Another Damn Day

[Jakob Burton]

The sun rose above the planet of Coruscant. But with all the smog churning in a deathly haze and the buildings sprouting out like blades of grass, it was difficult to even see the rising sun. In fact, there were maybe a total of a hundred small rays that made it into District #5618999: the worst of the slums of Coruscant's immense cityscape. But even these penetrating rays wouldn't last long. Nothing did in the Slums. The Slums, while it the worst part of Coruscant, it was one of the biggest districts, and the home to the scum and villians of society. This was the epitome of the perfect hovel for criminals, bounty hunters, the poor and downtroden, drunks, druggers, pimps, whores, and other vile groups. And among the multitudes of monsters, the mass of murderers, and the denizens of darkness, the life of Jakob or "Jake" Burton began. And after nineteen years of hell, horror, and hardships, he still stood strong, living in a whore house with his mother. Her name was Ter'a, and she was a profitable prostitute for Erron, the pimp of "Whore's Haven," the largest whorehouse, inn, bar, stripclub, and game hall in one old building. With the exception of the interior and the new red sign, the rest of the building had a ratty, ancient look to it, much like the rest of the buildings within the Slums. It is there, in that dilapidated building, where Jake's morning begins.

It was a regular Monday morning. It was dark outside, as it almost always was, when the alarm clock went off, in its rapid chorus of high-pitched beeps. Jake rolled over, reaching a blind hand to swat the alarm clock. He succeeds and the chorus abruptly comes to an end. Throwing the covers off, he stands, feeling the muscles in his body stretch in preparation for the new day. 'Yay, another damn morning,' were the thoughts that ran through his head. Walking to the left, he entered the bathroom, where he proceeds to pull down his boxers and step into the shower. A fist hits the panel, and after a slight beep, steaming water cascades from the faucet, immediately soaking him. He groggily washes himself, and another fist comes to stop the water. He steps out, methodically towelling himself off. He slips on another pair of boxers, and scratches at an itch on his chest, feeling muscles and smooth skin. It was a wonder that he didn't have any scars on him, for he had had several injuries thoughout his career as well as his entire life. But probably the reason why there were no scars was because he was too good for them. With the exception of when he was a small boy, he had gotten good with his skills as a fighter and athelete, thus it was rather hard for someone to even hit him, let alone leave a scar on him. Needing to stretch his legs, also surrounded by hardened muscle, he kicks his right leg up high, alining his leg vertically even and parallel with the wall. He feels a slight stretching sensation, which kinda hurt (it had been awhile since he had done this). Finished, he repeats the process with his left leg. After a few minutes, he shrugs off the minimal pain. He had learned to do that as a child, for he was severely beaten for the longest time. It was because he couldn't perform was why he was beaten by his multitude of trainers. He learned to deal with the pain, even enjoy it because he had no other options. He could not hurt, could not feel any pain, could not stop, and could not lose. He had to continue. No other options were available. It was either do or die. Simple as that.

Done with the stretches, he slips on his clothes and walks into the next room, where his mother slept. And beside her was a man. Ignoring the unfamiliar being, for it was normal for him to see a strange man in his home, he bent down and lightly kissed his mother's cheek before exiting the room. Taking an elevator, he exits at the lobby at the bottom of the building. He makes his way through the multitude of people, some gambling, some drinking, some fornicating, and walks toward the lift to Erron's office. As the lift goes up, he looks at his cronograph. 4:30 AM. How he would've loved to sleep in, but Erron needed some jobs done, and after all, he was the boss. 'I hate that goddamn slug!' But he "owned him," "took care of him," and all those other crappy lies. As Jake reached the receptionist's desk, which was being worked by a female Twi'lek(Erron's personal favorite species). Without even bothering to stop there, Jake went right up to the office's door and barged in. That wasn't a smart thing to do, but Jake didn't care, and besides, Erron needed him and was expecting him. As Jake entered, he saw a disgusting sight. Erron, a Hutt, was actually having sex with a woman! How was that possible!??! It was impossible, for Hutts were hermaphrodites, but it was still happening! Jake's stomach churned and turned, and he was greatful he hadn't ate yet, for he would've lost it. He turned his eyes and heard the bellow of the disgusting slug. He fixed himself and moved to stand in front of the sexually-spent whore. Jake turned his eyes back, and saw Erron, perspirating slime, concealing his parts and the whore's. It helped, but not much at all. The action was still fresh in Jake's mind, and it was GROSS! He shook it off and spoke.

Jake: (In Basic) "What did you need me to do this morning?"

Erron: (In Huttese, understands but can't speak Basic) "You must pick up the supplies for this week. It has been almost too profitable and we need more. The list is on the desk. Report to me when you get back, for I have much for you to do today."

Jake: "Yessir. I'll be back in a bit. I'll try to hurry." Although I have no intent of hurrying at all.'

Jake exited the room in a run, with the inventory in hand. He left the office and the grotesque scene behind him. Once he was in the lift, exiting the building, he took his time, for there was nothing to run from. But as he exited, he felt as if he were being watched, and saw a slight shadow in a corridor nearby. Shrugging off his paranoia, he climbed into the supply freighter and drove off.

[Verse Dawnstrider]

::Verse was dressed far from his normal style. at the moment he was dressed in a tattered trench-coat. Fingerless gloves keep his hands warm. His hair was done in one long braid that went to his knees. The smell of Ale was strong on him. His eyes glassy and red. Deep bags under his eyes. A stocking cap was on his head. It was tight sence it was two sizes to small. His grey eyes looked liek they have seen to much in his young life. He looked 25, but acted very old.

Few knew who Verse really was. He was a Jedi Knight. One that mastered in getting around without being seen or standing out. No one could tell this was a ruse. Anyone that walked by only saw a crazy drunk. The Force pulled him to this place. A stronge presence in the Force was in pain. Not physicaly, but mentaly. It was like he was living in hell. Then Verse saw the boy. He was young, cocky, very skilled, and paranoid almost. Very much like Verse when he was that age. Seeing the boy turn around, Verse ducked into a corridor.::

"Strange, Very Strange. He can already sence me following him. He may be stronger than I though....."

::Verse eyed the boy getting into the frieghter. seeing the coast was clear, Verse ran and jumped onto the to on the ship. he landed without a sound. Jake would never know he was there. he would get off right before teh boy landed. That way he could trail him. Verse knew what his best beat would be. Follow him to the bar latter. Verse pressed and ear to the top of teh ship. His keen Garou ears, added with Jedi techniques, picked up the sounds inside the ship. Jake flipped through the channels.::

Radio- "The annual Pit Tourny will be held tommorrow. Sign up is at Errons...."

::Verse moved to the front slowly, getting himself ready to jump off. His timing would be flawless. He had been doing this for years now. This is how he ran his life. The master was at his best. Maybe this kid was more than he seemed.::

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor had been following the young boy since he left the large building. He turned around quickly and she felt his concern...his worry. She quickly ducked behind the corner of the complex and waited until he made his way through the crowd...then the woman ran out and followed him, moving with silent speed. She was not wearing her usual Jedi robes, but instead, was clad in the beautiful set of armour that Helenias Q'Dunn had given to her. She wore her helmet with the crest of the Warriors on it, and the deep cape that was clasped with silver clips on her shoulders, flowed behind her as she walked. Her sword, "Chase" was strapped to her back, and each of her weapons were on her weapons belt. A railgun, lightsaber, three throwing knives, and two daggers hung from it. On her left and right thigh were two powerful blasters...but she did not feel that she would need any of these weapons. She was here for a different reason.

Sneaking through the crowd, she suddenly lost the boy as he hopped into a supply frieghter and sped off. Xazor dove in front of the speeder and when it passed over her body, she grabbed onto the bottom of it and nearly fell off when it lurched foreward. No one had noticed her presence...but she was suddenly aware of another in the Light. Sniffing the air, she could smell nothing because of her helmet. The Knight closed her eyes and felt through the Force...suddenly aware that another Garou was present. She shook her head and thought back to the boy...surely he was not of her race. There was another on the speeder though. Suddenly there was a shift in the speeders weight, as if it got lighter. It slowed a bit after a sudden burst of speed, and Xazor let go, falling onto the ground and rolling until she stopped.

Quite out of breath, she rose to her feet and took off after the one who had been on the speeder. Drawing her blaster from her right leg, she caught up to the mystery man and held it to the back of his head.

"Stop right there...."

She said in a deep growl that was muffled by her helmet. Her voice sounded like that of a man, and her identity was perfectly concealed because of the helmet. She held the blaster at his head until she got a strange feeling. He was familiar to her....very familiar. He was the Garou she was seeking. It wasn't Vega...for this entity was not Sith. She lofted a brow inside the helmet, hoping it wasn't who she thought it was....

[Jakob Burton]

Jake felt weird this morning. It was different from all of the other times when he did errands for Erron. He felt......not afraid....just cautious. He felt like someone was following him. Maybe even two or three someones. It was a feeling of alertness, and perhaps even paranoia. It nagged at him constantly, making the hairs elevate upon the back of his neck. Setting the freighter to land on auto, Jake went to the back of the cargo hold, to see that it was open. And he looked at the end just in time to see a blur of a man, a homeless drunk perhaps, jump off of the edge and onto the streets. Jake runs to the back to get a better view, but couldn't see a thing. And the more he thought of it, why would a drunk or a homeless man jump off of a ship levatating high enough that the landing would and easily could break some bones? That man was no drunk; he was something entirely different. But what? After a few more seconds, he shakes his head and walks out onto the landing dock. Here was a familiar sight: Despos' Bar Depot, the best bar and foodstuffs supplier in this sector of Coruscant, which might or might not have been saying much. Jake, after stretching his arms and cracking his knuckles, he walks through the front.

Once inside, Jake could immediately smell the differations in foods, and everytime Jake walked in, he either felt sick or hungry. This one, though, held no interest for him. He walks up to the counter, his boots clanking on the cold metal floor. Once at the counter, a small Toydarian asks him for the order. Jake hands him the readout from his com, and leans on the desk patiently as the Toydarian begins ordering droids to load the ship. In under five minutes, the transaction was completed, and once the bill was paid, Jake walked back onto the ship.

Once at the controls, he sets the autopilot back for "Whore Haven," and goes in the back to do an inspection of the goods. All was clear, and Jake returned to the controls and waited.

After several minutes, the freighter landed back at "Whore Haven." Once in the landing bay, Jake orders some droids and some workers at the bar to unload and count the supplies. As they set to do that, he reports to the Hutt, and he tells him that he managed to find someone else to finish the remaining errands, and that Jake could do what he wished at the time, as long as it didn't get him in trouble and as long as it didn't compromize his ability to compete in tomorrow's tournament. Deciding that he was thirsty, he walked back out to the hangar bay, in which he got in a hover cycle. It was his, and was hidden from view by several boxes that were never moved. This was his, which he bought with stolen credits and winnings of several games of gambling. Getting on the cycle, he powers it up, and hits the accelerator. It zips out of the hangar bay with ease, and jumps high, skimming the top of an incoming ship. He laughs and continues his way to another bar that he knew nearby, one that served a decent breakfast. After all, it was only about 7:00 in the morning, and hunger had already struck.

The zooming landscape, an indecipherable blur of buildings and creatures, soon stopped at a small bar. He shuts down the speeder, and walks in. Jake immediately greets the bartender and orders the breakfast special with a bottle of Correlian Whiskey, one of the strongest drinks known to man and a great engine degreaser. As his food arrives, he scarfs it down and drains the bottle. It was strong, and burned severely going down. That could be solved with a Nubian Margarita, the smoothest drink known. As it arrives, he gulps it down, and is soon feeling a bit woozy. Already the patrons of the bar had increased, and in the corner, there was some betting on some local pod races. Jake, feeling pretty good, goes over and decides to bet. As he wagers, he gets a string of laughter from these men, for they knew for a fact that the racer that Jake picked never ever won a race. But this bothered Jake none, for he had a good feeling about it, and for some odd reason, his instincts were never wrong. So, he quit thinking about it, and walked back to his seat......

.....When he trips and falls over a man seated behind the gambling table. Jake apologizes and looks to see a scruffy looking man, about in his twenties. He had long hair that was pulled into one long braid that snaked itself down his back. The man was poor looking and very drunk. And having someone like Jake trip over him when he was nice and drunk, he blew up.

[Verse Dawnstrider]

::Verse simple smiled at the other. His mind heavly shielded so that no one could see in in, or scan it. Verse smield the scent of his daughter. He had been doing this for 60 years. He didn't turn around.::

"Pay no mind to the voices in the Dark...."

::Verse let himself fall of the building. The other seemd to dash at him to stop Verse. The other was too slow. Xazor looked down to see Verse grab the back end of a ship as he feel. After a while, Verse dropped to another ship. Verse reached out with the Force. He felt where Jake was. It was as if Jake called to him. Almost like family. Verse jumped to a passing bus. He sent a mental suggestion to the driver to drive in the direction Verse senced Jake. As the buss passed by, Verse jumped and rolled into an alley. Dusting himself off, Verse walked into the bar. Verse took a spot at the gambling table.

Verse looked to see Jake walking in his direction. Verse stuck his foot out. Jake, already having a few drinks, stumpled and tripped over Verse's foot. Time to play......::

"The Frell is wrong with you you pieace of bantha foder?!?! What?! Cat your tongue boy? Mommy a'int here to pick you up?! Son of a whore........"

::Verse did some background checks on this boy. He knew what buttons to push,a nd how hard to push them. The 'drunk' begger wouldn't stand a chance against Jake. Atleats, that is how it would seem......

Verse pushed the boy with one hand. He was careful not to use the Force, nor push no where near as hard as he could. The act must be good. Jake was smart. Very smart as how things should be. This would throw him off. Verse sat down as if not worried. Most drunks didn't care.::

"You think you are hot stuff? Go away boy you bother me. I would hate to see you get hurt."

[Jakob Burton]

Anger immediately seized the "boy" and for multiple reasons. One: this guy was a dick; two: he called him boy; three: he called him the son of a whore; four: he even mentioned the word "whore" in the same sentence as his mother was in. It was true, no doubt, but it hurt and pissed him off nonetheless. Almost literally seeing red, he kicked at the chair legs with his right leg. They snapped easily, and the drunk fell to the ground. As he fell, Jake used the current momentum to spin counterclockwise, planting his left leg for support, and brought up his left leg to catch the drunk in the upper part of his chest, awfully close to his neck. This kick brought the drunk almost at eye level with Jake. Their eyes met for a second, and in that second, Jake felt as if he were staring in a mirror. This person was like him: a denizen of the hellhole that was the slum of Coruscant. But Jake was too pissed off to stop his raging battle momentum and to stop the flow of the adrenaline rushing through his blood. Quickly planting his left leg again, he jumps and uses the right leg again to kick the drunk full force in the chest, sending him sprawling through several tables and chairs, scattering and breaking them as he went. As the drunk finally stopped, propped up with some of the broken chairs and tables, Jake picks him up by the collar and holds him level with himself.

"Don't ever say that to me again, you son of a b****! Or otherwise, you'll live, or die, to suffer and choke on those words!"

Jake drops the man and storms out of the room, aparently agitated. He gets back on the hovercycle and floors the accelerator, speeding off into the cityscape yet again. But his mind still lingered back on the drunk. Why did he feel so familiar, as if Jake had met him before. Jake might've, considering where he lived, but after a few seconds, he rashly pushed the thoughts aside and zipped, bobbed and weaved through traffic to get the anger out of his system.

[Xazor Elessar]

"Damn it...."

Xazor said in a deep voice as she realized that it was her father...and that he took off. She was not having much luck this day...and running into him was the last thing she expected. She followed him but was too slow as he hopped from speeder to speeder. No worries though...she would catch up quickly. Smiling to herself, she jumped from the building and grabbed onto the back end of a speeder, sending it zig-zagging through the multi-level traffic. Its driver took a sharp right turn and flung Xazor off into the middle of an intersection...not where she whished to be. She then began to fall until she landed on top of a frieghter. The man inside quickly reached for his blaster and shot through the roof, just missing the woman. She rolled over on her back, still grasping the edge of the vehicle as she caught her breath. The man was quite serious and proceeded to shoot at her three more times. She accidentally rolled the wrong way and one shot nailed her in the shoulder, forcing her to let go. She growled deeply and fell once again, but landed on the back of a hovercycle, much to the surprise of the driver. She quickly apologized and shoved him off as she hoped into the main seat. He fell until he reached another speeder, which gladly took him in.

The Jedi Knight sped off through the cityscape, breaking every speedlimit the law ever wrote. She did not even follow correct traffic patterns, but instead, wove in and out of the many levels, zooming over and under frieghters and speeders until she reached a bar. Stopping quickly she saw the young man she had been pursuing all this time. Not knowing or caring at the moment where her father was, she took off after Jake and his hovercycle.

The Garou stayed inconspicuous, flying behind him at a distance...but close enough to keep an eye on him. Her comm unit beeped then and she looked down at her wrist to shut it off...and at that moment, she slammed into a building. The hovercycle exploded under her and she was thrown off...pain engulfed her whole body but mainly her right arm with took impact first. Lucky for her, her armour would protect most of her body....but for some reason, her arm had been crushed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she fell and landed herself through the glass of another speeder. The driver yelled out that she was a bounty hunter...and then jumped out of the craft.

Knowing that time was of the essence, she blocked the pain from her mind and took control of the speeder. Her comm unit was broken now...but at least it wouldn't beep anymore. She took off after Jake, who was just barely in sight now. The Knight finally caught up to him, but kept her distance. She did not wish for him to know she was following him....yet....

[Verse Dawnstrider]

::The people left Verse laying on the floor. He closed his eyes as if knocked out. The boy had much anger. That would be easy to fix once he was a Jedi. Verse could not see the future like most Jedi could, but he could feel that is where the boy belonged. Atleast that was what Verse thought. Verse got up when no one waslooking at him. The ones that saw him had their memories wiped as he walked by. Now the boy would think that Verse would be easy prey. As going to plan.

Verse hitched a cab. At the memtion of a place called "Whore's Haven" teh driver took off with Verse in the cab. It seemed that this place was a regular stop. Verse got out in time to see Jake. He had to think fast.::

"Hey kid, you got a lucky shot. You heard of teh tourny that is being held? If you think you are such hot stuff why not enter it with me? That is if you are not scared......"

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor finally landed at "Whore Haven" after her...well, eventful ride. It seemed as though Verse had an in on the kid...and she wondered what he knew. Smiling, the woman who happened to look like a bounty hunter still, approached Verse and Jake. She had overheard some of the conversation and grinned to herself.

"He isn't scared...but you should be..."

She said in a rough voice, her identity still masked by her helmet. She appeared as a man to others...but she was sure her Father knew who it was. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she tightened her grip slightly.

What's going on? And why are you here?

She spoke in his mind as she thought of what to say verbally so she didn't look like a complete idiot.

"There's a price so large on your head...you won't want to join that race."

She had to hold back a laugh...she had no idea what she was saying anyway. She did not know what his plan was...but she did know that he was up to something...he had to be...

[Jakob Burton]

"Yes, you piece of bantha s***, I am hot stuff, and will enter the tournament and mop the floor with your face. After I beat you into sensless oblivion!"

His words were as sincere as they could ever be. He hated this sadistic pig more than anything in the world, possibly even more than he really realized. He would enjoy the tournament, and hopefully this one would be better than what Jake thought. Feeling that giving in to his anger at the moment as futile and wasteful (when it should be saved for the tournament), he stormed off, entering the lobby, where he would take the private elevator down to his training room. He felt the need to work off the boiling, festering rage flowing through his body. As he continued walking, he sensed someone behind him, perhaps following him. He turned instantly and faced the armored visage. At the first glance, he could tell that it was a woman, and the same one that was defending him from that drunk, although he really didn't need it. She held herself like a woman would. And she was rather.........beautiful. But perhaps looks could be decieving? That was a realization that occured commonly in his life. Some people were fake, but it didn't seem that way with this one. She wanted to defend him, but why? No one, with the exception of his own mother, ever wanted to help him, unless they wanted something. Maybe that's what it was. Only one way to know.

"I appreciate you defending me from that scum, but there is no need. I've fought and have beaten worse. And who are you? And why do you want to help me?"

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor had followed the young man into the lobby and was surprised when he had stopped. He turned around and faced her....then spoke, which she didn't expect either. Smiling inside her helmet, she decided to take it off now. Pulling off the heavy metal piece, she brought it down in her hands and held it against her side....revealing a very beautiful woman.

Her hair was done up in Garou Warrior braids, and pretty gold coins laced them inbetween strands. Her face was soft and her features gentle. The silver specks in her deep blue eyes caught the light of the establishment and reflected it like pieces of broken glass. She seemed to glow...even brighter than the lights. Smiling, she looked down for a moment as she re-thought his words.

"My name is Xazor Dawnstrider....I am a Warrior... a Jedi Knight. I seek to help you because you deserve better than the life you have been handed. You are a good person...your mother is a good person...but you are just trying to survive. I know how it is...I too have been there."

She said with great understanding. More than ever now, her eyes gleamed with hope for him...and beckoned for his trust. With all of her heart she wanted to help him...and she wanted him to see that.

[Verse Dawnstrider]

::Verse smiled. As long as Xazor did not blow his cover, he would be unknown to all. Verse made his way into the bar. He found the sign-up. Signing his name on the dotted line, he looked at all that would be done in the contest. It wold be a snap for the Jedi Knight. Verse just hoped that Jakob would do good as well.:;

[Kira Coy]

*kira still in her scarlett topped uniform and black skintight body suit under the loose scarlett uniform top.stepped away from where she was when she heared what was happening.damn,she thought as she pulled out her gun and headed toward where the fuss was.* alright move aside!

[Jakob Burton]

"Are you saying that I should become a Jedi? Why? They help only the important people, and never those who truly need it. Their 'justice' is only a double-standard: they help those who are either important figureheads or those with money. I can't and won't live a lie......"

Jake begins to walk off, but then feels a little bit of guilt. This woman was trying to help him, and yet he just coldly shoved her away. If only things were that simple, that he could just leave and become a Jedi...... It was impossible. He, and his mother, were just glorified slaves, and nothing more. Perhaps he owed her an explanation. He changed directions and headed for the bar, motioning for her to follow. As he entered, he saw the drunk signing the sheet, with a confident gleam shining in his eyes. This man was crazy! Going up against someone who had been trained at physical combat since he could walk and talk. But Jake had to give it to the drunk. At least he had some balls to do this, although he had no chance in Hell of winning......

Jake finds a seat at a small table in a dark corner. He pulls the chair up for the girl, trying to be as polite as possible, although his manners were a bit......rusty. If he had any at all. Jake sat across the table from her. And as she sat and looked at him, he spoke.

"That isn't the only reason why I can't join the Jedi, if that's what you're wanting me to do. The primary reason is: I'm a slave, and the son of a whore, and a bastard, nothing more. I can't just leave and join the Jedi. To do so would mean that I could never rest, because I'd always be runnin' from the bounty hunters who would take up the chase on me. And they'd continue to stalk me forever, because the bounty on my head would be almost astronomical. I'm very valuable to Erron, and there's no way I could leave......"

As he finished his words, a prostitute, one who was his mother's friend, walked to the table, and bent over to whisper some words in Jake's ear. By the expression on his face, the news wasn't good. Jake immediately stood straight up, and regarded the woman sitting before he left.

"I'm sorry, but something's......come up. I have to go. Perhaps we'll meet on better stances, sometime...."

With that, Jake turned and went to the elevator leading to the living quarters. Hearing the hiss as the elevator doors opened, he stepped in, hit the button for his floor, and stared blankly out of the transparent glass at the back of the elevator. As the elevator got to his floor, he stepped off and broke into a run, down the corridor, until he got to his door. He opened it......

....And was shocked to see his mother, lying on the couch, looking pale as death. Her breathing was labored, and when she did breathe, it came out as a sickly gasp. Jake knelt beside his mother, putting his hand on her's.

"Mom.......what's wrong?"

"I'm dying. This 'lifestyle is catching up to me...."

"Mom, please...."

"I'm sorry, Jake. Remember this and promise me this: You will leave this place, get away from here. Go and live a good life, and not one like this. Promise me."

"I promise."

"I love you, Jake, and I'm sorry I couldn't give you better....."

"I love you too, ma. Don't worry. Everything's gonna be alright...........Mom? Mom? MOM!?"

Jake lost it. All that calm, cool exterior was soon washed away with the tears streaming down his face. He hadn't cried in a long time and the tears, his own, seemed foreign to him. He held him mother for the last time, and then left, but not before getting most of his belongings together. He then left. He knew what he must do.

The private elevator took him up again, to Erron's office. And again, for the second time today, he burst into the room.

"Are you aware that my mother is dead?"

"Yes."

"I've no reason to stay now. I'm leaving."

"No, you're not. I own you."

"Bulls***! I'm leaving."

"You wouldn't dare...."

"Oh, but I am......"

With the sound of the Hutt's shouts in his ear, Jake ran again, and out of the hotel again. With his belongings strapped to his back, he grabbed the hovercycle again, and again he blazed off into the cityscape.

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor listened intently as he spoke. Her heart ached for him...but when she was about to speak, he was suddenly up and gone. Something had happened....she could feel a great disturbance rippling through the great river of the Force. Thinking it would be disrespectful to follow him, she ran into the bar instead and found Verse.

"Father! Something has happened and I don't know what! I have to..."

She then heard footsteps out in the lobby. They were heavy and quick. Turning to see the comotion, she spotted Jake bolting for the door. The Knight whipped around to face her Father. Kissing him on the cheek, she ran backwards toward the door.

"I'm sorry....I have to follow him, it's my calling!"

Without saying a good-bye or anything else, she too was out the door and hopping on a parked hovercycle. Hopefully she would have better luck on one this time. Kicking it into gear, she zoomed off and quickly caught up with the young man. She was not afraid to fly by his side, though...

"Please! Hear me out! What you say about the Jedi isn't true! We help everyone who needs it, no matter who they are! If what you said was fact, then why am I here? All I want is to...whoa!"

She was interrupted by someone who was going to wrong way. Quickly ducking and weaving, she found her place back at Jake's side as they whizzed through the thick multi level traffic that flooded the air.

"All I want to do is help you and if you let me, I can! I'm not asking you to give up everything and leave...but I can guarantee you that if you come to the Jedi Base...no Bounty Hunter will be able to touch you! I swear it...Jakob!"

She had found out his name through the Force, something she did to people quite often. Looking ahead of her for a moment, she turned back to face him, wishing so much that he'd speak....

[Jakob Burton]

But perhaps she knew that he wouldn't. He was too busy with thoughts of pain, suffering, and revenge. He would make that bastard pay for the two decades of hell that he was given by that overgrown piece of scum. He didn't know what he would do, but that might take most of the night. But he knew what to do. There was a man who hated Erron about as much as Jake did. And he would fund Jake with whatever he needed for revenge. He punched the acceleration and blazed through the night. In his mind he thought, but was unaware that she would hear it:

"I'm sorry, but if I join the Jedi, I gotta be evil first....."

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor stopped in mid air as he sped away. Cursing herself, she heard his words so clearly in her mind. He would have to be evil first? she thought to herself. Shaking her head, she did not know what to do anymore. She had not given up...but one could not move mountains....not her anyway. Parking the stolen speeder on the ground once again, the Knight found a deserted alley way and walked down it. Sitting herself against a wall, a tear fell down her cheek as she felt so lost and confused. Not only could she not help him.....she couldn't help herself. She couldn't even get off of this planet now, and she had no idea where her Father was. Some crazy idea he had about some race danced across her memory, but that was about all. Xazor closed her eyes and fell asleep in the cold of the night. If someone did not find her....she could die from the extremes in the dark alley.....

[Jakob Burton]

Jake stared down the barrel of an E-11 Blaster Carbine, held by one of Drek's guards. Drek, a strange Wookie and a crimelord who was the enemy of Erron, gave the order for the guard to lower his weapon. The guard, respectful and afraid of the reprocussions of disobidence, did so. As the Wookie spoke, his speech was translated by a small droid attached to his belt, although Jake could understand the Wookie language as well.

"Why, Jake, why are you here?"

"I came here to propose a deal. I think, if you help me, you'll like this one."

"And why would I trust you? After all, you do work for my enemy."

"Have you ever heard of the words: 'the enemy's enemy is my friend?'"

"Yes."

"That's basically what I'm proposing."

"You wish to get rid of....."

"Erron, yes. I'm willing and able to betray that scum."

"Good. So what is this proposition."

"Well, it goes something like this: I give everyone who wants out the chance to leave, and those who remain loyal to him I kill. But the only problem is, that I need some weapons to kill him, and I don't have any. That's where you come in. You supply me with the weapons, and I do the service of killing your worst enemy. How's it sound?"

"Good. But, are you going to do this alone?"

"Yes."

"That's suicide. You must be crazier that I thought."

"You've seen me fight. You've seen me perform. You know I can do it, just give me the chance, and trust me, I won't dissappoint you."

"Good point. Very well then, I'll give you whatever weapons and supplies you need, in exchange for the death of Erron and the destruction of the hotel. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Well, let's go see what weapons you need and what I have available."

Although Drek was still a crimelord, he was a crimelord with morals, of sorts. This basically makes him a good guy. After all, no one's a saint....

Hours later, Jake is walking around, and is about a mile away from Drek's complex. He had time to kill. He didn't want to do it in broad daylight. The night was his friend this time. It would aid and abet him in destroying the complex without being recognized by anyone except Erron, whom Jake would reveal himself to personally, to make him pay for all the pain and suffering. As he walked, for his own safety, he carried on him an E-11 Blaster Carbine, Imperial issue and very reliable. It was as if he knew that he would meet trouble before he went back to "Whore's Haven" for the last time.... It was as if he could sense the eyes, trained on him, gazing down the length of a blaster rifle.

Suddenly, a laser beam comes rushing for Jake's body. He dives to the right and automatically goes into a counterclockwise roll, firing his rifle at the source of the beam. The assailant immediately falls, and is replaced by two more. They fire, Jake rolls behind some trash disposals. He then jumps to his left, firing two precise bolts, dispatching the two, as he hits the ground behind another disposal. More are firing. About five of them. He leans outward to the right and blasts another in the forehead. More beams come to meet and greet Jake. He is almost hit by one. Realizing that this was an ambush, he runs around the corner to the left, running through some building equipment, skidding behind a crane for cover. He hears the sounds of blaster bolts hitting the crane, and one hits the crane in a power coupling, and sparks and electricity go flying around. Jake gets from behind the crane and fires several shots, but is shocked to see that there were about twenty men, some guards of Erron and others hardened bounty hunters who were under Erron's employ. He ran backwards and continued firing, and got about five guards, but they were easily replaced. And as Jake goes to fire another round, he hits a wall behind him and his blaster overheats. The attackers stop firing and surround Jake, blasters ready. Jake wasn't sure whether or not their orders were to bring him back alive or kill him, and Jake was scared. He had had bad odds like this before, but never of this magnitude, and the bad odds were always at competitions and pit fights, never all-out blaster fights. He was finished. He dropped the gun and gave up. He could hear the tightening of several guard's trigger-fingers as the gun clattered to the ground, and Jake knew that he was finished. He had failed to find freedom, he had failed to get out of there. He fail to follow his mother's last wish. Despair and anger flowed through him. As he fell to his knees, he heard some rumbling and shaking coming from the ground. He heard the moaning and groaning of pipes, and saw them as the metal pipes erupted from the ground. There were five large pipes, metal, and they simply broke, releasing their contents. Water, gallons upon gallons of it. The water shot at the attackers, and blasted them into a group. Then, strangely, the water started clumping together in the air, as if the very gravity in that area had been removed. The water swirled, into a small eddy at first, but grew into a raging whirlpool, a water funnel. It engulfed the men, flung them about, and started dragging them towards the crane. Towards the exposed power coupling. The water met with the electricity, and the water began to glow with the sparks of electricity. It fried the attackers, and made their gas chambers on their blasters explode, causing major damage. As suddenly as it came, the funnel dissipated and the water dropped back into the pipes. The men, reduced to corpses and pieces of corpses, were scattered about on the ground.

After several seconds, Jake looked up and opened his eyes. He was amazed at the destruction of it! But how?! Who....... the Jedi! They did this! Feeling relieved, he spoke:

"Whoever did this, thanks."

But when he got no answer, he began to believe that it wasn't the Jedi, or even another Force wielder. But who? Still baffled by the question, he got up and began to run. Away from the carnage. Down the alleys. And for the second time today, he trips on the feet of another person, but then realizes who it was. The same woman who tried to help him, was sitting up against the wall, a slight tear running down her cheek. Jake felt awful. He just shoved away someone who wanted to help him. Out of guilt and wanting for attonement, he sat next to the woman, and put his arm around her shoulder, letting her head lean on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry.....it's just that a lot of things have happened today, and I'm still not done with the day just yet. I have one more thing to do, but time to kill, so just don't cry. I'm sorry........I'll be here to help. I promise....."

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor subconsciously heard his message. Her physical body was too in shock from the cold air in the dark alley, that she was slightly unconscious. She could respond though....but with her mind.

Killing is a stain upon your soul.....I know you think it is out of justice, it will only hurt you. I know....I have killed many....

She spoke in his mind. Her voice was soft and gentle...but she was still not sure if he heard her. Suddenly a surge of energy ran through her body and she awoke, feeling the frozen tear on her cheek. She lifted her head and looked up at Jake.

"I didn't think anyone would find me.....thank you...."

She said softly, her voice nearly a whisper. Indeed, she had caught a cold and coughed violently a few times before resting back against the wall...

[Jakob Burton]

Jake saw how sick she was, and knew that she was way too weak to move. Any longer out in the cold and she'd be done for, regardless of whether she was a Jedi or not. The title didn't stop the indiscriminating killer, the cold. He got up from her side and scooped her up in his arms. He couldn't let her stay here. So he carried her for a mile or so until he got do Drek's compound. Then, after getting an okay to do so from Drek himself, Jake finds a nice bed and puts her in. He lays her down, and covers her up. He hoped that she would be okay. Jake, just in case of complications, asked for someone to watch her as she slept. Once that was taken care of, it was time for action. Time for the destruction of "Whore's Haven," and its cruel master, once and for all.

Jake, getting off of the speeder about a hundred feet across the street from "Whore's Haven", gazed out of the window of the dilapidated building across from the hotel. He saw two guards on post, one beside by each side of the door, but noticed that there weren't as many guards posted. Usually, there were many more, about five to six more, just in front of the building. The guard count wasn't very high before, but when Erron had sent most of them in addition to bounty hunters to bring him back, he had made a mistake. One that would cost him his life. After careful contemplation and consideration, he realized that there was no way that he could get one guard away from the other long enough to kill or give other options to just one guard, therefore, he must encounter both at the same time. Jake, clambering down the crumbling stairs, exits the building, and approaches the first two guards. They, realizing it was Jake, attempt to draw their weapons, but Jake was much faster. He drew two small blaster pistols and fired at the drawing arms of both men, disarming them, but not killiing them. Keeping his blasters trained on both, he speaks.

"I want a yes or no answer. Is your loyalty to Erron the Hutt worth your lives?"

They answered with nods of no

"Then I want you to both leave this place, seek a better job. And leave your weapons in this bag."

As Jake threw down the empty bag, both guards relented, giving up all of their weapons before Jake set them free. As they left, he set out again, giving the choice of stay and die, or leave and live, to all of the guards he met. Most left, and willingly, as well as thankfully. Once done with those, he moved into the hotel and swept each floor, doing the same with every guard he saw. In addition, he recruited some guards to guard the prostitutes as they left the premisis. Once done with that, he cleared the remaining rooms, before backtracking and setting destructional charges at the key structural points of the building. After doing all of this, which took, in all, about thirty minutes of fast movement, he finally headed up the elevator to the office. As he stepped out, he was immediately met by a blaster-wielding male Twie'lek, who raised his blaster to fire. Jake met him immediately with a fist, before placing two neat holes into the center of the Twie'lek's tendriled head. And for the third time today, Jake burst into Erron's office, where Erron sat, bewildered. How could he have gotten past all of those well-trained guards!? Angrily, he began to speak.

"What do you plan to do now, Jake? Kill me? To do so is death to you."

"Well, I've been waiting for nineteen years to die, and now is a damn good time!"

With that, he began to blast the slug. And he didn't stop until the gas cartriges on his blasters finally spent themselves. Stepping over the corpse, he then placed another charge in the office. It was almost over. He then left the hotel, getting on the hovercycle. Driving it to a safe viewing distance, he hit the detenators. The explosions rocked the building, blowing some of it outward, while other simply made it collapse. The final touches were incediary bombs, which reduced all to molten slag and ash. After a minute of watching it burn, he returns back to Drek's. After a congradulatory talk, he returns to the room in which the woman slept. Once there, he found peace in her rhythmic breathing. He timed his with her's and was very calm. With nothing else to cause him trouble or pain, he waits for her to wake.....

[Xazor Elessar]

In her sleep, Xazor had felt a great tremor in the Force....but she did not wake. Breathing normally her body temperature rose to where it should be and she quickly regained homiostasis. All would be well now. As she was dreaming peacefully about her upcoming wedding, she was awoken by the presence of another...it was Jake. Sitting up carefully, the Knight propped herself up against the wall.

"You brought me here....thank you. I would have died but you gave me a second chance to live. Everyone deserves a second chance....."

She said softly. Smiling once again, she yawned and looked around at the room she was in. The place was warm and it was good to be relaxed as she was. Looking back to Jake, she could see that his demeanor was different....he was more at peace than before. She knew now what he had done....

"You went to finish your day...didn't you? You're lucky that you did not get hurt while doing so. Though I disagree with your actions....I know that you wished to destroy that place for good reasons. Therefore....you are to be shamed as well as commended. A difficult place to stand...I know, I have been there also."

The Garou said with a reassuring smile. She was feeling a lot better than before....despite the way her heart felt about what he had done. Killing was not good....but at least he had not killed the innocent ones who wished to live.....but she had in her past. Not wishing to dwell on it anymore, she looked at him and spoke.

"You don't have a place to stay now...do you? If you wish....you may come to the Jedi Order with me, but I need to find a way back there first..."

She offered kindly. She knew that he had potential in the Force, if only he would have confidence in himself....

[Jakob Burton]

OOC: Sorry. On Verse's comp, just somebody delete it. I'll repost it below.

IC:

"Well, how 'bout this: I stay in and about in town, and in a few days, I'll contact you and I'll take your offer then. But, I still have a tournament to attend to tomorrow. And I still have to teach that drunk a lesson....."

He, for the first time in a long time, felt happy. Like as if his entire body was just a ray of sunshine. He felt great. Like as if a weight had been lifted on his shoulders. A nasty, scummy, collossial one. And although he still had one more tournament and a couple of games to bet on, there was no real pressure.

"Well, it's awfully late now, so you might as well stay here for the night. After all, you don't have anyplace to go for the night. And I'm in the same ship. Well, goodnight, I'm off to find a second room, unless you wanna talk about your past a little."

Jake didn't honestly understand where that last part came from, but it was the first thing to pop into his mind, so he spoke it.

"And tell me anything and everything. It won't bother me. My life, especially my past, is about as rough as your's was, but in a different way.

[/i]Where in the hell were these words coming from?[/i]

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor lofted a brow when he spoke. His words seemed to come out of no where...and she wondered how he knew about her hurtful past. She looked up at the ceiling and then her eyes fell back to his. Smiling, she took in a deep breath and exhaled before speaking.

"My past? Alright...well, I was taken from my parents when I was four by a Sith Lord, and he took me to the planet Cysaria. There I lived in the Emperor's Palace with him...for he was the Emperor. He trained me as a Sith and I made him very proud. At the age of nine I was made the Empress...and made many appearances, especially in my eleventh year..."

She paused a moment and gathered her thoughts. The story was very incomplete, seeing as though she was so tired. Yawning a bit, she began again.

"When I was about fourteen I was promoted to Sith Knight...and I was one hellian in battle. I killed thousands and then when I was sixteen, I was put in charge of the Cysarian Armies. A difficult position it was...but more and more were killed, many by my hands...."

She thought once again and sighed, looking down at the floor before saying anything else.

"The blood of thousands...thousands...is upon my hands. I fell in love with another Knight named Chase. He desired to be a Jedi, but was Sith because he wished to please his father. I learned that the Jedi offered all that I needed...peace. I felt it was my calling...after a few skirmishes, and nearly being killed by my Sith Master, I left on his X-Wing and was led to Arcan IV..."

The woman paused a moment and smiled as she thought of how happily her story had "ended". She was nearly off in her thoughts, when she continued once again.

"There a wonderful man accepted me as his Padawan. He was a great teacher, and a good friend. I considered him my Father...and he later adopted me. The suprising thing is...is that after he took me as his child, we discovered that he was my biological father...the one I had been taken from so long ago..."

She smiled, hoping that her story had made some sense. Of course, she did not tell other details...it would have been too shocking and terrible to share such things with others...especially him. Sighing, she leaned back against the wall once again, wondering what he was thinking about...

[Jakob Burton]

"Well, he sounds nice to me. It seems as if I had met him before......"

More words flying out of his mouth that made no sense to him. Perhaps it was his emotions that were talking, or perhaps they were in shock from all that happened. After all, he did lose his mom, witness a freak accident that happened in his favor, killed Erron, and blew his only home sky-high. But it might also be from lack of sleep. For the past nineteen years he had lack of sleep, and why should it affect him now? Freedom came with a price........

"And perhaps I'll meet him soon. I would like to..."

He suddenly felt tired, really tired, and wanted to sleep more than anything in the universe. So, he got up and walked out of the room, after wishing her to have a good night. He walked down the hallway, and it was quiet. Amazingly quiet. Perhaps Jake would get some quality sleep for a change. He found the room he was borrowing for the night, and laid down on the bed. It felt softer than anything he had slept on. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.....

......But was a bit mad when he found that he couldn't. Perhaps it was because there was no noise. He was used to the hustle and bustle of the people as they walked past, talking about anything and everything. Some did a lot more than walking. And sometimes he would hear his mother, only about a room apart from his, and it tortured him so. He wanted to kill. Kill the bastard who was having sex with her. And he not only was enraged but sad, because she had to go through all of that. Every single day, forever and ever. But not anymore.....

....But he missed her so much. Missed actually having someone in that cruel, twisted world that he existed in who actually cared for him. She was all he had, and now, he had nothing. Well, not nothing. He still had his life. And freedom, sweet yet so bittersweet freedom. It came with a price. And right now, that price was all he had. And that price was his mother, and the corrupted roof over his head. And he, after all, had this woman, whom wanted to help him. Wanted to be sincere. And he wanted so bad to go, just fly away in that big spaceship, to the Jedi base, but all he could think about was making that drunk pay. All he wanted was for that scum to pay for the things he said about his mother. He was, like any child, defending his mother's honor, even though she was gone. Gone.....

He began to hurt again. He didn't cry. Not one tear. He just went outside, to the courtyard on the complex. It was a rare sight in the slums of Coruscant, to see a courtyard with plants, and as massive as this one. Jake found the nearest tree, and sat at its base, curling his body up in a ball and tucking his face inward. He felt so miserable. So, utterly miserable. So, he decided that maybe if he rode around on the hovercycle for a bit, he might feel better. So, he ran down the complex, looking slightly in the woman's room before he left. She was asleep, maybe, but either way, she looked so peaceful. How? What was the secret? He'd probably never know. After some thought he left a note, saying that he'd be right back, and if she wanted to find him, use the Force and borrow a hovercycle from some people up there. They'd be happy to help out a potentially powerful ally and a "friend" of one whom had eliminated the major competitor, Erron. Once finished, he hung it on a stand next to the bed, where she'd see it. He spun around and ran out of Drek's complex, hopping on the hovercycle and speeding off into the night. He'd head to another bar that he knew. He would find out if he could reap his vengance on the drunk in the tournament, or if he screwed that up by his vengeful actions.

After a few minutes of riding as fast as the hovercycle would carry him, he found the bar. He walked in calmly and asked for another Correlian Whiskey, and as the bartender brought it to him he took a sip and looked for the roster for tomorrow's tournament. And there it was, posted on the screen in the back of the bar. Even thought he wasn't fighting for Erron anymore didn't mean that he couldn't compete. It actually left him more of a free choice of what to compete in. He then walked over to the gambling table and checked the bets he had last time. He had won! And with that win, the credits came. A good many, enough to last him about three to four days. He was always good at gambling. It was just a talent, he believed. And he always seemed to win. So he kept on doing it. But not now. He would enjoy the whiskey, and maybe some bantaburgers with cheese and Correlian beer-battered onion rings, and maybe some fries. He could even buy a steak. And so he did. A steak, six huge banthaburgers with cheese and ten sideorders of onion rings. He was so hungry. So he sat and ate away, and ordered a soft drink that was nonalcoholic once he had ran out of his whiskey. He really didn't feel like drinking alcohol anyway. Such great tasting food! Such freedom! Perhaps he would be happy, after all, because if his stomach was happy then so was he. Maybe he would even find permanent gratification, he hoped...........

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor awoke several hours after falling asleep. On her little nightstand lay a note left by Jake. She sighed and read it carefully, glad that he was in no apparent danger by taking off. She got out of bed, feeling a bit hungry. Perhaps she would go find him....maybe get something to eat. Smiling as she stretched her tired muscles, she made her way through the large complex....and found a hovercycle outside. Looking around for sight of anyone, she got on it without worry and took off, feeling his presence with the Force. It led her to the bar.....and she parked the hovercycle outside. Smiling, she walked in a spotted the young man right away.

"Greetings once again....my rest was well....did you sleep at all?"

She questioned gently as she took a seat in the empty place next to him. He had obviosly ordered a lot of food....perhaps he would care to share it with her, for she was actually quite hungry, having not eaten since breakfast the previous day.

[Jakob Burton]

"Nope. Couldn't sleep. That's why I came here. So, do you want something to eat? I got plenty of food here and could order more if it's needed."

Jake was glad that he had someone to talk to, and to trust. It seemed as if she were being sincere when she talked to him. It felt good that someone actually cared for him.

[Jakob Burton]

OOC: Sorry, Xazor, but you said it yourself in the wedding thread, Verse ain't got too much time, so I'd like to get this tournament started.

IC:

After about several hours of eating and talking with the woman, who he now knew as Xazor, he looked at the nearest clock, and saw that he had about an hour before the tournament would start. He liked getting there early, so he could at least get warmed up. So, he looked over at Xazor and told her that he'd have to go now, and he handed her some credits for the purchase of a ticket, and then left quickly. Yet again he was zipping in and out of traffic, towards the collesieum. After about five minutes of going at the fastest speed that he could possibly go, he parked his speeder in the hangar, and left to his room. Most competitors didn't have a room, but he was such a regular at these tournaments that he did have a room. He was one of the favorites of the people, and always got tons of support. He stripped of his regular clothing, and put on his traditional gi-style uniform, white with blue accents. He slid on his gloves and buckled up his shoes, before going into an alternate room, in which there was a sturdy training droid. He turned it on to a high difficulty setting, and began. He loved the vibration in his hands and legs when he struck the droid with several punches and kicks. He loved the huge thudding sound as he tackled the droid. And he just loved these sounds of fighting, and absolutely revelled in them when he was actually fighting a real opponent. These sounds, in combination with his feelings of efficiency, were what drove Jake in a fight. He just couldn't help it. He felt truly alive only when he was fighting for his life. Finally, the time had come, he was to fight. He walked out of the training room, drank a mouthful of water, and left the room.

It was deathly quiet as he entered the field. It suddenly erupted with bright white lights and the sounds of millions of people and beings cheering. He was ready. The first combatant was another human, who towered above Jake at an astounding height of eight-foot-five. The man gave an inhuman grunt as he lunged for him. Jake simply stepped to the side, and as the giant fell where Jake once was, Jake executed several swift kicks to it's chest, feeling his feet thud on hardened muscle. This man was incredible! The giant got up and began swinging. A quick duck from Jake kept him from getting hit. Jake rolled between the giant's trunk-like legs. In mid-roll, Jake kicked him in the back of his knees, bringing the man down. As the giant began kneeling, Jake jumped and wrapped his long, muscular legs around the giant's neck and brought him to the ground. As the giant thrashed about, Jake began tighting his legs around his neck, and never stopped, at least not until he heard the snap of the giant's neck. The giant went limp, and fell dead. It was a shame that Jake had to kill this man. After all, they coulda been friends. But in most of the fights, it was the same rule: fight until one yields, gets knocked out, or gets killed. Jake exited the ring and watched the next fight, and was shocked to see the drunk entering the ring with another combatant. Jake sat down and watched the fight intently. Jake mouths this outloud, although he was unaware that the drunk probably heard him.

"Now we'll see how good you really are."

[Verse Dawnstrider]

::Verse took his spot on the field. He looked at he six-armed humaniod that stood on the other side of the room. The other grinned seeing the smaller 'human' that he was facing. He the bell rand and he rushed Verse. Verse sighed at the attack. Using the Force, Verse jumped high over the creatures head. He twisted his body in mid-air and double kicked the creature in the back on the head as he floated down. The creature spun around anad attacked with all six of his arms. Verse yawned and increased his speed with the Force. verse parried all the creatures moves without breaking a sweat. Then Verse punched him in the forehead. Increased by the Force, the punch knocked the humaniod off his feet and didn't get up. He was uncoincense. verse just walked off the field.::

[Jakob Burton]

How? How was this possible? Jake couldn't believe his eyes as he saw the spectacle. The drunk could actually fight! And it seemed as if he didn't even break a sweat! Amazing. Just amazing. Perhaps the next fight would be a good fight after all.....

Jake took a slight drink of water before walking back on the training field. As he took his place in the corner of the room, he saw who it was on the opposite side of the room. It was him. The drunk. The tournament was way too short this time. Usually, there would've been more fighters involved, but it was probably the news of Erron the Hutt's death that made the tournament so short. Jake was shocked to find that there was no cheering at all. Just absolute silence. Everyone was watching, waiting for the match to begin. The only real noise, with the exception of the announcer, was his own breath and the breath of the drunk. And even the loud voice of the announcer seemed quiet. Jake gazed over the length of the room and stared into the drunk's eyes. It was like as if he were looking in a mirror again. This man was about the same size and height as Jake. And when Jake studied the man, it seemed as if he were fighting a different version of himself. And in that moment, a split second before the bell tolled, Jake didn't see the drunk that he had seen before. He saw a wise and powerful fighter. The bell tolled, and the fight began....

Jake rushed the man immediately, measuring his flurries of kicks and punches carefully, so as not to give way to show his oppenent any weaknesses. Jake was shocked to see that while he was trying his hardest and moving his fastest to hit this man, the man was simply dodging the attacks, and wasn't even trying. It was almost entirely certain that he wasn't even trying at all. So Jake tried harder, going for grabs and trips, only to find that he wasn't gaining any ground. So he tried even harder to gain some sort of ground, but he wasn't gaining any ground at all. After several minutes of trying his damnest to actually hit him, but it was useless. There was no way that Jake could even hit the man, let alone win the match. So he stopped. He opened his arms and pointed to his face. He knew he had been bested.

"Go ahead. K.O. me or kill me. I give up. You're way too good for me. Unless you wish to go for a tie, although it would be stupid to do that, considering that you could beat me blindfolded with hands and feet bound. Make your decision."

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor stayed a bit hidden as she watched several men and alien type beings fight one another. The Knight watched her Father fight...of course, he was flawless as usual. She smiled his way and winked gently and then turned her attention to Jake. He was a good fighter too, but he got frustrated too easily.

Greetings Father....just wanted to say that I love you....

She spoke in his mind as she watched him out on the field. She had not spoken with him since the day she spotted him in the bar....and it was good to see him once again. The fights she would view this day would prove quite interesting....if only she could join in herself, but she did not wish to give her identity away to everyone....many were not too kind to the Jedi these days...

[Verse Dawnstrider]

::Verse smiled and head out a hand to the fighter.::

"Battles do not make one great. Knowing when to walk away is a better skill. I am a Jedi Knight. I said what I did because I wanted to see if you would lose your cool. Join me and my daughter and return with us to GJO.....:

::As soon as Jakob took Verse's hand to shake it. Verse pulled it in the air. The sign that one had been bested. The crowd went wild seeing the 'unbeatable' man give up to Jakob. Jakob looked wild-eyed and confused. Verse spoke, not worried if others heard him. the crowd was to load to allow that.::

"If I won, or it was a tie, then you left, it would seem as if I forced you. Now that you have won, if you leave people will talk about the boy that overcame all odds to go on to greatness. In doing so you never know how many lives you touch. Wars do not make one great. It is what is in your heart. How you live you life thatr counts. Join us, and become a role model for all that are forced to live a life like yours."

[Jakob Burton]

Utter confusion. This man was a Jedi? And he mentioned his daughter. Who? Jake put two and two together, and was even more confused that before. Jake, stunned that he felt this way, actually liked this outcome more than winning, because in every single way, he had done something right, and had actually been appreciated for it. A new path was opening before his eyes, and he was so dumfounded that all he could say was a single word. [i]

"Yes."

[i]Jake walked out of the ring, side by side with the "drunk," whom actually turned out to be something much more: a good person. With good intentions, a good mind, as well as a good heart. All these good people, and they actually cared for Jake and most of his utterly horrid life! Jake was awestruck. All of this was happening so fast! All he could do is simply walk away from this old, worn-out life and begin his path. To start his new life. To bring the birth of a new Jakob or "Jake" Burton.............

[Xazor Elessar]

Xazor realized that her Father had blown his cover. She grinned and ran up behind both me, putting an arm around each of their shoulders.

"So he told you? This is my Father, Verse Dawnstrider....Jedi Knight just like me! You're coming with us to the Greater Jedi Order?"

She looked to both of them and they simply nodded. She smiled brightly....Jake would be a good apprentice.

"I'll...I'll train you! If that is alright...I mean, I have ten Padawans, but I'll do it..."

She offered with excitement...hoping it was alright with her Father, and he did not wish to train him at all. Whatever happened now, did not matter...Jakob Burton was reborn.....he was new and could start over, just like she had. Both of their lives had been terrible....but now they were both new...

[Jakob Burton]

"That's fine with me. After all, I'm willing to bet that you fight as good as your father, and learned from an execellent teacher. I only wish I could be that good. Maybe one day I might be...... Well, I gotta go get my credits and then I'll buy everyone a drink. I'll be back in a bit."

Jake went to the offices, and recieved his credits. He wasn't aware that he could possibly get that much money. He probably was earning this much before, but Erron was getting it all. Eight million credits....... Jake was astounded. He would never run out of money! Jake then ran to the bar, bought the three most expensive bottles of Correlian Whiskey. He ran back to Verse and Xazor.

"Here. The finest, or at least the most expensive, bottles of Correlian Whiskey. I got eight million credits off of this! I'll never be broke again! Well, we should be off to the GJO, or whatever you called it."