Dark Fury 12

[Darth Turbogeek]

Yes you read right.... it's finally here.

However, due to it's sheer size, it's been posted in several parts.

Part 1 will be amended when I get the spell checked version tomorrow.

Please, do NOT comment until all of it has been posted. Have a read, enjoy as the story unfolds....

And one final note - if the beginning seems slow and overly descriptive and not really what you expect, there is a reason. It's sets up for whats to come and also I'm tying up some plots finally.

Enough of me.....

--

Dark Fury 12

Gregori Paladin took a careful look above the crumbled wall, looking cautiously as he assessed both the area and also the cover he could use to cross what had been a boulevard, now just a mess of rubble and debris, mist swirling amongst the ruins. Now in his fourth week of being stranded on his planet, he had become somewhat bold, living by his wits to not only fight the monsters he encounters now and then, but also to fight and sometimes defeat them as well. The Light Sabre he held in his hand was a comfort, the only weapon he had found that actually worked on these huge lizard things that seemed to come from nowhere to try and kill him. No he reassessed, not kill. More like capture. The beasts that had so brutally killed his friend and smuggling contact seemed more interested in keeping him alive, for what reason he could not know.

Whatever it was, he was glad of the chance to live. It gave the rescue he was certain was coming, sent at the beginning of his time on this hell hole, sent to whom he wasn’t sure as the comm. unit was preset. The actual unit had been given to him years ago with instructions not to use unless in dire need. Well, being on a planet full of ravenous beasts was probably about as dire as you could get. Funny thing was, even though not a hint of rescue had come, he was still certain had heard and was at this point coming for him and all he had to do was to survive a little longer. Of course, considering the situation that was not an easy thing to do, but he still wasn’t doing too bad for himself. 5 of the beasts had fallen to the sabre he carried, two others to traps he had set. More grateful to the danger sense he was developing, the ability to predict with unerring accuracy when one of these beasts was going to find him out. More than once it had saved him, other times giving him time to escape into hiding. Right now, that unusual sense was quiet, but still he was alert and nerves on edge, watching for any hint that danger was near.

Nothing. He began to move quietly, going to the place he had discovered was a reliable clean water source for his twice weekly filling of the water containers he had salvaged. Other places he had found supplies of combustibles for a fire and he had also acquired a few long life rations from his disabled ship.

Course, if I got real hungry I could have bite out of one of the monsters.

Yeah, there was that too. He was becoming more and more certain by the day he could survive and that had lead to a certain calmness and acceptance of this situation. No longer imprisoned by terror, his sleep was somewhat better and he was enjoying this to a certain extent. At least no damn Bounty Hunters were chasing him. Humph. Small thanks for small mercies.

He reached the place where a spring had uncovered itself and bubbled clear water, ready for the taking. He got down on his knees, began to fill his water bottles, while at the same time keeping alert for the ever present dangers of the situation. Just because he was getting confident of surviving didn’t mean he was going to take anything for granted. Relax too much he knew and you were likely to wind up dead. The final bottle was filling when his new danger sense suddenly began it’s now familiar prickle at the back of his head. Instantly grabbing for the light sabre, his senses went to maximum alertness, trying to find out from where the danger was coming from and in which form it was taking this time. He ducked behind a debris outcropping, dropping low to the ground as he waited for the danger he had detected to become obvious.

A moment later, the Vog’on came into view, moving purposely past Paladin’s hiding place and stomping into the fog again. Paladin waited a few mores seconds, quietly stood up as he put the lightsabre away. For some reason, he always felt calmness helped him detect danger and also calmness helped him at the times he had to fight to stay alive. He bent down, picked up his water bottles and quietly moved away, heading back towards his hideout.

A small puff of wind made the fog swirl, but other than that, the place seemed to be as dead as it had been for the last 7 years.

You tell me he was here?

Yeeeesssss, I deteatedddd hisssss scenttt.

An human surveyed the area. I don’t not detect him anywhere near here. You were not mistaken?

Nooooo. I doooo not make mistakesssss.

The human continued to look the area over. The Vog’on was filled with hate, wanting to kill him, but the beast’s hand was stayed. The human watched with amusement as the Vog’on flexed it’s claw, obviously hating the restraint that was placed on it. The human could never understand why these beasts allowed themselves to be held under such stupid rituals and omens, but it at least meant he could walk the surface of this planet and not be attacked.

Very well then. I will leave and report back to Bill Borg’gaes. Continue to keep us informed.

The Vog’on hummed some sort reply that he could not understand. No matter. Soon, their need for such beats would be over and he would take great delight in ridding the Galaxy of this vermin.

The Vog’on continued to hoot and chirp softly, putting a death mark on the human and claiming weak human’s life as his own to rip free when the time was right

--

The final cargo hatchway closed and the Jedi Master Turbogeek stepped back, sweat on his forehead from the frenetic activity he and the Garou had been doing in the ten days since they had caught the group of mercenaries that had been hired to find him, after somehow tracking him to this planet he and the Jedi Padawan Shay Kaylon had crashed landed on some weeks before. The mercenaries had been lead by a Sith that Turbogeek had battled, eventually luring the Sith into a trap that had seen the inexperienced Darksider go tumbling over a cliff. A party of Garou, send to confirm the Sith’s death had burned the body where it lay, some 500 meters below the edge. The mercenaries were now no better than slaves, well treated ones in the hands of the strange shape shifters Turbogeek had encountered, but slaves none the less. The two shuttle craft the Jedi and his allies had also captured proved to be spacious, well equipped and also with large enough cargo space to hold a reasonable sized spacecraft, with a few modifications. Not really willing to leave the spacecraft he had been flying behind, Turbogeek had, over a period of days, managed to get the wrecked craft inside the shuttle’s cargo bay. The wings and some other projections had to be removed and stowed, but it all fitted and now the Jedi was ready to leave.

He was going to miss this place, despite the rather sudden and unexpected stopover. The land was one of peace and it was easy to relax and forget the rest of the universe existed, with all it’s problems. In some ways, he had never felt better. The Garou had certainly been feeding both he and Shay well. Still, he had keep going on his mission, to answer the distress call of Gregori Paladin. All he could hope was that despite the delay, all would still be well with Paladin and the Jedi would not be too late. Dressed in a simple jumpsuit, the Jedi wiped his dirty hands on his legs, leaving greasy marks he would heave for the cleaning units to deal with.

He walked across to where the Garou were now gathered, ready to see him off. In another group, closely guarded the mercenaries also waited. In probably the only real disagreement with his hosts, the Jedi had insisted the mercs go free two hours after he had left and their lives spared. The Garou had wanted kill the lot or at the least hold them as prisoners for a while longer. Turbogeek was pretty sure the Garou were not going to let them go that soon, but he was certain whatever happened, the prisoners would be looked after while they remained on the planet.

“Is it you are concerned with reprisals?” he had asked at the time of the discussion

“No… we want the time to make sure they will not tell anything”

He was uncertain what that meant and he wondered if he really wanted to know. How did the saying go? Ask no questions, you get no lies? Seemed better to keep it that way for the moment. When present crisis were over, Turbogeek imagined he could come back here and make certain.

“No need Master Jedi” The young Garou Verse Dawnstrider, now coming with the Turbogeek to be trained in the ways of the Jedi came up to his shoulder and spoke quietly.

“Ahhh, are my thoughts that obvious? I am concerned. I would not like to see anything happen to them, they were only here because they were paid”

“Master Turbogeek, they will be well looked after. Once the Garou make a promise, we do not back down. They will be well looked after, they may have to work a bit for their living, but no harm will come of them. In fact… I would not be surprised if they stay voluntarily”

“I’m not so sure of that”

“Master a question. How do you feel right now?”

“Well…… It is a nice place, I’ll grant you that and I wouldn’t mind staying a while longer…”

The Garou grinned. “Even one like you is affected. This planet is strong in what we call Elemental Magic, what I now know is The Force. We wall want to stay. I can leave as I know I will return as you do. The others? They have no desire to leave and I think most of the mercenaries will find that soon they don’t want to go either. When that happens, the Garou will allow them to settle somewhere, teach them to farm and live off the land, may even show them some of our powers. I am certain of it”


The Jedi seemed to shrug. “As long as they come to no arm, I guess that is all I can ask for. Ready to go Verse?”

“Yes, my farewells have been said”

“On board then. Shay! We are going!”

The Jedi Padawan nodded and joined Verse on the gangplank, as Turbogeek quietly walked to the Garou leader, Moonwalker.

“Farewell friend and again, much gratitude I have for what you have done” He stretch a hand out and the Garou accepted the hand, shaking. The Garou nodded and then one of his fellow Garou stepped up, bearing a long wooden box. Turbogeek looked with some puzzlement.

“A gift for you Master Jedi. We have waited a long time to hand this to some-one like you.”. The Jedi was rather perplexed, but he decided to accept the box. Taking it in hand, he unlatched it and saw inside what appeared to the handle to a ancient sword - not a lightsabre, but a real sword. 60 cm long, in the middle of the handle was a shearing guard. The effect was oddly awe-inspiring. On the side was the legend ‘Athona’.

“Athona?” asked the Jedi

“Bringer of Light it means. It’s a lightsabre weilded by a Jedi Master our ansestors came into contact with 4000 years ago, all the parts to make it work are in the box as well as a few flame crystals. It’s supposed to be blessed with Jedi powers and infused with the Light Side itself. I hope you can make use of such a weapon Master Jedi”

Turbogeek examined the weapon again, seenig the craftmanship and it’s excellent condition. A Jedi sabre, 4000 years old? This was quite a gift, even if it doid not work any longer. Closing the box, he bowed. “I am honoured by your gift and I thnak you”

“I too thank you Turbogeek for offering to take Verse for Jedi training. It’s a great thing he seeks to become and I thank you for giving him the opportunity”

“Least I can do. Good-bye and fair weather for you”

“May the Force be with You, Jedi Master”

The Jedi bowed once and turned to board the shuttle. The second shuttle was shutdown, under guard nearby. The Jedi took a small glance at it, as he stopped at the foot of the gangway, savoring the sights and the smells of this wonderful planet. He knew he would be back on day.

He turned again, marching up the gangway to the top. Touching the close button as he passed, he made his way to the control room of the shuttle, where he found Shay and Verse taking seats.

“Ready to leave?”. They nodded in return. He sat at the command seat, strapped himself in and then glanced at the controls. Touching the power up sequence, he heard the repulorlifts kick in and begin to whine, lifting the ship vertically off the ground. Gaining height , he turned the ship slightly, then waggled the wings in a final salute to their hosts. The ship continued to gain height until about 300 meters and which point the forward thrusters were switched on, moving the ship forward. Waiting until the shuttle had enough forward momentum, he switched off the repulsor lifts and blasted off into space.

Silence remained in the control room until they had cleared the atmosphere and beginning to drive for space, until Shay Kaylon spoke.

“Where are we going to Master Turbogeek? Are we still going after this Paladin or are we going to rejoin the Jedi?”

“Give me a few minutes Shay and I’ll explain what I have in mind”

Not long after, the ship’s Nav computer pinged and the Jedi wrapped his hands around the Hyperspace motor controls, drawing them gently backward to fire the shuttle into the spirals of hyperspace. Shay motioned to speak, but Turbogeek waved her quiet again. 2 minutes into their flight, the Jedi closed his eyes, went into the Force and quite suddenly switched the hyperdrive off. The ship came back into realspace, into the blackness of interstellar space, now 1/1500th of a light year away from it’s starting point.

“What are you doing Master Jedi?” asked Verse, perplexed

“Not many people visualize how much space there is in the Galaxy. A short hop and any pursuit will never locate us, we are about as safe from interference as one can be” he replied. Verse and Shay exchanged puzzled glances before the Jedi Master continued.

“What we are doing is taking a few minutes to find out what is going on out there. I have a few contacts that will get us up to date without giving us away - I’m fully intending to go get Gregori Paladin, but I want to find out anything else that should be concerning me”

“Why not ask the Jedi?” asked Shay

“Because I don’t want them to get involved with what I am doing. I deliberately caused a ruckus when we left the fleet to make sure everyone though I went mad. After all, who is going to try and follow a mad Jedi Master? Who is going to investigate what he is really up to?”

“Ummm…. Another mad Jedi?”

“Oh dear, I hope not. One insane person is enough for me. Well, lets call up my private message bank and see what I have - okay a bit of anti trace scrambling, ah, here we are”. The Jedi flicked a practiced eye over the message log, from his personal comms station back on Coruscant, sorting out the important messages from the dross. There was 5 messages the Jedi decided to read, one from Dark Knight, the Galactic President asking for an update, two from Reaperfett, one from Master Yoghurt and the one he was looking for, one from Captain Tohmahawk. The message was rather interesting.

Turbogeek, this is Tohmahawk. Freezing my ass off on Hoth, doubt you would care. With the army of General Scorpion, we believe we got Callista. Still trying to confirm. You really irritated a few people with your antics. I can be contacted on the private comm. code X45-ttt1-a12-*tttyl.

Callista dead? Somehow Turbogeek doubted that. Still, he made a note to call Tohmahawk in a moment.

He selected one of Reaperfett’s messages. It was an update of Hoth, listing all the events up to a fight Jedi Alpha had with a Vog’on. Turbogeek shook his head, knowing how lucky Alpha was to be still living The next message was more interesting. And a real eye opener, leading into Yoghurt’s message. 5 seconds after reading Yoghurt’s update of everything up to leaving Tatooine, Turbogeek was already scrabbling for the comms station, punching in Yoghurt’s private code. Verse and Shay looked at each other, surprised at the incredible intensity on the sense of the Jedi now.

“Master? What’s wrong?”

Turbogeek was waiting for the comm. channel to be opened. “The name Lady Mara Jade mean anything to you?”

Shay nodded.

“Well, Venom has turned up” She stared in incomprehension.

“But…”

The Jedi turned to face Shay. “I know. Suddenly, I need to know what in the Force is going on.” He turned back, tapping on the console as he continued to wait.

“Ummm Shay? What’s going on?” asked Verse

“Not sure. Quiet!” she hissed. The two youngsters continued to wait.

A reply came through the comms unit “I’m sorry, Master Yoghurt isn’t available right now, please leave..”

“Who are you? This is the Jedi Master Turbogeek and I want to speak to Master Yoghurt NOW”

Silence at the other end. A timid voice spoke up “I am Kat Katarea sir, Master Yogurt…”

“Now Katarena. I want to speak to Yoghurt now. No excuses”

The pause symbol came on as the person on the other end obeyed Turbogeek’s command. The Jedi Master looked at the two youngsters raised an eyebrow. “You would think people would be a bit more accommodating to a request”

“Maybe he’s asleep?”

“Yog? Asleep? Never seen it. Oh… Ahhh, Master Yoghurt! What in the Force is going on? Has everyone as well as myself taken leave of our senses?”

The small green Jedi appeared on the holoplate. “Why, Master Turbogeek. How goes it?”

“Not bad. Hope there wasn’t too much inconvenience or damage I left behind”

“Nothing a few hours in a bacta tank didn’t fix. You received message then?”

“Yes. Have you all gone nuts?”

"No. Can you come?"

“I can’t. I have other things that need doing Yog. And besides, I doubt I would be welcome, especially with the Sith. Lady Mara must be waiting to wring my neck”

Yoghurt paused and even with the blur of the hologram, Turbogeek could clearly see Yoghurt’s expression change. The other Jedi paused

“Yoghurt?”

“Master Turbogeek, I request you come here and at the least pick up your Padawan learner”

“Yog, my Padawans are quite capable of taking care of themselves. Garik and Loungie…”

“Garik is Jedi Knight now and Lounge Lizard came onboard, declared himself Sith, stole a shuttle and left. I speak of the Padawan you have been assigned.”

Turbogeek leaned back. “Lounge Lizard’s turning is not unexpected and it gladdens me you promoted Garik. But who is this you assigned to be my learner? You know quite well I do not accept Padawans except for special reasons”

“Oh it’s special Turbogeek. Please, come here before you continue on. It is important.”

“Something in the force told Turbogeek what he had to do. “Alright Yog, I’ll come. Send the fleet’s co-ordinates and wait for me. I’ll have shay and also a new seeker of knowledge with me”

“Oh? Who would that be?”

“A Garou, by the name of Verse Dawnstrider. Long story how we met. Anything else”

“No get here as soon as possible. I’ll send the co-ordinates. Yoghurt out”

The image dissolved, to leave a bewildered Turbogeek and an equally puzzled set of youngsters.

“Well….. seems like the situation has changed, wouldn’t you say?” said Turbogeek to shay.

“It has Master. What are we going to do? How can we go to the fleet and save Paladin at the same time?”

“A good question. First things first I’ll have to see whether Paladin still need saving I guess. The distress beacon he used has a transmitter hidden in it I could try… now, what was the code?” He thought for a while, then tapped out a code. A few minutes later….

--

The beep of the distress beacon woke Paladin up abruptly. A winking light lit up the room Paladin was in, flashing softly. Paladin’s hopes soared… was this the signal of his rescue, that he had held out for? Not finding a reply button he just spoke. “Hello? Who is this? Are you coming to help?”

--

… The Jedi Master looked at the others. “Answers that question.” To the speaker of the comms unit - “Hello, identify yourself. This is Jedi Master Darth Turbogeek.”

--

Paladin could hardly believe his ears. “Turbogeek? That is really you? It’s Gregori Paladin, you remember me?”

The return voice was scratchy with all the distance and interference the transmission was experiencing. “Paladin! No time for chatting, how is your situation?”

“Not good, but surprisingly good. I have food and water and I have means to defend myself. Are you coming to get me now?”

“Yes, but I been told to make one more detour that I don’t really want to make. I’ve wasted enough time with diversions, so if your in dire need, I’ll come get you first”

The double meaning was clear. The Jedi was offering to put Paladin first if he so wished. Indeed, Paladin wished to get off this hell hole….. but something in him said to be patient, to wait.

“Sir, I’m okay at the moment. If you have been called to do something else, I will be okay for a while longer. And thanks for the offer as well.”

A pause. “Very well Paladin. Remember to stay calm and don’t act in anger. I would hate to have to explain to your mother why I didn’t look after you”

“Understood. Ummmm…. Turbogeek? Thank you. I’ll be waiting”

“Good luck Gregori May the Force be With You”

The transmission cut out. Paladin sat there, his spirits lifted immensely. Maybe he wasn’t going to be saved immediately, but help was coming and that was all that mattered.

--

Turbogeek’s face said it all. Relief mixed with concern. “Looks like Paladin is okay then for a bit longer. Okay, lets go see what Yog wants and then go pick up Paladin”

They had to wait for the coordinated first, which came through in a few minutes. Turbogeek loaded the numbers, allowed the nav computer to compute the jump and when it had done so, Turbogeek pointed shuttle into the required direction and engaged the hyperdrive, the ship speeding off into hyperspace

[Darth Turbogeek]

Bill Borg’gaes, the ruler of the empire that his former Lordess Callista had left behind to him, sat and meditated as he looked out the window of the throne room, mulling over events that had just been told to him. The spy that had been sent to Harrvi to verify the reports of the Vog’on had just left the room after delivering his report to Borg’gaes, confirming everything that the beasts had spoken of to Callista a few weeks earlier. So, there was another who could fulfill the destiny Darth Venom had failed to do, seven years ago? It now seemed there was not just one, but three who could open the rift with the jewel, something he would not pretend to understand, but accept. The Darkness Keeper, now dead at the hands of the one the called Judgment had himself told Borg’gaes of the necessaries that they would need, the person who could, with the power of the Dark Side use the jewel and forever bind the Universe to Darkness.

Or of course, use the jewel with the Light side and destroy the gateway, forever closing off the source of power to anyone. So long said the records, so long had ones like Callista and the Darkness Keeper been guarding their secrets, passing from one person to the next. Each two with their own part to execute, one an Opener, the other a Judge. Finally, it had come to this, the correct person had been found trained to a pinnacle of Dark power like almost none before and then right at the point they had planned to allow this one to finally step forward and claim what was his….

He had a conscious attack and had thrown it all away, to become a Jedi and to defy them from then on. All the work, the patience, the training, wasted in a blink. No wonder it had gnawed at Callista, rotting her from the inside until nothing but thoughts of revenge remained. He could understand that, but still some perspective should be kept. They had the jewel back and they had found two others they might train. This time, there would be no mistakes. This time, Borg’gaes would live to see the dark nightmares fulfilled and a Dark One ascend to power. Not one like Palpatine, insanely powerful but utterly corrupt. No, one who was born to rule and begin a reign of evil forever.

But the end goal was not achieved as yet and there was much to do before it could be done. It was appropriate, the boy Q’Dunn was supposed to have saved as a act of defiance to Callista should now be almost within claw grip and the very tool they needed. How poetic.

He turned on his chair, mind filled with evil glee as a human entered unbidden to his chamber. A tall human, aged face, mechanical hand. Not using a cane like she often did. She was also wearing the scars of more injuries.

“Callista. Why have you come here?”

She stood off from the throne, so recently hers, but conceded to Borg’gaes when she saw he was ready. “Me? To see what is becoming of the empire I left you”

“Do you like what you see?” Not that he really cared. One day soon he would kill her, get her permanently out of the way.

“Sometimes. Your minions on Hoth need a lesson.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

She paused and Borg’gaes could see clearly the fury in her face. “They grew complacent and allowed a attack force to wipe them out. I barely escaped myself, only managing to take over the mind of a shuttle crew to make my way back here. It is unfortunate they did not do as they were instructed as I feel that the Imperial got the lot. No self destructs were activated and our entire plans were captured!” Her voice scaled up to a scream of anger, well remembered by Borg’gaes, usually before he e dealt out some hideous ‘lesson’ to one who failed her. Usually it was enough to make Borg’gaes cringe and hide. Not now. He was Master now.

“I am not worried. The Imperials wont get anything useful”

She paused and looked at Bill Borg’gaes curiously. “What do you mean?”

A waved hand “Simple. When you gave me the throne, I enacted particular measures I had intended if I ever got the chance to take the throne by force. One was to send out fake computer and system updates, changing the details and locations of all our bases and new codes to correct the information. The changed information was sent, but not the release codes to Hoth. I did not trust the Commander there”

She tilted her head to regard the reptile. “Well. Had you been planning your ascension for a while had you?”

“Of course. You spared me the effort, which I am grateful. However, certain plans proved too useful not to be used anyway”

She nodded. “Very well. You lost a base then”

“More than a base!” He roared. “I lost good staff because of one idiot! I will not see my resources squandered like this!” His temper well and truly up, he stepped up off the chair, his rage building. “We are not going to rule while we tolerate this waste!”

She didn’t miss the double meaning, bristled. “Coruscant was not a waste! It achieved the regaining of the jewel! We gained much!”

“Yes, but what did we lose?” He looked pointedly at the artificial hand she now had. “what did YOU lose?”

“It does not matter. It achieved the purpose and that was good enough.” Borg’gaes sighed internally, mentally resigned to this. He had tried to argue the point before the ill fated Coruscant attack but she was so blinded by thoughts of revenge against everyone in her life that had slighted her, that she would not listen to reason. For Borg’gaes, revenge could come later. Revenge was a drink better savored when the enemies defeat was total.

He gestured. “Wait for me outside. I wish to make a call”

She bowed, rankling at the casual dismissal. Not long ago, she was the one in command. But soon, she would be back and the fall of all would be truly great. Her own plans progressed according to how it was foreseen. Yes, there was waste but the goal she was chasing was so much bigger, nothing mattered. There were so many that would not see the endgame trap until too late, Borg’gaes, Scorpion, Skywalker, the Vog’on… and yes even Q’Dunn, the ultimate traitor. Her time was truly coming and she would truly enjoy casting down all.

Borg’gaes watched her leave, then remotely sealed off the room, allowing no eavesdroppers. He entered the comm. code, waited as the pause diamond shone, then finally giving way to the image of a woman. Not pretty one, but as Borg’gaes knew, in her profession, beauty was not needed.

“Lord Borg’gaes! What can I do for you?”

“Target Silvia. Now.”

She bowed. “And the fee?”

“55,000 credits. Paid on delivery”

Again she bowed. “It will be done.” The transmission flared and the figure disappeared. Borg’gaes leaned back, knowing the Sith Bounty Hunter would have the target dead within a week. Now, the only question he had was to wonder where Q’Dunn, also known as Turbogeek was. No one had heard of him for over three weeks and frankly, that was on more concern than anything else he could think of. Normally, he would have had a permanent shadow to keep the location of that Jedi , but the Sith he had sent to find him had also disappeared, failing to contact anyone for over a week now. Obviously, Q’Dunn had found him out and had dealt with the Sith. All the more reason for extreme caution and stealth where the Jedi were concerned.

--

It was cold enough to freeze a wampa, he thought. His breath seemed to freeze immediately as he struggled into one of the doors, to escape the coming chill of the night, getting inside before they had to close the shelter’s doors. Inside, it was somewhat warmer, though on Hoth, relative had a totally different meaning to anywhere else. Probably the coldest planet anyone attempted to live on, it certainly was not on the top holiday spot for Captain James Tohmahawk, New Republic Special Forces. In fact, this hell hole didn’t rate at all, except for one of the thousands of dumps his job seemed to conspire to send him to.

“Man, why can’t I get one of those places with sun, sand and babes?”

No-one answered. But by the looks he got back from the other troops around in the muster area, they were thinking the same thing. All he could say was that he was glad he was leaving tonight as was everyone else. Their job had been done, the base had been cleaned out and there was no more to be found out about Callista or her operations.

Not even an outpost was to be kept here. General Scorpion had declared everything and everyone was to leave. Not that it concerned Tohmahawk in the slightest. He moved away form the knot of men, moving to a side door, which he keyed for entry. The door opened to a corridor, which proceeded to walk quickly, moving to the room he had been allocated during their stay here.

Everything was packed already. His specialized weaponry was already on a shuttle, ready to go, as was some of his other toys, all he had to take with him was some personal belongings. He decided to catch the next shuttle, as he hated to wait when there was nothing happening, Picking up his bag, he walked out.

Getting to shuttle wasn’t hard. A special hanger had be carved out, not far from his room. Getting on the shuttle wasn’t hard either. Word had spread he was in some way important and that he was attached to General Scorpion’s staff. The air from the shuttle was almost like a physical slap it felt that warm. Tohmahawk wondered why the craft would be that way… until he realized, it wasn’t the shuttle that was so warm, it was him that was so cold! He grinned, for the first time in quite a few days he could thaw out. Taking a seat, he strapped in, deciding to have a sleep while the shuttle waited for more passengers and also to finish cargo loading.

He awoke with a start. Blearily looking around, he saw the shuttle was still empty, but there was a crewman tapping him gently on the shoulder.

“Sir? Wake up Sir”

“Oh? Yeah okay. What’s wrong?”

“We have arrived sir. You slept the whole journey”

That would explain that then he guessed. Indeed, looking at his chrono he could see several hours had past. Well, it happened now and then to him. After several days of snatching sleep when he could, his body caught up with him and almost put him into a coma. He didn’t feel any better for it. Maybe he would just simply go to his cabin and sleep for a good while longer, sod the rest of the Galaxy. Getting up, working the knots out of his muscles and picking up his pack, he made his way out of the shuttle, to see they were indeed in the hangar of the Super Star Destroyer Sabretooth, General Scorpion’s flag ship. Not 100% familiar with the layout of this hangar, Tohmahawk had to ask directions to where his cabin would be. Somewhat disgusted, he learned his cabin was nearly two kilometers away. That was the problem with these huge ships. You needed speeder to get from one side to the other.

He was somewhat more disgusted when he arrived at his cabin. He had been forced to walk the distance and in his state, that was not amusing. Keying the lock, he threw his belongings onto the floor, sitting on the bed and falling quickly into sleep once again, fully clothed.

The notice of a message waiting for him blinked away, ignored by the sleeper.

--

The ISD hung in space, above the planet of Dagobah. It’s occupants, either New republic soldier or the Jedi waited with some state of trepidation, awaiting the arrival of a small ship that had entered the system not long ago. The Sith and Imperials had left the area a day before, dissolving the temporary alliance that had been formed to head off the Callista threat. Now, with her dead, there just seemed to be no need for such an alliance,, thence the groups, all so opposite in their outlooks had parted. Not exactly cordial, but not really threatening. The Sith would have to face the re-emergence of Itala Marzullo, the Imperials going back to wherever they came from. The Jedi had decided that it was time to establish a base other than Coruscant and had hence chosen Dagobah, with a training place to be established at Yavin 4.

It all seemed like things were returning to their proper place. The Imperials would snipe and snap at the New Republic, the New Republic would fight back, the Jedi and the Sith would recommence their eon’s long battle for supremacy. It almost sounded boring.

For Master Yoghurt, it was anything but boring. He was waiting in the main hangar bay, waiting alongside Obiwan2 and Reaperfett, waiting for the ship Darth Turbogeek was coming in to dock. Yoghurt waited with typical Jedi calmness, ignoring the unsettled looks Reaperfett and Obiwan2 were exchanging. All well and good to face a Sith, but to face a Jedi who mental balance seemed not quite right? Some other New Republic guards also surrounded the room, also nervously waiting

A long, bulbous craft came through the magnetic seal, motors already cycling down as it’s landing gear was extended, hovering for a second before landing delicacy onto the floor. For a few moments, the hissing of escaping gasses was the only thing that could be heard from the shuttle. Finally, a whir and the gangplank was being extended, a moment of silence and then booted feet could be seen emerging. First came Shay Kaylon, then a human Yoghurt had never seen before, young. Finally, Turbogeek himself emerged, pausing a second with a hand against the roof, looking over the hangar bay, hand on his lightsabre as he scoped out where everyone was, mentally working out strategies if things went wrong.

He’s been fighting too long thought Yoghurt. He never trusts anything except with great difficulty. Although, there were several advantages to that, one being you tended to stay alive longer and Turbogeek had certainly come out of situations were no ordinary human ever should have survived. Still, he should be realizing he was with friends. Yoghurt observed Turbogeek as he came down the plank, dressed in a simple brown jumpsuit, looking around as he strode forward to meet the gathered three Jedi Masters.

Shay and the other youth stopped a pace away from Yoghurt, being joined by Turbogeek as he stooped and bowed to the other Jedi. “Good day”

Stiff, formal and the atmosphere could be cut with a knife. The two groups didn’t really know what to say, what to do. The soldiers surrounding the area all looked on anxiously. The seconds went by as the tension seemed to build.

“Pull my finger”

Obiwan2 and Reaperfett looked at each other, highly puzzled. “What do you mean, pull my finger?” Asked Reaperfett

“I said” and here Turbogeek extended a hand “Pull my finger”

Obiwan2 looked at Reaperfett and Master Yoghurt, totally confused. Yoghurt shrugged as if to say, “Well, why not?”

Shay and the youth seemed to have an unusual amount of tension in their faces, Shay looking like she was going to burst. Obiwan2 leaned forward and pulled on the offered finger. Turbogeek shifted footing, screwed up his face and let rip an enormous fart echoing and sounding like a demented trumpeter. Shay and the youth dissolved into laughter as the soldiers exchanged puzzled glances. Reaperfett paused and then yelled “PHEW! What did you eat!” and also began to laugh. A huge grin was on Turbogeek’s face as he bowed again, Obiwan2 face wrinkled in disgust .

Master Yoghurt nodded and inwardly grinned, thinking it was great to have Turbogeek back, even for a short time.

A few minutes later, the group had come to a meeting room, with Obiwan2 looking for all the world like he was mortally offended as Reaperfett and Turbogeek were trying to outdo each other in dirty jokes, while Shay and the youth, whom Yoghurt now knew was a Garou by the name of Verse Dawnstrider, trailed. Yoghurt himself trailed until they got to the room, where he waddled forward, to open the doors and allow the party to come inside. Inside, a drinks tray was already set out, with a servant droid ready to pour for him and also two others, male and female. The male Turbogeek had never seen before, the female he knew well.

He turned to the male, noting he had a strange red eye and didn’t seem entirely…. Right. Something in his Force sense was different. Odd. He decided to speak first as the male and female stood. “Good day, I am Master Turbogeek. And you are…?”

“My name is Nupraptor” The words precise, almost mechanical. Very odd. The Jedi would ask of this one a bit later, as he really wanted to find out why Lady Mara Jade was here, the female who had been waiting. “Lady Mara, this is a unexpected surprise. I had been informed the Sith had left for different places.

She looked rather uncertain “Yes, they have”

“Then why are you here?”

Master Yoghurt answered for her. “Because she has left the Sith and joined us. We bought you back to train her”

This was not what Turbogeek was expecting. “She…. What? You want me to train her?!?! Master Yoghurt, a Padawan I have, two even. I cant take another”

“Used to DT. Garik was promoted and Lounge Lizard went back to the Sith again.” replied Reaperfett.

Turbogeek seemed to deflate. “Oh”

“The Council has decided, you are to take Lady Mara Jade as your Padawan learner” said Yoghurt.

“Can I think about this? It’s a hard enough step in my thinking for her to be a Jedi, let alone think of training her. Besides, I promised the people from where Verse came form I would have him trained as a Jedi. Who will do that?”

“Reaperfett can do that” Was the reply. Reaperfett himself suddenly looked dubious then shrugged, accepting with a gesture. Verse looked at his new Master, also somewhat uncertain.

“Hey don’t worry. I’ll do a good job” said Reaperfett. Mentally, he was not happy as his last Padawan had turned to the Dark Side and he was reluctant to train anyone else. But as Yoghurt asked him to, he would.

Still Turbogeek looked dubious. “I still want to think about this and I have another thing I must do very urgently, plus ship repairs. Can I give my answer then?”

“No you may not. The council asks this of you, else we would have not summoned you back here”

“Look, not long ago I cut loose in this very ship. Shouldn’t you be finding out whether I am fit and able to do this first?”

Yoghurt sighed and shook his head. “Knew you would say this. Yes, the Council knows you are able to train her. We know your ‘madness’ was only something to discourage pursuit”

Turbogeek rolled his eyes in frustration. "I don’t have time for this. Surely there is someone better who can train her." He looked at Yogurt intently, determined to get his way. Yogurt stared back, daring Turbogeek to defy him and the council. The level of tension rose quickly as the two Jedi Masters faced off, but also much to everyone's surprise it was Turbogeek who backed down first and also quite fast.

Sighing he looked away from everyone. " All right. Lady Mara, meet me in the hangar bay in one hour". Without a further word, he turned on his heel and marched straight out of the room, the door closing behind him. The tension level slowly dropped, but the strain on Lady Mara's face was evident. She turned to face the other Jedi.

"I don’t wish to be any trouble. If I had known he would react like that, I would never have asked for him to be my Master"

Reaperfett shrugged. "Not your problem. He's just being stubborn". Master Yogurt looked doubtful, while Nupraptor got up. "Masters, may I speak to Turbogeek as I came to do?". The other Jedi looked dubious, but nodded their agreement. Nupraptor got up and quickly moved out the door to follow Turbogeek before he got too far. As the door closed, Lady Mara as well moved to exit. "Master Yogurt, I'm sorry to be this trouble..."

"No, no trouble are you. Turbogeek on the other hand..."

She smiled slightly. "He's always been trouble. I'm a bit surprised he is trouble for the Jedi as well. My I leave now?". The Jedi agreed and she too left. There was a slight pause as the Jedi looked at each other.

"Did you read Turbogeek's sense?" asked Obiwan2

"Yes. Concerned he is and genuinely did not want this." replied Master Yogurt

"No, not that. His presence in the Force"

Master Yogurt looked puzzled. "I noticed nothing different. He is a Jedi and I saw no taint of the Dark side. If anything, the Lghtside burns more in him"

"No. Think back a few hours". Reaperfett exchanged a puzzled glance with Yogurt, who looked back every bit as confused. They both looked questioningly at Obiwan2.

"You met one with exactly the same feel in the Force on Tattooine"

"We did? Who?"

"You did not notice?"

"Notice what? Speak clearly for I don’t know what you mean"

Obiwan2 suddenly went uncertain. If Master Yogurt had not noticed, maybe he was wrong and jumping to conclusions?.... "I'm sorry, maybe I was wrong. I wont mention this again until I am more certain"

Reaperfett shrugged. "Suit yourself"

Yogurt just went deep into thought

[Darth Turbogeek]

"Master? MASTER TURBOGEEK!"

The Jedi Master turned around to see the odd human male who called himself Nupraptor was running to catch up with him. Turbogeek stooped to wait for the other to catch up before turning and continuing to walk back to where the shuttle was that he had arrived in, intent on getting a working crew to unload the wreckage of his personal ship and assess repairs. "Yes? what may I do for you?"

"Master Jedi, it is an honor to meet you at last. I am Nupraptor, Cyborg. I was..". Turbogeek stooped and with a wave of his hand stopped Nupraptor in mid sentence.

"Your a cyborg? That explains your strange presence in the Force then. What can I do for you?"

"Master Boricua asked if you would allow me to go with you. I was his Padawan and I was recently promoted. He asked if I could go with you as he believes I have abilities you could use."

"Yes and what may that may be? I really don’t need another tag along like I have just been lumped with."

Nupraptor ignored the bait. "I know you must be annoyed Master Jedi, but I can be of much use. Could you accept Master Boricua's word for the moment as what I can be done isn't easily explained, but must be seen? He says it will be of use against the Vog'on and Venom"

Turbogeek stopped dead. "Against..... who?"

Nupraptor noted the change in Turbogeek and resisted the impulse to step backwards. "Ummm.... against Venom and the Vog'on, Master.... Master??!?!'

He was talking to air, as Turbogeek had spun around and was now heading straight back in the direction he had come. Nupraptor ran to catch up. Lady Mara was almost run over as Turbogeek swept past and she looked rather startled, giving Nupraptor a puzzled look. He shrugged and began to run to catch up with the Jedi Master as he slammed open the door to the conference room he had only just left. Nupraptor re-entered as well, followed by Lady Mara, to see Turbogeek already yelling at Reaperfett, Yogurt and Obiwan2.

"Venom?!?! Vog'on?!?!? Why in the name of the Force did you not say something about this, instead of being more concerned with me teaching another bloody Padawan?!?! Has Yogurt's root stew mottled your brains? Tell me what is going on?"

Yogurt gave him a brief run-down of the events on Tattooine, while Turbogeek listened intently. When the small green Jedi had finished, Turbogeek sat on the table.

"Venom you said? He defiantly called himself Venom?". A nodded reply.

"And he was 240 cm tall?". Another nod.

"@#%$". Turbogeek immediately got up and almost ran out of the room again. Nupraptor looked quizzically at the others. "Does he act like this all the time?"

"Only on his days off" replied Reaperfett. Nupraptor raised an eyebrow and also turned to follow Turbogeek again. Lady Mara made the door and was nearly flattened as Nupraptor followed Turbogeek out. He apologized and ran to catch the Jedi Master. Lady Mara looked bemused and rather puzzled.

"What's going on?" She asked.

The other Jedi looked a bit nonplused as well. She turned and decided to try to catch Turbogeek as well.

--

Nupraptor and Lady Mara Jade found Turbogeek typing rapidly away at a terminal in the hangar bay, muttering under his breath. Both of them waited a minute until the Jedi Master looked up to notice them.

"Yes, what is it?" he asked. Nupraptor noted his rather cold tone.

"Master, apologies for interrupting, but what's the significance of this Venom?" asked Nupraptor

"The names Venom and Vog'on is not a good thing to say in the same sentence. Are you aware what Vog’ons are?" Mara and Nupraptor nodded. "Then you know how nasty they can be. Well, Venom can directly control them and they will accept his orders without question. If they have been seen in the same area, you can bet he has asserted his authority over them. You realize there is a whole planet of Vog'on, maybe more?"

Mara went white. She had not seen a Vog'on but had heard reports from the Jedi and the Sith who had faced the monsters on Tattooine, also the reports of how Bromine was killed. If there was a whole planetfull of such beasts, just waiting.... "If that is so, then why haven't they moved in force and we have only seen one small group?" she asked.

"They don’t have any type of space faring craft, that's why. They steal a few but that is rare. They almost always stay put on the planet they are on unless for very good reason and even then in groups no more than 12. The last time they moved enmass, that was because of a deal done with Callista and even then they needed a lot of convincing" Turbogeek's forehead wrinkled as he frowned "In fact, I have no idea how she got them to attack Harrvi in the first place. Despite their religious hatred of weapons and the bearers of such, you cant move them from the planets they destroy. I wonder how she did it in the first place, especially with no Venom to order the Vog'on?". He paused, thinking. A moment later, he continued. "Anyway, that's not really the issue now. I need to go and you two" he looked at Nupraptor and Mara "Stay right here. You understand me?"

"But, what about the Council?" Mara asked

"The Council can take a walk into the Maw. I'm going alone from now one and there is nothing else that can change my mind. Now, will you excuse me...?". The other two made a path for him as he got up and quickly walked away to where the wreck of his ship was being unloaded.

Mara glared at the departing Jedi's back. "What a cold insensitive bastard!"

"I'm sure he loves you too" replied Nupraptor. Mara almost backhanded Nupraptor, before storming off. The cyborg looked somewhat confused as to what set of Mara's outburst and decided it would be better not to know. What he did know was that he would be going with Master Turbogeek as he had seen it in a dream not long ago. Why, he wasn't sure, but if the Force told him to go, he went and didn’t question it.

--

Lady Mara Jade went to the room that she was sleeping in and threw herself angrily onto the bed. She just couldn't believe it, it was almost like facing a different man. He wasn't the warm and humorous person she had met while he was in the servochair, he was now cold and aloof, disdainful. She now so wanted to be a Jedi and the person who had extended his hand in invitation first had seemingly rejected her, hurting her quite badly. Was he really always this way and the Turbogeek she had met just a dream, a fantasy?

He may be what you think... but I always was....

She almost jumped as she heard the voice in the mind. Horribly familiar...

You know me Lady Mara. We knew each other well. Your very pretty when you take that permanent scowl off your face

Like an electric shock going through her spine, she sat bolt upright, a look of alarm coming over her face. Who are you? she asked

I am the one you loved a long time ago and I am coming to reclaim what is mine. Until you see me.... be well my love....

The mental contact faded and it left Mara shivering. To calm herself, she got up and poured herself a glass of water, drinking slowly as her hand stopped trembling. The shock of hearing the phrase that meant so much to her was beginning to wear off and she was deeply puzzled. There was only two people who had ever said to her and one was right now doing a good imitation of an iceberg in the main hangar bay. The other was lost to her 6 years ago and she doubted he would ever be back. She had watched the flames consume his body. It wasn’t possible for anyone to survive that.

She considered the contact for a moment, wondering why the person on the other end felt so familiar. Quickly, she had identified the person as Jedah Lynch and frankly that made no sense to here. How could HE know? He was a Sith to be sure, but not one she had ever told her past too. It just didn’t make sense. Yet, it was defiantly Lynch and he had defiantly said "Your very pretty when you take that permanent scowl off your face".

She came to a decision. She was going to get to the bottom of this. Picking up her lightsabre, she moved to the door, mentally reviewing what she knew of Lynch, which was a lot as she had trained him to be a Sith when she was the Lordess of the Sith Empire. She remembered his telepathy powers were limited to a degree which meant he was closely - that meant right on this ship! But hadn't all the Sith departed with Rama Sha before they left Tattooine? Then what was Lynch doing onboard?

I know your somewhere here Lynch. You better not be trying to cause trouble.

An echoing laugh was the only answer she got.

--

Most of the Jedi ate in the communal dining hall near where they had their cabins and tonight was no exception. They groups themselves into ranks mainly, the Padawans occasionally with their Masters, but more often than not sitting with other Padawans. The Knights formed the largest group, while the Jedi Masters would usually sit at a table by themselves and a bit away from everyone else. For them, meal times were a time to discuss problems and issues concerning the Jedi informally and tonight was no different. Six Masters sat in a group, Jedi Boricua, Master Yoghurt, Rmaio, Figrin D’An, Reaperfett and Siber Tiger. At present, Figrin was speaking with some disgust

“I told you he would say no! He’s stubborn, too stubborn. It’s for the good of the Jedi, why cant he understand that?”

“Probably because he has got something else on his mind now Figrin. I talked to him later trying to get him to reverse his decision and he seemed to have his mind elsewhere. I say he is keen to get after this Gregori Paladin and it’s only the fact there isn’t a replacement ship for him that his kept him here this long” said Rmaio.

“Couldn’t he take a shuttle?” asked Siber Tiger

“No, Turbogeek believes he is going into hostile territory and he needs a quasi fighter like his old ship was. Because we have got nothing larger than a B-Wing that can fight onboard, he’s stuck right now until he can whistle up a replacement or get his craft repaired.” Rmaio replied

“Well, that’s one thing I guess, we have some time to talk him around. Has he spoken about anything else yet?”

“None. He’s highly reluctant to speak right now except to make sure Verse Dawnstrider is looked after and is to begin training. Shay was able to give me a pretty good run down on what transpired since they left, which was one thing. I would have preferred getting the word straight from Turbogeek, but Shay’s very observant and could tell me things like DT’s state of mind. I think he’s feeling a touch out of his depth and needs help badly as events are rapidly getting too complex for one person to handle. Deep down Shay thinks he knows that but he’s too obsessed with fixing things he sees as his fault to accept help”

“But this is not his fault. How can he claim that level of responsibility?” asked Yoghurt

“I don’t really know, but that’s what Shay tells me and I think she is right. He’s feeling quite burden and he needs help. Somehow he needs to see that” replied Rmaio.

Silence for a few seconds while the other Masters contemplated these words. Finally Siber Tiger spoke up. “Then we need to make him think it was his idea to get help and get him to ask instead of forcing it onto him”

“OH? How do you propose to do that?” asked Yoghurt. Siber Tiger smiled before replying “He needs a ship.”

The other Jedi Masters quickly saw Siber’s idea and got discussing the plan of action

--

Morgan “Fewdman” Evanar walked along the corridors of the ISD, whistling. He was a Jedi Knight, like his good friend Nupraptor and as well he had been promoted not long ago. Still somewhat raw, he was also somewhat flippant and given to practical jokes, not something you would expect of a Jedi normally. He was at this time in possession of a frozen trout in a bag, planning to defrost it and stick it under Nupraptor’s bed as a smelly surprise. Nupraptor deserved this as he had let loose Rmiao’s cats into Fewdman’s room for a few hours. The mess had taken nearly half a day and Fewdman’s cloak still smelt strongly of moggy. Making Nupraptor smell of fish would be ample repayment.

Fewdman continued down the corridor until he got near his own room. Pausing he keyed the door to open and suddenly felt a disturbance in the Force nearby. Freezing, he stretched out, trying to identify what the disturbance was. To his puzzlement it was a presence deep in the Dark Side, much like a Sith. Fewdman turned cautiously, a hand going to the sabre on his belt and pulling it loose, thumb hovering over the activate button. He looked around and used the Force to give himself an approximate direction of the presence and then carefully moving along the wall, he walked in the direction he was sure the presence was. The frozen fish hung from it’s bag on his shoulder, temporarily forgotten as he advanced.

Much to his surprise, the presence resolved itself into a person, human most likely and he was in the room of Warren Azalin, a fellow Jedi Knight. Now a bit more concerned, Fewdman gripped tightly his sabre and as quietly as he could, keyed for the door release. A flash of memory came to him - wasn’t all the Sith supposed to be gone now? - and he carefully eased the door open. Warren’s room wasn’t too big, but it was well lit and hence Fewdman was easily able to see the man inside was no Jedi. The other froze as Fewdman came in, sabre ignited and ready for trouble.

“Who are you?” he asked

The Dark Sider gave Fewdman a evil grim before answering. “What’s it to you.... Jedi” The last was said with a sneer.

“For starters, your in the wrong room. Now tell me what your doing here...” Fewdman paused for a moment, matching this man’s face with holos of known Sith that the Jedi kept on record and required everyone to be familiar with “.... Darth Lynch. Your fellow scum left you behind I see”

“Scum? Your opinion of the Sith must be higher than your fellow Jedi. Usually we get called far worse”

“Well, seems your leader decided being a Jedi was far better than being not much better than Hutt slime, I say that might be the case. Now quit stalling and tell me why your here”

“I’m here to claim what is mine Jedi”

“What, in this room? I think your stalling again. Hands in the air and dont try anything funny or else”. Lynch casually raised his hands, a gloating smile on his face that Fewdman immediately suspected meat that the Sith had something planned that would not be welcome. Fewdman took a step back and decided to call for backup. Keeping his eyes warily on Lynch, he groped for the communicator. Lynch’s eye’s narrowed and suddenly he struck, using the Force to push Fewdman into a wall and then running out the door. Winded, Fewdman struggled up, finally getting the comm unit active, he quickly called the comms officer.

“Alert! Darth Lynch is onboard and up to no good! Alert the rest of the Jedi at once!”

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

The six Jedi Masters were still quietly talking when a call beep sounded from Rmaio’s communicator. Frowning slightly, he unclipped it and spoke.

“Rmaio. What’s up?”

“Sir, Fewdman has reported a Sith by the name of Darth Lynch is onboard. Shall we call an alert?”

Rmaio frowned. “Did Morgan say what Lynch was up to?”

“He mentioned Lynch was found in Warren Azalin’s room, clearly looking for something”

“Very well. No alert as yet, but tell the Commander to place the ship on Operational readiness and send teams out to find Lynch. I’ll advise the Jedi. Rmaio out”. The Jedi Master clicked off the comm unit and looked at his fellow Jedi. “We could have a problem. Darth Lynch seems to be still onboard. I want the Jedi to get into groups of three and to begin to search the ship. Do it quietly. Figrin, find Mara Jade and bring her here. Have her guarded as it is possible she is a target for Lynch.” The other Jedi nodded and got up to comply with Rmaio’s instructions. Rmaio himself turned and indicated for AmazonBabe and Leia1031 to come over to where he sat.

--

Darth Turbogeek sat down on the gun turret of his ship Razor, looking at Nupraptor who was at that time peeling off a outer panel, to access the working’s underneath for repairs. Turbogeek might not wished Nupraptor be fostered onto him, but he recognized a good repairman when he saw one and he needed one to get this crate spaceworthy. A few repair droids worked at the other end, alongside a New Republic crew on the engines. Even with these helping out, it was going to take two weeks to get this ship together, even if he could find the parts. Nupraptor looked up and shook his head.

“Cabling here is burnt through. Whole harness has to be replaced, which would mean the Fabritech would also be damaged. The array next to it shows signs of burning as well” he called up.

“Thats okay ,there is a backup set. The Fabritech’s a worry though. Is there any cracks in the metal there?”

Nupraptor held up a scanner and rapidly looked over the section. “No, it’s fine. Only the hull metal was damaged and that wont be hard to find a replacement for.” Turbogeek mentally made a note and began to tally up what they had found so far. The outer hull was written off, but the inner hull was fine, except for a few places. Most of the frame was good as well, the crash protection systems did work well as well as the shields. A lot of wiring on the other hand, was burnt out as was the sublight motors and the hyperdrive. Spares for the motivators could be found easily but the wiring was going to be fiddly. Some of the plate hull would take time fabricating. If he wasn’t so pushed for time, this would have been a good time to go through the ship and do a lot of the niggling repairs he had been meaning to do for a long time. As it was, he could ill afford further delays.

Getting up, he gave the hangar bay a casual look around. All seemed normal, but something in the Force made him frown, an expression that did not get missed by Nupraptor.

“Something wrong Master Turbogeek?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Everything seems normal”. The Jedi Master continued to look around the hangar, trying to find the reason for his disquiet. All he could see was there were more than usual guards at the entrances to the hangar and they all seemed to have their weapons drawn and ready to be used. Turbogeek’s frown deepened. “Nup, any idea why the troops would be guarding the hangar entranceways?”

“To stop anyone getting in ... or out?” Nupraptor also paused as he picked up on what Turbogeek was seeing and he too frowned. “This is odd. I haven’t heard of anything going on. Any ideas?”

Turbogeek took out his comm unit and keyed for Rmiao. All he got was the busy tone. Same with Master Yoghurt and Figrin. The ISD’s commander also was busy as was every other person Turbogeek tried. Now highly puzzled, Turbogeek jumped down. “This is most odd. Never heard of so many people being on calls at one time, except in case of a battle or a infiltrator..... infiltrator? Nup, are there any Sith left onboard? Someone mentioned not long ago they had all left, was that the case?”

“I think so. Why?”

“There appears to be a dark presence nearby. I hadn’t mentioned it nor was I concerned as I presumed a few Sith were still here”

Nupraptor shook his head. “No, Master Yoghurt told me they had all left. There should be none of them about. I don’t sense anything”

“This one is familiar to me from a long time ago. Let’s go investigate” With that, Turbogeek took out his sabre, but didn’t light it. Nupraptor did the same and they both walked in the direction Turbogeek felt the presence come from.

--

Jedah Lynch crept quietly along the corridors, his double ended sabre in hand and his hood up to disguise his features. Carefully going past a corridor, he moved into the shadow of a pylon, using the shadows to hide himself while he scoped out the area he as in now. With nothing in visual range, he moved at a quick walk towards an open door, from his memory a portal towards the turbolifts and the ventilation shafts. It was vital he made himself scare for a while, especially as now he was certain that the Jedi were now looking for him. Cursing his luck at meeting that Jedi while he was doing a room to room search for Lady Mara Jade, he found a turbolift and keyed for it to come. Looking around, he continued to see that the corridor was still deserted and he hoped it would stay that way. The lift arrived and he stepped inside, allowing the doors to close before he selected a place to go.

Nupraptor and Turbogeek got to the corridor a few seconds later. Not far behind came Fewdman and JK Leia Solo, a Jedi Master from Corellia, accompanied by Fire Hazzard, a young Jedi Padawan. Looking disdainfully at Hazzard, Turbogeek addressed Solo.

“What are you doing here? And what’s the Padawan doing coming here as well?”

“We re looking for a Sith. Have you seen him?” snapped back Solo.

Turbogeek looked puzzled. “You sensed him as well?”

“No, the Council has all the Jedi out looking for him. Fewdman here disturbed the Sith in Warren Azalin’s room, looking for something. The whole ship is out looking for him”

“Ahh, that would explain the heightened security presence then. But tell me, is it not a good idea to leave a Padawan this young back somewhere safe?”

“I’m not that young! Fire Hazzard exclaimed “I can look after myself!”

“I’m sure if you say so, you are capable of putting your toys away. This isn’t some training run young lady, I suggest you leave us”

“No!” she snapped back.

“Council orders DT. She’s supposed to stay with me” said Solo.

“What HAS the Council been smoking?” Turbogeek mused out loud. “You, Fewdman. Describe the Sith and how you happened on him”. Fewdman took a breath and relayed the story, right up to the point where the Sith had used the Force to escape.”.... and that was about it. I alerted the Council and then I have been doing my best to track the Sith. I saw the Sith come into here not long before you and Nupraptor showed up, so I presume he’s around”

“Fair call. I think this corridor is a dead end, so I think it’s a good bet he took the turbolift...... Fewdman, what do you think your doing?” asked Turbogeek

For a reply, Fewdman continued to take out the device form his pocket and inserted it into the control pad of the lift. A few clicks and a scroll of text came up on the device. He grinned. “Little slicing device. Goes into the lift’s memory and find’s out the last places the doors open to let someone out. Clever eh?”

“If you say so. Where does your little toy say Lynch went to?” asked Turbogeek

“Right here..... and the lift is coming back in this direction. We wont be too far behind if we use it to follow him”

Somehow that didn’t seem right to Nupraptor. Turbolifts didn’t return to their point of origin unless directed there, so why was it keyed to come back? Something in the Force suddenly warned him of danger....

“Everyone, get out of here. There’s something wrong”

Solo and Turbogeek looked at Nupraptor, puzzled. “What’s wrong?” asked Solo

“I don’t know. But it’s important we all get out of here now.”

Suddenly Solo felt danger approaching too. “I agree with Nup. I’m getting out of this corridor. Come on!” She turned and ran out, the others following. Rather puzzled, Turbogeek also turned to move, pausing a second as the arrival chime of the lift sounded and the doors opened..... to reveal a Thermal Detonator, the lights on it revealing it was counting down to the point of detonation.

“Ohhhh.... shi....” The Jedi turned and used Force speed to accelerate and go past the others. Nupraptor looked in surprise at the disappearing Jedi.

“You would think that there was a bomb in the lift with the way he’s moving.... “ A memory of a Bounty Hunter trick to dissuade pursuit came to his mind and he felt his blood go to ice. “....A bomb? RUN!” He picked up a squealing Fire Hazzard and also used Force Speed to bolt in the same direction Turbogeek went, Fewdman and Solo hard on his heels.

The detonator counted down.... 5....4....3....2....1

**** WHOOMP ****

The blast blew the closing door of and filled the corridor with yellow fire. The blast wave smashed the walls, filling the area with shrapnel. Decks were punctured and it was only due to the fact the lift was so deep inside the ISD that the hull wasn’t’ damaged. As it was, pipes and systems were taken out as the blast could be heard all over the ship. Turbogeek had grabbed Solo and Fewdman by the Force and had gotten them to the safety of the cross corridor a blast door that had slammed shut mere seconds after the fireball began it’s destruction. Gasping, the Jedi flopped on the floor, listening to metal crash and tinkle outside.

“Well, that was exciting” said Nupraptor after he had calmed down enough to get a coherent thought.

“Exciting? I damn near had a heart failure when I saw that detonator in the lift. Thanks to you, we had some warning. Well done” gasped back Turbogeek. “Maybe Yoghurt is right. You do seem to be rather useful. I apologize for doubting you” He extended his hand, and Nupraptor took it and they both shook. “I’ll reconsider if your to come with me later. Firstly though, we have to get this Sith. Fewdman, where did the scum get off the lift?”

“Deck 15, section 8B. Is there another way to get there?”

“Don’t know. Let’s find another terminal and see what we can find”

The group reopened the blast doors, saw smoke from the explosion drifting. Alarms in the distance sounded as they went away from the scene of the explosion. Around a corner, another door opened to a place that Fewdman could plug his slicing datapad in, quickly bringing up a schematic of deck 15 and a route to get there. “Looks like it’s near the food storage, Master Turbogeek. Nothing much he could damage there but it’s a good place to hide” remarked Fewdman.

“I don’t think the turbolift to that area will be safe. We will have to go on foot”. Turbogeek again looked at the schematic to gain his bearings and then with sabre drawn but not lit, lead the group on their way.

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

--

The locality sign said AA-23. Jedah Lynch glanced up as he finished booby trapping the final lift and then moved off towards the food storage area. It wasn’t a particularly well lit place, making it ideal for what he next had in mind. So far, he had made two mistakes, contacting Lady Mara Jade via telepathy and being caught by that Jedi as he had searched for Jade’s room. He cursed his lack of control in contacting Jade and swore he was now not going to repeat the mistake. Revealing himself too early was going to lead to problems later and he was sure if he stuffed up, Venom was going to extract reprisals at great cost to Lynch. But it didn’t really matter to him. This mission was personal and he was going to make sure he succeeded. Maybe your taking it too personal, Lych ol’ buddy he thought. Maybe that’s why you slipped up. Well, he thought, he could be excused for straying a bit, but not as much as he did.

A muffled boom sounded. The place shook and vibrated as a dimmed roar and crashing came from the turbolift shaft that had the lift with the thermal detonator set in it. A wry smile came from Lynch. Well, if that Jedi was following him, he wouldn’t be any longer and that in a way seemed to make up for the latter mistake, being caught snooping. He smiled a bit and then ducked below a small port, into a accessway, clearly made for small droids. It was dark and quiet, which was perfect for what he was about to do. Unslinging his backpack, he pulled out a hyperspace communicator, the only device capable of realtime communications across the vastness of space. It did take a lot of power, but on a ship this size, it would be a mere drop. He plugged into a power socket, unfolded the transmission coils and keyed for the code that would make the desired connection. A pause symbol appeared, followed a few minutes later by the hologram of a cloaked human.

“What is it?”. The voice was harsh and low. Powerful. Anyone lesser than Lynch would have cringed

“Lord Venom. I have located Lady Mara Jade and I am about to enact the first stage of our plan. The homing beacon will be in place shortly and you should know where we are in moments”

“Excellent. Have there been any problems so far?”

Damn him, thought Lynch. He WOULD have to ask that. Well, I’m far enough away that he wont be able to know the truth.... “No my Lord, everything runs smoothly. Do you have further instructions?”

“No, not at this time. I have gathered those Sith who think like us on Debrilion and we will be awaiting your call to give us clearance to begin phase two. remember Lord Lynch, our success depends on you. Don’t fail me.” Venom’s image faded out and Lynch blew off a drop of sweat from his nose. He hadn’t realized he would be so nervous, not something a Sith of his power would think even possible. it wasn’t the mission. It wasn’t Venom’s words or implied threat. It was the fact he was finally about to go face to face with the woman whom he once called wife, a woman he had admired and loved from afar, a woman who’s power had been feared across the galaxy and yet, she had thrown it all away to be a lousy Jedi. The injustice of it all made him tremble in anger. They could have so much and just as he was now worthy of her again....! His nervousness turned to anger and he slammed the bulkhead with a fist. The pain laced up his arm, but it was a welcome diversion.

Calming down, he got to work again. The homing beacon was planted in a corner of the corridor, out of the way. The hyperspace comms unit was repacked and then he paused. For so long he had kept this secret, ever since he and Mara were no-ones in the army that had been Callista’s, before the original Darth Venom had bought the group down when he had turned Jedi. A secret that would mark him. Slipping off his cloak, the bulk on his back became obvious, a bulk that looked like a hunched back. He slipped of his shirt and the hunch was now more obvious... except when he moved it was no hunchback. It moved and spread out, resolving itself into a new form. A hush of movement and the Sith picked up his cloak and shirt, also his backpack and crawled out of the tunnel. Back inside the food storage area, he stood and this time he stretched out.... and finally revealed were his wings. Wings he had revealed to no-one for so many years, keeping them secreted away until the time was right. That time was now.

He put his cloak back on, just cover up the wings for a while longer. He felt like trying them out again, to enjoy the freedom flying gave him. The last time he had done so was with Lady Mara in his arms and he had sworn not to do so again until he once again held the woman who was so dear to him.

I’m coming Mara.... your Dark Angel is coming. And this time nothing is going to stop me from coming for you. And you don’t come with me.....

He grimaced at the thought, but his resolution was steel. He drew a large dagger from his boot and tested the sharpness against his finger.

If you don’t come willingly and reclaim your Sith heritage at my side, I’ll grab you and I’ll cut your throat as Lord Venom gloats over your death.

--


Captain Tohmahawk awoke much refreshed and warm, something he appreciated. The cabin he was in was still cooler than what he liked, but after the hell that was Hoth, it was a blessed relief. He looked at the ceiling, tempted to turn over and enjoy another hour’s sleep. He consulted his personal chrono and saw he had slept for 18 hours, decided he didn’t really need more rest. It was a rare time Tohmahawk felt lazy, usually for a day after big mission, but it didn’t last for long. He was hyperactive most of the time and set a punishing pace for himself and his staff normally. Still, everyone needed to relax.....

He woke up twelve hours later, hungry and ready for action once again. Stretching, he moved to the refresher and took a shower, getting the knots out of his muscles from sleeping so long. A change of clothes and he was feeling much his typical self. After two days virtually asleep, he decided to start to catch up with events that had gone on. His private comms unit had a blinking light, indicating there were messages waiting. Not surprising after two days he though. Lets see what was waiting him.

Most messages were pretty bland. A few were from the New Republic that he would ignore - the usual reports he got that he had no interest in. That was the problem with being senior rank and a notable officer.... beings tried to fill your time with useless politics. He had no time for the games senators played, he would leave such things to his superiors, not that there was many. In fact, directly above him was only the Commander in Chief of the New Republic and the President himself, Dark Knight, two people he did respect. It was scum like Anthony Rose and Gasgano who he always wanted to shoot. The games those Senators would play....! Other messages were from the unit he lead, The Special Forces. He would go through those in detail later. It would be good to catch up with the beings of Special Forces, the elite unit who was the premier fighting force of the New Republic. The final message was also the first message in the log and it came from the Jedi Master Turbogeek. He frowned. That Jedi was nothing but trouble and it usually meant something he would have to deal with urgently.

Tohmahawk I very much doubt you got Callista that easily, in fact I am certain of it. Meet me at Dagobah immediately, Harrvi situation has arisen again.

And there was an addendum, sent a day later :-

V & V are back.

V & V? A shiver went down his spine. Vog’on and Venom, how could that be possible? Vog’on he might understand, since they had just encountered them on Hoth, but Venom? No way, that was preposterous. He immediately punched up Turbogeek’s comm code and waited for half and hour while the data pusher found out where in the Galaxy the Jedi was. Finally he was patch through to what looked like a Star Destroyer comm room and even then, it looked like the being at the other end was not Turbogeek. In fact, it looked like Jedi Master Rmiao. What was going on?

“Major General Tohmahwak, apologies firstly that Turbogeek couldn’t speak. We are having a situation that needs his attention. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Tohmahawk cursed. “I want to know what in blazing suns that idiot meant by Venom is back. Do you have any idea what that retard is talking about?”

Rmiao grimaced. “Yes, unfortunately I do. Just before we left Tattooine, we faced a Dark Jedi who identified himself as Venom. You know of him?”

“Of course I do and I know quite well who Venom was. Are you telling me Q’Dunn went back to the Dark Side?”

“No. This Venom is not Q’Dunn. For starters he is 2 and a half foot taller and about 120 kilos heavier, is fully armored and has a Force Pike that can deactivate lightsabres. He single handedly almost defeated Jedi Boricua, Master Yoghurt and Lady Mara Jade. He also seems to have gathered a powerful group of Sith around him, names like Darth Havok, Darth Eve and Lynch. Whoever this Venom is, we have a real situation developing”

Tohmahwak sat back to mask his surprise. A 8 and a half foot human? The only human close to that size he knew of was Jedi Boricua and by the sounds of it, this Venom was even bigger. And able to hold off the combined power of Boricua, Yoghurt and Jade? That was staggering, although what Yoghurt and Boricua, two high ranked and powerful Jedi were doing fighting with a Sith those order of Lady Mara Jade was beyond Tohmahwaks imagination and he said so.

“Lady Mara Jade saw the error of her ways and has become a Jedi”

Tohmahwak was starting feel a bit sandbagged. He rechecked his chrono, really wondering if he had been asleep for 36 hours or 36 years. Maybe this was one vivid dream. Had the Galaxy suddenly gone nuts while he was asleep?.

“Your trying to tell me, the most powerful Sith has turned Jedi? Excuse me with I suspend belief for a few minutes, how in burning suns did you manage that? Fact is, I’m beginning to seriously doubt if I have been awake to hear any of this”

“Lady Mara had a bit of a chat to Luke Skywalker I believe. What transpired, I have no idea, all I know she’s here now and she’s to be a Jedi. We are not going to deny her the chance if she seeks it”

“Hey, whoa! I wasn’t arguing with the decision to train her, I was just a bit stunned she was there I the first place. It just seems like there’s a lot I need to catch up on. Where are the Jedi now?”

“At present, in orbit around Dagobah. And you?”

“Not sure as yet, I have been catching up on some rest. I’ll contact you as soon as I can when I find out. Let Turbogeek know that I will be coming as soon as I am able to, okay?”

Rmiao nodded and his image faded away as the transmission died off. Tohmahawk sat back for a minute, pondering all that he had learned. Coming to a decision, he got up and exited his cabin, being careful to lock the door in a certain way as so only his specialized datapad could open it. Turning down the corridor, he walked toward a place where he could get a layout of the ship, to find out where he was and what direction to go to get to the bridge. He really wouldn’t mind talking to General Scorpion and finding out if he could get some transport to Dagobah, or even just finding out where they were. He began to log out of the terminal, hearing footsteps for behind. Not really worried, he finished logging out and turned to see who it was. Probably just the regular patrol he thought. Well, the Imperial uniform Scorpion allowed him to use, with it’s Captain rank cylinders and temporary id created for him was enough to hide his real identity from prying eyes.

The footsteps turned a corner and Tohmahwak suddenly wished he was a long, long way from this place. A drop of sweat dripped down his back as he saw the group of Sith appear. Darth Ogre, Darth Havok, Diaquari Kun, Darth Eve, Darth HERA, two others he didn’t recognize... and then he stared in disbelief at the ..... thing that followed. A humaniod, in black and red armor, helmet covering his face. The sheer size was enough to make someone intimidated, let alone the height. At least 8 foot tall and by Tohmahawk’s estimate a good 250 Kilos and not a shred of fat. It wasn’t often Tohmahawk was stunned by surprise, but this time, he could hardly think. He stared as the party walked away and turned a corner finally out of sight. The invisible hand that seemed to hold him in place finally let go and he could think again. What was it Rmiao had said? Venom was 8 and half feet tall and had held off three powerful fighters at the one time? He hadn’t believed it, but after seeing that... thing, he could now. He suddenly doubted it would be a good idea to see General Scorpion and also thought it would be an even better idea just to get the hell off this ship as well. He re-logged into the terminal and bought up a map of where the nearest hangar bay was.

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

General Scorpion sat a the head of the conference table, with Lady Razielle seated on his left. Uncharacteristically for Scorpion, he was feeling a bit concerned. He never expected to hear the name Venom again and certainly not one who called himself the same asking to be given an audience . The General had flown to Debrilion to meet this Venom and with some trepidation allowed the small shuttle to land in his main hangar. Watching via a security monitor, he had seen 7 well known and highly powerful Sith disembark, followed by what was an impossibly tall humanoid, whose form was covered by battle armor. The group was given directions and also a request to meet the General immediately, with they were now in the process of moving to do.

A few minutes later and there was a quiet knock on the door. Scorpion commanded the door to open and also invited the group inside, a group he quickly saw was a who’s who of the Sith or Dark Jedi. His disquiet got stronger, knowing this group was highly powerful and fully capable in taking this ship over in a matter of moment. The huge humanoid was even more impressive up close, seeming to have a aura of power around it. He decided to play this very carefully indeed.

“Good evening, please be seated. What may I do for you?”

Darth Havok spoke. “Good evening good General. I am sure you know who most of us are, but firstly, may I introduce our leader and also the head of the Rogue Sith Order.... Lord Venom”

The huge humanoid bowed “It is an honor to be here Lord Scorpion and I apologize for the lack of notice we gave in coming here. I would ask you, would you be interested in hearing what I have to say?”

Scorpion raised an eyebrow. “A strange thing to say when you are already here”

“I have reason to extend every politeness to you Lord Scorpion. May I?” Scorpion nodded his agreement for Venom to speak and the huge Dark Jedi began. “ Of course you are quite well aware of the political balance and power balances that exist in the Galaxy. On one side you have the New Republic and their pet Jedi. On the other, there is the Imperials and the Sith. lately, there has been a third that has appeared, I m sure you are aware of Callista and the Vog’on?” Scorpion nodded

“Callista is dead my Lord. I saw it with my own eyes as her ship was destroyed” said Scorpion.

“Have you seen the body?” replied Venom. “Have you sifted the remains and identified what remains?” Scorpion’s silence was all Venom needed as an answer. “Until I see either, I am convinced she would have lived. Her ability to worm her way out of any hole is extraordinary as some of you may already know. However, if she lived or not is of no consequence to my plans. What matters now is that there is an opportunity and I intend to use it to our advantage. For too long the Sith have sat on the sidelines, weak or in turmoil, with weak leadership and no direction, allowing the Jedi to dictate the terms. They actually accepted and alliance with the Jedi to hunt down Callista! This is not RIGHT! Lady Mara Jade should NEVER have done this. Itala Marzullo is a weakling, he has no idea how to command the forces he had in his hand. You, yourself know what type of scum Marzullo is, am I not correct Lord Scorpion?”

“Well....” Scorpion could not deny Venom had a point. Marzullo had done more to damage the Sith with his antics. “What do you intend to do, Lord Venom? How do you propose to do better and what is it to me? I have the strongest fleet in the Galaxy, one not many know of”

“The Unknown Regions Fleet? I know of it. That is what I want”

“You ... want my fleet?!?!” Scorpion leapt to his feet, his Chiss face flushed with anger.

“Sit down Lord Scorpion, I would not be so bold as to take something you have done much to create. I would rephrase myself and say I wish that it can be put to use for mutual benefit for the RSO and yourself”

“Mutual benefit. And what is that supposed to mean, may I ask?”

Venom leaned forward. “Simple. I need a fleet commander and I also would have a Sith with the skill of yourself join us. In return I will provide you with resources, money and a base deep inside the Core for your operations.”

Scorpion didn’t miss the incredulous looks Havok and Ogre exchanged. “I would say you can not do that.”

“Maybe not now, but that will not be the case for much longer”

Scorpion raised an eyebrow. “You have plans for the future?”

Even though Scorpion could not see Venom’s face, he could tell the other was grinning by the tone of his voice. “Indeed we do. Would you care to listen for a while?”

Scorpion and the others listened as Venom’s explained his ideas and a direction. Scorpion listened, occasionally commenting, but more and more impressed with what he heard.

In the end, Venom asked outright. “You have now heard. I will ask you, will you join us Lord Scorpion?”

General Scorpion sat thinking. Eventually he got up and across the table, he stretched out a hand. Venom also stood and also stretched his hand in return.

“Very well. I agree” said Scorpion.

“Most excellent Lord Scorpion. Now, there is one more person I need. Would you be good enough to convey us there...?”

“Might I enquire who that is?” asked Scorpion.

“Certainly. I seek to recruit The Lounge Lizard”

Darth Havok sucked in a breath in surprise. “Are you certain my Lord? Lounge Lizard is a dangerous psychopath”

“Good. Exactly what I need” General, set your course for Endor”

General Scorpion bowed and excused himself so as to arrange the required course. The other Sith in remained in the room with Venom.

“Lord Venom, can I speak?”. Nivek Felth, a quiet man, unassuming and not well known spoke

“Certainly. What is on your mind?”

“You promised a lot there. Can you deliver?”

“Yes, we can. And I say we as it is our responsibility to see this through. Unlike other sith leaders I will not hold your hands, I will give you free reign to exercise your talents to the maximum. Failure will be the only thing I shall not tolerate. Do I make myself clear?”

Darth Eve spoke. “Not quite. You say free reign? what does that mean?”

“Whatever you want it to be Eve”

Darth Ogre had a puzzled frown, that suddenly cleared. “Ahhh, I understand. This will be most interesting Lord Venom”

“Any further questions?” asked Venom. There were none. “Good. I will assign priorities later. Get some rest and we will meet again after I have confronted Lounge Lizard”. Chairs scraped and low conversation started and the Sith begin to depart.

“Lord Havok, would you be good enough to stay behind for a moment?”

With a bit of surprise, Havok murmured to Darth Ogre he would meet him later and then turned to face Venom. The giant Dark Jedi waited till everyone had left and then moved to close and lock the door. He sat on the table as a signaled Havok to take a seat. Venom looked around with the sensors in his helmet, looking for snooping devices. The helmet’s anti espionage devices detected none and blinked all clear. Darth Havok looked a bit uncomfortable, alone in the room with what had to be the most Dark side intensive being he had come across, let alone one so utterly huge. Havok had seen the way Venom had fought and was hence nervous, wondering what the Dark Jedi wanted. Finally Venom spoke.

“How long have you been a Sith for Lord Havok?”

Not expecting that question, Havok had to think a bit for the answer. “Not sure my Lord. I was originally trained in the Sith arts by Darth Lynch. Why may I ask?”

“I see potential in you, real potential. I see that you could lead. Thence, I wish to make you my right hand. I wish to give you day to day running of the RSO. There is not much as of yet but there will be a time when there will be. Would you be good enough to accept?”

Somewhat taken aback, Havok hesitated before speaking “But my Lord, I am not a Sith Master, only a Sith Knight. Darth Lynch would be a much better choice to do that”

“He has different skills. I respect him much, but I say you would be better to do this. I ask again, do you accept?”

Somewhat taken aback, Havok could only nod his agreement. “Very well. There shall be no secrets between us” With that, Venom reached up and began to unto the clips that kept his helmet on and sealed. Havok, curious about what Venom looked like leaned forward. The helmet came free and Venom lifted it off his face....

“GRK!”. Havok felt the sound ripped out of his throat and he unconsciously tried to push his chair so he could get away form what he saw. In his haste he pushed the chair too hard and ended up on the floor staring in utter amazement. He pointed. “This.. this is some sort of test right? That cant be really you”

“Yes, it is. As I said, there will be no secrets between us and as you can see why I seek your full and total trust. Consider this a sign that I have a great deal of faith in your abilities”

Havok could hardly tear his eyes off Venom’s face. It had been a complete shock and he was still reeling. He finally bought himself to speak.

“I... I thank you for the trust you have displayed in me. I will seek to make myself worthy of it” He finally stood up, watching as Venom put the helmet back on.

“Very well. Lets go and make ready, shall we?” Havok nodded and they both turned to exit the door.

Yes, thought Venom. Havok would indeed do well

--

Captain Tohmahawk had packed swiftly and was at this point in time leaving his cabin when a familiar shadow blocked his path. Cursing that he hadn’t managed to get away faster, he casually begin to whistle, hoping to bluff his way out of this situation.

“Are you leaving us?” The voice of General Scorpion was as ever mild and well modulated.

“Who me? Nah, what gave you that idea?” replied Tohmahwak

Scorpion stared at Tohmahwak, obviously coming to difficult decision. He finally spoke “Captain, despite the time I wanted to kill you, you have been a friend and now it’s time to repay that friendship as the situation has changed and the circumstances that drew us together no longer exist. Thence, it is my habit to have a TIE Advanced stay behind after my fleet jumps, to make sure we are not followed. I foresee that TIE will not be rejoining us this time. I will be making the jump in fifteen minutes. There is a pilot’s uniform in ready room 1138, with flight plans. The TIE is being prepped and will be ready for immediate takeoff. Any questions?”

“None, General. I... I thank you”

“Good luck Captain.”

“you too General. I hope we can meet again”.

Scorpion paused. “Somehow, I have that feeling our paths will cross once again. Until then Captain”. Scorpion turned and walked quickly away. Tohmahawk stayed frozen until he let out a breath. He was going to take this chance with both hands, so he moved back inside his room to look up where ready room 1138 was. Seeing it was only a short walk, he exited the room for the final time and knowing time was short, ran in the direction the schematic showed.

A minute later, he was in the deserted ready room and true to Scorpions word, there was a TIE flight suit, even better it was his size. The flight plans was in the top pocket, also as promised. He saw his craft was in the hangar 200 meters away and that it was one of the new model TIE Advanced, one of the rare TIE with shields and a hyperdrive. A good craft by all accounts. He dressed quickly, throwing the Imperial uniform into a locker. He decided to also put the suit’s helmet on, to make his disguise total. He consulted a chrono and saw he had 10 minutes left. He picked up his pack and walked down the corridor, to where the entrance of the hangar was. Four troopers guarded the entry to the hangar and they stopped him.

“Let me see your id and orders” demanded one in a bored tone. Tohmahawk reached into his pocket, pulling out an id and the orders. The guard scanned them and gave them back to Tohmahawk, indicating he could pass. Tohmahawk was a touch puzzled, but relieved. He would at least have demanded any one with a helmet take it off for a visual identification. Sloppy. Of course, Scorpion could have given orders.... as Tohmahwak got near the TIE, that option seemed to be the most likely one. If Scorpion really wanted Tohmahawk to get away without anyone knowing.....

The TIE was also exactly as Scorpion said. The New Republic soldier got his first good look at the craft, making a cursory walk around, examining it broad view. Knowing he hadn’t much time, he moved to the rear, where a ladder had been placed to allow access to the hatch up the top. Quickly moving past the technicians, he scaled the ladder and dropped through the hatch to the inside of the craft. A storage place was found for his pack and he began to quickly find the places to clip his life support in, also the restraints. The chrono on the dash reminded him he and not much time, in fact six minutes. Looking around, he found the switch that closed and sealed the hath an bought the craft to life. The tech’s finished detaching cables as the Ion Engine came to life with a low rumble. He turned on the comm unit.

“Control this is flight THX. Ready to go”

“Control to flight THX. Your clear.”

Mentally thanking Scorpion once again, Tohmahawk felt a tractor beam begin to lift the craft. Ahhh, good. He would not have to learn how to fly this damn thing out the hangar....

The floor of the hangar gave way to clear space and Tohmahawk felt the bump as the tractor beam ejected the TIE through the magnetic atmosphere field, spitting him in a direction to be clear of the SSD. Tohmahawk found the throttle, powering up the motors and putting the TIE into a small curve, angling away from the massive warship. About one minute into the flight, he realigned his course to exactly match that of the SSD, then began to watch the chrono. In 30 seconds, the warship would be leaving. 20. 10. 5. He could see the massive engines begin to blaze and with a flash of psuedomotion, the massive ship was gone. Tohmahawk breathed a sigh of relief. Moving around, he found the nav computer and queried it for his present location. It cam back in second in Imperial Script with the word Debrilion. Okay, wondered the Captain, what in the burning skies was out in this place that had made Scorpion come out here? Maybe it had something to do with that Venom character? Whatever. He programmed the computer to give him a course to Dagobah and while it did he got himself move familiar with the control of this craft. He found the laser cannons, the missile launchers, the power arrays, scanning controls. He also found the hyperspace controls, as well as engine status. By that time the nav computer pinged as it had worked out a course. Tohmahawk turned the TIE to the desired co-ordinates. He then for a test opened the throttles as wide as they could go. The Tie leapt forward, accelerating in a blur. A smile of satisfaction came to Tohmahawk and he leaned forward, drawing back the hyperdrive activators. The ship wound up, the pitch of the engines’ changed and star lines appeared outside. With a bang, the TIE accelerated for Hyperspace, the starlines racing and then changing to the familiar blue swirl of hyperspace. Finally, Tohmahawk was on his way to the Jedi. He just hoped this was all going to be worth it.

--

[Darth Q]

Paladin looked around the corner as he crept from his hiding place. As far as he could see in this fog, the area was clear and he would be able to make his daily trip for water and to scavenge for food. It was surprising what was still edible, even fresh, what with storage technology the way it was. Water was no problem of course, but he was really starting to feel the need for a decent change of clothes and also a shower. His hair was matted and greasy, his hands were caked with dirt. He itched. Still, he was alive and he still intended to stay that way. The lightsabre was in his hand and he also held a bucket he had found the day before. He turned and rearmed the booby traps, then descended a mound of rubble to the street below. He had decided that he would have a good look around today, hopefully being able to find a change of clothes, maybe even a place to wash and clean up a bit. The call from Turbogeek had done wonders for his state of mind and he actually felt like he had a chance to get off this hellhole for the first time n a few weeks. In some ways he actually felt like he was enjoying today. The fog made the place dank, cold and still, but he still felt almost creative and uplifted.

He quickly looked about and moved outwards to the plaza he usually never really went beyond. On the left he knew was a road that was reasonably clear that he had been down before a few times. He knew that road didn’t really lead anywhere. The one on the right went to a set of buildings that used to be housing and then onto a industrial area. Paladin hadn’t gone far as the area’s didn’t really have good cover and also that was the place he had fought Vog’ons and hence had avoided the area. Today however, he had the feeling there was nothing to try to attack him in that direction, so he decided to go right.

He moved quickly past the building and into the industrial area. The buildings here were well spaced and if anything in reasonable condition, considering the rest of the destruction around the area. Still, he had to be careful of his footing as bricks and mortar were strewn over the street. The odd crunch of dust was really about the only sound, apart from his own breathing and the sounds of his clothing rustling. He saw not far away a building that didn’t look too badly damaged and with some hope, moved in that direction.

He saw he was correct when he got there, the building was almost in one piece, except for a big hole in one wall. Paladin walked around until he found a doorway that he could open and then setting down the bucket, pulled out a glowrod in one hand and his sabre in the other. He still felt like there was no danger about, but it was always best to be careful. The hall he found himself in was narrow, dusty but as per the outside, reasonably undamaged. He played the glowrod’s beam around the walls, seeing a few places where there were doors. He began to do a methodical search, going into each room and then searching the remains for anything that could have been worthwhile. Hence, to his great pleasure, he found a wardrobe with clothes in it. To his greater pleasure, he found a refresher with a bath and cleansing liquid that was still okay and to his even greater surprise, running water. Allowing the water to run and become somewhat clear, he hung up the glow rod and stripped off. For the next 20 minutes, despite the water’s tepidness, he enjoyed the first wash for a long time and when he was finished, dried off and put on the clean clothes, which happened to be a jumpsuit.

Now he had to say, he felt absolutely top notch! His skin felt raw from the scrubbing he had given it and he actually saw in some places it had bled, but still, he felt clean and that was something he was going to enjoy for however long it lasted. Packing his discarded clothes into a bundle, he rifled through them to make sure he had not left anything in his pockets and then after picking up his sabre and the glow rod, walked back into the corridor to begin his exploration again. Firstly, he went back outside to gauge how much longer before sunset and the murk would turn into total darkness. He saw he had spent about an hour so far and had a good four hours left, so he turned back inside. A few more doors were looked through but he found nothing of real interest. He got to the end of the corridor and saw there was only one more door left, this time sealed. Looking around, he lit his sabre and with a few swift cuts, the door fell inwards with a muted boom. Dust puffed upwards, which Paladin allowed to settle before entering.

The room was about 10 meters square and seemed to be a control room of some kind. There was several now dead consoles and on the floor there was a few bodies, one of them being the carcass of a Vog’on. Obviously some sort of battle had gone on in here and the door had been closed, allowing no-one in or out. Obviously, the defenders had beaten the Vog’on, but at the cost of their own lives. Seemed rather poignant really. Paladin gave the room one more glance and turned to go before something odd about the room came into his mind.

In a planet where the entire population was supposed to have died through mysterious circumstances (Now known to be the Vog’on to Paladin), he had not seen a single corpse. Maybe some bones, but never a corpse. This suddenly struck Paladin as being somewhat odd. Even the Vog’on he had battled and killed had disappeared by the next day. The more he thought about this, the more morbid and chilling it was. Surely there would be dead bodies everywhere? And if not, where had they all gone?

Suddenly his good mood was gone and he was feeling a bit spooked. He decided to get the hell out of here and get back outside. He tried to walk, but he found that he could not stop his feet from moving quicker and quicker, until he was running. He charged outside, skidding to a stop as he caught his breath.

“Okay, enough of this. I’m going back” he muttered to himself. He picked up the bucket he had placed on the outside, put the glow rod in a pocket of his jumpsuit. Paladin decided to get his water and get back to his hiding place. Suddenly he wasn’t feeling so confident anymore.

It didn’t take him long to get the bucket filled and even quicker to get back to his hiding place. Looking around to see if he was being watched, he disarmed the traps, stooping and then finally crawling through the tunnel, carefully handling the bucket as not to spill the water. Finally, he reached his cavern and he stood up, rearming the traps behind him. The bucket was placed on the table he had constructed and the glowrod was hung from the ceiling. He moved the camouflaged door back into place and now secure, sat down on the seat of rocks, which had some cushion material he had found on one of his exploration journeys. He had to admit, the absence of bodies was even worse than if the place the filled with corpses. At least that he could understand. The absence of them was unnatural and was playing on his fears.

He didn’t sleep well that night

--

Bill Borg’gaes was sitting in his throne when a call beep drew his attention to the comm unit built into the armrest of the chair. He tapped on the receive button before snapping out a terse “What is it?”

The voice of the Bounty hunter he had hired to eradicate target designate Silvia came though. “Lord Borg’gaes. I have found the target Silvia. It will be dead with a few more hours”

“Then do it. Why did you bother me with this update?”

“Because the price has increased. I want 70,000”

Borg’gaes had been expecting this to a degree. Target Silvia was not your ordinary run of the mill person and had been for many years a thorn in the side of firstly Callista and then Bill Borg’gaes. Even in the short time Borg’gaes had been ruling Callista’s little empire, the person they had codenamed Silvia had already shown what a nuisance they were, destroying a supply dump they had on a Wild Space planet. Borg’gaes was well to be rid of this pest once and for all, especially considering what he really needed to concentrate on, he didn’t need fringe distractions. “That’s why I hired you instead of the usual. Don’t you believe your skills will be good enough to take down this target?”

“My skills are good enough, that is why I want 70,000”

Nice reply thought Borg’gaes.

“60,000”

“65,000”

“62250 and that is my final offer Bounty Hunter. Take it or leave it”

“I take it. You will have the head of Silvia in a few days”. The transmission ended. It was a lot of money, by anyone’s standards, but to be rid of the bane that was Silvia was well worth the cost. Borg’gaes sat back and contemplated what to do next. Since he had taken command of Callista’s Empire, his own Force power had increased. The greed and the hunger for more power fed upon itself, increasing the Dark side’s potential in him. In some ways, he could now understand how Palpatine, dead 60 years could have wanted to rule the Galaxy so much. Well, the Galaxy was not for Borg’gaes to rule, but for one he was supposed to prepare. Deep in thought for a few minutes, he decided he would call his Sith Council together to discuss their next combined move.

--

The five Jedi were in a group, Turbogeek going point a meter in front of them. Concern was etched on his face as he put his back to a wall, looked down the corridor that joined the one they were on, scoped the area and then signaled that the coast was clear and they could advance. Moving with this type of caution was slowing them down, but Fewdman would have agreed with Turbogeek, better be cautious than dead. Following Fewdman was the young Padawan Fire Hazzard, on the other side of the hallway was Nupraptor and JK Leia Solo. Occasionally as they advanced, Turbogeek would consult Fewdman for directions. So far, all they had encountered were New Republic troops responding to the blast the Jedi were coming from and also the occasional maintenance droid. Everyone else seemed to have gone to the emergency areas, leaving the corridors fairly clear. Solo was in contact with the other Jedi over the commlink, speaking quietly as she got updates on either damage control or from the hastily set up search parties.

“Fewdman, where now?” asked Turbogeek.

“Across one more corridor and then there should be a service shaft to the food storage area. In fact, we seem to be directly over the main area right now.”

“Oh?”. A slight pause and Turbogeek lit his sabre. “I doubt the service lift is safe so we’ll do this slightly different”. He immediately began to cut a hole in the floor and using the Force, lifted the cut away and sent it sliding down the corridor, the red hot edges sparking as it scraped. Waiting a few minutes for the holes edges to cool, he bent down and had a quick peek, then jumped. Moving out of the way, he waited for the rest of the Jedi to follow before scoping out the storage area properly.

What he saw didn’t really impress him. The area wasn’t all that well lit and there was lots of places a person could hide. The ceiling was a good 6 meters high an more often than not, the containers were crammed right up to the ceiling, creating canyons and vast shadowy area where the light was blocked. Of course, this place normally was only a place were droids went and thence no consideration for humans was really given. A mistake in situations like this.

“Turbogeek, I really don’t like this. We wont be able to find anyone easily in here” said Nupraptor, co- incidentally voicing the Jedi Master’s concerns. Looking at the others, he could see that the concern was mirrored on their faces as well, more accurately on young Fire Hazzard’s face. Turbogeek motioned for JK Leia Solo to come over to where he crouched

“Leia, how good is this Hazzard? Can she keep out from under our feet?” hissed Turbogeek

“I really don’t know. Her brother is Sage Hazzard and he’s quite good. I have not seen this one for long, so unfortunately I could not say”

“Okay, I’ll presume the worst then. Make sure she says out of or way and if we do find Lynch, get her out of here fast. Clear?”

“Sure thing DT”

“Good.” Raising his voice so the others could hear he said “Okay, here’s the deal. I want Solo and Nupraptor to take the rear guard, I’ll go point again. Fewdman and Hazzard, I want you both to concentrate in the Force and see what you can find and stay in the middle. Keep your sabres out but don’t light them unless I say so. Understood?” The others nodded and Turbogeek, with a careful scan of the Force and also visually, began to lead the group in their search.

Later, Turbogeek would question why his danger sense hadn’t worked. They had come down one alley which was particularly dark, with the Jedi Master going slowly, looking around and stretching out with the Force. He heard Fewdman suck in a breath of surprise. One moment he was moving and the next he had the barrel of a blaster in his face. He almost jumped in surprise, but the cold metal pressed to his cheek kept him frozen. A sinking realization he was as good as dead as he heard the trigger being pulled back.....

A whirring and a wet splat and the blaster jerked just a tiny bit, but enough. The blaster coughed, firing it’s deadly bolt to graze the Jedi’s ear. Deafened by the blaster’s noise but now released to act, Turbogeek lashed out at his attacker, lifting it off the ground in a swift kick to the chin. He lit his sabre, the place lit by it’s glow. Another sabre lit the area as Nupraptor came forward as well.

They both looked at the assailant, who oddly seemed to have disappeared. They both went on maximum alertness.

“Are you okay Master?” asked Solo with some concern. All she got was a puzzled look as Turbogeek also shook his head, trying get rid of the echo of the blaster from his ears. His eyesight was dazzled too. Effectively, he only really had the Force and that too oddly seemed to have failed him at this time. Somewhat confused he took a breath to calm his mind, to settle the adrenaline.

“I cant hear what you said, but I think I’ve only got a burn on cheek. Who was that? Anyone see anything? I heard Fewdman react to something and then there was that blaster and some thing happened that made the blaster miss.”

The other Jedi apart from Fewdman looked just as puzzled. Things had happened far too quick and for them, there was no warning either. Fewdman was trembling as he moved forward to pick up the object he had thrown at the assailant - the frozen trout he had been carrying. He placed it back into his bag and gave the Jedi Master a shy smile, not sure what Turbogeek was going to say. DT stared at Fewdman in silence for moment before speaking.

“You obviously got warned in the Force”. The young Jedi knight nodded in return

“And you used the weapon that came to hand” Another shy nod.

“And it was a frozen fish” Another nod, this time rather embarrassed. Turbogeek blinked, as his eyes stared to recover and he assessed Fewdman quietly, before speaking again. “Well done, I owe my life to you.” His voice dropped for emphasis. “I don’t forget things like that, even if you did use a ..... fish. My gratitude to you”

The effect of these words were clear. Fewdman seemed to grow a foot taller as Turbogeek nodded and turned away to look around the alley. “Everyone, maximum alert. Lets go find out who gatecrashed this party. Leia, tell the rest of hte Jedi that we seem to have found someone down here. We don’t know who yet, so advise extreme caution”. I reality, the Jedi Master was quite certain who it was. Almost no-one could get the jump on a Jedi like that person had.

Hard to see, the Dark Side is....

There was a Dark Side power that enabled the user to become virtually invisible in the Force. Only one who knew that power was being used, or in Fewdman’s case, an extremely good danger sense (come to think of it, Fewdman’s and Nupraptor’s danger sense were quite acute, thought Turbogeek, even better than mine) could sense that being. Turbogeek paused and went deep into the Force, searching, examining, looking for any hint.

Got him.

As Turbogeek studied the being’s Force sense, he could indeed see it was Jedah Lynch. They had known each other, when Turbogeek had a different name and over 7 years ago in a place that seemed to be a different existence. Still, it was enough to key in to Lynch’s presence in the Force and reveal where the Sith was. Turbogeek made a hand signal, pointed. The others looked puzzled for a second, then understood. Another couple of hand signals and they nodded. Time for action.

--

Jedah Lynch cursed silently. His face was bleeding where the fish - a fish! - had struck him, having deflected his arm as well. He could hardly believe the well planned trap has failed. He knew well that the Jedi wouldn’t use the lifts, especially after his little surprise and had even worked out where they might come through the ceiling. Even guessed it would be Turbogeek who lead the Jedi party that had come for him. He had it all worked out and even had the direction they would come right. It had been child’s play almost to use Force Hide to stay concealed and then to thrust the blaster into the Jedi’s face and pull the trigger. He had been so close to doing what no-one else had done so far and yet, right at the point of success, a frozen fish had been all that had come between him and claiming the life of a Jedi. His blood boiled in fury, thinking just how stupid it had been. How ridiculous. His chin also felt bruised from the kick that had made sure his trap would fail and he would not get a second shot right then. Moving quietly and still using the Force to conceal his presence, he crept to a place some boxes formed a stairway, then climbed up it, beginning to plan his next move. It was probably not advisable for him to stay in an area where there were now several alert Jedi, but that could not be helped right now. He was not in a position where he could escape easily. Again he cursed and he realized that not planning an escape route was another mistake he had made.

What was it with this ship? He wondered. He had made three critical mistakes that had turned this mission into a farce and he was furious with himself for being this careless. Careless is what got someone killed and right now, that would be likely unless he got wise very fast. He scanned the area with the Force, taking note of the beings he could sense. One was Turbogeek, the others he didn’t know. There seemed to be 3 more Jedi. 4 against 1 was bad odds, even without what now must be a highly motivated Jedi Master. Lynch noted they seemed to not be splitting up, with was bad and good. Bad, as facing a massed group like that was a death wish. Good , as he could find a way past them much easier. Of course, they could be calling for backup, which meant he had not much time to make good an escape.

He leapt down and looking around, he decided to go in the direction of a droid accessway he knew was close by. His only real chance was to get out of this area, even if there was plenty of hiding places - the Jedi would find him eventually and the more of those scum were about, the harder it would be to fight them. In his mind, there was no option of surrender but he did have every intention to get out of here alive. Lady Mara Jade had a date with destiny and he was going to make sure it happened.

He crouched on the floor, allowing his wings to stretch out briefly, the resettle into their rest position on his back. Moving quietly, he moved up the alley until he got to an intersection. Carefully looking outwards, he noted no one was around and he broke into jog, putting as much distance between him and the Jedi, who were still in one group and still numbered four. He couldn’t really tell which was which, but there was still clearly a Jedi Master (Turbogeek he snarled), and three others. They seemed to have stopped as well. Waiting? Who knew. It was a chance to get more distance between him and them an he was going to take it.

As the Sith move, a black gloved hand extended from a cloak, a glint of metal in his hand. He waited in an alcove, watching carefully between a line of crates, seeing which what the Sith would move. The metal object was something he had found at hand and as he saw the Sith get closer, knew this would be the perfect weapon

Jedah Lynch looked backwards as a shout rang out. The Jedi were moving towards him quickly now and he was running out of time. He broke into a sprint.

The hand moved forward, the metal shone on the half light as he sprang up. With all his strength he swung....

BANG!

--

The report could be heard from where Nupraptor and the others were coming from. He winced at the sound, knowing whatever happened must have hurt someone. He ran around the corner to where the now unconscious Sith lay, Darth Turbogeek with a frying pan in hand and a huge grin on his face. The Jedi Master allowed the power of Force Hide to dissipate. Fewdman’s little plan had worked beautifully - Turbogeek used Force Hide while Nupraptor used an unusual ability, to confuse an opponent about numbers and makeup of a Jedi group from an enemy.

“Is he alive?” Asked Fire Hazzard, staring at the pan with it’s huge dent

“Yeah, this time anyway. Well done by the way, we had him nicely worked over. Remind me again Nup, I’m taking you and Fewdman with me when I leave here. Your proving highly useful and I could use that. right, lets get this sad sack somewhere a bit more secure while he’s still out”. Turbogeek waited until the others had picked up Lynch’s limp form, then signaled for them to go on ahead. “Tell the troopers to begin searching of r surprises this scum may have left and leave here via the hole. I’m going to have a quiet look around here to see if I can find out what’s been going on”. The others acknowledged and moved away, dragging Lynch behind them. The Jedi Master waited until they were around the corner and he was alone before letting out a breath and finally allowing his Force held calm evaporate. He sat heavily on the ground, head bowed, allowing the frying pan to clatter out of his hands. The scare of the blaster being shoved into his face made his body tremble as he leaned back onto a crate, eyes looking blankly into the ceiling. His ears still rang and the pain of his flash burned face was beginning to be clearer.

I should be dead - would have been dead if Fewdman hadn’t saved me. I never felt or heard anything, he just got the drop cold on me. What’s happening? How could that have happened? Am I losing my touch with the Force? Am I getting careless?

For the second time in his life he was experiencing the one thing he hated most, the one thing that could defeat him - personal doubt. Not like last time, where he doubted the path he was following, but now he was doubting his ability, a fatal thing for a Jedi and also for someone like himself who lived and died by the premise Do, or do not - there is no try. A word that had come down from Luke Skywalker, a true word of wisdom from the Jedi Master Yoda. How sometimes Turbogeek wished he had someone like Yoda to speak to, to be instructed by. What many never knew was that Turbogeek never had a Master when he became Jedi and sometimes he really felt it. Hi training was haphazard and he had made do with whatever he could and also with some second and third hand wisdom as he grew in knowledge of the Light Side. Sure, he had succeeded in being a Jedi and eventually given the Rank of Jedi Master, but still, he never really felt like he was complete. He was a fighting Master, not a Master in wisdom. Something inside him was lacking and it was now beginning to come back and gnaw at his very being, tearing a hole in his guts. His very existence he was beginning to doubt as the feelings of depression and inadequacy started to attack.

NO!!! His mind screamed in despair. Not again! Leave me alone! I’ve done my time in penance, why wont you leave me? Why cant I have the demons of the past go and never bother me again?!?! Do I have to go through all of this again?!?

No answer he got, but in his heart he knew. He knew that this might be sudden, but he had only kept it under the surface for years and now it was coming to take a hold of him with vengeance. The fear was coming and his worst enemy was coming to fight him again. His past was coming for him and he didn’t know how he was going to face it this time. At least last time he had someway to redeem himself and he became a Jedi. Now, there was nothing and no one to support him. He was on the edge and he knew this time there could be no way out. It felt even worse as seeing Lynch also ignited memories of the past, memories he would have rather forgotten.

He sat there for the next two hours, wondering what he was going to do now until a flash of an idea came to his head. He knew of a place he could go and get away. He would have to assign someone to get Paladin and he would go to the place he went before, the only place he truly called home. If he had to face the past and himself, he would do it in a place where he would be alone - truly alone.

And if he failed, a place to die.

Just the idea of going to that place seemed to help. He found he could move again and think a bit clearer and a plan of action came to his head that seemed good. Picking himself up and shaking his legs to get the deadness out of them from sitting on a cold hard floor for too long, he began to make his way to where he had made the hole in the ceiling and after that to his cabin. He had things to pack, a call to make and a note to write

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

It took Jedah Lynch what seemed like hours to come awake and when he did, he instantly regretted it. His whole head seemed to be a mess of pain ad his nose seemed to be broken, filled with blood. He blinked in pain of the harsh light and tried to put a hand to shield his face. It was then he found his hand and feet were locked in place as well as the rest of his body. He groaned as another knife of pain seemed to explode in his head and his body reeled.

“Please.... light down. Hurting my brain” he whispered. To his mild surprise, the light was clicked off and he was left in some semblance of darkness. It only took the edge of the pain in his head, but any improvement was welcome.

“Where am I?” he asked haltingly.

“Your on the detention level. You are also surrounded by several rather annoyed Jedi, so making any move to offend them would probably be really bad. My name is Captain Tohmahawk, New Republic Special Forces and I’m in a pretty bad mood as well. Kapesh?”

Jedah Lynch blinked as his eyesight got used to the low level of light. He could now see he was in a medical type area and there did indeed seem to be some people surrounding him, as well as a medical droid. he tried to raise his head, but was only rewarded with an intense burst of pain.

“How... long here?” he whispered.

“Oh about three days so far. You seem to have an allergy to frying pans by all accounts”

That puzzled Lynch immensely. What the hell was this Tohmahawk on about? Lynch said so as well.

“Ah, well, it seems a certain Jedi didn’t take kindly to someone trying to kill him, so he obviously got offended. You have been in la-la land for the past three days and rather lucky to be alive, what with a fractured skull and brain clots. I’m surprised the medics let you live, but the Jedi prevailed and we were prevented from ejecting your miserable body through the air lock. Now, you like to tell us what you were doing here, or will I make you head hurt a bit more?”

“TOHMAHAWK! Enough!” The new voice was calm but still had a tone of exasperation on it. “You will have to forgive my friend over here, he gets a bit over enthusiastic at times. My name is Jedi Master Rmiao and as we are now aware, your known to us as Jedah Lynch. Despite the Captain’s attitude, we would prefer you in one piece and also to answer our questions. Now, what were you doing here?”

Jedah sighed. A blatant good Jedi / Bad Solider routine. How clichéd.

“Oh and just in case you’re thinking this is a good guy / bad guy, think again. Captain Tohmahawk really likes to dismember Sith and the last one to meet him, a Great Darth Milenko lost a leg, beaten up and also kidnapped, to be I presume disposed of. I only want answers. Understand?” Rmiao told Lynch. A small scraping sound was heard and both Rmiao and Lynch turned to look. Tohmahawk had pulled out a wicked looking knife and was at that point sharpening the blade. The sharpening tool had a horrid screech as Tohmahawk stared at Lynch, testing the blade on the tip of his index finger. A small drop of blood appeared, which Tohmahawk licked off. It would be laughable if it wasn’t for the Jedi’s sense in the Force.....

“The wings first I think. Make a nice decoration. What do you think Rmiao?”. Rmiao sighed.

“Do you really have to do this Tohmahawk? I really don’t see the point”

The grin Tohmahawk gave Rmiao was enough to send cold ice down anyone’s spine. “Do you want answers? Well, I can get them. I’m sure that once Mister Birdman here realizes how serious I am, he’ll talk. I don’t think that what he has to say is worth losing body parts over... now is it?”

It was hard to think around the headache that was pounding him behind the eyes, but Lynch made a conscious effort. He cursed himself again and wondered how the Jedi had ambushed him so well and once again cursed his ill luck. How could things have gone so wrong, so fast? What had happened to him that he was laid out on this bed, strapped in? How had the Jedi managed that? And what was this about frying pans? He certainly felt like he had been hit by one repeatedly.

“No, only once I have been told. It’s must have been a hard hit as your face is a mess right now” said Rmiao.

You can read my thoughts? Good, because talking hurts too much

“Yes, Lynch I can. Do you wish to say something?” Rmiao replied.

Yeah, firstly tell that trained rancor of yours to back off. I don’t appreciate his attitude at all.

“Certainly. Tohmahawk... Tohmahawk! Leave him alone! Put that toy away!”

“But...” started Tohmahawk

“NOW!”. The bellow startled everyone, Rmiao included. Rmiao never raised his voice or had a flash of anger at anyone and the bellow signaled just how exasperated he was with Tohmahawk. Lynch cringed as the sound echoed in his ears and set his head throbbing even more. With a chagrined look, Tohmahawk backed off and with obvious disappointment put the knife away. Rmaio looked back at Lynch. “My apologies. Captain Tohmahawk may be one of the best soldiers the New Republic has, but his manners leave something to be desired. Now. You wanted to say something to me?”

Lynch waited until Tohmahawk had backed off before turning his attention to Rmaio. What do you expect to get from me?

Rmaio was a touch surprised by that. “Well.... the reason why your here would be a good start and then we will go from there”

Deep in Lynch’s mind, a plan was forming. Little would the Jedi have known but the Sith Empire had been long developing a mind block technique to shield thoughts without anyone knowing. Still experimental, Lynch did know about it and had in fact, practiced the technique with some success. As stealthy as he could, he gradually put the block up, secluding a portion of his mind form scanning by the Jedi. When the block was in place he tested it.

Scum Jedi! I will kill you! he thought No reaction from Rmaio. Yes it worked!

Outside of the block he directed his thoughts to the Jedi. I was sent here to spy on you, that is all. Rama Sha wanted to find out what the Jedi were going to be up to and in the chaos of leaving Tattooine, it seemed to be a good time to do this. It was my bad luck you stumbled onto me, else I’d still be watching over you.

Rmaio nodded and Lynch, in the private and shielded part of his mind rejoiced. He fell for it! Now, if I can just come up with more that is half plausible...

“What were you doing in Warren’s room then?”

Warren...? Oh the room that Jedi found me in? Snooping. What else would I be in there for? Certainly not for my own health.

“Really? Now why would you snoop in there? Considering you were armed and had explosives, somehow I doubt that”

Doubt all you want Jedi. You would have searched the place and I bet you found nothing.

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything there, now was there? Considering who you are, I don’t think we can trust you.”

No, thought Lynch, behind the shield. You cant.

The Sith and the Jedi continued for a while longer until the headache got too much for Lynch and he begged enough. With some disgust Rmaio agreed and with a not so veiled threat from Tohmahawk, they left, leaving Lynch in the hands of the medical droids. The headache had indeed increased, but behind the shield, Lynch already had a plan of escape ready. He knew he had been unlucky and been reckless, but now it was time to make amends. He allowed himself to relax and decided there would be time to sleep and allow the droids to work on him. He could hardly believe a frying pan could cause such a huge headache. By the aches and itching on his face, the last three days must have been spend repairing his face, which he guessed he should be a bit grateful for.

Still, he was going to get away.. but first he had business to deal with. One was the upstart Captain, the other was with Turbogeek and the other was with Lady Mara Jade.

Ahhh yes, especially her. He had plenty to say to that one.

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

Since the capture of the winged freak as Sage Hazzard called Jedah Lynch, the Jedi had gradually moved their equipment and their belongings to the planet of Dagobah. Now into their third day, the job actually seemed to be nearing completion. Another shuttle lifted off from the ISD’s hangar bay, whilst a few other Jedi used the Force to load heavy containers onto another waiting craft. The TIE that Tohmahawk had arrived in was sitting in a corner, still being poured over by a group of tech’s, whilst another group of techs were still working over the Razor, Turbogeek’s personal ship. The ship was still buzzing from stories of the damage caused by the Sith and also his capture, but those stories were now beginning to be overtaken by the normal work and discussions that came with that routine. The droids worked on a now unconscious Jedah Lynch, while a group of guards stood watch, Captain Tohmahawk one of their number

Elsewhere, the normal operations on the bridge just simply continued. Other places had techs repairing damage and also just doing regular maintenance. In a practice area, Garik Loran and Lance Casey were sparring, whilst Kat Kariena used the Force to lift a droid, while doing a handstand. Young Fire Hazzard was being instructed by JK Leia Solo, along with Verse Dawnstrider. Master Yoghurt, Figrin D’ An were pouring over some reports and progress status updates. There was so much activity that no-one really noticed one other their number was absent and had been for two days. His cabin was locked, but the scanners indicated someone was there, meditating. It was not unusual for a Jedi to go into a trance for a few days, so almost no-one was really concerned, not yet.

Almost no-one.

Lady Mara Jade stood at the door, looking at the locking code and also trying for a mental scan of the room. As always, it indicated someone inside in a Jedi Hibernation, with the door locked and the overrides disabled. With her this time she had Fewdman and Nupraptor, two others who were just as concerned as she was. For Nupraptor, the last he had seen Turbogeek was when he was coming back from a comms station, with a look of deep contemplation on his face. Not acknowledging Nupraptor’s greeting, he had moved zombie like down the corridor until he was out of sight. At that time, Nupraptor dismissed the incident, but that, added to this was cause for concern. Fewdman had his slicing equipment and was at this time testing the connections. that he had wired in. With a questioning glance, he looked at Jade, who nodded for him to continue. Fewdman glanced nervously at the door, hoping at Turbogeek didn’t take offence at this interruption. After all, they were only showing their concern.

The lights on the slicing pad flashed in a minute, the unlocking code was broken and the door moved to open. No light from inside came out, so Mara reached around to turn on the light.

And looked around in puzzlement as there was no-one inside. Nupraptor looked around the door and also saw there was no-one in there. Both Mara and Nupraptor turned to look at each other in puzzlement and both walked into the room, more than a little puzzled.

“I could swear I felt the presence of someone in here. Is there any other rooms elsewhere?” asked Mara, the puzzlement in her voice.

“No, just the main room which he obviously used as a bedroom and also the refresher, that’s it. This place doesn’t look like it’s even in use” said Fewdman, also coming through the door.

“Right. Nupraptor, check the refresher. Trout boy, see if you can run a scan around this room and see if there is any other exit ways or doors”. Fewdman being called Trout boy by Mara bought a small smile to Nupraptor. After hearing of Fewdman’s successful attack on Jedah Lynch with the frozen fish, the young Jedi had been getting a good humored ribbing about the fish. He took it all in good faith and grinned at Mara’s words to him. It didn’t take long, nor did the search of the room. There was nothing that could identify this room as being Turbogeek’s, no clothing, no personal items, only a solitary data pad sitting on top of the rolled up mattress that clearly served as a bed when someone was here. The most frustrating thing was there was STILL the presence of someone in the room and yet no-one other than Mara, Nupraptor and Fewdman was there.

“I don’t get this. I can clearly sense someone here, yet there isn’t anyone in here. Is this some sort of Dark Side trick?” questioned Fewdman.

“No, it’s not. I should know”. replied Mara.

“You should know? How’s that, were you some great Dark Jedi or something?”

Mara cast Fewdman a cold stare, which made the Jedi turn and cough in embarrassment. “Oh. Sorry, I forgot. I guess I can take your word for it then”

“Yes, I think you can. Nupraptor, any ideas?”

Nupraptor frowned, thinking. One of the many differences between him and a normal Jedi, being part machine gave Nupraptor an affinity with electronic devices like no other Jedi. Not an unknown power, Nupraptor’s very existence took the concept to new levels. He could ‘see’ devices in the Forces like normal Jedi could see other beings. All things were connected to the Force in some way (apart from the curious Yalsalmiri, who created Force negative areas), even machines. Thus, Fewdman and Mara were feeling a being of some sort. Nupraptor on the other hand... “Mara, the presence appears to have a mechanical twinge to it. I suggest it’s origin is not natural, but artificial”

She looked at Nupraptor as if he had gone mad. “That’s not possible. Everyone knows only living things can have a presence in the Force and only one who is Force powerful can have this type of presence. I would think again”

Nupraptor returned the stare, allowing Mara to finish before he spoke. “Not quite true. My own existence disproves what you say and I believe it’s the only explanation for this. In fact - check the rolled up bed roll. Whatever is causing this disturbance is in there”

“Okay, I’ll play along. But only because I cant think of anything else. Understand?”

“Perfectly”. Nupraptor reached over and picked up the data pad and stepped back to allow Mara to grab the bed roll and then unfurl it. It didn’t surprise Nupraptor to see the small box there, but what did surprise him was that there was a small animal that grunted as it was disturbed. Wires taped to it’s head lead to the box and lights flashed. Mara bent down, picked the unresisting thing up and gently took the tape off, allowing the wires to fall away.

The Force presence disappeared. Fewdman’s eyes went wide, Mara and Nupraptor exchanged significant looks.

“I would say you were only part right. Any ideas?” asked Mara

“An amplifier of some sort, maybe even tunable. To be honest, no idea. What’s the animal?”

“Likewise, no idea. I think we are going to need to get the Masters in here to answer this. It’s seems Turbogeek may have left us without saying good byes”. The words were calm, but Nupraptor could see the hurt in her eyes and to a degree, Nupraptor felt the same. Three days ago he had been grateful and had promised to allow Nupraptor and Fewdman to go with him, wherever that was to be next. Now they had found out he had most likely had pulled a trick to make sure no-one knew where he went. The datapad in Nupraptor’s hands made him wonder if this was some sort of message from the errant Jedi Master. He turned it on.

Nupraptor, hello.

Odd he thought. Addressed to me?

I have a feeling you will be the one who sees through what I set up. First, as I know you have the power to see machines in the Force and I do know why that is. I guess you will be wondering why I have left without saying anything. Well, I don’t know why but I feel you can be trusted to know. I have gone to the planet the Sith Empire used as a base until it was surrendered after a battle I had with BhramaBull2001. I’ve gone to be by myself as I’m not sure of my place anymore. I have called Gregori Paladin and he’s expecting you to pick up where I could not go. Go to Harrvi and pick him up. He’s extremely important in what’s to come soon as is Dez Arken. I charge you to protect them to the best of your ability until I have come to a decision as to what I am to do. Until then, do as you can. Don’t tell the Council where I have gone for a while, tell Mara where I am but ask her not to come here for a few weeks. I really need to be by myself. Come with her if you like, but make sure you get Gregori first. Everything could hinge on him now that I have fallen by the wayside.

I know I am charging you with a big responsibility, but I sense somehow your the one to do this.

Turbogeek.

Nupraptor re-read the card, realizing then that Mara’s green eyes were staring at him intently. “Well?” she asked.

“Ummm, he’s gone”

“I can SEE that. Does that datapad say anything about why and where he went?”. Nupraptor handed the pad over to Mara and she read the message herself. Fewdman looked over her shoulder, unable to keep his curiosity for much longer. She glanced at Fewdman, who backed away and then she turned her attention to Nupraptor.

“Doesn’t know his place anymore? What type of gibberish is that? I bet it’s all a ruse to get his way and leave us behind”

“Could be, but I think we should check out the story and see if it does have some truth behind it. Do you have any idea who this Gregori Paladin is, or about this planet Harrvi?” Nupraptor asked.

“No idea as I have never heard of them before”

“I have”. The new voice coming from the door startled the group and they turned to see Shay Kaylon, dressed in a black, standing at the doorway. “I know who they are. Gregori Paladin was the person we were going to go after before Turbogeek’s ship crashed and Harrvi is the planet he is on. Turbogeek told me also it’s a planet that is filled with Vog’on and Paladin is my step-brother. He also told me he was leaving the Jedi two days ago and I helped him get away. He ordered me not to tell anyone until anyone came into his room”

“Pardon?” asked Lady Mara, rather politely, she thought.

“The Jedi Master Turbogeek has left for reasons he didn’t tell me, to be alone. He doesn’t want anyone following him and he doesn’t want the Masters to know for a while more. Any questions?” Shay returned.

Mara was about to open her mouth, but Nupraptor stopped her with a raised hand. “No Shay, we don’t” Mara looked scandalized, but again, Nupraptor waved her quiet. “Not yet anyway. I believe that we should be finding out more about Harrvi and working out a plan to save this Paladin, especially if he is important as Master Turbogeek indicates and further we should keep this to ourselves, even if it leads to misleading the Masters. Agreed?”

“Your not going to go along with this stupidity?!” exclaimed Mara.

“Yes. Do you see a reason why not to?”. Mara moved to speak and then went quiet, the frustration clear on her face. “Good. Fewdman, while we are talking, see if you can slice into Turbogeek’s flies and also the ship’s communications records and see what you can find. Shay, come in and close the door. We have some planning to do.”

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

The day on Harrvi was about as bad as it could get. It was cold and also added to that, there was a drizzle that had lasted for hours. Gregori Paladin stood at the entrance of his hideout, depressed and also somewhat wet from the drizzle. He had done his daily rounds, finding nothing new, except for the fact the rain had actually increased visibility, not that in this place that was much of a good thing. What there was to see was now dingy and also wet, adding to the general air of isolation and desolation. Even the lizard beasts seemed to have left, as he had not seen one for a week now and that puzzled him. But what was more puzzling was the message he had got two days ago on the emergency comm. unit for Jedi Master Turbogeek while he was out exploring:-

Paladin,

I’ve been forced to give up trying to get to you myself and I have directed a highly reliable Jedi to come and get you. By the time you read this message, he should be on his way, so be ready to run when he appears, you wont have much time to make good an escape. May the Force be with you and remember, anger, fear, the path to the Dark Side are they. Always be calm and never act rashly, allow the Force to guide you.

Turbogeek

Paladin had been trying to make sense of that message since he had watched it, the hologram of the Jedi glowing in the darkness of his hideout. He had replayed it several times, staring intently at the flickering hologram, whilst puzzling out this message could mean. He believed that after two days thought that Turbogeek had been diverted and was no longer willing to have any more delay in getting Paladin off this forsaken planet. Obviously, this Jedi must be good if Turbogeek trusted him and he had considered that if the beasts detected a ship landing, that person landing would expect a welcome similar to the one Paladin had got.

Fair enough. Getting off this rock was not something Paladin would delay in anyway. However the final piece of the message puzzled him greatly. The Force? He knew the Jedi believed there was some energy field and they used it to perform extraordinary feats, not that Paladin could ever remember seeing any himself. He was a materialist and frankly, anything he could not touch or see did not exist. The Force was just a bunch of trick and hocus pocus tomfoolery. Undeniably, the Jedi were incredible fighters and were the peak of physical prowess, but that was as far as it went. Still, he bet he could shoot one with his blaster, what good was a lightsabre against a blaster carrying person, especially one fast and skilled like he was? He did have to admit that the shimmering blade did have a presence and was awfully effective when he faced one of these lizard beasts he encountered now and then. The sabre could apparently cut through anything and absolutely fascinated Paladin. It almost seemed alive in the way it twisted and turned in his hands, seeming to with every use become more and more an extension of his hand. Maybe he could use this thing to scare off the bounty hunters who were most likely still looking for him and maybe even carve that Hutt that had put the bounty on him a new smile.

A rueful laugh. Firstly, he had to get off this rock before he could even think of the future and despite his success in surviving here, his luck wouldn’t hold out forever. He might injure himself or be finally caught by one of the beasts that wandered around and killed. Whatever, he knew the chances of his own survival in the long term meant getting off this hole and it really seemed to him to be as far away as it ever had been.

He wiped some of the moisture off his face and turned to go back into the safety of his hideout, when something made him duck behind the remains of a wall. A second later he realized what had set his danger sense going into full alarm. He could hear voices coming. After recovering from his initial panic, he looked carefully around the wall, careful to keep himself concealed as he looked in the direction of the footsteps that were now clearly be able to be heard as well.

A human type being and also a Vog’on was what he saw. With some surprise, he watched as they stopped, obviously in the middle of a discussion.

“Iiii tell youuu, the perssson you sssseek isss heree”. The lizard, speaking in the hissing Basic Paladin had heard when he had faced one of those beasts.

“And I tell you I sense absolutely nothing. There isn’t anyone around here and I think we are wasting our time. Surely Paladin would have better sense that to stay in the one spot, would you not think?”. Paladin nearly had heart failure. The human had named him. How in the blazing suns…? Was it one of these bounty hunters that were on his trail, had they worked out where he was and employing these beasts to locate him?

“Iiii do nottt wasssste timeee. Heee issss somewhere here and thisss is where weee lookkk”

“Callista will not be happy with this time wasting, friend Vog’on. She wants results based on evidence, not some vague hunch. You may be strong in the Dark Side, but your abilities are limited, while mine are not. Why do you doubt what I damn well say, when quite clearly there is no-one around here?”

Vog’on? What the hell? Thought Paladin as he saw the huge beast turn with a look of fury on its face to the human. Vog’on were myth, a tale to frighten children, weren’t they? Then again, this planet he was on was supposed to have befallen some disaster involving Vog’ons and if that was really the case and some of the tales actually half true, then this human was playing with a unstable reactor if this beast really was a Vog’on. Paladin had first hand knowledge just how powerful the Vog’on were. Still, this development was highly startling, but on the other hand explained much.

“Iiiii doo not CAREEE what ssshe thinksss. YOUUU only liveeee becaussssse of Omen truceeee. I doubttttt youuuuu ifff I wissssh assssss ones better than youuuu seeee Paladin hereeeee. Weeee knowww what heeee doesss. Weeee seee himmm everydayyy and he seessss us nott. The onlyyy thing we don’t knowwww issss hisss hideouttt and we are certain itttt isssss somewhere hereee. Vegettaaa sawwww himmm todayyyy near watering holeeeee. Lookkkk again aroundddd hereee.”

Paladin could hardly believe what he was hearing. They had been watching just about every movement he made and knew where he went? The fear he was already feeling felt like a black hole, ready to suck him in. If they were able to follow him, why had they not trapped him or even worse, killed him already? Why were they staying their hand? The human turned in a slow circle, not seeing the Vog’on look directly at where Paladin was hiding and clearly nod, then turning back to the human before he noticed. Oh no, the damn thing even knew he was here? Total fear tried to force him to run, but something held him still, hardly breathing, not able to tear his eyes away from the scene before him.

The human finished his circle and once again faced the Vog’on. “Nothing, not a damn thing. Why in the Force are you persisting in this game and wasting my time? Callista will not be happy”

“Iiiii dooo notttt answerrr to Callisssta. I sayyyyy only what I knowwww”

“Yeah, well you are some animalistic sub species. Now quit wasting my time”

Despite his fear, Paladin was now getting curious. He would have assumed insulting a Vog’on was a bad idea and this human had certainly done that. Was the Vog’on going to retaliate? The Vog’on flexed it’s claws in a clear sign it was angry. The human seemed to sneer in response, which made the Vog’on angrier again. Paladin could only say that this human had a death wish. The human seemed to shift it’s cloak and seemed to draw the Vog’ons attention to something on it’s hip.

“Feeling feisty, are we? Go ahead, I would enjoy ridding the Galaxy of one more like you”

“I don’t fearrrr you” The words were totally calm and mild from the Vog’on, but the intent was totally clear. The Vog’on had taken a step back and was ready to fight, Paladin could see that from experience from the tapcafes he frequented in the seedier parts of the Galaxy. “Weeeee found Paladinnnnn and toldddd Callisssta as we were told. That issss far assss we will be forced. Weeee tesssted him and founddddd he isssss of the Omennn asssss well. 5 diedddd in honourrrr of the Omennn, no moreeee forrrrr nowwww. Pladin issss here and ifffff you wantttt himmmm, take himmmmm nowwwww”

“I wanted you not to try my patience anymore”. The human moved fast, but the Vog’on moved faster. With stunning speed, the Vog’on smashed the human across the face with a claw, forcing he human to fall to the ground, a vivid red mark on what Paladin could see was a young male adult. A stunning kick to the guts left the human gasping and the Vog’on bent over him, plucking a round cylinder From the man’s belt. From the distance Paladin was at, he could see it was a lightsabre. The Vog’ons claw tightened and with a spark, the sabre fell to pieces, crushed by the claw. Another massive kick hit the human in the face.

“Youuuu goooo backkk toooo Callissssta nowwww. Don’t bother usssss again and tellll herrrr and Borg’gesss to sssssend sssssomeoneeee ssssmaterrrr”

The human spat blood. “Go to hell yo…..”. The Vog’on moved with it’s astounding speed and speared the human with it’s claw, straight through the head. A sickening crunch, the human jerked once and was still. The Vog’on shook it’s hand clear and with some gristly delight, began to lick the gore of it’s claw. It warbled like a bird and to Paladin’s consternation, a dozen more Vog’ons appeared out of the ruins all around the area. Blazing suns! He hadn’t seen then at all! This was amazing!

The Vog’ons seemed to discuss something in their own language and then with one picking up the body, the others darted off into the rain, mainly in the same direction, leaving the first Vog’on alone again. The beast turned to look in Paladin’s direction and spoke clearly in Basic.

“I know your around here Gregori Paladin. We have always known who you are and also what you could be, from the first time we saw you 7 years ago, near this spot. We have plans for you at the right time.”

Plans? These lizards had plans for him? Almost before he could stop himself, he yelled in return. “How do you know who I am and what do you want from me?” The sound was childlike and spoke of his fear.

“We knew the day you came here who you were. You are one whom the Omens spoke of. You are not wise to acknowledge you are near Paladin. The Vog’on may not want you dead, but others might. Farewell Chosen one”. With that, the Vog’on darted off into the rain, leaving one highly confused, scared and wet Paladin, who slumped onto the ground, not knowing what to make of this at all.

Do you see him now?

Yes, he sits there. Should we do anything?

No, not now. Fregge wants him left alone for the moment and also to make sure no-one else finds him. Only the Vog’on must know where he is.

This is good. What about the dark Jedi Hrggri was forced to kill? How do we explain that to Callista? Maybe we are not afraid of what she could do in return, but we still need her for the moment.

We will rig his speeder and send his body at high speed into a wall. There wont be enough left to find out the real reason he died. She will then only curse the stupidity of one of the underlings and not us.

Ahhh, is a good idea. A cowards death for a coward and one without honor. I hope one day we could do that to Callista and all who she controls.

As we all do. That day is coming, but until then we must be patient and not reveal our true purpose. She must believe we are her servants for a while longer.

Again, that is good. Now, are we to watch Paladin and find out where he hides?

No the Overlords say to leave him. Now, lets go.

The two Vog’on left, without Paladin none the wiser they had ever been there in the first place.

--

Endor. If it wasn’t for the fact that the Empire’s second Death Star had been destroyed here and the Ewoks had been unlikely heroes in that battle, the small moon would have remained unnoticed until probably the end of all habitation, being too remote and resource poor to be of any notice and the furry Ewoks would have continued to live their lives and that would be that. Now, that was all different. Generally too far outside of the normal routes to be a major tourist planet, Endor still got it’s share of travelers, looking at the places where the Empire had begun it’s death spiral and the Emperor had finally died. Some of the more popular places was where the battle area where the Ewoks had overwhelmed the Empire’s troops by sheer numbers, the remains of the shield generator and even the burial grounds where Rebels, Ewoks and Imperials had been interred.

Even more, the curious traveler could go to the place purported to be the place where Darth Vader’s body had been burnt to ashes, Some rumors as to how he had died circulated, the widest being Luke Skywalker, honored Jedi and been Vader’s son and had defeated his father in one on one combat, somehow redeeming the evil Dark Lord in the process. Of course, serious scholars scoffed at this nonsense, but still, rumors persisted. Right now, a lonely traveler had come, alone in the forest on what was a bleak and rainy day. He moved carefully along the path that had been beaten into the undergrowth over the many years since the battle of the Death Star and to the clearing that surrounded a bare path of dirt. Any actual remains had long ago gone, but still, the bare patch on the ground gave testimony that something had happened here. The being was protected against the rain by a long cloak, with a deep hood that occasionally dripped with water that ran down the sides of the waterproof garment. He stared at the place where the fabled Darth Vader had finally come to rest, knowing as all Jedi were told, the true story of Anakin Skywalker’s life and eventual redemption and death. Lounge Lizard had once been a Jedi, a Jedi Master before he had fallen to the Dark Side of the Force, becoming a Sith of real power, a being feared by all, then to be caught on this very planet by the Jedi and then renouncing evil to be a Jedi again.

And yet, here he was again, deep in the Dark Side again. Darth Turbogeek had picked it right, there was far too much anger in him, too much he carried from the past. He could never let the death of his sister go, a cowardly act if there ever was one. It was that act that had sparked his original decent into darkness, when he had sworn vengeance over her grave. He had tried, he honestly had to release his anger over that act and resume being a Jedi again, as he knew quite well that the Dark Side was in reality only deception, lies, deceit and illusions of power. The Light was indeed more powerful, but it took a committed person, calm and purposeful to use and understand. The Dark Side was quicker and seductive but that path also lead to death and destruction. He knew that so well and he didn’t really want that path…. Yet here he was again. The fury at his sisters death wasn’t gone, it was only buried and now was simmering under the surface. Even more now he knew the murderer’s identity and also that person was very much alive and well. He had sworn vengeance and this time he was going to carry it out.

But right now, all he could do is stare at the bare patch on the ground and think of what he had become. He didn’t like it, but there seemed to be nothing he could do about it and it seemed the more he considered it, the less he could think of he could do. He had in fact been here for several days, setting up a camp near an Ewok village, considering his past and his most likely future. The Ewoks were decidedly nervous on having Lounge Lizard near them as they seem to be able to sense the evil on him and they stayed well clear, probably a wise decision considering the damage Lizard had caused last time he was here.

A particularly heavy burst of rain swept the area, closing vision to only a few feet for some minutes before easing back again. The water flowed at Lounge Lizard’s feet and he looked down at the swirl and streams at were now about 4 centimeters deep. Water streamed off the plants and off the rocks and undergrowth, creating small waterfalls. It was amazing how much water there was, just in this area. He sighed at the beauty of it all, wondering why it didn’t affect him in the way the sunrise over Coruscant, from the top of the Jedi Temple had.

“It is because you don’t not have a heart that can be moved by such trivial things anymore”

The voice surprised him, coming from the other end of the clearing and clearly above the noise of the rain and the running water. Lounge Lizard looked up and barely restrained himself from gasping in surprise at what he saw. He watched as the black and red armored figure advanced straight over the bare patch and stopped only a few meters away from where Lounge Lizard stood. The figure had a large metal rod in one hand and a lightsabre in the other, his(?) armor was reminiscent of a Imperial Guard but the truly remarkable thing was the sheer size of this person. Lounge Lizard had honestly thought humans didn’t come bigger than Jedi Boricua. He was very much wrong.

“I have reason to believe you known as the Lounge Lizard”. The voice was low pitched and radiated menace. Suddenly, Lounge Lizard’s depression dissolved into a defensive and wary attitude.

“Yeah, I could be. Who wants to know?”

“I wish to know. Are you are you not Lounge Lizard? I have little time or tolerance for time wasting, so speak and identify yourself.”

Okkkkaaaayyyyy, thought Lounge Lizard. Who IS this guy? He thought for a moment before replying. “Who are you and what do you want with Lounge Lizard first”. He moved a hand toward his sabre, ready to use it. He stretched out with the Force towards this huge human and sensed the Dark Side on him, deep and malevolent. Powerful, like hardly anyone he had felt before. Lounge Lizard stared at the faceless visor, knowing this human was staring right back at him and seemingly looking straight through him. It was not a comfortable feeling.

“My name is simply Venom and I have come to challenge the Lounge Lizard, former Jedi Master and now Dark Jedi to a duel.”

Lizard felt surprised. This person may have been big, but he was stupid. There were only maybe two fighters in the Galaxy that could match him, especially unarmed. He had spent his life studying the various forms of martial arts, spent hours practicing, honing his body mentally and physically into a fighting machine like few others. Also, he was powerful in the Force, which would make anyone cringe in fear, let alone his physical abilities. Lizard drew back his hood, allowing the rain to begin to land on his head. “I am Lounge Lizard. Why would you be so foolish as to challenge me?”

Venom didn’t reply in words. He simply clipped his sabre to his belt and in a spinning motion, holstered his Force Pike onto the sheaf on his back. The huge human curled a foot back until he was in a cat stance, hands coming up into twin snakeheads, poised, ready to strike. Lizard nodded and he moved into a wrestler’s stance, hand coming up and looking like a datapad he was going to read. Venom waited a second, then double stepped into a snap kick that Lizard parried away. Venom followed with some short strikes, with Lizard blocking. Lounge Lizard allowed his muscles to loosen as he started to speed up, defending, then turning that into attack. He began to force Venom backwards, moving his hands in a complex series of strikes and counter strikes, looping his hands as his fingertips leapt. Venom’s replies were just as fast, but not as fast as Lizard’s who now was beginning to set up Venom for a huge hit. The sequence would leave Venom open to a palm strike to the chest – the final moves opening Venom’s defenses just enough. Lizard’s hands seem to move of their own accord, going through the well trained moves…. As he had expected, Venom’s defenses opened just enough and Lizard drew an arm back to strike…..

The punch hit Lizard on the jaw, knocking him sprawling. He blinked as he stared at the ground and moved his jaw around, noting it wasn’t broken. But it certainly hurt. He had not seen the king hit coming, so absorbed was he at his own set piece.

“Ho-shi-fei. Began with two rock punches and a deer leap parry, ends with a palm strike to the target area. Common technique of Wu-Hung school. If you can spot the sequence, you can retaliate easily as the attacker leaves his hands down for crucial second. Shall we continue?” Venom’s voice had all the expression of a person ordering dinner, which to some degree puzzled Lounge Lizard. Also puzzling him was where this behemoth learned to fight like this. Lizard wound have been certain someone that big could never move that fast. Certainly Vemon’s power was in keeping with his size. Lounge Lizard picked himself up off the ground, getting back to his feet and resuming his first stance. Venom attacked almost straight away and this time Lounge Lizard knew the huge human wasn’t holding back like he had been. Venom’s hands flick-flick-flicked, moving with extraordinary speed and forcing Lounge Lizard to defend as best as he knew how. A huge spinning kick whistled over Lizard’s head as he ducked and he replied by sweeping Venom’s feet from under him. Venom hit the ground, rolled away and flipped back to his feet in virtually the one move, coming up and then resuming his attack. Lounge Lizard managed to get a kick to Venom’s chest, which only earned Lizard another punch to the face and a rue thought as to not kick at Venom’s armor again, as it was like hitting ferrocrete. Instead, Lizard aimed a blow for a armor join, succeeding in making Venom grunt in pain. They disengaged and slowly circled each other.

“You are as good as they say” said Venom

Lounge Lizard likewise felt a grudging acknowledgement that Venom was every bit as good as he was, but with the advantage of size and weight. He wondered just what this Venom wanted from him as they continued to circle. Something in him prompted him to say do out loud as well. Venom stopped circling and moved into a ready stance.

“I have come to prove myself worthy of your honor. I came to prove I am worthy to command you and also to prove that I can do, as I will say to you. More than that, I came to recruit you”

“Recruit me? What for?” asked Lounge Lizard

“I sought you out to ask you to join the Sith Order that myself and some others are starting. We are tired of seeing ones like you wasted by poor leaders and I seek to rectify that. I am gathering the resources and the people to achieve our goals.”

“Oh? And what goals are they?” asked Lounge Lizard.

“I seek to wipe out the Jedi and I also seek to wipe out The Sith Council. Unless you join us, that is as much as I will say, except that I seek to relieve Itala Marzullo’s neck of the weight of his head, for what he has done to divide the Sith and other Dark Jedi, by his actions. I seek to erase the mistakes of Lady Mara Jade and also to make sure the Sith are strong and united. Would you agree to at least that right now?”

Lounge Lizard hardly heard any words past relieve Itala Marzullo’s neck of his head. The name of this most hated person made the anger boil up in him, bringing back memories he didn’t really want, but nevertheless, drove his fury. The name Marzullo flashed like a bolt of lightning in his brain and he nearly screamed in anger. He slowly calmed down as Venom finished speaking.

“You wish to destroy Marzullo?” Lounge Lizard snarled.

“You want him destroyed?” replied Venom.

“Yes I do! How do you propose to do it?”

“Ahhh, one thing at a time. Firstly, have I proven myself enough in your eyes? Will you accept joining with us?”

“Who are we firstly” flatly replied Lounge Lizard.

“Then why don’t you come with us and find out”

Lizard frowned and then saw the other beings slowly reveal themselves. Lunge Lizard looked around at them, seeing their faces. A look of disbelief crossed his face. He knew almost all by sight, saw they were the best Sith and Dark Jedi that were known to exist. He could see ones like Darth Havok and Darth Ogre.

“You… have all of these people? How did you manage that, as I have never heard or seen of you before?”

“That question I will answer to you if you join us”

Lounge Lizard looked around at the gathered Sith and in a blink he knew his answer. Venom, looking into the eyes of Lounge Lizard, knew it before Lizard even did.

“Welcome to the Rogue Sith Order” said Venom.

--

The shuttle twisted slightly under Lounge Lizard’s feet as it opened up it’s sublight engines and began to make for a Super Star Destroyer that hung in the blackness of space. He was now in dry clothes and also been welcomed in turn by all the other Rogues and an impressive group it was. Darth Ogre, Darth Havok, Gav Mortis, Nivek Felth, Guard Piett, a former Imperial Guard…. Highly impressive. It was like a who’s who of evil.

Venom himself had done the introductions and was now watching the shuttles progress through one of the view ports.

“Lord Venom, what firstly do you have in mind?” asked Lounge Lizard.

“A small job for you, involving torturing a Jedi”

Lounge Lizard’s face broke into a grin. “I think I like this group already”

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

The Sith Bounty Hunter was known as Akia Pentadragon walked the streets of the planet Coruscant, shadowing her quarry as she had been for the last couple of days, working out where this person live where this person went, their contacts, their daily routine. Despite all her skill, it had been difficult to find the target Borg’gaes had named Silvia and even harder to follow this one until she could identify who it was. Her efforts had almost been in vain as Silvia had proven elusive to follow. She had also seen this Silvia had few contacts, lived in a cheap motel in a room that had customized security that had defeated her skill to overcome, was always deeply cloaked and seemed to have a knack of disappearing at precisely the wrong time. Still, just the day before, she had gotten close enough to be able to see under that hood with macrobinoculars and it was what she saw which explained the skill of target Silvia and also her call to Borg’gaes to raise the bounty. This Silvia was no ordinary person and in fact under that cloak, target Silva wore the armor of an Imperial Guard and even then not just any guardsman.

A bodyguard to the Emperor Palpatine himself.

How in blazes someone like target Silvia had lived this long was beyond her and even more, was such a obviously skilled person. Surely any guard of the Emperor would be at least 80 and well into old age. Whatever the explanation, she had seen this was no ordinary job and had decided to take some extra precautions. She knew the Royal Imperial Guards were Force sensitive and more than likely could use a lightsabre against a blaster. They had Force Pikes and were formidable hand to hand combat specialists, hence that would be difficult. A keen danger sense also meant trap would be next to impossible. But that didn’t mean it could not be done. It just took a lot of observation, some good timing and good planning. And now, she was ready to close the jaws and set the trap off.

The one place she had seen target Silvia go past every day was the entranceway to the motel and hence last night had done some work to plant a small surprise and also an early warning system. After that, she had settled into a room she had broken into that overlooked the entrance and had settled in to wait. A few hours before, she had seen the target go into the motel and the warning system had told her that target Silvia had entered it’s room. A check of the floor plans in a Coruscant database had revealed the room did not have any other exits and the motel had no other exit ether. Slightly odd that such a person a Silvia would be in a place with no other exit, but lucky for Pentadragon. She was on stimpills to make sure she stayed away and alert, but it was likely she didn’t need them anyway, being as keyed up as she was. The long wait hadn’t affected her and she felt as alert as she had when first coming here hours ago.

The early warning system, a infrared trip beam, beeped on her data pad and she shifted in anticipation. Only a few more minutes….

The typical cloaked figure came out of the motel. That’s the target. She paused, lingering. She looked through the macrobinoculars and saw a hint of red helmet and knew for certain that her target was outside. A few other people were around the entranceway, but she did not care for them. She pressed the trigger button anyway.

In a flash, the area lit up as multiple Thermal Detonators exploded, dissolving the area into a circle of fire. Pentadragon ducked as the window was blown to pieces by the blast and the building shook as the rumble of the explosion echoed. A wave of heat entered the room and smoke swirled as debris settled to the ground. She waited a few seconds before getting up and looking out the window. Not much could be seen apart from smoke, but still, with all the destruction, she was certain that target Silvia had been eliminated. Not the way she wanted to do it, but in it’s own way, satisfying.

Smirking, she turned walked out of the room, lightsabre drawn and a blaster in her other hand. She still needed to check the body and even claim the head for Borg’gaes as evidence, so he would not worm his way out of paying her.

She saw the entranceway to the motel was a mess. Dead and dying littered the area and a couple of twisted speeder wrecks were laid strewn against walls. The actual front wall of the motel had been badly damaged and rubble had collapsed onto the street, making footing difficult in places. She picked her way across to the place where she had last seen target Silvia, wondering what she would find.

A cloaked figure lay on the ground. Recognizing the cloak as the one target Silvia wore, she reached down and removed the hood to show the helmet of a Royal Imperial Guard. Satisfied, she ignited her sabre and in one quick blow, cut the head off. A electrical spark arced as the head fell away and rolled to one side. A bit curious, as to why that happened she bent down to have a closer look….

…. And a cold hand seemed to grip her heart as she saw that it was no person, but a droid. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she confirmed it by bending down and poking the charred wiring. Defiantly a droid she thought. Puzzled, she got up. She looked around, seeing there were a few dazed people walking around, as well as the first rubberneckers. Sirens sounded in the distance and she knew it would be a good time to get away.

“Excuse me, are you a Jedi? Do you know what happened?”

She turned to face an obviously frightened being she could not identify. “Yes. It’s the work of a criminal and may be dressed in armor much like this droid was. Have you seen anyone like that?”

The being nodded. “Y-y-es. Coming down the wall by rope about an hour ago. Went south”

Down the wall via a rope? But there were no other exits. “Good, thank you citizen. South you are sure?”. The being replied with a nod. Akia acknowledged the being again and turning off her sabre, she began to walk in the direction the being had pointed her in. Uncertain what had happened, she could only surmise target Silvia had come up with another exit that Akia had not found. How target Silvia had known of the trap however was cause for concern. With that train of thought, she moved around the still burning wreckage of a speeder, determined to find out what had happened. The area seemed to be quiet and there seemed to be fewer and fewer people as she moved down what was a alleyway.

A red gloved hand grasped a doorway as the Sith bounty hunter walked past, still with sabre and blaster in hand. A set of eyes behind a visor appraised her and a rustle of cloak was the only sound he made. He had a Force Pike in his hand and he turned in the direction Akia had come, making sure no one was following her. A smile came to his hidden lips. The D’kalai had done it’s job and the other Imperial sympathizers had both ends of this alley blocked by now, dressed as Republic troops. He wanted to have a talk with this person and he wanted to make sure they were alone.

She continued to walk down the alley, but now slower as she sensed something was wrong. There was no-one about, it was too quiet. Her hands gripped her weapons as she used the Force to try and sense what was making her so concerned.

The red cloaked and armored figure moved away from the doorway and deliberately made his footsteps just that bit too loud. A crunch of gravel as he stopped and faced straight down the alley, allowing the Force Pike to swing clear of his cloak. Akia Pentadragon turned around and hissed in fury as she saw her target, standing bold as brass right in front of her.

“My name is Lord Fire Blade. Were you looking for me by chance?”

Akia didn’t reply, but she raised her blaster and fired at Fire Blade’s head. The Royal Guard swayed out of the way and in a fraction of a second, had a lightsabre in his hand, red blade lit and ready to intercept and return the bolt straight back at Pentadragon’s chest. Caught by surprise, she still almost got out of the way, but it still burned a path into her side. She hissed in pain at the wound, dropping her blaster and lighting her sabre as well. Lord Fire Blade advanced on her.

“Well, I asked you a question. Were you looking for me?” Pentadragon remained silent. Preferring to wait for this red-faced bastard to get closer she waited. Fire Blade chose to speak again. “I suppose your wondering how I escaped? Unfortunately for you, there are a great deal of Imperial sympathizers in this area and they watch my back in return for some certain jobs that only I can do. They had you spotted tailing me three days ago and we saw you plant the explosives. It may have worked except you forgot on fact. Buildings as tall as these still have roofs and there’s enough rope in this place that you can abseil down the side of any building.” He finished advancing, stopping two meters away from where Akia Pentadragon waited, bristling with anger.

They faced each other off for a few more seconds before Fire Blade swept at Pentadragon with his sabre. Akia parried and used all her strength to attack in return. The Royal Guard parried and slowly backed off, allowing Pentadragon to go on the offensive and still fighting one handed, still with his Force Pike in his other hand. She swept an attack and suddenly, Fire Blade replied with stunning speed, parrying the bow away and following up with a sweep of the pole-arm straight into Pentadragon’s ribs. She grunted and stumbled away, with Fire Blade attacking once again. She parried Fire Blade’s sabre, to be once again struck, this time to the chin with the Pike. Again, she parried Fire Blade’s next sabre attack, only to wear the Pike, this time a hard blow to her knee that nearly bought her to the ground.

She moved away as quickly as she could, trying to get out of range of the twin attacks of the Guard. He stared at her through the viewport of the helmet he wore and then lowered the Pike, pointing it at Pentadragon. The next second, a blast of energy erupted from it, striking Pentadragon in the chest, throwing her backwards, forcing her to loose her footing and burning her chest. Her nostrils filled with the smell of charred flesh, but she was given no more time to think as another energy blast from the Force Pike caught her squarely again.

And again.

She dropped her sabre in the pain, as Lord Fire Blade advanced. She tried to defend herself, but the Force Pike crashed down onto her temple, this time her mind exploded with stars and knew no more for a while.

Lord Fire Blade turned off his sabre, looking down at the fallen Sith bounty hunter and then kicking her body with disgust. Amateur! He should just kill her, but this was not his purpose. He had something different in mind. He signaled with his hand and four men came out of their hiding place.

“Are we still alone?” asked Lord Fire Blade.

“Yes sir, we are. Our men are still got the roads blocked and diverting traffic and they are even assisting New Republic investigators at the site of the blast this… person set off.”

“Good. See to it that you keep this scum unconscious but relatively unharmed. She is to be delivered back to her Masters in one piece. Do I make myself clear?”. The 4 nodded and began the job of tying Akia up, as Lord Fire Blade marched off and into the doorway he had come out of. He really hoped Callista and Bill Borg’gaes would appreciate the present he was about to send them and the offensively worded data pad his helpers would include was going to be an equally appreciated touch. He hated to waste so much effort for no gain.

Several minutes of walking through a hidden set of tunnels and Lord Fire Blade came out into the area he called, to some degree home. A place that Imperial sympathizers had created for ones like him, ones who would take the fight back to the arrogantly named New Republic and all their rulers. Granted, the small group that the Imperials rebels were could not do a real lot, but they were thorns in the sides of the Republic. Lord Fire Blade himself was seeking a return to the days of the Empire, when order ruled, where one strong man had held all in his hull steel grasp. Where Lord Fire Blade had a place to serve and honor to uphold. But he had to admit, even with the money and the resources the Imperial sympathizers could get, their cause was becoming a lost memory. Too much time had come and gone, too many had fallen by the wayside. Now, almost from those times lived, except ones like him, long lived beyond an ordinary human. There were a few, but not many. Death, the enemy no one could beat was catching them all.

Thence, there were other causes he turned his attention to. More immediate situations he and his supporters could pour their time and money into. Surprisingly, one of them was to make sure petty dictators never got a foothold and a power base, so they might have a chance to declare themselves Emperor. Only ones worthy of the name would ever have the chance and if one came that they considered worthy, they would throw their not inconsiderable resources in driving that person along. Maybe, Lord Fire Blade could stand by that person’s side and once again take pride in guarding one who truly could be called Emperor of the Galaxy.

That time however was not now and yet again, Lord Fire Blade was opposing one who sought to rule, but was not worthy. One who he had fought for nearly twenty years and had generally been highly successful. One who called herself Callista and with all her minions, sought to dismiss the Republic her one time lover Luke Skywalker had helped establish and defend. Callista, whom once had been a Jedi, but now, old but still full of malevolent Dark side power. For some years before Callista had learned of his existence, he had been assassinating the odd agent, making the odd operation go wrong. It hadn’t been enough and Callista’s rise to power was still largely unimpeded. Now, she was stronger than anyone truly knew with armies and fleets in the Unknown regions, the product of 40 years of planning, development and execution. Not enough to take the New Republic by force (No one could do that anymore), but enough to destabilize and to cause trouble… and with the right amount of pot stirring in the Senate, some allies, it was not inconceivable that a new dictator could arise. Maybe not in the next couple of years, but it was not impossible in the next decade. Lord Fire Blade had watched Callista and had become angry with the corruption she was and had hence sought to stop her.

It all looked like coming to a head seven years ago when it looked like Callista was about to make a major move. Her forces had been marshaled and a new commander had taken over. Whoever it was, Lord Fire Blade had been impressed and had almost stopped his work, to see who this person who was apparently taking over from Callista was.

Then, it had gone wrong for Callista. Her commander disappeared and the New Republic, lead by the Jedi had come and defeated her unprepared forces. It must have set her back many years and hence Lord Fire Blade had not really seen or heard of Callista for many years.

Until now. Now, she was back and it seemed about the place she had left off. It was time for Lord Fire Blade to go to work again and he had used prior knowledge of her to find a few supply outposts and with a few maneuvers from secret Imperials in the Senate, have taskforces destroy those bases on the pretext they were smugglers and then make it clear who was the one who was the guiding hand in their destruction.

It added a edge to his life he knew he had been missing.

Still, he had to admit that Callista’s obsession with the Jedi called Turbogeek was puzzling. Why would anyone go to such length to dispose of one person? Why waste all the time – and manpower – that could be put to better use elsewhere? Not something he could easily answer, but it was just one more reason why this old woman was unfit to rule and her will had to be denied. At least when the Emperor Palpatine had decided to kill someone, he made sure it happened. There were times Lord Fire Blade had done that for the Emperor, other times he had observed. But always, it happened, swiftly.

Callista could learn a few lessons in quick disposal from the Emperor.

Lord Fire Blade sat on one of the control chairs of what he called Nexus. A low building bunker, with living quarters, a command room, maintenance room and transport hangar, it was well equipped and was also run by Imperials, with full rank. These men still believed in the ideals of the Empire, all of them were born after the time of the Empire, some quite young and had come to detest the New Republic and its ways. Others who were older and had maybe once believed in the Republic, but were disillusioned. It didn’t matter, they all wanted something better and that something they saw was a return to the days of the Empire.

He tapped a few keys in the comm. unit, checking for any messages. Seeing that there wasn’t any, he leaned back, thinking what next. He was certain that Borg’gaes would react to what he had done today, but Lord Fire Blade was certain Borg’gaes would. It was a case of figuring out what.

Or not wait and instead forge ahead and strike again. An idea was slowly beginning to formulate in Fire Blade’s head and he turned to the computer console, beginning to search for the information he would need.

--

Fewdman almost slammed the slicing station in frustration, but restrained himself in time. Anger wasn’t going to help him, not now, especially when time was short. The computer beeped, waiting for Fewdman’s input. He pressed no and allowed the system to finish the program that he now knew was not going to work.

“How’s it going?” asked Nupraptor, coming back into the room where Fewdman was working

“Very, very badly. I found Turbogeek ‘s files alright, I was able to find the encryption code very easily, it was a standard Jedi code, but when I used it, the file de-encrypted and then 2 seconds later, re-encrypted with a totally different code. I tried again a few times, but the same thing happened. Every time I manage to break the code, it re-invents itself a second later”

Nupraptor gave him a blank look. “Can you speak basic for a moment?”

“Okay, Turbogeek’s employed a very simple program on his files, meaning the encryption key changes. You need a counterpart program to keep up with the encryption changes and even then, I think there’s an identity key I need that I don’t have a hope in breaking, not with what I have and not in the time we have got. Basically, we’re up the Maw without a drive”

Nupraptor understood slicing to a degree, not to the same level that Fewdman did, but enough to understand what Fewdman was saying, despite his words. “Ahh, sithspawn. So, we’ll need a rigged datapad with both counterpart programs to do this?”

“Yeah, that’s easy, the problem is trying to work out the programs he used in the first place. This is first class stuff, Nup. Whoever set this up clearly knew what they were doing and clearly wanted to make sure no-one read whatever is here. I don’t think the military have this type of schemes going”

“Not even military? Wow. Do you know of anyone who might know a way past it?”

Fewdman shrugged. “I’m the best. Give me enough time, I’ll have this sucker cracked, but I wont be able to do it quickly. Come back next year and I’ll be able to give you his weight to 20 significant figures”. Someone else entering the door made Nupraptor and Fewdman turn, to see Lady Mara Jade entering the cramped room. “How’s it going?”

“It’s not” replied Fewdman

“Not entirely surprising. Master Yoghurt and Turbogeek are master slicers and were always able to hide any information from the Sith. They also walked through the Sith computer networks like we had no defenses.”

“Master Yoghurt and Turbogeek are slicers? When did they ever find the time to learn how to do that?” asked Fewdman.

“I don’t know, but all I know is that they are good” she said.

“Mmm, yes good we are! I am wondering, what are you doing?”

The familiar voice behind them made them all jump guiltily. They all turned to find Master Yoghurt was standing there, with a datapad in one hand. “we…. Ummm…. Well….” Stuttered Lady Mara.

“We need access to Master Turbogeek’s files, Master”. Nupraptor spoke up, deciding honesty was going to be the best option here.

“Yesss. Why do you need that? Have it to do with Turbogeek leaving us?”

Again, the three looked dumbfounded. “How did you know that?” asked Fewdman.

“He told me. Knew we did you would find out first. Told me he did he was going” Yoghurt’s voice dropped in tone, a note of sadness on his voice. “Much burdened he is. Troubles he carries on himself. Much sadness. Unable to carry on he is right now”

“We all feel like that Master Yoghurt, so what is so great that he would run off and leave us?” asked Mara

“Tell you I can yes, but not now. Not for you is his story”. The other three Jedi stared at the small Master, puzzled but for the moment silent, waiting for Master Yoghurt to speak further. “Mmm, yes. Wise he was to choose you three to join me, wise indeed”

“Join you? To do what?” asked Lady Mara, with some hint of suspicion on her voice.

“To go get Gregori Paladin of course. Time is right now. Come, come! Time for the Jedi to talk. Come!”. The small green Jedi turned and waddled off, with the three other Jedi looking at each other in bewilderment. What in the Force was going on here?. Fewdman moved to put the slicing equipment into standby mode and he , with Nupraptor, moved to follow Yoghurt. Lady Mara paused before she too moved to follow, closing the door to the room as she left.

They followed Master Yoghurt to a meeting room, a typical Jedi room, with seats and a place for someone to speak, but no table, where the all took seats as Master Yoghurt waddled back and forth up the length of the room as he spoke to the others.

“Are you all ready? Good, we shall start. Firstly, know you that Turbogeek’s files also had a intrusion detection program that alerted me. Knew I that you were trying to have a look and traced you I did” Fewdman looked chagrined and wordlessly swore as Yoghurt continued. “Know you that Turbogeek went to be by himself and will not be able to help us, nor will any other Jedi be able to come that we do not select to be in the rescue team. Originally, Master Turbogeek wished to rescue Paladin by himself as he had .. advantages that we will not”

“Advantages? What do you mean by that?” asked Nupraptor

“Turbogeek can command the Vog’on if he so wished. We can not.”

“Command. The Vog’on. What, he just simply turns up, orders the Vog’on to leave him alone, grabs Paladin and walks off? Forget it Yoghurt, I saw the reports about the Vog’on while we were on Tattooine. I very much doubt they would obey an order to burp, let alone what your hinting. What makes you think they would do that?” snapped back Lady Mara.

“The coming of the Force Being will be pointed to when he tells the beasts to go

Three others there will be, to choose one you must, but choose wisely or be condemned to dust”

All four turned to the door, where Figrin D’An stood. “It’s part of a prophecy that a Jedi spoke 1000 years ago. Apologies I was late Master Yoghurt, but I had to make sure of what I was going to speak of before I came. This particular passage referrers to two events and goes on longer, but in very much the same vein. It speaks of a vast power than can either be destroyed or let loose and of a species that could only be commanded by the person meant to unlock the power. There were going to be four who fit the words appear at the same time as a sign the time had come. Darth Turbogeek we knew was the first and in fact the other side to this conflict, Callista and the now dead Darkness Keeper also believed Turbogeek was the one as well. They had him trained from birth to be an adept of the Dark Side, to be the one capable of commanding the Power when it was unlocked at the right time. Instead, he turned and became the one who would instead destroy this power. Now, before you ask, I’ll explain as much as I can. The Power appears to be a cache of knowledge someone left locked away. This knowledge would allow a Dark Side person to overwhelm all and to establish a rule over the Galaxy that was unlikely to be opposed. However, whoever it was who created the cache in the first place wanted to make sure it was only used by a Dark Sider, thence the cache would be destroyed if opened by a Jedi. The Vog’on were meant to be the One’s servants and were corrupted to be as such. I understand the Vog’on refer to this as the Omens. We now also know that alongside Turbogeek, two others who fit this are alive. One is Shay Kaylon, the other we now know is Gregori Paladin. The last, we have no idea, but we do know that person is alive and neither side knows who it is”. Silence descended on the room as Figrin finished speaking, allowing Lady Mara, Nupraptor and Fewdman to digest what he had spoken. Nupraptor spoke first.

“Of the Jedi, who else knows of this and how certain are you of what you just said”

“The Council, no-one else. And for how we know, we only found out when Turbogeek went Jedi and told us, so that’s seven years ago. It seems that for a long time, a Dark Jedi has been cultivating this prophecy a handing it down to the next person. The Darkness Keeper was the one who handed it on to Callista and Callista was the one who was supposed to train their Chosen One, but as you now know, Turbogeek for some reason rebelled. He always told us it was because he could not kill innocents like Callista had commanded him, which may or may not be true. It’s the only thing he has ever withheld from us and considering the service he has given the Jedi, that we can respect. He has always told Master Yoghurt and myself the whole truth, so while sometimes he acts strangely to others, we have always known what his actions really were”

“Just sometimes they don’t go quite as planned” commented Nupraptor

“Indeed, no. He was supposed to get Paladin, but he instead got stranded for a few weeks and hence things have ended up as they have now and we have to go get him ourselves. Plus, there has been a further complication in the appearance of this person called Venom” said Figrin.

“Venom? What, that badly disguised rancor we fought on Tattooine? What he got to do with all this?” asked Mara.

“Not sure as yet, but he’s somehow involved. Even Turbogeek’s not certain of that one.” Replied Figrin.

“Could he be the one of the Four that has not been accounted for?” asked Nupraptor.

“Possibly. However, the signs don’t fit right with him, so I have my doubts”

“Okay, so how do you know that?” asked Nupraptor.

“Because we know one thing that Callista nor The Darkness Keeper knew. When Turbogeek told us of this Prophecy, I researched it and found one very, very significant fact. All four were to be born in the same area, of the same planet. Of course not everyone in that area would be capable of fitting the Prophecy, as you had to be Force sensitive, but our records show there was indeed four children born on Terr’australis, at a place called Downuner. The records were in bad shape as there had been deliberate attempts to destroy them not long before we got our hands onto them, but what we could gain was the blood samples of newborns. We ran midichoridian tests on all of them and we found four positives for Force sensitiveness. A bit more investigation and we discovered the samples that matched Turbogeek, born 31 years ago, Shay Kaylon, born 15 years ago and Gregori Paladin, born 19 years ago and also complete records. The fourth sample we never found anything else. No name, no age, nothing. Not that it was unusual, it was just a total dead end. We have been using the resources of the New Republic since then to try and find the fourth, but as of yet, we have no luck. We don’t have a lot on this Venom, but we have enough to know he is not the missing person. Does that explain it for you Nupraptor?” said Figrin

“Yes, although this whole thing is sounding quite convoluted and highly unlikely. How can you be certain of this all? Are we just taking the words of someone a thousand years ago as fact, or do we have other ways to test the validity of this?”

“Good question and yes, we very much do trust this prophecy because everything else it spoke of has been found to be correct. It was accurate on Harrvi, it was accurate on the four and it also was accurate on the Vog’on.”

“The Vog’on. Could someone explain that one to me? I wasn’t on Tattooine itself, so I only heard second hand reports. What do we know of them?” asked Nupraptor

Fewdman could see his friend had his mind analyzing everything, almost like a computer. It really was at times like this Nupraptor seemed more machine than man. The other thing was the odd deadness to one of his eyes. Fewdman knew it was a contact to disguise what was really under there, a mechanical eye that glowed red. It was a disturbing and uncomfortable sight if Nupraptor removed the contact. Fewdman wondered how comfortable everyone would be if they realized Nup wasn’t really human. The Masters would know of course, but what about other Jedi, like Lady Mara? His thoughts were interrupted by Figrin’s reply.

“The Vog’on are originally a species of lizard from Nudor, that are semi intelligent and somewhat smaller – the original species still exists and actually are fairly friendly, although highly structured and territorial. If you do provoke them, they are fairly nasty, as their claws are capable of cutting through shells and some rock, which is the way they find food. What we think happened was a Sith used the Dark Side to mutate some of them into the Vog’on, hence the Vog’ons are also Force sensitive, although they can’t use the Force other than for physical abilities, which explains their extreme speed and strength. We don’t know how they reproduce, but they can in some way as there are several thousand of them, maybe more on Harrvi. They are carrion eaters and they seem to have some sort of ability to maintain themselves by drawing directly on the Force. Oddly, they also have an honor system totally based on what they call the Omens and they will not break that system for any reason. They also believe weapons are for cowards and only their young will bear them.”

“Huh. If I was a Vog’on, I would think a weapon would be a hinderance. That Vog’on that was caught, how many stun blasts did it take to put down? Also if I were them, I would have spread to a few more planets by now. Not even a Jedi could stop a small group of these things” commented Mara.

“Well, that’s another odd thing. Because they are fairly primitive technology wise – in fact we are unaware if they even use any technology – they have no ships of their own, if they do move about, it’s usually stolen. Don’t get me wrong, they may not have technology, but they are fully capable of using anyone else’s if they find it. They were transported to Harrvi by Callista and once they had destroyed the humans and other major species there, the Vog’on used the ships they found for some scouting missions, but generally they have stayed put. Thankfully. The other thing is that we discovered, for some reason the Gungan’s plasma balls are almost like anti-matter to them. If a Vog’on is hit by a boomer, it is annihilated, rather spectacularly by reports”. Figrin went quiet, finally finished saying what he needed to. Silence was in the room, only broken by the tread of Yoghurt’s feet and the tap-tap-tap of his cane on the floor. Fewdman was the first to speak up.

“So, if I have it right, we have to go save a person a person from a bunch of vicious creatures he could possibly command, if he’s really one of these four you spoke of. I don’t see the logic I that, cant we just call him and tell him to wave a hand and tell these Vog’on to do as he says?” exclaimed Fewdman.

“It’s not the Vog’on we are worried about. We are more concerned if Callista finds out about Paladin and comes for him. We need to get to him first and it’s time we made our move. We will have some challenges I believe. I doubt the Vog’on will allow Paladin to come with us and I bet they wont negotiate. We are going to have to go in, grab Paladin and get out very, very fast” replied Figrin.

“Oh. Well in that case…” Fewdman leaned forward “I have an idea. Can we talk to Paladin at all?”

“Yes we can. Master Turbogeek once gave Paladin an emergency hyper comm. unit in case Paladin got into real trouble, with instructions to use it only in extreme cases. We have it’s code and whatever we decide to do here, we will contact Paladin and let him know. So, what’s your idea Fewd?”

The young Jedi grinned.

--

Gregori Paladin was in the middle of packing when the message received beep on the comm. unit went off. Already unnerved, he cringed at the sound before realizing what it was. He nervously shuffled over to the device to read the incoming message. He read it, a deep frown coming to is face, fear being replaced by puzzlement. Not only was the message from someone other than Turbogeek, the contents were not what he expected.

Gregori Paladin, greetings.

My name in Master Yoghurt and I am currently planning a rescue party for you. It’s is important you stay where you are and also act normally, you must not give way you know help is coming. We will be there in four days time from the time stamp on this message. You are also requested to order the Vog’on to leave you alone. You have the authority to do so, so we suggest you use it. Be ready as we won’t have much time nor will we get another chance. I can assure you, your life is quite safe, it’s ours we are more concerned with. Until we get there, be calm, at peace with yourself. Fear, anger, the path to the Dark Side are they!

May The Force Be With You,

Master Yoghurt

Well, he thought, it’s good to be given a timeframe, but order the Vog’on to leave me alone? What in blazing suns was that supposed to mean? I can hardly order the damn fog around here to clear, let alone order a group of alien monsters to stop hunting me. What was this Jedi supposed to mean? Just wave a hand and it would be done? As if, I’m not a Jedi, let alone even believe the Force exists.

Somewhat annoyed, he pointed at the off switch for the comm. unit and turned the unit off without further thought as it clattered to the floor. It was well and good for the Jedi to just say something, he was the one here and the situation.

Something in the back of his mind suddenly became puzzled. Something had just happened that wasn’t right. A cold shiver went down his spine as he hastily looked around. Everything seemed in place, except for the things he was in the middle of packing when the message cam. He stepped over to pick up the comm. unit and this time to turn it off properly.

The comm. unit. That’s what was wrong. How did it fall to the floor? If his memory served him right, it had a suction plate that kept the unit in place and stopped it from moving and when active, needed a bit of effort to overpower, certainly more than he would use to power the unit off.

And if his suddenly stumped mind could remember correctly, he hadn’t even touched the unit physically, just pointed at the off button. After that, the unit had been swept off the desk like it had been hit. He slowly put the unit back on the table, moving like it was a unstable bomb and when it was back on the table, removed his hands like he had been bitten.

“Okay, don’t freak out. The Jedi want me to just tell these Vog’on to just simply leave me alone and I just pointed at a object and it jumped off it’s perch. No, I think I have every right freak out… WHATS GOING ON?!?!” he screamed.

Of course, no-one answered, except the echo. He wasn’t sure that was the answer he wanted.

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

It was one of the strangest things he had ever seen, but somehow it seemed totally appropriate. Some time in the past, a mud dwelling had been built, a smallish structure with 4 rooms and a main living area. The hut itself was in a rain forest, but in itself didn’t explain the gloomy light or darkness and the constant rain whenever he was here. It also didn’t explain why just kilometers away, there was a grassy plain, with a singe huge tree in it’s center that always seemed to be in twilight, with balmy and sweet smelling breezes wafting past the branches. There was also a cave, always dark there, but powerful in the light side of the Force. The unusual weather / time zone effects seemed to diminish the further he got away from the tree / cave / hut and was totally normal when he was at the former Sith Empire’s castle, a good 20 kilometers away. The rest of the planet he didn’t know about, so he could only guess the strange effects were local. It was already beyond his capability to explain. One thought he had about it all, was that he shouldn’t try to seek an explanation, just accept the bizarre phenomenon as a fact of life. Still, he had pondered it for a while, as it just wasn’t natural. About the only explanation he ever had was that a Jedi might have lived here in the past, a powerful one, with the ability to change the weather. Given the light side power that the cave possessed, it would suggest that could have been the case, but how a Jedi could be powerful enough to be able to change the weather permanently, again he had no explanation. He knew quite well there was knowledge the Jedi lost during the time of Palpatine’s rule, but there was never anything in the archives they had pieced together to suggest anything like this.

So, he just went with it and made sure he had a waterproof cloak with him at all times.

Near the ex-Sith Empire castle, stood the ship he had used to leave the Jedi, also named Razor like the ship he had left in repairs at the ISD. Unlike the damaged craft, which was a cargo ship modified for his needs, this craft was much different. Purpose built to be a fighter / blockade runner, it was slim with wings, didn’t have much more cargo space than to hold a customized speeder, had warship quality armor and the shields of a Destroyer. It also mounted wing tip fixed quad cannon, with twin above and twin below swivel cannons. It only could seat one, with a refresher / sleeping area for very long hauls. Not as fast as some craft, Turbogeek would bet this thing would outmaneuver and outshoot anything that could keep up. The shields and hull also meant it could take a lot of hits before any damage was apparent. The computer systems had the latest programming and also had provision for twin astromech droids, one for weaponry, the other for repairs / maintenance. When he knew that the original Razor could not be repaired in a timely manner, he had sent a transmission and ordered a cargo carrier to bring it to Dagobah and leave it in the swamps there.

He hadn’t planned to use it to get Paladin but when he had been hit by the self doubts, the new Razor proved to be the perfect vehicle to get away in and so he had. Now on this planet, one that had no name, only a Galactic chart reference would be the place he would come to terms with his past, work out what his future was – if he still had one. Who needed a Jedi who didn’t believe in himself?

Well, for the moment that was not what he was thinking about. He was at this point looking at the lightsabre that the Garou Moonwalker had given him as a parting gift, wondering exactly what it was and how the Garou had come into possession of it. It was a fabulously ancient relic, the spectrometer stated 4000 years or more, yet it was in superb condition and was of the highest quality workmanship. What made it interesting was the design – it looked like two sabre joined together, with a shearing guard in between, to make it look like the handle of a real metal sword, what was the type called again? Ahhh yes, a claymore. At present, the whole workings of this sabre was exposed so as he could examine them. So far, the Jedi Master had noted it needed a new power supply and also a focusing control, neither of them difficult to get. What would be interesting would be the focusing crystals, as they had been damaged somehow. Crystals for a lightsabre don’t come easily.

Ahhh, the problem was too hard to think about. He needed a drink.

A few minutes later, he was sitting by a window, watching the rain pour down onto the forest outside, while sipping the water bottle. His feet were resting on an old wooden box that had been here when he came and he felt reasonably comfortable and even a bit relaxed, the first time in what felt like years.

Actually he wondered, looking at that very box, what was in it? It was certainly old, not rotten, but maybe not a long way off. It had been well sealed to stop any water getting in and had no lid. Presumably some type of transport container, but why wood when the composites of the day were so much better? His curiosity up, he reached over and was surprised at the box’s weight, requiring far more effort to drag over than it should. He tested one of the wood pieces and then, using the Force, dragged the plank out of it’s position. The rusted nailed screeched (nails? Who uses nails in this day and age?) as they came clear, to reveal what was underneath was metal. A touch left a dent in the metal, thence eh surmised it was lead. He ripped out more planks, leaving one side bare and saw the lead was in fact a wrap

A few more minutes and he finally had the contents laid out on the floor. 5 jewels that shimmered and color shifted in the light (Flamedance stones! Each an absolute fortune!) spare parts for a lightsabre (Now, how did this box know I wanted these bits he thought with a wry smile on his face) a few assorted data cards and finally a largeish object, about 30 centimeters by 20, 3 centimeters in depth. Black leather hard cover on the two largest side, with a connecting piece. Turbogeek examined the strange object before realizing the connecting piece was in fact a hinge and he open the cover.

And turned a page in wonder. A book? An actual, for real book with real pages and handwritten? What in Force….? He had heard of the concept of a book before, but never actually had ever seen one. There was a supposed to be a few examples in the Jedi Museum, but still, in this day of datapads, who would use a book? Turbogeek had some writing skills, but like just about everyone else in the Galaxy, they were rarely needed. In fact, only royality really used handwriting to any great degree now, well at least to his knowledge.

The other odd thing, even though the drawings and sketches were clear, the writing was not. It was in a script he had never seen. Not that it mattered, there was a Jedi power which he could use to read any language. He relaxed, closed his eyes and called on the Force. He re-opened his eyes and the script seemed to have changed, now into Basic. I wonder how many people actually realized there was more to the Force than just reading minds and moving objects he thought. The Force could be put to so many uses if you put your mind to it. He picked one of the creamy white pages at random and began to read.

And read

And read.

It was until his eyes started to sting from eyestrain that he finally closed the book, his mind a whirl. It was a book of knowledge, Jedi knowledge, written by the Jedi he had suspected may have lived here. It’s whole learning had been transcribed in the volume and some learning there was. Ideas. Theories. Detailed sketches for devices. In fact, the last page he had read had an interesting therom he could test. He looked at the lightsabre, still in pieces on the table. Looked at the flamedance gems.

Standing up and placing the book on the table he began to re-read the section again, hardly aware the self doubts and accusing memories had been shoved into the background. For a while anyway

--

Shay Kaylon and Fewdman finished stowing the last item of gear into the cargo hold of Master Yoghurt’s YT-1300 freighter, Fewdman clicking home the last retaining strap before standing up and wiping his brow.

“Right, that it. Lets tell Master Yoghurt we are ready to go. She nodded and both the young Jedi left cargo hold, returning to the main crew area where the other Jedi were also making final preparations to leave. There was a group of six to go, Master Yoghurt who would lead then, Reaperfett, Obiwan2, Nupraptor, Lady Mara Jade and Fewdman. Figrin D’An and Shay Kaylon were to be left behind, Figrin as he was busy with other matters and Shay as she was too important to risk in this venture. They, along with Rmaio were the only Jedi who knew of this venture and they intended to keep it that way. As far as any one else knew, Master Yoghurt was taking the others for a training exercise off planet. Not unusual enough to raise eyebrows, it seemed to be perfect cover. To Fewdman, to also had a ring of truth to it. He would learn how to survive a suicide mission.

His train of thought was broken by Nupraptor coming up the gangplank, shaking the water off his cloak as he did so. “Why did we have to set up on the slimy mudhole? It’s always raining and the mud is everywhere!”

“Slimy mudhole? I would had said something worse. I’ll be glad to get off this ball of rock, especially before I have some weird fungus start growing on me. How could the likes of Yoda like to live in this place?” complained Lady Mara, also coming up the ramp.

“Maybe he didn’t have a lot of choice at the time. Certainly, I don’t understand why we want to set up a Jedi training base here. There must be better places that are a good deal closer to Coruscant than this place that would be more suitable” replied Nupraptor.

“No, it’s because the jungles are full of life and the Force is powerful here” said Reaperfett, coming from the cockpit area.

“Are you trying to be funny? Because if you are, your doing a pretty bad job of it” snapped back Mara.

“No, if I was trying to be funny, I would have said that we were going to make mud packs and open a beauty salon. What you think of that idea? You could be their first customer, not that you need any help being beautiful”. Reaperfett added a leer at the end to add to the comedic effect, a grossly twisted facial expression. Nupraptor put a hand to his face and turned away to hide his grin, while Mara gave Reaperfett the stare of death. She turned to Nupraptor.

“What are you laughing at?” she demanded

“Who me? Ummm… nothing” he said innocently. She glared at him too before storming off, Reaperfett and Nupraptor watched Mara go before collapsing in laughter.

“She really needs to lighten up” gasped Nupraptor, recovering from his laughter.

“I HEARD THAT!”

“What do you think Reaper, good time to make ourselves scarce?”

Reaper kept his face deadpan. “Now, what made you think of that? Come on, we can go check out the weapons turrets”

“Good idea. We’ll probably need to defend ourselves from her. Lets go”

In the cockpit, Master Yoghurt made final checks for take off as Lady Mara, the chosen co-pilot for this journey entered and sat down, glowering like a thunderstorm.

“Ready are we all?” he asked not looking up.

“As long as you can control the clowns, yes. Fewdman and Shay have got the last of the cargo aboard and we seem to have everyone here. Lets get off this miserable ball of mud – and don’t you start about it being your home and all, I don’t want to hear it”

“Hmmm. Keep control of your anger. Calm you must be”

“DON’T give me a lecture now Master Yoghurt. I know all that. It’s just that….” She paused, hardly daring to believe she almost said it out loud.

“Just that? Troubled are? You thoughts dwell on someone”

She sighed. “Damn you. Aren’t my thoughts private?”

“Only if they are no hindrance to you” Master Yoghurt turned his to regard Mara. “Why do you think the way you do, especially as the most time you have ever seen of him was on the other side of sabre and fighting”

“I… I don’t know. It doesn’t seem right but…. I’d rather not talk about it. Not now anyway”

“As you wish”. Master Yoghurt bent over the controls, which in the pilot’s seat had been customized for him, keying for ignition start. The ship trembled slightly as the motors came to life in a dull hum. He also keyed the comm. unit. “Dagobah control, May The Force be With You. Contact you we will when we reach our destination”

The voice of Figrin D’An came through “May The Force Be With You, Master Yoghurt. We will be waiting for your call”

“Gangplank secure, engines running at 90% and increasing” said Mara over the increasing whine of the ship. She flicked the intercom switch “Everyone, strap in. We leaving right now”. Not bothering for acknowledgement, she flicked the intercom off and nodded to Master Yoghurt. “Status board is green. Lets get out of here”

In the passenger area, Reaperfett and Nupraptor finished strapping in next to Obiwan2, while a loud snore came from Fewdman, who was already well asleep.

“Is he always like that?” asked Obiwan2

“No, he usually snores louder,” replied Nupraptor. Obiwan2 shook his head and returned to examining the data pad in his hands.

The freighters repulsorlifts kicked in as the whining became a screech, the ship lifting off the ground slowly, slowly until it was a good 100 meters off the ground, retracting the landing gear and then beginning to move away steadily, beginning to build speed as it gained further height. A few minutes and they were above the clouds that seemed to cover Dagobah from pole to pole. “Sensors register only New Republic craft and the ISD we came on. All clear to go Master Yoghurt” reported Mara.

“Good. Hold on….” The Jedi Master reached forward and moved the atmospheric engines to full power. The YT-1300 began to roar as it picked up speed and more height. A sonic boom shook the ship briefly s Yoghurt juggled speed and atmospheric height. Finally, they were high enough and the atmo engines disengaged for the main sublight, the burst of power crushing all the passengers into their seats until the acceleration compensators caught up. Finally, the nav computer not only beeped it had worked out a course, but also that the freighter was far enough away from Dagobah’s gravity well for the hyperdrive to work. Yoghurt nodded to Mara, who pulled the appropriate levers back.

The YT-1300’s motors glowed with increasing intensity, before with a bang and a flicker of psuedomotion, the craft firstly accelerated and then ripped into the mottled swirl of hyperspace.

“Finally, on our way. How will it take us to get to Harrvi, Master Yoghurt?”

The small green Jedi consulted the nav computer. “47 hours. It would be advised everything is double checked and then… get some rest”

“I will. I’ll tell everyone else the same. Master Yoghurt, are you sure this Paladin will be there when we come? I’d hate for this party to be for nothing if he isn’t”

“Mmmm, be there he will be. Ready however, we must also be. Trouble I foresee in the Force”

“If that’s a vote of confidence in a situation, I’d hate to hear what you say when we’re in trouble. I’ll also get Fewdman to prepare some food, okay?” Yoghurt nodded as she unstrapped. Exiting, she closed the cockpit door behind her. Yoghurt stared out the screen, watching the swirls of blue in front of him, slightly hypnotic. No, it wasn’t exactly the most comforting thing he could say, that was correct. This particular mission was fairly dangerous, yes, but it was not what was concerning him. He had gotten a clear reading of what Lady Mara’s future held afterwards

All he could do was hope that he was wrong.

--

Gregori Paladin still viewed the comm. unit with some suspicion, but it had been two full days since it had been inexplicably been pushed off the table he had placed it on. It wasn’t a suspicion of confusion, but now it was of suspicion the act of it’s fall had opened up a whole new can of dewback entrails that he really wished hadn’t been uncovered. Somehow, somehow he had discovered he had the ability to move small objects with the power of his mind alone. Being a natural sceptic hadn’t exactly helped, but here was undeniable proof. Here was a perfectly ordinary brick, split in half it may have been, but a perfectly normal brick doing something perfectly abnormal – floating 30 centimeters off the ground by command of his mind alone. It was exhausting, but exhilarating at the same time, doing some thing that until two days ago he would have dismissed as totally impossible. One part of his mind actually still tried to argue it was impossible, but facts were facts and having a brick hover in front of his face was hard to argue with.

Three and a half days ago after he had calmed down, he had assessed the facts and had come to a very hard decision that the Force could indeed be real. He had tested it by calming his mind (as the Jedi Yoghurt had suggested – how was he to know that those words would be so important to Paladin, not three hours later?) and found a way to stretch his mind, finding the place of a tiny pebble and moving it’s place to be a meter in the air. Or something like that. He couldn’t really explain it, but after several attempts, it had worked and Paladin had stared in goggled eyed wonder at the tink rock floating as if of it’s own accord. Since then, it seemed his entire belief system had been thrown out to be replaced with something entirely new. Was this the Force the Jedi talked about? What else could he do? How did it work? He was like a child with so many questions that he wanted to have answered at once and he wanted to ask them.

Maybe he could be a Jedi?

How did one become a Jedi? Questions that fortunately he may actually be able to ask soon, for if he had the timing right, the Jedi were soon to arrive. The area Master Yoghurt had said they were going to land was supposed to be about 2 kilometers away, near where in Harrvi a landing area had existed, before the Vog’on had come.

The Vog’on. Hmmmm. He hadn’t seen one since he had dared to go outside again, but it didn’t mean they were not there. He had taken a chance two days ago and investigated the proposed landing area for hiding places and even in the time he spent exposed, he saw nothing living apart from himself. Far from reassuring Paladin, it had done the opposite. Where had the beasts gone? And why had they gone to ground? He would have liked those questions answered before he ventured out today, but of course that had been unlikely to start with.

Thence, he had his possessions packed, lightsabre and blaster fixed to his belt to give maximum access and both were fully charged. He had eaten and drank, pouring the last of his water into a container for later use. Really, there was nothing left for him to do and the time was closing in, so taking one last look around, he deactivated the traps for a final time, picked up the glow rod and pointed it’s beam up the tunnel. This place may have served as his home for a few weeks now, but he was glad to see the back of this hole, for better or for worse. In fact, he had decided to set a twenty minute timer and blow the traps, hopefully destroying this hovel and even creating a distraction to cover his escape, which he set in motion before clambering the rest of the hole and coming up into the mist and gloom that served as daylight around here. One thing he swore was that he was going to get into the most crowded, sunlit area and burn the loneliness and dankness of this place out of his soul. Even just to talk to someone normally would be a blessing.

He moved down onto the street and taking some time to see if there was anything else about, he quietly moved in the direction of the landing area. He used all the stealth he could, maximizing the cover each bit of rubble and debris could give him, never allowing his hand to stray far from his weapon, senses on full alert.

He turned a corner and nearly walked into the back of a Vog’on. He froze as did the beast, both clearly just as surprised by each other. Paladin’s heart seemed to freeze, wondering if he could move fast enough to grab his sabre…

You are also requested to order the Vog’on to leave you alone. You have the authority to do so, so we suggest you use it

Yoghurt’s words came back to Paladin.. Somehow he doubted it would work, but it was at least worth a try, even if it bought him enough time to draw the sabre.

“Go away” He tried to make it sound authorative, but it had sounded whining and pleading. The beast however, actually frowned.

“Whhoooo saysss ssso?”

“I-I-I-i do of course. Stand aside and let me pass”

The Vog’on was clearly backing away to give itself enough room to strike and Paladin turned a hip away, to give his hand more cover to reach for his sabre. “I have orderssss to makeee sssure youuu don’t leaveeee.”

“I am the one who says if I can leave or not! Step aside or by the Omen of…”

The beast, on hearing the word omen, got down and prostrated itself on the ground. Paladin blinked. Yes, the beast was actually now bowing to him, just because he said the word omen? Paladin had meant to say The Omen of G’rrisk, a obscure spacer’s curse, but if this beast reacted to the word omen so strongly….

“By the Omen, I ORDER you to step aside”. This time he found the confidence to put some authority into his voice, but still he could hardly believe it as the Vog’on meekly got up and stepped aside. Paladin stepped gingerly around the beast, noting for the first time just how damn big these things were up close and also vicious looking. He kept facing the creature as he shuffled past.

“And I don’t want you following me, right?”

“Iiii musssstttt, even ifff youuuu orderrr meeee, I haveee no choiceee. Iiiii mussst make ssssure you do not leaveeee”

“No choice? Why is that”

“The Overlorrrddd tellssss me too doooo soo. I mussst obeyyy themmmm and I mussst obeeey youuu asssss you’re a Chosen oneee”. The Vog’on looked distinctly unhappy, again a surprise to Paladin. Maybe he in way over his head, but at least Paladin was good at fast thinking…

“Look, why not come with me then. That way you can watch me, okay? And if your near me, I haven’t escaped now, have I?”

The Vog’on seemed to think about this. “Very well. What do you really have in mind?”

Paladin was about to reply as something odd struck him. “Ummm, your speaking clear basic without all the hissing. Is it a put on?”

“No, you’re a Chosen one. The Force interprets the Vog’on language for us and I am speaking Trh’lii, which is the language we use to speak to ones who are chosen.”

“Your seriously telling me the Force acts as a translator? Just like that?”

“With some help from myself. When you have time, you will be able to do this for yourself, but for now, the Force speaks between us. Now. What do you have in mind?”

“Well, for starters we get a bit further away from here…” Paladin began to think rapidly. He didn’t understand a thing about all of this, but he could certainly seize an opportunity if it presented itself and here it looked like a golden one, even if it was rather bizarre. “Okay, I want to then go to a place about a kilometer away from here. After that, I’ll think of something else, okay?”. The beast nodded, falling in behind Paladin as he recommenced his trek to the site where the Jedi were coming to get him.

What was it the Jedi said? May the Force be with you? However it went, he could certainly see something was with him. Buoyed somewhat, he glanced back at the following Vog’on

“Hey, are there any more of you lot around here?”

“Not near here. Overlords ordered that all of us were to leave you alone until Callista or Over liege came to gather you. Only left myself a two others to make sure you stayed put, but apart from that, you could do as you wanted”

Paladin recommenced walking. “Callista? Who is that?”

The Vog’on kept pace alongside. “Unsure myself. Overleige and her have a deal under the Omens to hand you over, that is all I know and I must respect it.” The final bit was said with a distinct snarl.

“You don’t like that?” asked Paladin

“No. She uses truce of Omens for her own benefit”

“Okay, is this Callista a Chosen one herself”

A snort of derision from the Vog’on. “Hardly. She used a chosen one to manipulate her way into this situation and has us trapped to her bidding now”

“This is beginning to make my head spin” complained Paladin. “It was a lot easier when I just thought everyone was out to get me. So, what your saying is that I some sort of Chosen one and this Callista wants me for her own purposes and has already used another chosen one to get you to do her bidding?” The Vog’on nodded. Paladin was about to continue when he suddenly froze, listening intently. He could have sworn he had heard something…the faint sound wafted back again..

“Do you Vog’on have any space ships?” asked Paladin

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Cant you hear it? There’s the sound of a repulsorlift getting closer” In fact, it was multiple. And fairly big ones by the note. He still had a hour before Master Yoghurt was due, so unless the Jedi was early and had bought multiple ships, he had a sinking feeling something had just gone horribly wrong. Paladin broke into a run, now becoming highly intent on getting to the place he had intended to wait for Yoghurt, still well over a kilometer away. The Vog’on began to trot beside him.

“Where do you need to go?” it asked

“About …. Kilometer” puffed Paladin.

“Give me directions while we move”. With that, the Vog’on picked up Paladin and bounded into a thundering gallop, making great leaps over debris. Paladin squarked in firstly surprise and then in concern as the Vog’on seemingly easily sailed over a 6 meter wall.

“Left… LEFT!… right…. Right…. Up there! Top of the building and stop!” It had hardly taken a minute until Paladin was deposited on top of a building, wide eyed and heart racing and overlooking the landing area. He allowed his heart to settle form the wild ride before speaking again. “Remind me not to catch a speeder driven by one of you lot. How are you able to move like that?”

“We all can”

Paladin shook his head in wonder. NO wonder these Vog’on had been able to wipe this planet out… “How many of you are there? And is this the only place you live”

“There are many clawfuls, more than we have ever counted on this planet. IF we all gather, would be 50,000 maybe. Other places, you are not to know”

50,000 and that had been enough to wipe out what by all reports had been a fairly populated planet, well armed with such speed that almost no-one escaped? Usually a army of millions would have been needed for such a feat, which spoke volumes for the Vog’on ruthlessness. A shift in the dank breeze allowed the wafting sound of repulsorlifts to be heard again, bringing Paladin’s mind back to the problem at hand. He listened for a mew moments and decided they were not really getting closer, but still, by their sound whatever was coming was landing. For a few minutes the noise intensified, before settling back and dying away. Paladin and the Vog’on found a hiding place and laid low, waiting for whatever happened next.

They didn’t have long to wait. The sounds of footsteps began to dully echo as first one or two, then in groups, soldiers ran through the ground mist, spreading out and taking positions. There wasn’t many near where Paladin and the Vog’on could see, but it was enough to get the intent – they were setting up a trap for an arrival. Unless by some horrible co-incidence that it was someone else, the soldiers had come as a welcoming party for Master Yoghurt and whatever else he had. Paladin face must have given it away as the Vog’on said they must have come to prevent Paladin’s leaving.

“I’m not leaving!” protested Paladin

“Don’t try to lie to me, I knew when I saw you that you were expecting rescue from this planet and that it was coming soon”

“Well then, why didn’t you stop me if that’s what you precious Overlords wanted!”

“Simple. You said I could come with you as this would mean you haven’t escaped from me.” A waved claw stopped Paladin from replying “You would be surprised how legalistic we can be. If you make a deal worth us, you had better make sure it’s air-tight else we will use it to our advantage”

“Oh. Well…. “ Paladin came to a quick decision. “Yes, your right. There is a Jedi coming and he should be here soon and I’m expecting him to land right here” Paladin gazed out at the soldiers still setting up below “and it appears someone else does too. Could you…” Paladin face suddenly was buried into the ground as the Vog’on suddenly went prostrate and also dragged Paladin by the hair to the ground. He turned to protest, but instead he froze when the saw the Vog’on make a cutting sign.

“Stay down! Overlord has turned up!”

--

The final troops moved into position as the lizard beast came out a of a particularly dense swirl of mist. It wore a cloak that hid it’s enormous frame that obscured every part of it’s body. The characteristic speech however was all to evident.

“Commanderrrr, issss your mennnn in possssition?”

“Yes sir. Sir are you certain there will be someone coming, apologies for asking?”

“Iiiii amm certainnnn there isssss. I have forsssseen itttt. Doooo nottt reveal yourssselvesss until the boyyyy appearssss. You may destroy hissss rescuerssss, but dooo nott hurrrt the boy or allow himmmm toooo escape”

“Sir, yes Sir!”

“Goooood. I ssshall move away and obsssserve.” The massive cloaked form moved away, leaving the commander to keep going with his work Maybe someone would come, maybe not. It didn’t matter to him, he was just following orders. If no-one came, they would be paid and some one did…. Well, it would just mean he would earn his pay.

--

The Vog’on waited till the cloaked figure was out of sight, before relaxing slightly. “I do not understand this. Why would an Overlord be working with foul weapon carriers?”

“That was one of your leaders? Well, don’t ask me, I don’t know much about you lot at all. How about you tell me?” said Paladin.

“I do not know, but I do know it is not unusual for Vog’on to twist situation for their own benefit. Some how, we must warn your rescuers”

“I’m sorry, but there isn’t a way. They are going to be here soon…. What’s that your holding?”

The Vog’on gave Paladin a ghastly grin. “We took the liberty of disarming your traps a few weeks ago and this here is the detonator. I would suggest a small diversion?”

“You…. knew where I was all along? How..? And how did you disarm everything?”

“All in it’s proper time. We don’t have a lot to do, so here is the idea I have…”. The Vog’on spoke quickly, Paladin listening in growing admiration. Finally the Vog’on finished and Paladin could only agree. With a nod, Paladin allowed himself to be picked up and in a blink, the Vog’on accelerated and leapt out into the mist, on the opposite side of the building to the soldiers, landing and then running off, Paladin clinging to the monsters back

--

Finally, after 4 days, their trip was nearly over and Lady Mara the Jedi were itching to go. She certainly was, she was ready to bite hull metal because of the boredom. Her dress was simple, a military type jumpsuit with her hair tied into a neat bun, lightsabre swinging from a utility belt. She at this time was sitting in the co-pilot’s chair, watching the counter as it moved towards zero and the point for them to revert to real space. The nav computer pinged and with a quick motion of her hand, turned off the hyper drive. The swirls of hyperspace dissipated and the planet leapt into the view plates, to stabilize and loom large as Master Yoghurt banked the freighter for insertion into planetary orbit.

“Is that it?” The voice was young and female. Lady Mara turned at it’s sound

“Of course it is! Do you think we made a diversion just so we could get you a happy meal or something?”

The small girl cringed back in her seat, before gathering her courage “It wasn’t my fault I was asleep when you left! It’s not like I wanted to come or something! You tell her Master Yoghurt, you tell her to stop harassing me!” Fire Hazzard went into a pout and crossed her arms., while Lady Mara groaned and moved to shake some sense into the brat, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder by Master Yoghurt.

“Leave her be. It wasn’t her fault she came with us as I should have remembered Fire Hazzard was asleep in the forward cabin and made sure she was off the ship before we left Dagobah”. That didn’t stop Mara from glaring at Hazzard again before she turned away go back to running sensor scan of the planet. Yoghurt likewise turned away, busy with the actual flying. He did however cast his mind back to the scene when they had discovered the young Jedi Padawan was on board. Master Yoghurt had finished making sure the ship was flying normally before he had exited the cabin and waddling back to the passenger area… and seeing the Jedi gaping as Fire Hazzard had also come into the area from a different direction. Her mind still blurred by sleep and still in a dressing gown, she had asked what was going on and they were flying, not realizing the incredulous looks she was getting. It had finally dawned on her something was wrong.

“Why’s everyone looking at me funny?” she asked

“What the HELL are you doing in here?” Lady Mara had snapped back. From there on, Lady Mara and Fire Hazzard had been at each others throats verbally for the whole, when they were forced to share cabin space, which they both did their best to avoid. As Reaperfett had observed, one fiery tempered red head was bad enough… two of them was a worst nightmare. If they weren’t snapping at each other, they were making everyone else uncomfortable. It was, Obiwan2 observed quite explainable why both Lady Mara and Fire Hazzard felt threatened by the other – Fire Hazzard was just beginning to learn her place in the galaxy and beginning to stretch her wings, while Lady Mara, new to the Jedi was trying to find a place amongst her new allies.

At least it had added a bit of spice to an otherwise dull trip.

In the passenger area, the rest of the Jedi were making final equipment checks. Fewdman re-checked the chiller bag he carried, while Nupraptor ran an internal system check on his bionics. Reaperfett glanced curiously at Fewdman.

“What’s in the bag?”

Fewdman pulled out a frozen trout.

Reaperfett tsked. “You really should use something better than just a fish. Look at this!” With that, Reaperrfett dragged out of his pack a odd looking device.

“What’s that?” asked Obiwan2, eyeing off the device

“A chainsaw! Diamond tip, will cut through anything!”

“And, what is wrong with using a lightsabre Reaper?” asked Obiwan2

“Surprise value! NI!”

“Be a surprise if you don’t get yourself killed” muttered Obiwan2.

--

His vision had finally returned to normal and the headaches were gone, but still he was still kept on this bed, solid binders making sure he could move. But that hadn’t mattered. He had the Force and that was all he needed. He knew Lady Mara was no longer on board, but that in itself no longer mattered. He knew where she would return to and now was the time to make his move, especially as it had seemed the Jedi had relaxed their watch in him. Certainly, any half awake Jedi would never send a human near him, not a Sith with the ability to control the weak minded. And this human, a trooper was just a boy and was indeed weak. It had been no problem taking control, using the boy as a puppet, listening through his ears and using his eyes.

Eventually, he had seen the code to release the binders and in an instant, Jedah Lynch had too. Also, he had learned the defenses, the routines. The people who surrounded him. He had enough information now to make an escape, but he had decided to be patient instead. He had failed before by being hasty, now he would wait and bide his time. He was here for one purpose and he was going to do it.

I’ve waited seven years, he thought. I can wait a few more days. I know she will be back and when she is…

No. He would not think of what he would do. He would firstly wait and conserve his energy and continue to engineer his escape, step by step.

--

The freighter slowed down as the sensors did their work and finally reported back to Lady Mara Jade. She frowned as she examined the results.

“No technology, lots of ruins, the whole planet is encased in mists and cloud. Some life form readings, scattered around the planet. No other spacecraft detected” she announced.

“What about where we intend to land?” asked Master Yoghurt.

“The landing field seems to be clear enough, though at this range we cant tell if there’s anyone waiting, although there is defiantly something alive in the area.” She looked up. “Your call now Master Yoghurt. Do we go for it?”

He nodded. “Alert the others. Approximate landing time is ten minutes”. She nodded, relaying to the others who were now strapped in for the landing. She got an acknowledgement just before she clicked the intercom off. Master Yoghurt set the ship for a narrow angle decent, gently balancing height and speed as he aimed for the landing area, now blinking on the sensor map. He had thought how to approach this for the last few days, especially given the fact that even with modern stealth devices, the noise of the ship would carry some distance and alert anyone in the area. The upside would that it would also alert Gregori Paladin as well. Yoghurt ran the whole plan they had sent to Paladin through his head and also possible scenarios, until he decided on what he though was the best plan of action.

“Mara, we will use Obiwan2’s idea. I’ll land at the highest speed I can with all the rest of us apart from Fire Hazzard, who will be manning the gangplank controls in the cockpit. If Paladin is about, we will rush out to defend him while I keep the ship running and then blast off again, if the coast is clear, we leave Fire inside and close the ship behind us after sending a message to Paladin that we are here, we go mount a search to see if Paladin is about. The maximum amount of time we stay is two hours. Fine?”

“Sounds okay to me Master Yoghurt. The faster we get this done the better I will like it. I’m beginning to get a bad feeling about this”

Yoghurt made a small grunt and concentrated on his flying, but still he had the memory of the hint in the Force of Lady Mara’s future and once again he hoped that he was wrong. He continued to guide the freighter down, until the point where he extended the landing gear and then using the repulsorlifts to swoop down, with the gangplank already extended and the other Jedi hanging on around the exit as the craft screamed to a stop and thumped hard onto the ground. Almost before the ship stopped moving, Obiwan2 was outside, sabre lit and already scanning the area with his eyes and mind. Reaperfett followed and join his fellow Jedi Master.

“You sense anything?” he asked

“Obiwan2 frowned. “I’m not really sure. There does appear to be someone about, but where I can’t tell. They are on the edge of my sensing range however. Apart from that, I think we are in the clear. I’ll go have a bit of a better look around, okay?”

“Sure, but stay in sight of the ship”

“Ha, that’s not far, especially in this mist” replied Obiwan2, as he began to move. Reaperfett shrugged and waited for the Nupraptor and Fewdman to come down the ramp. Inside, Master Yoghurt finished instructing Fire Hazzard in the controls of the accessway and also of the underside swivel blaster. He got up and a half minute later, he joined Lady Mara, Nupraptor, Fewdman and Reaperfett, all who had weapons drawn and all who were waiting near the end of the ramp. They waited until Fire Hazzard closed the accessway, before Fewdman looked quizzically at Master Yogurt.

“Where to now, green dude?”

“Where is Obiwan2?” Yoghurt replied

“Over here!” A shadow moved as Obiwan2 waved, hardly more than a black blur in the mist.

“Mmm, stay together we must. I feel we should go in this direction” the small Jedi Master pointed with his stick outwards.

“Why there Master?” asked Fewdman

“Something is over there” said Yoghurt. “Stay together now and be ready”

As if we needed anyone to remind us of that! Thought Fewdman

--

The Jedi had spread out into a line, moving slowly and carefully. There had been very little talk as they moved further and further away from Yoghurt’s spacecraft.

Finally back on top of the building they had firstly been on, Gregori Paladin and the Vog’on were watching carefully as a small breeze blew the mists enough for Gregori to be able to see about 100 meters. 6 figures were moving in the distance, which Paladin could only surmise were the Jedi.

“Ready?” he whispered to the Vog’on. A nod was his reply. Paladin gripped the trigger of the remote detonator, allowing the Jedi to get closer….75 meters…. 50….40..30…20…10…

“NOW!!”

BOOM!

With shocking suddenness, a flowering blossom of flame blew from near one of the hidden trooper’s position, showering them and also the astonished Jedi in debris. Exclamations of surprise from the troops rang out as a second explosion ripped a building>

“GET COVER!” yelled Reaperfett as utter chaos broke out. Troops were yelling or screaming, explosions were ringing out and the first blaster shots directed at the Jedi arced over their heads as they ducked behind any cover they could find. A blaster shot pinged off one of Nupraptor’s boots as he desperately dived for a ditch.

“OWWWW! Get off me you maniac!” yelled Fewdman, now sorting a nice cut to his face from where Nupraptor had landed on him.

“What you think I did that deliberately? Shove…. “ A missile screeched above their heads, exploding and showering them with dirt” “….over! You think I actually wanted to be in here with you??!?”

“No, I thought you wanted to be shot at, Bantha boy! Just don’t elbow me like that! What the hell is going on?!?!” exclaimed Fewdman

“Well, I would say there is a full blown ambush going down and we are the invited guests. What in the Force did you think is going down, a cosmetics party?”

“Yeah great” Fewdman bounced up with lit sabre to deflect a blaster shot straight back into the chest of the shooter, before ducking back down again. “All we need now is some rain to really make it miserable” A fat drop of water splattered onto the ground next to the Jedi, followed by a few more. I a few seconds, a downpour swept into the fighting zone. Nupraptor’s eyes burned into Fewdman’s face. “Don’t look at me!” he yelled, ducking another shower of dirt, “It’s not my damn fault!”

“Yeah, but it will be if we stay here. You ready?” Fewdman nodded. “Good, On the count of three, we make a break for it…1…2…” A grenade dropped into the trench. The Jedi reacted instantly, leaping with all their Force power upwards as the grenade exploded right below them. The landed out of harms way, sabres’ lit and already deflecting blaster shots

“What happened to three?” yelled Fewdman

“Oh SHUT UP!” yelled back Nupraptor.

From the top of their building, Paladin and the Vog’on watched as the explosions lit the area apart, the Jedi’s swift reaction and the troopers beginning to fight as they began to target the Jedi. The Vog’on nodded to Paladin, who pulled out his blaster ad began to rake the positions of the troopers from behind and above with blaster shots. Not many were effective, but the added confusing, along with the Jedi regrouping now meant the time for making a break was ripe.

“Okay, lets go!” said Paladin. The Vog’on bowed down as Paladin clambered aboard the back of the beast. A piece of rope he used to hold on to, as the Vog’on gathered itself, leaped up and out, landing right in the middle of a trooper’s position. Paladin rolled off the back of the beast, coming up to one knee, firing for all he was worth. The Vog’on, kicked, then sweeped it’s tail into the chest of a howling soldier, smashing the human through a wall. Paladin would have to admit, without the Vog’on he would never have been able to survive this attack, but with the beast, he was hardly more use than to pick off the survivors of the Vog’on’s rush.

Reaperfett punched a soldier, then swiveled, his lightsabre barely tugging as he cut the soldier in two. Out of the corner of his eye, he could hardly believe his eyes as he saw a lone human, riding a huge lizard appear, the lizard moving on to wipe out soldiers as the human shot whoever survived. Using the Force to guide his hands, he ducked and ran to the human, who firstly aimed at Reaperfett’s head, then lowered his blaster when he saw Reaper had a sabre and was most likely a Jedi.

“Are you Gregori Paladin?” He yelled over the racket of another blaster shot being deflected.

“Yes! Are you here to get me?”

“No, the soldiers appear to be out to get us. We want you to come with us! Ready to go?”

“Please! Lets go, they may have reinforcements!”

A person jumped up with blaster in hand, only to be king hit by a thrown frozen trout, Fewdman using the Force to retrieve the fish. Nupraptor raised his eyes to the heavens, wondering what he had done to be lumped with an idiot. He saw Reaperfett and anther human – Paladin? – run past, followed by a huge beast. Nupraptor stepped u to give them cover, while yelling out to the other Jedi. “Master Yoghurt! Reaper’s got Paladin, lets get out of here!”

Yoghurt, fighting with Obiwan2 and Lady Mara paused a second to view the escaping trio, nodded. He grabbed his comm. unit and switched it on. “Fire Hazzard! Coming back we are, open the hatch!” He didn’t wait for an acknowledgement, before waving to the other Jedi. “Cover them! Let’s get back to the ship! Go, Go!”. No-one had to be told twice.

--

Fire Hazzard had drifted off, seated in the co-pilot’s chair. The cabin was warm and also a bit stuffy, hence she fold sleep easy. Hence she had missed Master Yoghurt’s call, sleeping until a sudden boom on the view port jolted her away. Another one, this time on the hull bought her attention fully. Puzzled, she leaned forward

BANG!

A blaster shot splattered into the view port right in front of here and she screamed in startled fright as another shot joined the first. What? Who is shooting at me?! A few figures suddenly appeared, coming from the fog and she suddenly realized =- it wasn’t her, but the returning Jedi! But Yoghurt hadn’t called…

“Oh my, he must have called when I was snoozing!” she exclaimed. Hurriedly, she punched the down ramp control, hoping she wasn’t too late. The ramp shuddered once and failed to open.

Reaperfett skidded to a stop just where the ramp was on the ship. Perplexed to see the ramp still up, he ran to the front of the ship and seeing Fire Hazzard, eh signaled wildly. “OPEN THE RAMP!!!” he yelled.

She couldn’t hear him, but she could quite well understand his intent. She began to desperately try the controls again and when they still didn’t work, she signaled wildly. “IT’S NOT WORKING!!!” she screamed. Reaperfett looked puzzled, trying to work out what she was gesturing, before he finally understood. By this time, Master Yoghurt and the others had also arrived, sabres flashing as they deflected blaster bolts.

“Master Reaperfett, you not onboard?” yelled Master Yoghurt over the noise.

“The ramp! Fire Hazzard can’t make it work! Is there any other way onto the ship!” he yelled in return

“Cant make the ramp….?” Master Yoghurt turned and looked quickly, not only seeing the ramp was not only still up, but Fire Hazzard, crying in frustration at the stubborn ramp that still wouldn’t work for her. The Jedi Master turned back to block a blaster bolt. “Oh no. Now trouble we are in. No other way onto ship”

“Don’t you have a maintenance entrance?!?!”

“No, work it is not either”

Reaperfett cursed. “Great. Just great. Now what to we do?”

Obiwan2’s answer was to strike the underside of the ramp with his sabre, beginning to cut the ramp in half. The Vog’on grasped the piece as it was cut, and savagely bent it downwards after Obiwan2 had cut enough to weaken the ramp. “Master Yoghurt! Your ship, get onboard and start this thing up and get us out of here!” he bellowed. He ducked as one blast got too close for comfort, striking the ship and throwing sparks everywhere. Obiwan2 grimaced a some of the sparked burnt through his cloak and ended up on his skin, but he still stepped forward as Master Yoghurt made the leap up. He keyed for the inner airlock to open, then made the dash to the cockpit, where Fire Hazzard turned around, a look of relief on her face.

“Master Yoghurt! I tried but it didn’t work! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! It didn’t work!” she cried.

“Worry yourself not about that now. Go to ramp and help others aboard!” She obeyed and he quickly threw power to the systems, bringing the ship off standby to full ready mode. Noting the engines were ready, he threw power to the repulsorlifts and also punched the underside swivel cannon. He selected the general target area, then opened fire.

Nupraptor coolly became tail end Charlie as the others leaped onboard, until Reaperfett was the only one left to board. The soldiers were getting closer, despite the swivel cannon raking their ranks and were giving Nupraptor no chance to drop his guard for long enough to climb on.

“Come on Nup, lets get out of here!” yelled Reaperfett.

“Get on board and tell them to take off! Don’t worry, I’ll be all right!” yelled back Nupraptor. “Quickly, while I can still hold them of!” Reaperfett paused and then decided to do as his fellow Jedi said. He too leaped up the ramp and coming into the recreation area he yelled out to Master Yoghurt. “TAKE OFF! GO!”

Master Yoghurt didn’t need a second invitation. Throwing power to the lifts and blasting the ship skywards.

Outside, Nupraptor heard the lifts come on and backed towards the ramp. At the very last second, he grabbed hold of the ramp’s edge as the ship lifted, dangling by one hand. The spacecraft lifted quickly as Nupraptor threw his sabre onboard, then prepared to drag himself onboard. He was about to do so when one final blaster shot hit the ramp’s edge, throwing sparks in his face. In pure reflex, he let go and almost as quickly, realized his mistake. He scrabbled, but to his horror, he missed the edge and began to fall…

He jerked to a stop and he felt his cloak tighten painfully. He looked up and saw the Vog’on had caught his cloak, then with a heave, the beast dragged Nupraptor onto the ramp and then continued to drag the Jedi inside. Reaperfett waited until they were fully inside, before closing and arming the inner airlock. A light showed the ship had space integrity and at that point, Master Yoghurt stood the craft on it’s tail and kicked in the sublight drive. The ship blasted for the sky like a missile, throwing everyone onboard who was not strapped in hard onto the back walls. In less than a minute, the ship was hauling out of the atmosphere and driving with all it’s speed for deep space.

“By the Force… that was too close” gasped Nupraptor. He untangled himself from the Vog’on and Reaperfett, before coming up into a seating position, his heart racing with the adrenaline of the narrowness of his escape. The Jedi bowed his head, still catching his breath before looking up and seeing for the first time the beast that had saved him from falling. Having only heard stories, to be this close to a Vog’on and the intense Dark Side presence they had was certainly giving him food for thought. The Vog’on returned the searching stare, before reaching out and touching Nupraptor on the cheek, then making what sounded like was bird calls. Reaperfett and Nupraptor both frowned in puzzlement, before a voice spoke.

“The Vog’on asks what are you. It’s says it can’t see you properly”

The voice was of a young man, dirty, clothes torn. About 6 foot tall, thin and oddly accented Basic. Nupraptor addressed the newcomer.

“You are this Gregori Paladin, no doubt. You can understand this Vog’on?”

“I don’t know how, but I can.” The Vog’on chirped again, Paladin listening for a second before translating “It says that it can’t see you and that’s the reason why it saved you. It wanted to find out more why you don’t seem to exist except when really close like now”

Don’t seem to exist? There were a few women who acted like that was the case to them, but this beast only saved him because of some curiosity value? “Ummm, tell the Vog’on I have no idea what it means”

The beast twittered, which meant to Nupraptor it understood Basic perfectly. Paladin translated again “You didn’t exist to it until you were 10 feet away and then only as a shadow. If it doesn’t concentrate it cant see you at all. It also apologies if it seems callous it would only save you because it was curious, but that’s it’s way” Paladin shrugged. “By the sounds of it, your lucky as I can quite well believe these things would do something like that. Personally, I would have tried to grab you, especially after you people came to get me. Who do I have to thank for getting off that dump?”

“Well, I’m Jedi Knight Nupraptor and this is Jedi Master Reaperfett. Who’s your friend?”

“I actually don’t know, I never really had the time to ask” The Vog’on gave a quick whistle and what sounded like a laugh. “It says it’s name to the weapons bearers is not to be known, but to the Jedi, he is Fregge. I can tell you, they have some weird as religious thing about weapons, something about unclean. Apart from that I don’t really know much myself”.

“Fair enough. Well, lets go and take you to meet the rest of the Jedi, then get you a set of clothes. Sounds good?” asked Reaperfett.

“And a steak? I could kill for one of those” exclaimed Paladin.

“Yes, that too. Come on now..” Reaperfett steered the youngster towards the living area, Nupraptor and the Vog’on who had now gotten behind. The beast couldn’t contain a grin as it moved forward

It worked.

--

The troops kept firing as the craft lifted, then ceased fire as it rocketed out of sight. A quiet came over the area as the soldiers viewed the escaping craft. Crunching footsteps broke the silence and a quiet voice, coming from the depths of a hood could be heard. The Commander turned in fear.

“I thought you were capable of keeping Paladin on the ground while I was gone.” The voice came out flat, a small hint of anger.

“M-m-y-y Lord, they had help from these beasts! I though you said they would not interfere!” stuttered the Commander

The cloaked figure towered over the Commander. “Your perfectly correct. They didn’t interfere” The sounds of running and then screams and thuds broke out as a wave of Vog’on seemed to explode from the mist, overwhelming and killing all the soldiers. Hardly any of them had a chance to defend themselves from the onslaught. The Commander whirled around in fright as the beasts ran past and seeing his men killed, he turned in absolute fear before a hand lashed out, massive and reptilian, needlelike fingers used like daggers as Bill Borg’gaes ripped out the heart of the Commander in one move. The lifeless body slid to the ground as Borg’gaes allowed the organ to hit the ground with a wet splat. He whistled once and the massed Vog’on ran to the signal.

“Are they all dead?” He asked

“Yes they all are” Hwgri replied in the Vog’on tongue. Borg’gaes lifted his hands and removed his hood, revealing his face. Hands that were barely one step beyond claws came back down.

“Fregge is onboard the Jedi ship?” asked Borg’gaes in the same tongue.

“Yes my Lord. The Jedi won’t suspect a thing”

“Good. Call the clans together, it is time we discussed developments. The time of the Omens is truly on us and it is now we are to be ready. Declare the time of Miro’so’ft is upon us. Now, go”

The other Vog’ons bowed, leaving Bill Borg’gaes, unbeknown to anyone but the Vog’on, the Overlord and ruler of the lizard beasts

He flexed his hand, not for the first time examining the differences that set him aside from himself and the normal Vog’on, enough however to make them look different and hence gave Borg’gaes the opportunity to move around as another lizard species.

Callista, you were a fool, You never saw what I really was. But soon, soon you will see. Soon all shall see who I and the Vog’on really are. The time of the Omens was now, the Four had been found and Fregge would watch them. The time of Micro’so’ft was now and the Vog’on were ready

He closed his hand into a fist, squeezing in shut tightly.

And there will be no mercy.

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

(View count at posting = 49)



How many days had he been here?

Did he care anymore?

He knew he hadn’t shaved in a few days. He knew he only ate and drank when his body demanded it. Sleep was only to be had sparingly. His eyes were now used to the darkness of the cave as he lived only by a low powered glowrod. The bench he was at had been carved out of the rock wall years before, The seat was an old wooden device, spindly but strong which had seen better days, the drip of water echoed in the depths where he could not see. There was a small breeze that kept the air fresh and reminded him there was still a world above the depths of this cave.

He no longer cared. The Jedi Master Turbogeek was putting all his energy into the lightsabre and it was all that mattered to him right now.

Since he had found the instructions to do what he was attempting, he hadn’t been able to think of anything else. Arcane artifacts and knowledge always fascinated him, reminders of an age long gone when the Jedi were far more numerous and their powers and knowledge were at their maximum. So much had been lost, so much that could never be replaced, like the ability to create a weapon truly of the Force. The lightsabre was the closest anyone could get as the sabre itself was to align the focusing crystals and the power arrays, plus the craft of the crystals in the first place. It was truly difficult, but it was nothing compared to this.

The Athona, the lightsabre that had been given as a gift by the Garou to Turbogeek was much more than he had suspected until now. A non Jedi could use this sabre as a sabre, but a true Jedi could do more, much more. The handle was imbibed with the Force itself, alive as it were although Turbogeek that was not literally possible. Still, the ancient beckoned to him, it fascinated him, diverting his mind from the doubts and anxiety that had come into his life. The Athona had given him a purpose.

He was going to see this blade come alive again

The flamedance crystals shined with their own light as he crafted the gems into the designs he wanted. The power supply was tooled to plug into the ancient supply points and the blade length adjustment tuned. He kept in the Force, allowing it to guide his hands as he inserted the final crystal and began to close the body of the weapon up. The last clip snapped into place and now he took the emitter, water proof unlike most sabres, placing it on the end of the sabre. A quick wrist twist and the emitter fixed into place as he slowly relaxed.

He actually found his hands trembling as he raised the weapon into the air and with some trepidation, pressed the ignition button. Nothing happened.

“Huh?”

Puzzled, he held the handle to head level, beginning to review what he could have done. Where had he made a mistake? Luckily, if there was a mistake the sabre hadn’t exploded…. Hadn’t exploded? That was the only thing that happened if there was something wrong. He must have put into a discharged power cell. He flicked the power level indicator, but it responded with a cell full light.

He used the Force to examine the internals of the handle and saw nothing wrong. Turbogeek was about to stop his examination when he noticed something. The points where his mind had touched the handle were now glowing gently. A idea, based on the little he knew of this weapon came to mind, he closed his eyes and imagined the blade coming to life due to his mind alone.

The sabre came to life, the red blade extending to it predefined length. Turbogeek opened his eyes and almost wished he hadn’t, the blade’s fierce glow was too much for a set of eyes used to little light. Slowly he allowed his eyes to adjust and when he did, the full effect of the flame stones on this sabre could be seen…

The sabre’s colors danced, shifting from red to blue, to yellow to green in a evenly timed pulse that was almost mesmerizing to watch. He stared in fascination for some time, until he used the Force to turn the weapon off. The handle glowed, faded and the shimmering, dancing blade dissolved into nothingness. The Jedi Master blinked at the sudden darkness as he allowed his eyes to adjust again.

It had been spellbinding. Ti see this weapon, after days of effort live again…. It was a feeling he couldn’t describe. It felt like he was touching history, times gone so long ago, not even legends existed from them anymore, not even history books recorded the deeds anymore. But still, the past reached out to touch the Jedi Master and he knew that, given what his mind was going through, that he would not – could not be the same again.

“It’s time you were not the same”

The voice was horribly unexpected and the Jedi nearly jumped in fear, turning with haste and mentally summoning the Athona to life. He saw no-one.

“Here I am”

The voice sounded from behind him, spinning him around. This he saw the speaker – a shimmering figure, dressed in Jedi robes, tall and bearded. Turbogeek mentally switched the sabre off, the blade retracting and going out as the Jedi calmed down and examined the figure carefully. It wasn’t any Jedi he had ever known.

“I’ve known one Jedi that has done this after he’s died and your not Atreyu. Who do I have the honor of addressing?” asked Turbogeek

“My name is Qui Gon Jinn, Jedi Master” Turbogeek frowned. It was never a name he had heard before, while the specter continued “I’ve been watching you for a long time Master Q’Dunn, a very long time”

“I guess you don’t really like what you see, else you wouldn’t have come here. Don’t blame you really, apart from this sabre, I haven’t really done well lately” He placed the Athona on the work table and sat down on the chair. “So, who else is coming to have it out with me. Is that Master Yoda also listening?”

“I know you have always wished you could speak to Yoda, yes he listens, but no, it’s not appointed for him to ever appear to you” The ghostly Jedi smiled “We are very much alike, you and I. We both act before we think and we are also too closely aligned with the Living Force. I too defied Councils and walked my own way. I however was never a Dark Jedi like you were”

“I wish it never was like that. Maybe I wouldn’t be here if I had been found and trained as a Jedi first. Things would have been much different”

“And I would be speaking to someone else. If it wasn’t you, then others would have taken your place. You must understand, if the Force has for you to do something, you will do it. You are familiar with the story of Anakin Skywalker?”

“Darth Vader? Yeah, I am. It’s like a cautionary tale for Jedi to warn us of what can happen if we fall to the Dark Side”

“Anakin’s fall and eventual redemption was unavoidable. It was foretold and he was the Chosen One. I just never understood that it had to go like it did. The Jedi were destroyed, the Galaxy came into chaos… and Balance was returned in the end. It was the will of the Force”. Qui Gon paused. “But to tell you old tales that you may be familiar with was not the reason I came. I came to give you a warning”

“A warning? For myself or the Jedi?”

“For you. Powerful you are, but the Jedi Council promoted you to Jedi Master too early, for your not ready to bear the burdens you carry. For now, you have to put them aside and be ready. Your about to be truly tested and you must be ready. Sitting here and moping about isn’t going to help you my friend. You must be ready when the time comes and that time is coming soon”

“Can you te….. Qui Gon? Hey, come back here!” Turbogeek turned around, looking for the now gone specter. He also used the Force to look, but after he had done a scan of the area, he realized he was alone again. Somewhat frustrated, he stood up and picked up the lightsabre he had been worked on. Maybe it was all a dream he thought, Maybe he had been concentrating too hard and allowing his mind to get too tired. Certainly, he had been under a lot of stress.

Still, whatever had happened, the specter had said something true. The was something big about to happen and like it or not, Turbogeek was going to be right in the middle of it.

“No.. I don’t want to be part of it anymore. Cant someone else take this burden and carry it?”

The was no answer, not that he was expecting one. He continued to walk out of the cave and into the moonlight outside. The fresh air mangled with the smell of his own sweat and he realized he needed a shower and a real sleep. Maybe if he got both of those, then Jedi Masters from the past wouldn’t be appearing in front of him. Maybe.

The walk back to the hut he had made his home was a long and thoughtful one that night

He arrived at the hut, got clean and flopped into the bed exhausted. His mind was already in sleep as his head touched the pillows and in time he dreamed. He hardly realized he had this dream before, the difference being that this time it was going to play through to the finish and once again, his subconscious listen to what the Force had to say to him…..

The place had become some version what others called Hell. He would have agreed if he only understood at the time Hell was a place of punishment, for was punishment in the extreme….

To see the world he had called home, it’s people his friends, the natural beauty and seas, all being wiped out by a surge of evil, a wave of the Dark Side called Vog’ons, all unleashed on this unsuspecting planet all because he had not done the bidding of Callista and killed the family of the Governor. But how could he? The Governor had done nothing wrong, only had denied Callista the right to some land she wanted. For that, she had deemed him and his family worthy of death and ordered Venom to execute them. What she never counted on was Venom having a crisis of belief, unable to deliver the deathblow to a sleeping 7 year old because he realized how wrong it all was, how wrong his whole life had been. Venom had left, leaving the family alive and Venom doing some serious soul searching that evening. He had sworn to throw his sabre away, to deny the Force forever and become a nothing, an ordinary person. He had began to sink into the life of the ordinary when the Vog’on came to finish his job off.

He had found out later Callista had ordered them to do what was necessary to destroy the family. They had taken her words literally and decided the whole planet had traces of this family - not that Callista ever corrected or tried to stop them. Venom also found out she had encouraged her charges, in the mistaken belief she was controlling them.

I’ve had this dream before, he thought.

This time however, it didn’t start where it usually did, at the point where the Vog’on had commenced their initial attack. This time, it started where he watched the Governor’s ship leave and Q’Dunn knowing that at least he had saved someone from this destruction. He realized he hardly ever dreamed this part. In some part of his mind, he wondered what the reason for that could be….

The Vog’on were massing for another attack, when the ship motors howled and with a blast of air, moved upwards. The Vog’on tried to leap, but were cut down by an even faster moving Q’Dunn, lightsabre blazing as he stopped the last ditch attempts of the beasts to stop the Governor’s escape. The freighter roared and powered out the hangar doors, making good its escape into the sky. Q’Dunn yelled in victory and ran for outside as well, the Vog’on not in sufficient numbers to stop him. He continued to run as he watched the ship disappear, with some of the beasts hot on his heels. A well dropped Detonator fixed the chasers.

He continued to use the Force to speed his feet, eventually coming to a building that looked like a bomb had hit it. Rubble was strewn everywhere and the bodies of Vog’on victims littered the area. Sadly, the Vog’ons had been through here and thence would not be back as their handy work had been complete. Q”Dunn himself was fairly certain he hadn’t been followed, but it was good to be certain, especially in a situation where there was no second chances. He hid for a few minutes, carefully scoping out the area with the Force and with his own senses . Nothing. No Vog’on, no other lifeforms within his range. Getting up, he ran for the building, going through the destroyed doors, finding the stairs, he began to make his way up to the roof.

The roof door fell open as he cut it off it’s mounting points. Q’Dunn strode out, the breeze starting to get rid of the stench of death that the building was already starting to possess. Not surprising, it was probably quite a few hours since the Vog’on were here- maybe even more than a day - by the evidence and this day was hot. It was in fact one of the reasons for coming up here, lower risk of a decomposing body. Also less risk of a Vog’on coming here and raising the alarm.

Sitting down in the shade he started to think of what he was going to do next. Maybe it was foolishness to stay behind, but he had made a promise to Thomas Paladin to try and find his remaining family if they were alive. Two children and Paladin’s wife and only a picture to go from, they were probably 10’s of kilometers away in a city where anyone with any sense had gone into hiding and most likely dead, knowing the efficiency of the Vog’ons with such matters. Still, there was something in the back of his mind that told him that this was important and he had to find out their fate.

But for now, he needed to think and plan, maybe even rest a while. The thing at the back of his mind at told him that he didn’t have a lot of time, which he could agree with. Even with his abilities in the Force, he would be found eventually… and then what? Be killed? Hauled back to face Callista? Be forced back to the Dark Side? He didn’t know and he wasn’t really keen to find out. But first, he needed some rest.

The splatter of a raindrop woke him up. Using a technique he had learned to wake himself fast, he saw it was now nearly full dark and much cooler. The breeze was still fresh, but he knew that wouldn’t last much longer, not with uncountable beings dead. Not a real cheery thought. He put his helmet on, turning on the infra-red visual enhancers and stepped up his own hearing in the Force. But even then, all he could hear was his own footsteps and his own movements. The whole place was so unnaturally silent and still it was unnerving.

He reached the street again, exiting the building with a silent thanks. The place, even with his filters on was beginning to truly stink and the sight of all the dead would have crushed weaker men. Outside in the street it was better, but still with bodies beginning to bloat from the hot sun, it was not wise to breathe in too deeply.

Deciding there was no point in concealment with nothing to see him, Q’Dunn hotwired a speeder bike, a basic model but with more than enough speed if he needed it. The bike’s roar filled the air, making Q’Dunn wince as it sounded so harsh after the silence. Turning, he gained some height and headed south, back in the direction of the Governor’s residence. It stood to reason that Paladin’s family would have been nearby. The next place he could look would be near the hangars as that was where Calheima had turned up.

It didn’t take long to reach the residence, not on the bike. There were some fires still burning from battle that had happened around here and there was still the occasional explosion and sound of blaster fire in the distance. Q’Dunn paused as he saw an explosion light up the sky in the distance. Amazing. There was still people who lived? That said a lot for the defenders and their arms stores. He would have given no-one any chance to survive this long, hence that would be the direction he would go.

Not far away, a weary defense group still fought, but in their own minds they knew they were beaten. For every beast they shot, three more took it’s place. The only saving grace so far was that the beasts had no weapons – not that it mattered in the end. They were incredibly hard to kill, fast beyond understanding and their claws and scorpion tails as lethal as the fabled lightsabre.

“Sir, we really cant survive another massed attack. We don’t have enough missiles and ammo left”

A sigh. “Then we sell our lives as dearly as we can. You go what these beasts did to our families, lets give some back to them!”. Some nodded wearily, a few who were furious gave a “Hell yeah!”. Most were resigned, fearful. No one really wanted to die, but there was no choice. A few women and children huddled in the center of the group which in total was a few hundred, probably the last people left in the area. They had all survived the initial wave, banding together when it was clear hiding didn’t work. Picking up weapons and being lead by a square jawed New Republic officer, they had been more effective than anyone else – which didn’t really mean much in the end. Against a normal foe they may have stood a chance, but against these beasts…?

A roar came. The defenders stood ready as the Vog’on made ready to attack..

Q’Dunn saw the gathering of the attack. He had leaped off the bike, coming to ground not far from the Vog’on who were concentrating on marshalling for their attack. He saw they were in a group, decided that he had to do something. An idea came to his head and not pausing to wonder if a Jedi should do what he was planning, he closed his eyes and touched the Force, gathering it’s power to him, becoming a focal point. The tip of his finger glowed and a small flame shot up, dancing as it began to float in the air

One of the defenders was a small youth, barely 13 years old and unbeknown to him or anyone else, Force sensitive. A hint of danger came to him and a image, frightening in it’s vividness invaded his mind. With certainly, he knew the image was about happen.

“Get DOWN!” Gregori Paladin yelled, scrambling back to pull his sister into the dubious shelter of a rubble pile. Other defenders instinctively ducked…

The flame moved, still small but it’s glow was intensifying. Q’Dunn opened his eyes as his mind continued to push, to shape, to mold. The flame moved a foot by his will. Nearly there…

The Force became a hammer and his will a needle. He slowly stood, howling as the power tried to be released. The Vog’on, too late responded to the noise…

His head snapped straight as his eyes stared, fully open at the Vog’on His will issued the final command and his hand pointed.

The flame danced and then streaked at the Vog’on. Q’Dunn focused the Force at the flame and released it’s power straight at the fire, commanding the Force energy to do as he wanted. His mind was the hand, the Force was the hammer, the flame the needle and the focal point…

The flame stopped right in the middle of the grouped Vog’on and right at that point the Force was released. The flame became a ball…

The ball became larger..

The ball exploded in a wall of fire.

The defenders, barely had time to take cover before the shock wave caught anyone who didn’t have adequate cover. The Vog’on, grouped and exposed didn’t stand a chance.

The dust of the blast barely settled as flaming debris landed everywhere, causing the defenders to duck and run for cover anew. The night was lit by fires as combustibles caught alight and sometimes secondary explosions added their own destruction. The commander of the defenders could only stare in wonder at their unexpected turn in fortunes. “What in blazing hells was that?!?!” he exclaimed.

No-one answered. N-one could answer as out of the explosion area, with flames licking his boots, black armor reflecting the red glare and lightsabre blazing. Riveted the motley group of humans watched as the vision came to them.

“Oh my…it’s a Jedi!” exclaimed one woman.

“I hope there is more than one of them, as we are going to need all the help we can get if we are to live” replied the commander. The Jedi came closer, before he spoke

“Who is your leader?”

“I am” replied the commander

“Who are you?”

“Captain James T. Tohmahawk, New Republic infantry. I was here on assignment before these monsters turned up and basically started doing as they wanted. Mister Jedi, are there more like you? Has the Council come, cause I think that’s the only thing that can stop this world from being destroyed completely”

“I’m it Tohmahawk and the Council wont be coming. All communications were cut before these things started their work in earnest. Right, everyone, we are sitting dewbacks if we wait here for more Vog’on to show. Tohmahawk, arrange you men in the best possible way for a defensive position. I want all those who cant fight to be in the center and I want us undercover before sunrise. Clear?”

“Where’s any cover, Mister Jedi? I’ve been looking for some all day”

“Either that or we find a way out of here. Any suggestions?”

“There is a landing pad the Vog’ons shuttles landed at, that look space worthy. We can use them”

Q’Dunn had a quick think. “Dangerous as the presence of Vog’on will be likely. But probably the only way we can get off this rock. Five minutes and then we head out in that direction. I’ll go ahead and scope the area out, you Tohmahawk, get your people to within 500 meters and find cover”

“Ummm, they’re not my people…”

“They are now. Am I clear?”

Tohmahawk looked reluctant. Q’Dunn lowered his voice so that the soldier could only hear. “They looked to you before I came Tohmahawk. You must know that I cant protect them all, so you have to make sure they can at least do so for a short time. Understand me?”

The soldier blew out his breath. “Yeah, I guess I do. It’s just…It’s been hard watching people die that I’ve been responsible for Mister Jedi. They don’t teach you that at Military school. I’d rather not have that burden on me”

Q’Dunn clapped a hand on Tohmahawk’s back in support. “I know, but if anyone is to survive, you have to do it. If one person lives because you took a stand, it’s worthwhile. Now soldier, be ready to move when I say so”. Tohmahawk still not reassured but with no option, nodded. The Jedi ran back to where his speeder bike was, started it and flew over to where Tohmahawk was marshalling people.

“I’m going ahead. You remember what I asked of you” Tohmahawk nodded. “Good. Follow me in two minutes”. Not waiting for a reply, Q’Dunn hit the accelerator and blasted off in the direction of where the landing craft were supposed to be.

The landing area wasn’t well lit, but he could see enough to see Tohmahawk was right. There was several craft that light be used and even better, human guards. Not expected, but a welcome break. There was the odd Vog’on, but not enough to present an impossible barrier. If they got here without being detected and also made the dash from close range, most should be able to make the closest shuttle.

He circled back to the area he had told Tohmahawk and his group to wait, to find them well hidden. Q’Dunn briefed the group and counted heads. 114. It would be a tight squeeze for one craft, but that’s all they had people who could fly for. The instruction was to guard the two pilots at all costs as without them they wouldn’t be able to leave the ground. Q’Dunn decided speed was more important than damage protection, hence he stripped off his armor, switching to a light jumpsuit a young woman handed to him. She had hard eyes and cuts and bruises, obviously from the fighting.

“What’s the name, Jedi?” she asked

“Q’Dunn. And you?”

“They call me Helenias. I got myself a few of these things”

“Really? How’s that?”

She smirked and dug into a pocket, showing Q’Dunn the top of a lightsabre “Lets just say you were originally on my hit lit. I think things may have changed”

“Pardon?”

“We share a common enemy. You used to be her bully boy”.

“Yeah, well I handed back that job a while ago. I want you then to go tail end bantha then. If anyone slows down or begin to fall behind, whack them with your sabre. If they stop, leave them. Understand?” She nodded

The group arrived at the edge of the landing area, Q’Dunn and Tohmahawk scouting before they had a quick discussion.

“You know which shuttle to go for?”

“I’d prefer the Skylark, but if you say the Scimitar has better weapons, I’ll concede to that. I need the pilots and I need 5 quick men. I’m going to try to sneak onboard, subdue anything inside and get the shuttle ready. Once that is complete I’ll come back and we make the run with everyone else. You wait here until I come back” ordered Q’Dunn. The requested people were quickly gathered and with a nod, they flowed Q’Dunn into the light of the field. They ran from cover to cover, making the shuttle unannounced. Q’Dunn leaped up ramp, sabre lit and dispatched the two humans guarding the ship internally, A quick survey showed they were the only ones. He signaled and the selected crew quickly made their way to their positions – two pilots, 5 gunners.

Q’Dunn also got back without being seen.

“There are too many of us to sneak onboard, so we will be running for it. It’s about 50 meters, so you should be able to get onboard in about 15 seconds. Do not slow down, do not stop because if Helenias over there” She smiled a her name “gets onboard before you, your going to be left behind. Understood?” Nods greeted his words. “Good. There’s no second chances, so leave here everything that will slow you down.” More nods. “Right then, ready?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He stood up and pointed for the ship.

Q’Dunn made the board ramp and in fact was guarding it and the first runners had gotten aboard when the first shouts of alarm came. Half of the escapers had gotten onboard before the first shots came and only a few stragglers were left when the blaster fire found their range. Q’Dunn’s sabre began to sweep and slash as he protected the last few people, with Helenias, sabre lit joining him.

“Get onboard!” He yelled. “Tell them to take off!” She nodded.

It was like slow motion next. A small desperate cry of help. He turned and saw two children, a boy and a girl struggling to get up. The boy had a cut forehead and was struggling to crawl. The girl was pleading with him to run. He cried out in pain. Q’Dunn heard the ship’s engines ignite and the craft begin to lift as he stood on the edge of the ramp, watching.

“Gregori! Please!” the little girl cried

A cold hand grabbed Q’Dunn. Gregori…? In shock he realized these there the children he had sworn to find. A terrible moment of indecision swept him as he also saw armed men running toward the ramp. He knew that he couldn’t go back and grab the two in time, not with the ship a few feet off the ground and the ramp closing.

Helenias turned at the top of the ramp, after yelling out to take off, expecting the Jedi to be following her. Instead, he saw the maniac jump off the edge and run where she had seen a child trip up. Oh no, he’s not actually going to be a hero and die protecting the kids is he?

A second later, she too dived out of the closing ramp and she too ran to where the children were, her sabre humming as she blocked and returned blaster bolts.

“What the hell are you doing here?!?!” He yelled

“Same thing as you.”

“WHAT?”

“Don’t argue Jedi.” A blaster bolt was ducked before she continued. “There’s a smaller fighter/freighter not far from here. We can go for that”

The guns on the shuttle began to add to the chaos as they ripped into the guards, forcing them to take cover and giving Q’Dunn and Helenias enough time to get Gregori to his feet. A nasty cut on his knee explained his mobility problems.

The shuttle circled, Tohmahawk looking out the viewports. “Keep firing! Give them as much cover as you can!”

The co-pilot consulted a screen. “Sir! There’s a missile battery coming to bear on us”

“Oh… shi…stay low and get us out of here!” The shuttle continued to fire as it accelerated, barely twenty meters off the ground to be too low for the missile array to target properly. A missile streaked out, going wide.

On the ground, Q’Dunn looked up as he saw the shuttle going for all it was worth and saw the missile fired. His attention snapped back as a Vog’on finally appeared and was dispatched by a sabre blow to the head.

“Helenias! Gregori! Shay! Move it, were going to have even worse company!”

The trio ran, Helenias helping a hobbling Gregori as they darted for the small freighter, Q’Dunn fighting rear guard. Several soldiers rushed him, forcing him to go hand to hand. He kicked and punched, using all the training he could call on, using his sabre when he could. A blaster shot at close range forced his sabre upward, hitting the actual weapon body. Sparks flew as the sabre snapped in two and flying out of Q’Dunn’s hands

“Hurry up!” Helenias yelled from the ramp of the freighter.

He punch a soldier in the throat, sweeping another off his feet. Yet another was kicked to the groin. Still they came. He leaped over a wave of fighters, to land out of range. He ran for the ship, cut and bruised and much weakened from the fight.

“GO! GO!” She paused and went for the cockpit to start the ship up. He raced and dived for the ramp, tumbling up it. Running for the cockpit he searched for the ramp controls, before finding them, closing the ramp. Helenias punched the controls, blasting the ship into the air, skimming the ground as it built speed and got out of range of the missile battery. Q’Dunn lowered his head in relief, before a scream echoed through the ship.

“I believe that meant I didn’t close the ramp in time and something got on board. I go, keep flying” Helenias nodded.

Another scream and a yell of “Leave her alone!” sent Q’Dunn flying in the direction… and realized the boarder couldn’t be worse. A Vog’on.

“Leave her” The words came out flat.

The beast turned to face Q’Dunn

“Thhhiiinnnkkkk youuu can essscape that easssssily? The Overlord wantssss youuuuu bacccck”

“I’ll die first”. He leaned into a fighting stance, one hand extended, palm facing his hand. He beckoned to the Vog’on indicating his willingness to fight. The beast, forgetting all about Gregori and Shay, lunged at Q’Dunn. He blocked a punch combination, before ducking a tail swing, coming up a step away.

“Is that the best you can do?”

The beast snarled and came at Q’Dunn even harder, finally smashing him with a backhander that slid Q’Dunn into his backside.

“Guess that answers that…” He didn’t have time for more as the Vog’on stepped in, attacking viciously. He rolled to his feet, blocked, ducking, weaving.

He concentrated and used the Force, striking the Vog’on in the chest and hurling the monster backwards with a crash into a wall. Almost as fast, the beast recovered, coming in low, trying a crash tackled. Q’Dunn leaped over the charge, coming down and using the Force again to smash the beast head first into the wall.

The ship lurched, throwing Q’Dunn off his feet and sliding him straight at the beast. The Vog’on reacted fast, flipping over and nailing Q’Dunn with it’s massive tail. He felt his ribs creak and one give way, with a burst of pain. He gasped, and used the Force to swing the Vog’on by the tail into the opposite wall. The bulkhead bent with the power of the throw. The Vog’on got up somewhat slower this time, as did Q’Dunn

He resumed his original stance, ignoring the blood dripping off his forehead and once again beckoned for the Vog’on to attack. The beast did, landing a few blows as Q’Dunn found himself now too slow to counter, staggering back he knew that there was only one real thing he could do. In his mind he imagined a bolt of lightning, ready to strike. His fist he imagined as the bolt, his arm the energy.

The Vog’on seemed to come at him in slow motion. It punched. He blocked. It punched. He blocked. It swung around, sweeping it’s tail. Q’Dunn leaped high and with a yell, focused all his power, all his strength and also the Force into his one blow. His fist smashed outwards, the second knuckle striking the Vog’ons skull, right at a weak point.. his fist carried on, smashing through bone and tearing muscle, the power of the blow being released straight into the brain of the monster, bone shearing into the delicate nerves and tissue. He pulled his hand back and landed, back facing the creature as it straightened and then crashed lifeless to the floor.

Gregori had gone into shock and would afterwards need extensive medical attention and never remembered the events. The shuttle was taken to Tattooine, where Helenias promised to meet Q’Dunn again whilst Q’Dunn…

Q’Dunn went to meet a Jedi who eventually became known as Turbogeek and was never the same again

The events of the Galaxy passed on by as the Jedi continued to sleep

--

[Darth Turbogeek]

(View count dropped to 32, then went to 42, dropped to 32 then back to 40 at time of posting)



Master Yoghurt pushed forward the hyperspace levers, the swirl of hyperspace becoming starlines as the planet of Dagobah leapt into view. From the co-pilot’s seat, Lady Mara Jade ran a sensor trace of the planet.

“Looks like the Jedi have been busy Yog. There’s a energy field surrounding the planet and the ISD has been renamed ‘Peace’ according to it’s transponder. Ahhh, someone’s awake at the boards too, we have a hailing message”. Mara leaned over to the comm. Unit and flicked it on. “Hello there, anything we can do for you?”

“Please identify yourself and destination”

“Jedi Padawan Lady Mara Jade, accompanying Jedi Master Yoghurt and a few other Jedi. Destination, whatever the Jedi have set up on Dagobah.”

“Voice print analysis confirmed. Shield will be opened, please keep your present course”

“Thank you” she replied, switching the unit off. “Friendly lot. Hate to see what they would do if we were enemies.” The ship continued onward.

In the passenger area, Gregori Paladin concentrated as he lifted a small box using just the Force. It hovered as the rest of the Jedi watched. Paladin was beginning to feel at home with the Jedi, having had four days of talking, playing cards and now of instruction. His lightsabre (which Master Yoghurt had allowed him to keep) was set aside for the moment, ready to be fixed up as it had battle damage. When he had shown the weapon he had found, this Lady Mara had identified it as a Sith sabre and was in fact one part of a dual blade weapon that had been cut in half. That in itself hadn’t mattered much, he understood that sabre training would come later in his training. What was important was that these Jedi were willing to show him what this mysterious power he had was and how to use it. He wasn’t getting too far as of right now, but still, lifting stuff with only this Force was still thrilling enough for him. The only downside so far was that Mara was an absolute looker and he had said so, getting kneed in the groin as a result. He winced in memory of the pain and the discomfort…

The box crashed to the ground as Paladin’s concentration broke. He slumped back and sighed in exasperation

“Hey, you were doing well until then. What happened?” asked Nupraptor

“Agh, I didn’t keep my mind on the task. I started to think about what Lady Mara does to people who say things about her”

“Well, your not the only one and you can count yourself fortunate. Most men would have ended up dead a few months ago if they said what you did” replied Obiwan2

“Oh? She had a boyfriend then?” Paladin asked

“No, she was the leader of the Sith. I’ve heard stories of her skinning anyone alive who said a word out of turn and the Force help anyone who tried to make a move on her”

“Ouch. I wish you had told me that earlier”

“Would you have listened?” queried Nupraptor

“No…. probably not” He grinned. “But I’ll keep that in mind for when Fire Hazzard gets older. I suspect she’s going to treat unwanted attention the same way. And speaking of her, how come I never see her and Mara in the same room? Are they the same person or something?”

The other Jedi laughed. “Sometimes, I wonder. They both have rather short tempers, don’t they? And speaking of not being in the same room, where’s you pet?”

“My pet? Man, you call Fregge that and it’s likely to rip your arms off and stick them in your ears. It’s in the cargo hold, I’ve talked to it, Fregge doesn’t like Jedi much, nor anyone else really. Says we are all unclean weapons bearers and can’t normally in sight of us, or something like that. It’s pretty weird, but from my talks with that Vog’on, it seems they have some religious thing about bearing weaponry and to fight unarmed is a great honour with them”

“They don’t use weapons, at all? Never?” asked Reaperfett

“If you were a Vog’on, would you need a weapon? I’ve shot one of these things, it just annoys them and it seems a sabre is the only weapon, apart from explosives that can actually be effective, even then you have to make sure you get it first go”

“Good point”

In the cargo hold, the Vog’on hibernated.

--

Wake up

Jedah Lynch obeyed the mental command, coming out of meditation quick. He checked to make sure that everything was as he had seen it before meditating. It was. In the back of his mind, the Dark Side spoke to him again

It’s time

The waiting was over.

--

The freighter landed on a clearing the Jedi had created as a landing pad, the YT-1300 joining place with a supply shuttle and a few other personal ships. A shield generator could be seen at the end of the field, along with a portable reactor. Master Yoghurt admitted to himself he was highly impressed with the progress the rest of the Jedi had made in the ten days they had been gone. A few buildings had been erected, as well as a hut made out of natural materials. He could see a few Jedi and New Republic crewers walking about, carrying materials or working on creating the facilities the Jedi would need out here.

“Not bad – we seem to have come to a place we can call home” said Obiwan2, looking out the cockpit’s view port. He could also see Figrin D’An waiting to greet them. The ramp was lowered and the Jedi exited, bringing with them Paladin and trailing, the Vog’on Fregge.

Figrin’s face lit up as he spied the new human addition, to rather comically freeze when he saw the huge lizard thing following. “Maser Yoghurt- that’s not what I think it is?”

“What you think it is. Means you no harm”

“Well, that’s good then. Is everyone okay?”

“Yes, well we all are. Master Figrin, meet Gregori Paladin”

The young man stepped forward to greet Figrin “Hello sir. Thank you as well”

“Thank you as well and welcome to the Jedi’s home base on Dagobah. The Council was informed of your real reason for your journey just after you appeared on our scopes. I think Rmiao is not going to have much to say that is polite, Yoghurt. They have also been great concern where Fire Hazzard has been, which I now see the reason for. The Council is going to have something to say to you too, Miss Hazzard”

“It wasn’t my fault! Honest!”

“Yes it was. Now be a good little girl and get ready to be spanked for being naughty” replied Lady Mara.

“It was NOT! You stop picking on me!” It quickly degenerated from there.

Reaperfett rolled his eyes. “Here we go again. Obiwan2, Nup, Fewdman, lets go and find something to drink. You wish me?” They quickly made their escape, while Master Yoghurt covered his face with his hands and shook his head in disappointment. He then picked up his glimmer stick, waddled over and began to hit Mara and Hazzard. The two females backed away, more in shock and indignation.

“Hey!” “Stop it!”

“No, you stop it! Fire Hazzard, go find Master and tell to them what happened. Lady Mara, better I expect from you. Go to where Jedi have resting places and settle in. Call you we will soon for training” Both women looked lie they were going to object, but a look from Master Yoghurt silenced them both and the complied with a fair bit of chagrin.

“I take it Mara and Fire don’t get along too well” commented Figrin after the two people in question had left.

“About as well as unstable explosive. Is the Council all here? It would be good to have Paladin to them speak. Also I think speak to this Vog’on they would too”. The beast suddenly broke it’s silence, whistling and hooting in it language. Paladin waited until Fregge had finished before translating.

“Fregge says he expected to be interrogated, especially about Harrvi. It also says that most questions will be answered, but there will be ones that wont be answered and Fregge hopes you can understand that. Also, it asks if there is a place to go afterwards as the presence of so many weapons bearers is an affront to him”

“Weapons bearers?” asked Figrin, rather puzzled by the last comment

“They have some sort of thing about weaponry of any sort. No Vog’on carries a weapon, not like that’s a problem for them. Don’t worry, all this Vog’on really want to do is keep an eye on me and make sure I don’t go wandering”

“Oh? Any particular reason for that?”

“Not really sure myself. I get the feeling however that these beasts don’t lie about commitments they give. If it says it won’t do harm, then I personally think that will be the case” said Paladin.

“Well… we will see. First things first, Master Yoghurt, bring Paladin and this Vog’on to the Council chamber. I’ll show you the way”

The small group walked away while a pair of hands allowed the undergrowth that hid him to close. So far, this had been easy and he had finally had fortune smile on him. Jedah Lynch was somewhat surprised to find himself on the planet, they must have kept him under moved him to a facility here on Dagobah. It had turned out to be reasonably secure, but still, with the mind control of the guards, it had been easy to have them unlock his binders and open the doors – and he had simply waked out to freedom. Ahh, what he would give to see the expression on the fate of the uppity New Republic soldier who had threatened him when he was helpless. After his was over, Lynch was fully intending to make him beg for mercy before slitting the bastard’s throat.

But not now. Now was time for something else. Now was time to make Lady Mara Jade confront her past. He rolled up a sleeve of the clothes he had, then felt for the bump on his arm. He dug his fingers into his flesh and with a grunt of pain, squeezed viciously. The skin broke, almost sending Lynch over with the sharp pain. He gasped, then pushed again, forcing the rip bigger as a small object became exposed. His hand trembling, he carefully plucked the object out and gently cleaned it on his shirt. The object began to glitter as the blood came clear and he slowly took it and laced it on the tip of a finger. The ring slipped easily on and he lifted his arm, so as to see the wedding ring once again worn where it always should have been.

Before they had been separated, seven years ago.

Now, they would be together again.

It time, he thought, finally, it was time.

Time to see her smile and take the permanent scowl off her face once again.

And once again be his Dark Bride

--

Lady Mara Jade was almost sulking as she wandered through the corridors of the prefabricated building the Jedi now called their main base. To her, it was a lousy placer, soulless and cold. Sure, it was still new and had not been decked out properly, but still it was not what she would have expected the Jedi to do. Not even the Sith would have something this coldly functional. Sure, the Jedi may have had that strange mud hut that they congregated in to have meals, but it did not make up for this…. thing.

Or then again, maybe it was her that felt out of place. In the few days since they had arrived back from rescuing Gregori Paladin, Lady Mara had spoken to the Council, had begun Jedi training and had begun to get to know some of the Jedi as allies, not enemies like they had been before. But something was missing. Something that she would describe as friendship. Sure, the Jedi were welcoming, but there was no one here she could call friend.

She was lonely.

Often in the last few days, she had tried to find out where Jedi Master Turbogeek had gone, but no one seemed to know. Certainly, he was supposed to have gone to the planet the Sith Empire – her once upon a time Empire when she was a Sith – but all efforts to contact him had failed and even a investigative mission by Jedi Boricua had found no trace of him there. It was incredible, she thought. The one man who had done more harm to the Sith Empire than anyone, the man who she still bore the scars of battle with, the person who had cut down Sith Warriors before her eyes, she was lonely for his company. It was one of the strange contradictions, the worst of enemies shared a comradeship that neither she or he could explain. It was in fact there final meeting that had set her feet on the path of being a Jedi…

“Turbo, you look different. Why is that?”

“You’re the first person in years to see me as I really am Mara. I’ve hid behind that dark cloak to hide myself and learn how to alter my face naturally. I changed the tone of my voice too by the Force. To be honest, I don’t know why I needed to show myself as I really am to you. Especially a Sith as you are”

“Are you looking for pity? You wont get it from me”

“No, I’m just telling you what I have needed to do. I’ve run from what happened years ago, protected myself from my past” He winced as the droids attached some sensors “Now, you could say it’s caught up with me. Callista is back and she is braying for my blood to be spilt. And I’ll tell you Mara, your seriously undermanned if you expect to take out Callista with this fleet. She has allies that you cant imagine, reach that you cant escape from”- a distant hint of pain and shame came to his eyes - “And I have to face the evil I faced once before. Me”

“You? I heard you were Callista’s apprentice….”

“No, not that. Tell me Mara, have you heard of a Dark Jedi named Darth Venom?”

She searched her memory. “Vaguely. It was said he died by the hand of Master Yogurt.”

“Venom was me Mara and Yogurt never defeated me. I turned because of something I saw. I became a Jedi because of the evil Callista unleashed on a planet. She killed or enslaved the population with the Dark Fury”

This statement rather puzzled Mara. The Dark Fury? What in the name of the Force was that? She was about to ask when she felt Turbogeek’s defenses suddenly drop and a bolt of pain stabbed out via the Force. She reeled and recovered as DT regained control of the mind shield he was using. “Oh Lord, this hurts” she heard him mutter.

Despite her antagonism to the Jedi, she felt sympathy for the long time foe. No, respect. At another time, she would gladly have killed this Jedi. But not now.

“DT, you’re a maniac for sneaking on-board. Your hurting yourself by this. You should be in a controlled coma to allow the medical droids to fix you.”

“Good advice from a Sith? That’s a first. No Mara, Rmaio knows quite well I am here. He in fact ordered me housed here as he suspected Itala’s Sith would make an attack on me if I were to remain at Coruscant, so I came here and my presence must remain a secret. I only woke up since I got shot a day ago too.”

He gasped and rested for a bit before continuing

“How I would want things to be different”

“Bad luck Jedi. You can suffer with the rest of us”

“No thanks Mara. I’ve got enough self pity to wallow in for a while, thanks”

She smiled at that and turned to leave

Memories. She had never known Turbogeek had been a Sith, never in her wildest dreams would she have guessed one of the strongest Jedi she had faced, maybe the strongest had started on the Dark path and had come back.

Maybe it was she wanted someone about who’s walk had been like hers, who knew what she could be feeling and who could help her when she faced the doubts and the anxieties. It would certainly help sort out a future that she had no real idea about anymore.

But more than that, it would be great just to have a friend.

She sighed, looking outside at the mists that seemed to be endemic of this place. Yes, that’s what she was really missing, a friend. Her situation was powerfully lonely and she just needed someone to talk to. Mara decided she would take a walk outside, maybe even do some practice. Later, she could try to question the Masters a bit more, hopefully find some word where Turbogeek. Maybe she could persuade him to come back and train her.

Her thoughts running around her head, she headed for the nearest exit and began to walk through the rainforests of Dagobah.

A movement caught his attention from his vantage point and he strained his eyes to see what it was. The door on the base closed and he saw a female begin to walk in the forest, away from the base. He tried to make her out, saw the red hair and knew in an instant who it was. It’s her! On his wrist, he secured a device he had stolen from the base when he had escaped. A few button taps and now, he was ready. He double checked the devices he had and with an evil grin, set of to plot an intercept for her.

Lady Mara Jade continued to walk, slipping occasionally on the slimy paths, but always striking outwards. She wasn’t looking for anyone else to be about, the planet was desolate of intelligent life and no evil doer in their right mind would come near a place where a Jedi could easily sense them and react accordingly.

Above her, Lynch hopped from tree to tree, silently using his wings to gain vantage points high in the trees. He looked behind himself and saw the Jedi’s base was no longer in sight. A flap of his wings and he moved ahead of the unsuspecting Padawan.

She stepped over a log, now nearly a kilometer away from the base before she found a clearing big enough for the practice she was intending. Her eyes and ears searched the place and her mind scanned via the Force to make sure she was alone.

He leaped, doing a power dive before swooping down, to land gently in front of Mara. Stunned only for an second before stepping back slightly and speaking “Who are you and what are you doing here?” she demanded.

He looked down at his reflection in a pool of water at his feet, before looking directly into Lady Mara’s eyes and answering. “You know me. You know me quite well in fact. I used to be Darth Lynch”

“Darth Lynch never had wings and I would know. I ruled over him and fellow misguided fools once, but no more. Tell me why you are here and I’ll think about allowing you leave in one peace”

“I have come to take you with me, you wasted enough time with these screwball monks for long enough” He put a hand in his pocket, feeling for the device in there “The Dark Side is calling your name again Illiana. You know this to be true”

Illiana? What? She was rather startled to hear that name after so long. The last time was seven years ago, being a low ranking cannon fodder in the army Callista had, before the New Republic had bough that crashing down. She put her hand on her lightsabre. “Lucky guess – that’s really does happen to be a name I am familiar with. Maybe you should leave now as I‘m not going anywhere”. The edge was clear on her voice. She might be only ranked a Jedi Padawan, but Darth Lynch was going to relearn why she ruled the Sith Empire with a fist of iron once.

He pulled the device out of his pocket – a lightsabre that the controlled soldiers had retrieved for him before he escaped. He ignited the device as she did likewise. The blades touched, filling the forest with their ominous crackle of energies. “One way or another, you are coming with me. I shall not be denied after waiting so long… my wife”

She stared at him incredulously. “Now you ARE dreaming. I was never married to a winged freak” On her heart she knew otherwise and now, she realized who it was… really who it was she faced. Hardly believing that this man had disguised himself and had even been an apprentice of hers when she had started the Empire! It spoke volumes for his ability to disguise his true self… but why?

“Winged freak? Oh, that’s good Illiana. I seem to remember that you though differently of me the last time you knew who I really am – and I still think the same of you now as I did then. Your still pretty when you take that permanent scowl off your face”

The words ripped into Mara’s soul like a bolt of lightning, taking her several seconds to recover from their effect. It was him! “Jedah?” Her voice quavered.

“Yes Illiana, it is I, Jedah. I have returned to claim you as my Dark Bride as I once did before”

Stunned beyond words, she could only shake her head slowly and back away slightly.

“Oh yes, Illiana. It’s time to join me again and be complete in the Dark Side!”

She closed her eyes for a few seconds, taking some calming breaths. Yes, it was the man she had loved and had searched for. It was incredible that he had been under her nose so to speak all this time but now she faced him, something else arose in her. Another name.

“No. I can never go back to the Dark Side, even for my husband, even if I loved him beyond death. I can no longer follow the Dark path any longer. Can’t you see that it only will destroy you?”

“How little you understand the Dark Side Illiana, despite the power you had. It’s about power and always was. Join me and we can have all the power we could ever want!”

“If that is the way you feel, why didn’t you reveal yourself when you were with TSE?”

“You had changed Illiana, I was never sure. Now, I am and now is the time to reclaim what is mine. You hand once carried my ring and it shall again!”

She lifted a trembling left hand, looking at it for what it seemed an eternity. Her mind was reeling and she hardly knew what to decide. The man she had wanted to find, right here – but a Sith? Something she could no longer agree with and more so bitterly opposed deep down in her heart? How could she go back to the Dark Side when she had seen through it’s lies and deceptions? How could she, even with the ultimate temptation dangled right in front of her? Slowly, she redirected her gaze at Lynch, with tears blurring her eyes as she made a gut wrenching decision.

“No… no… I cant. I can never accept the Dark Side. If you cant allow that, then we can never… be” The final words caught in the throat and she struggled to say them.

He could only stare in return, before stepping forward. With a huge lick, he hit her under the kneecap, watching as she collapsed onto the ground, not having defended herself. “Very well. I swore to take you with me and I shall, whether you like it or not. You will come with me and learn the folly of your ways… and perhaps you will learn to appreciate me again”

She closed her eyes and used the Force to defeat the physical pain in her leg, before calming her mind and snap kicking a surprised Lynch in the groin. “I don’t want to kill you, but I will be forced to with you don’t leave this place. Please, for the times we did spend together, leave less I am forced to kill you”

He finally felt the pain subdue and he straightened up, taking a deep breath. “Since when did what we want matter? You are a servant of the Dark Side as I am, even if you deny that fact”. He moved suddenly, catching Mara off guard, grabbing the hand not holding her sabre, almost yanking her off her feet as he ducked under the arm, twisting it upwards violently and almost breaking it. She cried out in pain as she fell to her knees, only to get a knee in the back and then Force pushed face first into the ground. He sneered as he spoke again. “Death had just to claim me and I doubt it will claim me now”

Shutting her eyes against the pain, Lady Mara touched the Force, calming herself as the pain shoots through her body. Concentrating, she lifted Lynch high into the air, forcing distance between herself and the Sith. As he hung suspended, she used a trick she had learned long ago, she charged her fist with electricity and pulled him toward her like a magnet. Suddenly he was blasted in the spine and sent crashing to the ground... the many volts of electricity cursing through his body. Clutching some grass in his hand he does his best to block his mind from the pain shooting through him, but then gets another idea. Allowing the pain to course through him, he channels it into anger over it being inflicted upon him in the first place. Releasing that anger he threw off the effects of Mara’s strike, he moved with all the speed he had, moving close to the Jedi Padawan and smashing a boot into Lady Mara Jades knee. Force pulling both of them towards each other, their skulls smash into each other, with Mara stumbling backwards

He sized her up, kicking Mara in the ribs knocking her to the side. Lynch summoned the Dark Side to call forth a Force Web ensnaring Lady Mara Jade in it which begins to sap her strength. She stumbled backward, slowly sinking to her knees and then, crashing to the ground face first, unconscious. The Sith looked down at the now muddied face.

“You chose poorly, Illiana. I might love you, but I shall not be deterred from bringing you back to the Dark Side”. Looking around, he picked up her sabre, putting it in his pocket. He used his sabre to cut a few vines and tied Mara’s arms behind her back. He placed his sabre into another pocket, before picking her limp form up and moving further into the forest. A few minutes later, he stopped, depositing his burden onto the ground before tapping a button on the device he had placed on his wrist earlier. It beeped as it sent it’s signal. Lynch heard a response come from the undergrowth.

“We’re going home” he said to the prone Padawan as a figure came out of the bushes. The Lounge Lizard.

“You have her?” he asked “I came as soon as we received your signal”

“Yes. How far away is your ship?”

“About 100 meters. Was she any trouble to subdue?”

“Not much. Lets go before anyone misses her”. Lynch nodded, picking her body up as they moved in the direction that Lounge Lizard indicated.

The Oozaru II, Lizard’s ship had escaped the atmosphere before Lady Mara awoke. She came to conscious slowly and looked down at the straps that bound her., before shaking her head slightly she shuts her eyes and uses the force to unbind herself. Standing slowly she walks into the cockpit where Lynch is sitting by himself. She extended her hand and Force pushed him into the front console, smashing his face into the panel. Moving up behind him she grabbed him by the hair and smashed his face several more times into the panel then slid her hand down to his neck and lifted him out of his seat.

”What exactly do you think you're going to accomplish by bring me back to your hole that you came from? Are you actually so delusional that you think you'll somehow turn me?” Finished speaking, she then tossed him forward into the wall. As he turned she spins around and kicks him in stomach, grabbing him by the shirt in the same move. Pulling him forward, she fell to her back and placed her foot on his chest, then threw him over her head in a classical martial arts move. He flew forward several feet and landed on his back.

Mara walks toward him slowly and glances down at where a ring on her finger would have been. “Look at yourself. You attack me, bring me here to your ship and plan to take me to your insane cult of Sith all so that you can turn me. Where did the ‘love’ go? I wonder if it were ever present. You are a Sith, you don't know what love is. Hatred is all you see and I was just as blind when I made the decision to become one with you so long ago”. She looked at the place the ring had been so long ago.

”I declare this union annulled on the basis that I was suffering from temporary insanity when I married you”

Jedah Lynch stood up as Mara spoke. He looked at the ring on his finger, a look of anger builds upon his face twisting it into a silent rage. Silently standing he looks up at her as he took off the ring, allowing it to drop to the floor. Standing for a long while not moving or speaking he simply stared at her, finally looking down at the ground where the ring is, he looks up again, slowly placing one foot forward before the other as he did so, coming to a stop in front of the one he loved

“Is that why you think I came after you?”

*Moving his hand up to the side of her face he holds it there

”I wanted you to be by my side, and it was not just for the aspect of turning you. Do you know the battle I went through wondering if I should have came after you long before this...”

His mind drifts away remembering before he again looks at her as the thought passes

”I use the Dark Side to aid me in battle and the hate. But is that all there is? No. Unlike the Jedi who take children from their parents to make them into emotionless beast of burden for the New Republic, Sith use their emotions. We use them to our advantage, the Jedi have to worry about giving in to their emotions for it makes them lean towards the Dark Side.”

Slowly he rises his other hand to the side of her face and holds it there

”Why do you think I came after you? Just turn you? You were not blind, you knew what you were doing long ago and so do I right now”

Leaning forward he kissed her on the lips for a tender second then moved back. Turning around he took several steps before reaching over to pick up the ring once again, this time to just stare at it.

--