting concerning how to deal with the threat of the PIM. Talks with their leader Kade Dysar had succeeded in absolutely nothing. The man's ambitions were clearly to seize power over Panatha at any cost. The only way to avoid a war, Lun surmised, would be to eliminate Kade. Master Maha was strangely silent at the suggestion. Si knew that killing was the last thing he or his master wanted to do. However, all out war would mean the death of thousands if not millions of Epicanthix and Republic Soldiers. Though one life weighed against millions seemed like an easy decision, it was a choice that should never be made lightly. Si Quan would learn this lesson by observing Maha's example.

After studying Kade's case Maha proposed an alternative solution to assassinating the Secretary of the Military. It seemed that Kade Dysar had been associated with some less than savory characters. Kade had strong ties to the Hutts on Tatooine and to the Exchange, both considered criminal organizations by the Republic. Though the evidence was scarce it would be enough to warrant an arrest. With the head of the PIM in custody, it would cripple their ability to organize and make war. Senator Quan was wary of the Jedi's plan, but ultimately agreed. He informed the Jedi that Kade's palace would be heavily guarded and that many of his followers would likely be willing to lay down their lives in order to protect their charismatic leader. It seemed arresting Kade Dysar was easier said then done.

The Operation to arrest Kade began the next morning just before dawn. Master Maha led the joint Jedi-Republic strike team that was to storm Dysar's Palace. Si's part in all this was simply to stick close to his master. The Republic commandos had succeeded in cutting off power to the palace and disabling the turrets of its outer defenses. With the artillery down Master Maha was able to Mind trick the perimeter guards into laying down their weapons and fleeing the scene.

Inside the Palace the team fanned out to search for Kade. Maha and Si were met by a rather hostile woman in form fitting black clothing with a veil over her face. Si could feel the strength of the Force within her and evidently so could his master as both of them immediately raised their lightsabers. The woman brandished a pair of metallic looking whips that suddenly came to life with energy as she cracked them across the floor. These were weapons that even a Jedi might have trouble wielding, if this woman had mastered them then she would have to be considered a dangerous opponent indeed.

Master Maha began the engagement by warning Si to try and avoid the attacks from the whip as apposed to blocking them with his lightsaber. Even though Si had heard his master, the heat of the battle quickly caught up with the inexperienced Padawan. Confronted by a well timed crack of the woman's whip, Si raised his saber blade in defense. The energy whip wrapped around the lightsaber and with a quick jerk Si Quan had his weapon torn from his hand and promptly split into two pieces by a crack of her second whip.

Losing his lightsaber had put Si into a difficult situation. He was now dependent completely on the Force to survive the unpredictable attacks of the woman's exotic weapons. The intensity of his first real fight had shaken young Si, and he now could see the peril of losing his focus. It was as Master Maha had taught him; whether it be toe to toe with bloodthirsty mercenaries or seated peacefully beneath the waterfalls of the Room of a Thousand Fountains a Jedi's mind must be calm, at peace, open to the Force.

Instead of panicking in that moment Si quieted his mind as if preparing for deep meditation. Master Maha's concern for his Padawan eased as he felt the change in Si's approach. Si used his Jedi Sense to attempt and anticipate the movements of the woman's whips that had seemed so confounding only moments before. As he side stepped the lash of one of the energy whips Si imagined a pair of hands wrapping around the weapon and tugging it from the woman's hand. It was a technique he'd employed often in his training with telekinesis, visualizing the Force as a physical entity in order to better direct it. Si's telekinetic tug caught the woman off guard. Though it did not seperate her whip from her hand the sudden pull on her weapon threw her off balance and Master Maha took the opportunity to disarm her, leaping in close and slicing apart the handles of both whips with a few skillful spins of his blade.

Defeated, their would be assassin fell to her knees and lowered her head. She wished at the very least for an honorable death. A warrior's death. Master Maha had no intention of killing her, but her young son didn't know that. The boy rushed to his beaten mother and wrapped his arms around her, pleading for the Jedi not to kill his mom. Before Maha could explain himself the sense of sudden danger caused him to reignite and raise his lightsaber to knock aside an incoming blaster bolt. The commotion had awakened the woman's husband and the boy's father, Kade Dysar.

Seeing Maha's lightsaber and realizing then that the intruders were Jedi, Kade adjusted the aim of his blaster. Realizing that his palace had been surrounded, and that he was now faced with Jedi, Kade turned his blaster on himself, and squeezed off one round.

Maha was disappointed that they had been unable to capture Kade peacefully, however, to their surprise his wife and son thanked the Jedi for their efforts. Kade, it seemed, was just as much of a tyrant in his home life as he was among his people.

The woman was Yu Quan, though neither she, nor Si recognized the other. Before the Jedi left Panatha, Yu requested that they take her young son, Ganner, with them to become a Jedi himself.

The elimination of Kade was followed swiftly by Lun Quan taking over control of the Panatha military. While a good deal of displeasure with the Republic still existed on Panatha, the immediate threat of war had been dealt a significant blow with the loss of Kade. The PIM was now without a leader holding high office on Panatha and would need a good deal of time to reorganize if there was to be any further threat. In the meantime the Jedi would leave representatives with Senator Quan to watch over the situation and continue to assist him in maintaining the peace.

Constructing a Lightsaber (Age 18)

In the years following Panatha, Si began the process of constructing his own lightsaber. The weapon Master Maha had given him had been destroyed by his mother during their confrontation at Kade's Palace, and Si had determined that now was the time to fashion his own weapon. Maha and Master Thos helped Si collect the materials necessary to construct his Jedi weapon, but when it came to the crystals Si would be on his own.

Si spent many months in the Jedi Library, pouring over tomes and old holocrons, learning from some of the Order's most skilled former Masters as how to best construct a blade that would reflect Si's own skill and persona. One Jedi tome of interest presented ideal lightsaber hilt grips for practitioners of the six primary saber forms the Jedi used. Si noted the use of a higher grip on a Soresu practitioner's hilt, as the finesse of the form required a grip higher up for greater control when used with one hand. Si would come to use this in designing his own hilt.

However, most notable to Si was the datapad of Jedi Cay Qel-Droma in which Cay described the lightsaber as being "a very personal artifact of its wielder and a proud symbol of their commitment to the Jedi." At first Si was at a loss concerning how exactly to make his lightsaber a reflection of himself. He had never thought very long on the matter of his own personal identity.

For the last piece of his new lightsaber, Si would venture, as many Jedi had, to the crystal caves of the ice world Ilum. After landing among the snow drifts, Si made his way to the Temple the Jedi had built at the entrance of the crystal caves. The crystals of Ilum had the ability to collect and absorb the Force, which was what made them so useful in lightsaber construction. On such a dead world, Si could feel the Force presence of these crystals, like the beacon of a distant lighthouse piercing a thick fog. All Si would need to do would be to follow it to it's source.

The driving wind and snow impeded Si's progress slightly, though it wasn't long before Si made his way to the entrance of the Jedi Temple on Ilum. Si brushed off the snow and ice that had caked onto his robes, noting that he was not alone. This was not unusual, the Ilum Temple was used predominately by Jedi seeking to construct their lightsabers, and was often occupied by Padawans and Masters alike.

Si continued into the crystal caves where he chose a green Ilum crystal for his lightsaber, the color associated with a Jedi Consular. For nearly a month Si remained in the caves, meditating on his crystal and imbuing it with his own unique Force signature.

The Prodigal Knight (Age 20)

With his own lightsaber now completed, Master Maha decided it was about time for Si Quan to begin completing the Jedi Trials. The boy had already experienced a Trial of the Flesh in losing his best friend, but there were still three more to complete. Master Maha would not say exactly what the trials would entail, only that Si would need to call upon everything he had learned to prevail.

Si's first trial would come on Coruscant within the Jedi Temple's Jedi Trials Chamber. The chamber was an enormous room located at the heart of the Temple. The room was dimly lit and adorned with many bronzium statues of old Jedi Masters. Si wasn't quite sure what to expect here, but he didn't have to wait long. Shortly after entering the chamber, Si was confronted by a simulacrum, a realistic projection of an ancient Sith Lord. This particular Sith was garbed in all black robes and armor and curiously wore a Mandalorian mask over his face. Si Quan could not recognize who it was, but felt that to be hardly important as the old Jedi ignited a pair of lightsabers, one blue, one silver.

Si Quan's lightsaber training to this point, aside from the Shii-Cho he was taught as a Youngling, included some skill in Djem-So. However, Si prided himself most on his ability to use Soresu which Master Maha had instructed him on early in his training as a Padawan.

Si ignited his new lightsaber and spun it into a defensive Soresu stance... but the Sith didn't attack. Instead he stepped back, away from Si Quan and into the shadows where he seemed to disappear. What sort of ability is this, Si thought to himself as he moved forward cautiously. Si could feel nothing of his opponent until he heard the loud snap and hiss of his lightsabers just inches behind his back. Keeping his own blade in close to his body, Si was barely able to sweep the Sith's attack's aside with a quick stroke of his lightsaber.

The Sith attacked with a ferocious lightsaber form that Si had not encountered before. The form was chaotic and erratic and it took everything Si had to maintain his defenses against it. Soresu relied on Si being able to outlast his opponent, but following the Sith's barrage Si found that he himself was the one tiring just to guard himself. Si needed to think quickly on his feet and adjust his style. Quickly Si transitioned his style from Soresu to the more offensive Djem-So, in so doing he took advantage of the Sith's all out offense by striking at an opening in his defense.

Upon slashing the simulacrum across the chest it vanished from the Training Chamber. Si dropped to one knee, physically exhausted by the exertion. He had passed a difficult trial of skill, and more trials were still to come.

Confronting the Demon (Age 21)

Ever since the incident Si continued to follow the progress of the Jedi investigation into the disappearance of Miles Drake. Finally, after five long years it seemed that the Jedi had made a break in the case. Rumors overheard by a Jedi investigator in Onderon's capital of Iziz suggested that strange ships had been monitored entering and leaving the system, for the most part landing on the planet's nearby moon, Dxun. To the Jedi investigator, these rumors didn't seem too strange, as the jungle moon was a known hideaway for Mandalorian mercenaries. However, it was worth looking into.

The Jedi eventually detected a strange character skulking around Iziz. He followed him to his ship which took off for Dxun without transmitting any launch codes. The Jedi reported this back to the Onderon authorities before following to investigate. He was not heard from again. What peeked the interest of the Council on Coruscant was the investigator's description of the suspect. A tall man in black robes, wearing leather gloves over his hands and having pale yellow eyes.

Obviously nothing was certain, nor was it immediately assumed that this man was Alex Drake. Si, however, had heard all he needed to. What's more he feel that this was it. Master Maha was as cautious as the Council concerning this matter, telling Si to remain patient and to have faith in the wisdom of the Masters. Si conceded, but implored Maha to do his best to convince the Council to allow him to be a part of any Jedi investigations into the matter. Maha doubted the Council would allow it, considering the boy's closeness to the matter, but Maha agreed to lobby on his behalf.

Maha argued that taking up the assignment could prove to be a worth trial for his Padawan, and suggested to them that Si be allowed to join the team sent to investigate the Jedi disappearance on Onderon. The Council agreed. Si would be the youngest of a team of three Jedi including himself, a smart-mouthed Knight named Aiden James (or AJ) and a young Togruta Master named Takia Rossi.

This mission was Master Rossi's first as a Master and her inexperience was immediately apparent to Si. Master Maha was always cool, calm and collected, but Si could sense Takia's nervousness concerning her task. And if a Padawan could sense it, there was no doubt about it. Si did his best to project his own calm onto Takia and to reassure her. It was a strange sort of role reversal for Si, but one he took to rather naturally.

Upon arriving at Iziz the three Jedi met with the head of Onderon's Royal Guard. He provided the report given by the Jedi Investigator, an older Master named Nemo Sunry. Nemo's account provided some rough coordinates for where the suspect's craft had landed on Dxun, which would naturally be the first place the Jedi would look.

Following the coordinates provided, the Jedi found no sign of any star ships. It was possible that the Mandalorians had stolen them, picked the ships apart for spare parts... but Si suspected something far more foul at play here. As soon as he stepped out into the jungles of Dxun Si began to feel a deep, cold and uneasy sensation. It was a feeling he'd not encountered since his father's death on Tatooine... a feeling he now recognized as the dark side. What exactly it meant, he was not yet experienced enough to be certain of. It could be a forewarning of some danger, it could be the presence of some dark entity, to could be the echoes of some event long passed or a combination of the three.

Master Rossi and AJ felt the ominous presence of the dark side as well, and Takia immediately warned her Jedi companions to be on alert and to maintain their focus. Si attempted to calm himself and draw the light side of the Force in to himself, as he'd been trained to do and had done countless times before. However, with each attempt to draw on the Force the sickening, cold feeling of the dark side grew within Si. He had read and had been lectured at great length about the dark side, but this was his first real taste of it. The darkness truly did cloud the Force as the Masters had warned him.

Despite Si's inexperience, this was not the first time Takia or AJ had encountered the dark side, though neither had felt it as powerful as this before. Carefully Master Rossi centered herself, reaching out through the Force to attempt and locate the source of the dark power they were feeling. After some meditation Takia began to lead the Jedi deeper into the jungle.

Her senses led them to a clearing in which an imposing ziggurat made of blackened stone towered into the sky. It was clear to all three Jedi that this structure was the source of the darkness that plagued them.

"What is it?" Si asked, looking on in awe.

"A tomb?" AJ asked, turning toward Takia who responded with a nod.

"Most likely," the Togruta master surmised, "Strange the Council would not have mentioned something like this... unless they didn't know it was here. I've got a bad feeling about this. I think we might have to turn back, report this to the Council."

Si shook his head, "We can't. Nemo and Miles are here, I can feel it. If whoever kidnapped Miles now has Nemo then he knows that the rest of the Jedi will be following close behind him. This may be our only chance."

The mission had become something more dangerous then even Takia had anticipated and her confidence continued to waver. Her uncertainty of her own skills and her nervousness pressed her to retreat and leave this mission in more capable hands then her own. Si, however, was steadfast, urging Takia not to abandon the mission. AJ ultimately sided with the Padawan's line of thinking and Takia conceded to pressing forward.

Si had been a novice when it came to the dark side, but he had thought that the darkness he felt in the jungle was all the worse it would get. This he figured he could handle, even though it clouded his ability to call upon the Force some. Si was totally unprepared for the dark side saturation he experienced when he entered the tomb. Immediately he began to hyperventilate as a sharp pain knifed its way through his head. By the time the Jedi had reached the first antechamber of the tomb Si fell to his knees.

AJ doubled back, helping Si maintain his balance by throwing the Padawan's arm around his shoulders, "This is dangerous," AJ commented, "the dark side of the Force surrounds this place. I don't think the kid can handle it." AJ paused, looking into Si's eyes, "Just breathe, kid. Focus on the Force within yourself..."

Si had always trained to draw the Force in from around him, but now that supply was tainted. Focusing on the light side still within himself sounded simple enough, but considering the circumstances it was not easy task. There was a great deal of anger in this place. It was a hatred that overpowered and blinded Si from any sense of focus like a searing light right into the retina.

"We should not have come here," Takia said nervously, "we need to leave while we still can."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that..."

The voice came from behind the Jedi. Startled, they turned to face the imposing figure of Alex Drake, draped in black robes. His hood was pulled back now, revealing his once long dark hair as now silvery white. His skin was as pale and patchy as a corpse and his eyes seemed to glow in the darkness a faint color like that of molten durasteel. As he moved his hands they gave off a faint, but audible, mechanical whir, suggesting that his limbs were no longer of flesh and blood.

AJ set Si on his feet and produced his lightsaber. Takia quickly followed. Si steadied himself, rubbing his temples and attempting desperately to regain his hold on the Force, like frantically scraping at the smooth rock face of cliff, trying to find some kind of purchase with which to climb up out of the darkness.

"You..." AJ growled, attempting to control his emotions upon seeing the face of Alex Drake again despite the oppression of the dark side within the tomb.

"Today must be my lucky day," Alex croaked with a smug, self satisfied grin on his face, "three fresh test subjects... I'd prefer them to be live subjects, but I suspect you won't make that easy on me."

"AJ! Get Si out of here!" Takia called out, "I'll hold him off while you-"

Before Master Rossi could finish her sentence Alex seemed to disappear from in front of them. Before Si or AJ could even register that he had moved, Alex's lightsaber was igniting and carving a path of seared gore through Master Rossi's mid section. In a flash of blue light it was over and the young Togruta master crumpled to the cold stone floor of the tomb in two pieces.

Si Quan had seen this before. He had no idea how he was able to do it, but Alex's speed was off the charts, "He's too fast, we can't fight him," Si said, straightening himself up.

"Keep it together, kid!" AJ snapped back, "dark side or no, he's still only human."

AJ's comment induced a loud, long cackle from Alex, "Is that what you think?"

In seconds Alex moved in on AJ. Defiantly AJ spun his lightsaber up, locking it with Alex's and pressing hard into the former Master. Alex shot AJ a twisted grin before raining blows down on the brash Knight which fell like a deluge of harsh blue light. AJ was pressed into a quick back pedal, straining to fend off Alex's barrage.

Finally, Si was able to regain his center and call upon the power of the light side still within himself, however faint, to regain his composure. Si immediately ignited his green lightsaber and preformed a quick Force Jump to enter the fray with AJ and Alex. Si Quan's Soresu proved to be an asset in fending off the quick strikes of Alex's blade, but ultimately useless in creating any sort of offensive. All Si could do was guard himself. Seeing Si as little more then a nuisance, Alex batted the boy aside with a blast of telekinetic power.

"There are others coming," AJ warned, his voice wavering under his fatigue, "This is your only chance, get out of here while you can, Si!"

Si didn't want to leave AJ to near certain death, but if he stayed it was likely they would both fall, especially if Alex had back up. With slight hesitation Si nodded and hurried for the exit, the sound of clashing lightsabers behind him suddenly halting as he passed back into the sun of Dxun.

Si Quan in Wonderland

Darkness. Nothing but endless darkness, contorting its way around Si and permeating every fiber of his being. It is such a lonely and helpless feeling, like being naked in the cold. There Si Quan lay, prone and buried in despair until a familiar voice coaxed his consciousness from the abyss.

"Take my hand, son."

Si could now perceive a blurry shape emerging from the darkness in front of his eyes. Uncertain of what it was, but obeying the voice, Si extended his own hand to that which was now before him. Taking hold of his wrist, the hand in the darkness lifted Si back to his feet so that now he was face to face with Jal Ando.

"Dad?"

"I'm surprised to see you here," Jal responded, "at least, surprised to see you so soon. How did you die?"

"Die?" Si repeated curiously, "why would you think I died? You're the one that's supposed to be dead."

Jal chuckled slightly, "Indeed. If I'm dead, and you're here, that would lead me to believe that you're dead too, son."

Si struggled to remember what events had led him here into this dark void. He recalled a fight with Alex and running into the jungles of Dxun, but after that...

"Ah, it doesn't matter," Jal interupted, "I'm just happy to see you again. I should probably say I'm sorry..."

"Dad, I-"

"Nah, you don't have to say anything. I had it coming. I just regret you and your mother having to suffer through it."

There was a long silence, Si's thoughts wrestled with what to say to reassure his father that he was alright. Finally Jal broke the tension, "So, I see you kept my pearl."

Si smiled ever so slightly and gave a nod before sinking back into a fog of thought.

"What are you so afraid of, son?"

Si's head lifted and his gaze met his father's. He was startled by the sudden forwardness of Jal's question, "Afraid? What makes you think I'm afraid?"

"Because you're still here, in this dank dark pit of god knows what feeling sorry for yourself," Jal shot back, "As soon as you walked into that tomb you let this blackness fill your insides and now you can't even tell if you're alive or dead."

Si was at a loss for words and it took a moment before he could collect his thoughts, "The dark side... Alex, he's too strong. I'm sorry Miles, I've failed. I'm ashamed to call myself a Jedi."

Jal shook his head slowly, "There's no shame in failing, son. There is only shame if you refuse to pick yourself up again."

Si smiled and gave his father a nod, "But, what can I do?"

"Well for starters... you can-"

"WAKE UP!"

A hard slap to the face thrust Si Quan's consciousness back into the world around him. His eyes opened to see Master Maha's face staring down at him and all around him were the insides of a star ship.

"Master!? How?"

"Slow down. Take it slow," Maha warned pressing a moist washcloth against Si's forehead.

"Master, it's Alex. Master Rossi and AJ, they-"

"We know," Maha interrupted, "You're lucky to be in one piece. An Onderonian scout found you passed out in the jungle, near death from exposure. You've been out for at least three days. The Jedi party sent after you searched the tomb and found the remains of the others, but no sign of Alex. We were afraid he had taken you with him."

"Don't worry, Master. Next time, I'll be ready."