...Hm.

How powerful do they feel? And do any seem more in charge, or more isolated than the others? 

Stronger than Brin, less than than Occlus. A little above Lily's memories of the overseers from the Academy.

They're all working with at least a squad's worth of soldiers, but the tall one seems to be giving orders to more people.

In a soft murmur to Brin: "Don't kill any of the Republic people here, except in self defense or until I command otherwise. I have groundwork I want to lay."

She nods. "I'll follow your lead."

Her lead involves backing up and circling around - holding herself like she's a lot younger and more nervous than she actually is - and sneaking at about the expected talent level of a completely untrained new acolyte - 

Letting one of the Jedi who looks more unsure of themselves get an inkling that she's present and at their rear.

And sure enough, they pick up on it, signaling their soldiers to stay on guard forward while they head back to check it out.

"Hello?"

She lurks - pulls back a bit, acts nervous - 

Lets them glimpse her in the shadows, standing protectively in front of Brin.

"You can come out; we won't hurt you."

She steps forward very slightly, half to shift into a better protective stance. "A lot of people say that."

The Jedi holds up their hands, empty. "There's a lot of danger around. What are you doing here?"

"Our Master commanded us into the field, she said to test us."

"You're Sith?"

She tenses and looks ready to run. Then, very dryly: "The Academy failed to kill us, so supposedly." 

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"For what you've gone through. It's terrible."

That jolts her.

(Genuinely actually. Is the Jedi being honest here?)

"Why would you care?"

"It's what a Jedi should do."

"People don't do what they should."

"Unfortunately so."

"Can I- offer you somewhere safe to go?"

"Like where?"

"A Republic camp."

"As your prisoners?"

"As... guests under escort."

This is her skeptical face! "Would we be free to leave, if we were your guests?"

(Her mind's spinning in the background - plans and observations and priorities, and this is a chance to find out more about the Republic, to get an in - but Occlus is a more sure ally and a more dangerous enemy, and Lily has plans for her too - )

(So, she needs to cheat.)