The Backdrafts (Book 4)

[Akirapryde]

Shadows of the Mind
Galactic Republic World of Lustang
Outer Rim

In the capital city of Bennison, life goes about its normal day to day drone as people tend to their daily lives. Many of the planet's population don't worry about the war waging just over a thousand light years away between the Sith Lords. Everyone has heard the Republic promises that the war will not threaten Lustang. They all have good reason to believe As a show of strength, the Republic as stationed the entire 5th Republic Marine Fleet on this small strategic world. Because of the added military support, most citizens of Lustang don't fear the Sith or their armies. Most, however there is a small growing voice that is crying out words of warning. Lustang has more strategic value than is commonly known. It was the last strong hold of the Sith during the Great Hyperspace War. Here the last Sith Lord stood his ground against the armies of the Republic and was killed by the elite hunters of the Jedi Order. A few fear that Lustang's history makes it a prime target for one of the rival Sith Lords to gain a moral boast.

Just off the spaceport sits a small local tourist diner. Within it, are many travelers waiting for their departing flights, or just enjoying a final meal before their long hyperspace journey. Golo The Hutt's diner is a must see for Lustang. If a tourist is lucky enough, they might catch Golo The Hutt visiting his diner. The food is not what makes this remarkable place so special. The diner's popularity comes from being owned by one of the most notorious gangsters known. However that was before he turned his ways around and moved out to the Outer Rim. Now he has become more of a local celebrity and a point of tourist's attention. Which brings in money and the sole reason why the local authorities allow him to remain, under a watchful eye. The diner has one more claim to fame today. Sitting in the center of the dining room is a lone Twi'lek dressed in robes as he attempts to conceal his red skin. Today, Ubaah has found his way in to this small diner. And he is not alone!

A family of Twi'leks set next to the front door enjoying their simple meal. Father seems more stressed then the rest as their vacation is winding down. A Nautolan sits at a side booth with a Bothan across him. As they whisper their conversation, a Nagia stands as silent sentry next to their booth. Her twin vibroblades tell all those watching to mind their own business. Across the dinning room, a pair of humans enjoy their breakfast. One might confuse them as Jedi due to their robes, however their gold stars worn proudly tell all those that see what they are. A Vodran sits at the bar sipping coffee and finishing up his breakfast. His blaster rifle slung over his back and worn armor shows signs of heavy use. Clearly a merc heading out deeper in to the Outer Rim looking for work. Down the bar from the Vodran, sits a Rodian. His head down on the bar and cold food tells the story of his long travels. The waitress, a Torgruta and a pair of human females, all clearly slaves, do their best to ensure that each customer are tended to. A pair of droids in the kitchen ensures that the food keeps flowing as orders come in.

“Where are you going Ubaah” the attractive woman sitting across from him said. She played with her white hair and smiled at him. For her, this was nothing more than a game to pass the time. She has had allot of time to pass lately. The glimmer in her eyes told Ubaah that today's game would end badly for him and there was nothing he could do about it.

Ubaah didn't act surprise to see her. He felt her for nearly an hour. He also knew that no one in the diner would be able to see her. He had tried to convince others at the spaceport of her exsistance to no success.“Getting the hell away from you. Didn't I tell you no?” He said sipping on his coffee. “Why are you still here? Go away!” Once more, he had tried that back on Carissa, but she refused to leave. He felt her in his mind and realized he had to run before she did harm to those who he cared about.

She laughed, “Did you really think that you had any hope of denying me what is already mine?” She let go of her hair playfully as she smiled and leaned closer to him, “You crave power and I offered more than you could imagine.” The look in her eyes was unavoidable, “You worthless worm, you could have had all your dreams. But you feared being a puppet.” She leaned back laughing, “fearful of being used.” She looked up at the ceiling, “Didn't you know, everyone here on this plan is mine for the using.” She lowered her gaze back to him and leaned in once more, “And that means you too, Ubaah”

“I told you no, and I am not changing my mind” he said defiantly. There was concern in his heart of what the sword creature could do. He didn't care, he wanted power but was not about to give up his soul for it. There were simply lines one shouldn't cross and he wasn't about to cross it. He couldn't understand how she was able to be here. He thought that once Mia held the Sword, she would be silent. That was how it was before. He couldn't understand what happened. He felt her calling him to the sword just hours before he left Carissa. Calling him to murder Mia and claim the sword. It was tempting and the power was so intense he could taste it. But he couldn't, he wouldn't cross that line.

“Oh dear Ubaah, you can't change your mind if you life depended on it” she said with an evil glimmer in her eye. “And trust me, your life depends on it more than you will ever imagine.” She leaned back, “you feared being my puppet? Fear being used.” she laughed, “You could have been a minion.” She slowly turned and looked around the diner, “Let me show you what a puppet really is.” As she went back to playing with her hair, Ubaah's hand reached up and smacked the human server on the rear. She yelp at the force of the blow and rushed away. The Sword Creature just laughed at the act that Ubaah had no control over.

Ubaah was surprised at his hands action, “Leave me alone!” he said as he fought to regain control of his hand. He could feel the creature's control fading. He smiled back to her, “Not so strong now!” He couldn't have been more wrong.

“I am going to ask you one last time, serve me or be used by me.” She said not even looking at Ubaah. She just kept twisting her hair around her finger then pulling it from her hair. Ubaah wanted to cut her head clean off as he felt his anger raising.

Ubaah's mind went blank to his horror. It was if someone had simply turned it off. He couldn't believe the words coming from his mouth, “NEVER!” He didn't want to serve her. But the word was not his own. He couldn't understand what has happening.

She turned to him and smiled, “Then enjoy the show my little puppet” she said getting up from her chair, “Kill every living creature in this building except for yourself.” she turned and walked over to the bar while smiling as Ubaah started to get up from his chair, “Start with them!” she said with glee as she pointed to the two Rangers. Their human waitress was just finishing refilling their drinks. The smile on the waitress and the laughter from the two men set the mood. Ubaah didn't think as he turned as the Sword Creature started to laugh.

Ubaah didn't say as he walked over to the Ranger's table he could feel the ease of their emotions. He slipped his hand over his lightsaber and drew it from its hanger on his belt. Deep in his mind, he screamed out for control over what he was doing. Ubaah could see, hear, smell and taste everything around him but he didn't have control over his own body. He was forced to watch what he was about to do. He walked up to the table with his lightsaber in hand just as the waitress was walking away. He could see out of the corner of his eye the Sword Creature propping herself up on the bar and getting ready to watch the show. He did everything possible to fight the control over his body but nothing worked. There was no emotion on Ubaah's face as the two Rangers looked up at him. Even as one was about to ask if they could help him, without warning Ubaah activated the lightsaber and decapitated the first Ranger. The red mist rose up as the head flung bouncy towards the center of the diner.

Ubaah spun his lightsaber in his hand as he readied the next strike and shifted his stance. With a spin, he drove the saber through the second Ranger as he was standing and drawing his own saber. There were screams as shock and horror spread across the room. If there was any doubt of the situation, all was gone as Ubaah spun and leaped up slicing the waitress as she stood frozen in terror. Her eyes were fixed on Ubaah like an animal trapped by its own primal fears. It is an image he will never forget. His blade cut her down the torso and sent her tray shattering to the floor. He switched hands with his lightsaber as he spun around again to face the front door. The Twi'lek family were rushing to the front door as Ubaah reached out with the force and flung tables and booths to block their escape. The mother screamed in terror as she tried to protect her two sons. The father pulled his wife behind him as he started to draw his blaster. Ubaah didn't pay them much mind, there would be plenty of time for them.

The Vodran pulled his blaster rifle from his back and started to multi fire at Ubaah. Already ready for the attack he has expected, his lightsaber spun deflecting all the incoming energy bolts back at the Vodran. Each deflected bolt landed solid hits back on the Vodran causing him to fly backwards. He landed right behind the Rodian smoking from his own wounds. The Rodian jerked awake by the screams frozen in terror just set by and watched as Ubaah turned his attention to the Bothan and Nautolan. Ubaah started to walk forward slowly as he twirled his lightsaber in a sense of malevolence. The Rodian, now completely awake, started to walk towards the end of the bar trying to get away from the killer. Ubaah smiled at the Rodian as the Vodran's long blaster rifle flew right at the Rodian. It ripped through the creature's gut causing it to let out a painful, mournful death sound. Ubaah's full attention was now fixed on the Bothan as he continued to walk forward.

The sounds of movement behind Ubaah didn't break his concentration. The Nagia leaped from a side table with her blades ready for the attack. Even before she could complete her attack, Ubaah blocked her blades with his own lightsaber and caught her by her neck. Within seconds her head was covered by bluish lighting as he unleashed the darkside of the force on the bodyguard. Even though she was in that moment of her own death, she saw his face and he saw hers. There was no emotion on Ubaah's face as he killed her. Her face was lock with terror and death. He turned and flung the lifeless body at the Twi'lek family as they attempted to make their escape for the rear of the Diner. The body landing at the door just as they were reaching it. Once more there was more screams from the family as they turned for another escape route.

He turned back to the Nautolan and the Bothan, who both decided not to go down without a fight. The Nautolan held a large barreled ballistic short barreled weapon. It was leveled at Ubaah's midsection. The Bothan held a flechette pistol, just as Ubaah was turning around he jammed the pistol in to Ubaah's face as both pulled their triggers while saying, “Go to hell!” The blast sent Ubaah backwards and shredded the hood and other sections of his robe. Ubaah didn't show any signs of emotion as he wiped the blood from his face and flung it on the floor. The Bothan stepped back in surprise as Ubaah flung himself forward swinging his blade and cutting both creatures down before they could react again.

Ubaah walked toward the bar as he wiped more blood from his face. It was already healing and didn't cause him any pain. He could hear the Sword Creature laughing, “How does it feel Ubaah to be a puppet now! Bet you wish you were a minion instead.” She seemed so happy at the sight of the murders and even clapped with glee as Ubaah ran his blade through the Rodian. He was dying but not dead. Now he was dead, no longer dying. Ubaah even took a moment to kill the two furry pets that were in cages behind the bar. The Sword Creature stood up on the bar and started to walk towards the other end. She stopped and pointed down at the counter with a giggle in her voice, “I am really enjoying this Ubaah.” Ubaah walked up to the point where she was pointing and kneel next to the door under the counter. He could hear whimpering from behind the door and feel the woman's fear. He took his lightsaber and ran it through the door as the Sword Creature clapped more. “Their hiding in the restrooms Ubaah. Go get them my puppet!” she said with excitement and laughing.

Ubaah kicked the door and the body of second human waitress rolled out from the cabinet. The tears that she had been crying soaked the apron which she had been using to silence her soft cries. Ubaah slowly stood up and started to walk for the restrooms. He looked at the two droids as the Sword Creature spoke up from the end of the bar, “No no no” she said while shaking her finger at him, “those are not alive my little puppet. And we want them to be able to report what you have done here.” Ubaah nodded and walked past the two droids and continued to follow the bar till the end and crossed the walkway towards the restrooms. He paused at the ladies room as he placed his hand on the door. He could feel the Torgruta on the other side of the door. In his mind he could see her against the far wall curled in to a ball. Her fear was clear to sense for him.

He stepped away from the door and reached out through the force. He slowly stretched his hands out and felt her live in his hands. He pulled his hands back towards his body as fast as he could and the door made a loud thud as it shook harshly. He thrust his hand outward and there was another thud as she hit the far wall. He then pulled her back to the door once more as the door made that thud sound again and shook once more. Over and over he did this as the space under the door started to flow with Torgruta blood. He could feel her live slipping as he continued to slam her body in to the door over and over again. Dying was not dead and he didn't stop till she was dead. Once she was dead and he felt her life slipping from his grip, he let her go. He felt her energy pass him as he turned to see the Sword Creature kneeling on the bar watching him with a smile.

He let the lifeless body slip from his grasp and turned for the men's room. He could feel the family filled with terror as they attempted to hide from him. He could taste their fear and he hated admitting it, but he loved the feelings he was feeling. He slipped inside the mens room to see the Sword Creature sitting on the counter between two sinks. She was laughing, “With that kind of killing creativity you have my little puppet, I should have sought you out a long time ago.”

The father leveled his blaster as his hand shook uncontrollably. He brought up his other hand to steady the pistol. “Please...let me family go.” Ubaah shook his head and the father fired. Ubaah's lightsaber blazed to life and sent the bolt back at the father. The blaster bolt hit the father right between the eyes and the man died in that moment. Ubaah felt the man's life leave the body but not the room. It just vanished. The mother screamed out in terror as she tried to hide her sons behind her. Ubaah's lightsaber made short work of her. Her body landed on the ground before her sons. Ubaah put his lightsaber away and looked at the two kids before him. He reached out with the force and lifted both off the ground. The each struggled to breath as they clawed their own necks. Within seconds, the pair of boys were dead. For good measure, Ubaah used the force to twist their necks completely around and flung their lifeless bodies aside. Ubahh looked around and could no longer feel any life within the building. He nodded to the Sword Creature as she continued to enjoy every moment of the murders.


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Slowly Ubaah opened his eyes to see the colors of the setting sun spread across the sky above him. He took in a deep breath as he washed away the memories of that horrible nightmare. He slowly got up from the ground which he had been laying. His memories of the murders were clear and complete but he couldn't explain why he was here in some park. He looked around to find himself in a wooded park somewhere. He tried to get his barrings but his head was spinning. The flashes of memory of the murders occupied his mind as he tried to shake what had to be some horrific nightmare. He remembered every detail of the diner and each death he had caused. The nightmare was so real that he wanted to doubt his own memories. He slowly stood up and brushed his robe clean and saw that they were ripped and burned from combat. The sensation of moisture on his hands was his first warning. He lifted his hands for inspection and saw them covered with blood.

His mouth dropped opened as he realized that the nightmare was not over yet. “I offered you power and the ability to rule the galaxy under me.” Ubaah turned to see the white haired female he has come to know as the sword creature. “What, you thought you could out smart, ME? I am over a million years old” she said with a smirk, “Though you couldn't tell!” as she ran her hands over her body and exposed her smooth pale legs. She looked back to Ubaah as she stepped forward, “I command powers your pathetic mind couldn't hope to comprehend let alone control.”

He turned his vision back to his blood covered robes and hands. He was covered in the blood of those who he had murdered, “Wha....what have you done?” the grief was unbearable for him.

Her smile was sinister, “You are my insurance policy, little puppet.” She said as she turned to listen to the sounds in the distance. “And they are right on time.”

Ubaad looked up to see police air speeders approaching fast. He was confused and surprised, “how.....why....”

She laughed, “What are you going to do? Tell them that a million year old artifact forced you to murder all those people?” Her laughter filled the air as sirens grew louder and louder. And yells started coming from the distance. It was all just as she planned it.

Ubaah turned to flee only to see a group of Rangers rushing up fast to where he was standing. “I will kill myself.” he said turning back to her. He was his only leverage that he could think of. “Then you will have nothing!” He drew out his lightsaber holding on to it dearly.

She turned to him and looked in to his eyes. Her gaze sent a shiver up and down his spin, “Good luck with that.” He turned his lightsaber on himself and tried to run himself through. He tried to activate the weapon but his fingers simply wouldn't do it. She laughed even louder as he struggled to end his life. He dropped to his knees as he struggled even harder while tears started to fill his eyes. The scope of her control over him became painfully clear to him. She walked over to him and lowered herself to look him in the eyes “Oh no Ubaah, we are going to be together for a long long time. There is nothing you can do to change this.” She turned to see the Rangers nearing them from one side. She then looked to see the police coming up behind them. She vanished only to reappear leaning against a nearby tree, “Fight them my little puppet!” she commanded, “make them pay for arresting you.”

On that command, Ubaah leaped up at the Rangers who were ready for the attack. Still Ubaah was able to cut one of them down in his first attack while the others moved to a more defensive stance. The Sword Creature smiled as she moved around the battle. She watched as Ubaah fought against the Rangers and then the police. She knew she could give him all the power he needed to win this battle. However, if she wanted him to win this battle, she wouldn't have lead the authorities to where Ubaah was. Everyone was playing their parts just like she wanted and Ubaah, despite his attempting to refuse her, is doing a grand job at what she wanted him to do. As a second group of police rushed up to join the battle, she slipped behind one of them. He was rushing in to the melee with a force lance. While she didn't want Ubaah to win, she didn't want him killed either. She leaned in and softly whispered, “Use your blaster, stun him. It WILL work”

She smiled as the police officer looked around to see who was speaking to him. He shook off of the ghostly voice in the back of his mind as he drew out his blaster. He took aim at Ubaah as he was cutting down another police officer. He steadied his hand and pulled the trigger once he had a clear shot. The stun shot ripped toward Ubaah as the Sword Creature appeared behind him. She leaned next to Ubaah's ear and whispered to him, “Sleep!” On that command, Ubaah fell forward and landed heavily on the ground. The combat was over yet still the police and Rangers ensure that Ubaah could not pose a threat to them. They kicked him and gripped him as they placed him in cuffs. It was clear they were taking out their anger on the sleeping Ubaah. She smiled as they lifted him up shackled and bound. Ubaah was blooded and badly beaten. They dragged him to a waiting air speeder. “Enjoy your life sentence while I shall enjoy my freedom!” she yelled out to Ubaah's mind laughing the entire time.