The Backdrafts (Book 4)

[Akirapryde]

The Jedi Civil War ended with the fires of a hundred worlds burning. And while the Coruscant Jedi won the war, they lost the debate between the Living Force and the Unifying Force. The Jedi had a new Grand Master, Jedi Master Visst Dassek. While it seemed like a new beginning for the Jedi and other Force Traditions, it would become the end of the Republic as the Galaxy knew it.

[Akirapryde]

Facing the Horrors
Grovlands Heights
Neeshana

With the fall of Oulaven to the Azgards just the month before, all eyes turned to Neeshana as the next most logical military target. The world was the center of many regional hyperspace lines and a major supply hub for the Rebel Jedi and their Allies. The Temples that were hosted on Neeshana held some of the most diverse Force Using traditions in the Republic. It was because of their loose partnership with the Oulaven Movement that placed Neeshana and their Temples in allegiance with the Rebel Jedi and Grand Master Bevurn'Age. Despite the wide range of disagreements between the Neeshana Temples and the Oulaven Temple regarding the war, actions taken, and base beliefs, the leaders of Neeshana allowed Bevurn'Age to bring her movement to their world when Oulaven fell. A decision that they would regret.

Even though the world was largely a peaceful world prior to the war. Being an Outer Rim World in such a prime location, Neeshana was a military giant of the Outer Rim. They controlled the third largest professional military and the second largest fleet in the Outer Rim. The world boasted one of the most advanced planetary shields outside of the Core Worlds. These points made Neeshana a powerful ally to the Oulaven Jedi and a massive thorn for the Republic during the Jedi Civil war. However, it was the leadership of the Azgards who insisted on holding off invading Neeshana till the last possible moment. They had hoped that with the fall of Oulaven, Neeshana would surrender the war effort and end a need for the Republic to invade.

Once Bevurn'Age hosted a media event on the steps of one of the Temples on Neeshana to boast her survival and willingness to continue to fight the Coruscant Temple, it was clear that an invasion had to take Neeshana out of the war once and for all. It was clear to the Azgardian planners, that the invading force would surely suffer great losses even before they were able to breech the shields of the Neeshana. The cost in warriors was estimated at nearly five hundred thousand if not even higher than that. The cost to the Azgard Fleet was estimated at over two hundred capital ships and twice as many support ships. However, it was Azgard ingenuity that found a frightful way to breech the shields and decimate the planet in one horrifying swoop.

The former pride of Neeshana, Grovlands was once the capital of Neeshana before two weeks ago. Neeshana held not only one but three large temples complexes where the study of the Force was the focus. However not only was the Force studied here, but also the history of nearly a thousand long lost cultures and their relation to the Force. Grovlands was home to two of these large temples and the majority of the students and scholars that studied on this world. Its skyline was rumored to be seconded only by Coruscant in the Core Worlds. All this ended two weeks ago when fire rained down from the sky. Now this megacity has been laid to waste under an attack it had no hope of defending against. The city took two attacks powerful attacks which blasted the entire city to ruins and leaving nothing standing for nearly three hundred kilometers from the City Center.

Never before had any kind of attack like this ever been carried out. Already laws were being drafted in the Senate to ensure that it could never happen again. Azgard combat tugs used their powerful tractor beams to locked on to asteroids that drifted in the asteroid belt just outside the system. Once the asteroid had been secured, the tug would enter hyperspace pulling the asteroid along with it. The two sped their way towards Neeshana at faster than light speeds. Once the tug reached its preset point, it cut the tractor beam and dropped from hyperspace. As the tug made a hard turn to avoid the planet, the asteroid slowed just below the speed of light and slipped back in to normal space. The asteroids were able to punch through the planet's defending ship like a hot knife through butter. Some asteroids were destroyed while crushing defending warships while others slipped past and headed for the planet. The planetary shield held little hope of protecting the world from an object speeding towards it at near light speeds.

The devastation in orbit as well as on the planet was on a scale never imagined before. The defending ships had planned on an invasion coming in the form of Azgard ships. They planned for tight formations to support each other while picking the invading ships apart. Entire squadrons of ships were wiped out as their formations took direct hits from massive asteroids. The exploding ships caused the remaining ships to break their formations to avoid debris. This made them easy pickings for the incoming Azgard Fleets. Those asteroids that made it through to the world ripped through the planetary shields with little effort. The impacts were clearly seen from orbit as entire cities vanished from the face of the world under massive fireballs. For nearly fifteen minutes asteroids fell from the sky, till a lone Jedi starfighter stood in the path of death out of defiance. This single act of pure bravery and self sacrifice had lasting affects for Neeshana as well as the entire war.

Now with the war suspended a delegation from the Republic has entered in to talks with the remaining leadership of Neeshana in hopes of ending the fighting on their world once and for all. Even before the talks were over, aid ships from the Republic started arriving to help the survivors from the attacks. A soft Galactic out cry for peace has turned in to a thunderous roar as news of Neeshana's ordeal becomes wide spread. Despite a tight lock down on communication by the Republic Military, a phantom report was leaked and tipped the Galactic Media outlets of the events. While no one knows where the report came from, it was easily proven as reporters arrived on the scene. Anger and hate which had fueled the war for so long has turned to pity and sadness the news of this horrific event spreads. However, nothing can compare to the sadness and disappointment from one man's heart. A group of Azgard soldiers walks slowly about the ruins of Grovlands as a military shuttle makes its approach to a landing site near them.

Warlord Raynar slowly walked past a burned out building as he and his command staff see first hand the horrors of their attacks. The landscape of Grovlands had been turned in to something right out of a nightmare. The air was filled with dust and ash from the twin fireballs that rose above this city nearly two weeks ago. The hot thermal winds blew the dust and ash through the ruins causing large duns to form along the remaining walls. His bearded face shows the heavy signs of his heart. The trails of tears washed lines on his dust and ash covered face. “Tell me, what time did the attack occur” he asked one of his aides while he slowly lowered himself down to his knees. His personal guard force, all dressed in their black armor stood out while they kept a sharp eye out. They were not looking for conflict, as they encircled their leader while watching for those who would dare take advantage of the Warlord's location.

“Zero Nine One Fife, local standard time Warlord” his aide said looking at his data pad.

Raynar nodded, “And the population of this city?” He ran his right hand through the fine dust and ash. He watched closely as it ran through the metal fingers of his new cybernetic arm. The arrest of Grand Master Quaad was suppose to have taken place at the Senate building where he was scheduled to give a speech about the war. Quaad had been tipped off of the coming arrest and canceled his speech at the last minute. Raynar was forced to march his Black Dragons on the Jedi Temple and take the Grand Master by force. It was an intense battle and many good warriors on both sides had died in the battle. It pained Raynar that it happened the way it did but Quaad had to be brought to justice. In the end, Raynar lost his right arm and Quaad lost his life during their personal dual.

The same aide read from his datapad once more, “Nearly one hundred million, Warlord.”

Raynar nodded as he rose up from his knees and sighed deeply. The loss of life here was on his hands and he could feel it. He looked around at the once proud city as he thought of the blood on his hand. He didn't say a word as he just thought of the destruction of so many innocent lives. The beeping from his comlink he had ignored for the first few seconds, brought him from those painful thoughts. He pulled his comlink up and activated it. He saw the bluish image of Nabrina come in to being. “Warlord, you will be happy to know that we were able to fulfill your request. A cease fire between the Republic and Neeshana has been signed. Azgard warriors can start to be pulled off world once the peace keepers are able to take over in one week. Already I have heard from my contacts back at the Senate, the peace keeper force is on their way. Your forces will remain in orbit till the final end of hostilities have been signed back on Coruscant next month. I made sure that your name was kept from the negotiations. I think you are correct, if you had been there or part of it. Than the negotiations would not have gone as well.”

Raynar nodded, “Thank you Nabrina for all your help. And the aid ships?”

“Azgard supply ships are meeting with them and transferring the supplies outside of system. The relief effort is pouring in as we speak. There are just so many that are in need, I only hope we can get help to all of them in time.”

Raynar nodded, “What ever you need, supplies, resources, anything, you let me, personally know. Azgard will do the right thing here. This I promise you Nabrina” he said flatly as he looked around. Had he done the right thing before, none of this would happened. He let himself become distracted and millions paid the price.

“Thank you Warlord. I am sure that once it gets out, people will understand that Azgard was not directly responsible for this horrible event. They will see the truth as we have. One question that came up during the negotiations, what is to happen of the Azgard commander that ordered this attack” she asked softly.

Raynar nodded at the news, “Warlord Vincent's career is over. House Mercer has agreed to remove him from both the Warrior Council as well as their own House leadership. He is to be shunned by his own house and stripped of his honor. The Religious Caste is opening up a trial next week, and WHEN he is found guilty, he will be stripped of his citizenship and imprisoned for his crimes here. Because of House Mercer's support and actions in this dark chapter of our history, they will be spared his dishonor.” He paused as he thought of what happened here and how many that had lost their lives. He wondered if anything could make up for what had happened. In some means, cleans the blood from his hands.

“Will he be able to stand trial in a Republic Court?”

Raynar turned his head and looked at Nabrina with a cold detachment in his eyes, “No. The Republic Counts can never issue the kind of punishment that he deserves. Trust me, for the rest of his life, this day will sit heavily on his mind.” He knew that some crimes on Azgard would force a person to forfeit their life. However in this case, death was too easy a path out. Warlord Vincent would be tortured mentally, emotionally, and physically for the rest of his life. His life will be ensured to be long so that he pays his entire punishment. At the last hour of the last day of his sentence, he will finally be put to death. Raynar looked up to see a Republic shuttle landing, “Nabrina, I have to go. Make sure that my plans are ready in the Senate. I am trusting you and your Senate allies to pull this off.”

“Yes Warlord. We will not fail you. This shall be our greatest moment as long as the Chancellor can be brought to do the right thing”

“You shall see, he is a good man. I am sure that we can get him on board with what we have planned.” Nabrina nodded and waved, then the image was cut off as the link went dead.

Raynar turned to see the blue armor of the Supreme Chancellor's guards encircling Supreme Chancellor Sate Quee. Raynar thought how humorous it was that the same guards that protected him also at one point in time protected the last Supreme Chancellor. He personally knew over half of the Supreme Chancellor's current guards. While he had fought along side of the rest of the guards. He had hand picked them to serve their current role for the Republic as a favor to the Chancellor. The relationship between Azgard and the Chancellor's office was something that many worried about. Azgardians took their loyalty to the Republic and Chancellor very seriously. 'Today shall test that loyalty I am sure' thought Raynar as he nodded while Sate Quee walked up with his guards.

The Supreme Chancellor stumbled as he walked through the debris field. “My old friend what was so urgent that you had to call me out here in such haste?” The Chancellor looked around while holding a cloth over his mouth, “This place is horrid, we couldn't have met aboard my ship?”

Raynar waved his own guards off as the Chancellor's guards moved in and encircled them all. Raynar knew that he had nothing to fear from his old friend. “Sate, we have to end this war” he said walking up to the Chancellor while offering his hand to Sate. Raynar knew this was going to be a hard subject for both men to talk about so he choose to deal with it directly.

Sate took the hand and pulled the ruler of Azgard in to a friendly hug, “Trust me, my friend. I have tried.” he replied as the two men broke the hug. “There is just not enough support in the Senate to end it right now. They want a complete surrender without conditions from the Rebel Jedi.” Still looking around at the city he nodded, “I am sure after this battle, they will finally give in. You have given me a great victory here.”

Raynar frowned at the comment, “Listen Sate, look around. There were no military targets in this city. Look at what this war has brought to us. This is not the honorable war we entered nearly two years ago. Each world the destruction has been getting more worse than the one before it. There is no honor in this victory. Murdering civilians is not the Azgard way, we have to stop this war now!” The dust covered Raynar's face, but the look in his eyes was clear, “We can not afford to wait for them to drop to their knees. WE must make a stand before the darkness and end this war now!”

“Hold on my friend, I can't just end this war without some sense of protection for the people of the Republic” the Chancellor said plainly. He had planned to speak more but Raynar cut him off.

Raynar spun around and dropped to his knee. He sweep the dust from something buried just below the surface. “These people ARE citizens of the Republic as well” Raynar snapped as he moved to allow the Chancellor to see the Republic Seal on a sign of a school that had been destroyed by the attacks. “Sate, look around my friend. I do not know why the war continues. I have given you the death of both Master Quaad and Master Bevurn'Age. The Oulaven Temple has been laid to waste. Baklid 6 is now a member world of the Republic. If all these things have been done, what else is there to fight for. Have we not won already? Where is the honor in continuing to beat an enemy that stands no chance against us?”

The Chancellor sighed as he looked at the sign, “Raynar, I feel your pain and your sense of responsibility for what has happened. But trust me, I saw the evidence. Your honor is intact. Everyone understands that things like this happen in war. These people brought this war to themselves.”

Raynar shook his head, “You are wrong my old friend, I can do nothing for this world. I fear the responsibly for the next world to befall an attack like this. I wont allow it. Sate, listen to me carefully. Remember when everyone else thought you dead. I, personally led the rescue mission to free you from those pirates. I introduced you to your wife. I am the godfather of your two sons. I am not some military or political leader you have to deal with. We are brothers. Brothers in Arms. Please I am asking you. Take it to the Senate. Let them vote on it” Raynar pleaded while he got up and moved closer to the Chancellor.

“I will not take it to the Senate until the Rebel Jedi have offered their unconditional surrender. I see what you are saying but how dare you try to use our friendship to sway my actions. I made a promise to the people of the Republic that I will break the Rebels and crush their movement” the Chancellor said as he stepped back from Raynar. There was anger in his eyes, “I mean to make good on this promise. Because we are such good friends, I will forget this conversation ever took place.” On that note, the Chancellor turned and started to leave.

The anger in Raynar's eyes had no match as he watched more worlds suffer like this one had in his mind. He shook his head as images of that lone Jedi starfighter flashed over and over again in his memory. They stood before certain death to do the right thing, how could he do any less now. Raynar nodded as he prepared to play the only card he had left in his hand. “I will issue a general recall to all of my Azgardians. Your war will come to a grinding halt as you watch helplessly as over two thirds of the Republic's military returns home. The Republic will find its enemies uniformed and now out numbering your remaining forces. How many of those other forces do you think will remain on the front lines as their Azgard allies turn and leave. Sate, you have a choice right here, right now” he said walking up behind the Chancellor, who now stood in shock and frozen by the thought of what could happen. “Sate, you could be the Chancellor that ended this war. The Chancellor that unified the Republic and the Jedi once more. This could be the political victory that will ensure your reelection next year.” Raynar placed his hand on the Chancellor's shoulder, “Please my friend...”

The Chancellor ripped his shoulder away from Raynar's hand, “Don't you dare call me that any more.” Sate turned around with rage on his face, “You wouldn't dare!”

Raynar saw that asteroid speeding towards him in his mind. He found a sense of strength in the fact he felt he was doing the right thing. He wondered if this is what Visst felt in their moment of choice between life and death. This unlike fighting a enemy on the battlefield, it was a realm of warfare that Raynar didn't like, but knew he had to fight for what he knew was right. He knew that this was his moment, “Try me, Sate!”

The Chancellor couldn't believe his ears! “You and your warriors have sworn an oath to serve the Republic. To obey my orders!”

Raynar nodded, the anger in his heart forced his thick Azgardian accent out, “Tis, Aye we have. But you misunderstand that oath. However, we shall not mindlessly march forth to the destruction of the Republic by the beat of a madman's drum.” Raynar stepped forward as the Chancellor's guards started to get nervous over the situation. Some actually readied their weapons as Raynar spoke his final demand, “Give me my vote Sate!” The look in Raynar's eyes told the Chancellor that there was no denying the Warlord's demands. The moment could have been cut with a dull knife, it was simply that thick between the two men. For what seemed like a lifetime, nether man moved or said anything as they each sized up the other's determination in this battle.

The Chancellor's anger got the best of him in that moment, “I will give you your damn vote” he finally caved in in the heat of the moment. “I will put the measure to the Senate once I return to Coruscant. However, you will resign as Unified Military Commander and take full responsibility for this nightmare.” The Chancellor paused as he tried to think more clearly, “How dare you threaten the Republic in such a way. Rather the measure passes or fails, your career in the Republic Military is over! Your honor will forever be linked to this moment. Tainted” He moved closer to Raynar and looked right in to his eyes. “You will regret this day, I promise you this.”

Unmoved by the demands or the threat, “I already do.” Raynar regretted that he had over estimated his once close friend from Anaxes. He regretted that he had not stepped forward before and made this demand. He regretted the massive loss of lives on this world. There was a great many things he regretted, but forcing this vote was not one of them. “You will have demands met once the vote is counted and finalized. You have my word.”

“For all that you lost here today, I hope that your vote passes. Should it fail, I want your word that Azgard will follow the orders of the Leadership I appoint over them.” The Chancellor was many things, but stupid he was not. He knew that he needed Azgard to win this war. And he knew that Raynar was a man of his word. Sate knew he controlled enough votes to fail the vote. 'This war WILL end on my terms. Not anyone else's!' he thought to himself.

Raynar only nodded with a sense of victory in his heart. While others would advise against it, he trusted Nabrina. Even though she was only a freshman Senator, she had a way of talking to people and getting them to really listen to her. He knew that she would not let this vote fail. He placed all his faith in her. The lives of billions now rested on her ability to win votes.

The Chancellor nodded, “Good!” He spun about and continued to walk away, “You will have your vote. I hope you are right, because you have paid for it dearly, Warlord Raynar!”

********************************************

Chances of Destiny
Somewhere Within the Deep Core

The Puppet Master set silently at his desk as he watched a holovid of a young female training with a Jedi Master. He paused the image as he reached over to the side of his desk and picked up a report. He smiled as he read the report of his latest little puppet. She was training hard with her two Jedi teachers and they had high praises for her. She was gifted and talented in both the Force and in abilities. He sensed something greater in her that day in the arena. Now she was proving him right. He kept his word to her, she was sent to a world where she could focus on training. He checked in with her two weeks after she arrived just to let her know he was still watching over her. They had dinner and he took the time to explain to her what part she was to play in a larger plan. He could tell by her reaction and by what she recorded in her private journal that she really took to him and saw him more like the father she had always wanted.

Getting her family to move was as easy as he had first planned. The promise of work was more then enough to get them to up route themselves and travel nearly across the galaxy. Her father seemed to be the only problem in the Puppet Master's plans. The man also showed the Puppet Master why Preena took to the Puppet Master so well. However, the Puppet Master knew that Preena needed her father so the man had to be 'fixed'. His addiction problems were so much more problematic then first reported. Her father was also a hot head and very abusive to the family in general. So the Puppet Master ordered him to be transferred to a center where he could receive 'personal' help. The Puppet Master took the time out of his very busy schedule from destroying the Jedi and all Force Users to have a conversation with Preena's mother and brothers. This conversation was regarding their father and the special kind of help that he needed. They seemed to be very happy over the 'kindness' of the Puppet Master and the help he was offering the family while asking for nothing in return.

As the days turned in to weeks, Preena proved her self to be a strong student of the Crusade and able student of the force. As promised, she earned time to spend with her family. The Puppet Master made sure that he was there for that first meeting. There was something to be written about the surprise on her face as her father was not the man she had remembered. The Puppet Master only remained long enough to make sure that Preena knew that she was finally working for the good guys. With help from Preena's mother, the meeting was very successful. Throughout the entire meeting, Preena never let her family suspect that she was not part of the Jedi Order any more. As he had planned, the effects of the meeting showed in Preena's training. 'She will make one of my finest puppets yet' he thought as he activated the holovid once more.

He continued to watch Preena push herself over and over again during her tasks. He was filled with a sense of pride for the young girl and the destiny placed ahead of her. It was just over a month ago, he gave Preena a second chance on life and she was making the very most of it. The Puppet Master noticed that brother even showed signs of higher understanding of engineering and mathematics. The Puppet Master pondered the idea of training Preena's younger brother to work in the R&D department. However it was not all blue skies and sunshine for the Puppet Master. He had other issues that plagued him. He pushed the reports and holovids of Preena aside and picked up a new report from the Out Rim. He sighed as he read the report, once again one of his long range patrols picked up another sun that had died for no reason. He looked at the five reports and placed them on a larger star chart. He mapped out the four stars and one sighting of these creatures that Daz's team called, 'The Chaos.'

“I hate to admit this, but I think that Visst might be right. We are going to have to work together on this one” he said as he continued to read the reports while shaking his head. He hated the idea of working with Jedi and their like. They are untrustworthy and would at the slightly opportunity turn on the Crusade. 'Working with Jedi is just dangerous' the Puppet Master thought coldly. Using Jedi to kill other Jedi has proven to be very successful in recent operations. And Force Users in general fear Jedi more then they fear myths about the Crusade. He nodded as he continued to read all the reports from the Outer Rim. “We shall have to be very careful in our future dealings with Daz's group” the Puppet Master said softly. Placing those reports down, he looked at the recent operations' reports from Coruscant.

There was the cat like creature that the Puppet Master dubbed 'Nefarious.' “We make our own enemies” he said softly looking over the report nodded, “So true.” It was five years ago, the Crusade ran across a fledgling space faring race of cat like creatures. The Force disease ran strong within this race, so the world was a prefect subject for the next round of tests of Omega Project. The returns were not as promising as first thought, however much was learned from the tests. The entire race was wiped out, or at least that is what was believed. A couple of years later, Nefarious showed up on the scene causing problems for the Crusade. Tracking Nefarious was easy enough, follow the bodies of Crusader agents. Nefarious has proven to be just as much as a thorn in the Puppet Master's side as Daz and his group was becoming. Luckily neither of them have linked up and started to work together. “It is something that I will have to make sure doesn't happen” the Puppet Master said softly as he continued to read the reports of Nefarious' activity on Coruscant.

Then there were the reports that the stolen Shadow Repulse had shown up on the Crusade's radar in the Outer Rim once more. The reports show that Orchid and her little lover were spotted at a small pirate base. The force that Rose had put together had been devastated according to the reports he has now. One of his agent talked to one of Rose's soldiers and learned that Rose had taken them to a world hopping to find some sword that would allow her to rule the galaxy. The battle had been fierce and Chun was there with his followers. From the reports, Chun killed Rose during the battle. There were no reports of Chun's death or his followers. The Puppet Master leaned back in his chair and thought about this sword and wondered if it was the same sword that Daz was after. “It had to be the same weapon. Use it to destroy these Chaos creatures then turn it on the rest of the Galaxy” he said softly. “Very clever Daz, very clever.”

One of his aides calmly walked in, “My Lord, the Vote in the Senate is being taken in a few hours. Our operatives are asking for guidance on how to vote” he said. “We can either vote against it and it will fail by an overwhelming margin. Or abstain and it will fail by only a very narrow margin. Either way the vote goes, how shall we show our support for Chancellor Quee? How would you like them to vote?”

The Puppet Master continued to look at the reports before him without even taking his eyes from his work, “Quee is a idiot that has only turned a remarkable situation horrible. Tell them all to vote for the measure. Tell them to rally as many votes to push the measure for passage” The Puppet Master said slowly getting up from his chair and calmly walked over to a wall covered with real time data from across the Galaxy.

The man blinked surprisingly, “Um, what Sir?”

“Don't play games with me. You know I hate it” he snapped as he ran his fingers over the wall of monitors. He smiled as he looked at all numbers and data.

The man nodded, “Might I ask why, My Lord?” He looked at the Puppet Master, “If the measure fails, the war will continue and more Jedi will be killed. We have even managed to turn it on the Coruscant Temple itself.”

“There is a difference between a gambler and a broke man. Knowing when you have run your cards and its time to pick up your chips and move to the next game” the Puppet Master said coldly as he turned a monitor off. “No Puppet Master has ever killed more than one hundred Jedi during their term. I killed tens of thousands Jedi, destroyed a number of vital temples and libraries.” The comment was as cold as ever as he flicked off another monitor, “I have destroyed their secret DNA vault. Hundreds of millions of Force Users have been purified by us through my actions.” Once more another monitor was cut off by the Puppet Master as he continues to account for his actions, “More importantly than anything thing else is the large number of Jedi Masters and Scholars that have died during my term.” he flicked off another monitor, “The loss of these vital teachers and experiences will cause future Jedi to suffer.” There was a cold detachment in his voice as he flicked off another monitor and continued, “I, alone during my term as Puppet Master, have personally dealt a blow to the Jedi that will take them decades if not centuries to recover from.”

With the last monitor turned off, the Puppet Master turned slowly as a shadow crossed his face and drifted over his eyes, “Give the order to our operatives that the Jedi Civil war is over. Notify all our agents in the field, they are to shut down operations at once and drift back in to the shadows. The active arm of the Crusade shall vanish once more. What proof of our operations has been exposed will vanish in to the solar winds as we disappear. Soon the Crusade will once more become a mere myth, told to little force using children as a bed time stories. All the while we lay and wait for our next chance to strike.”

The aide nodded as he turned and left to carry out the orders of the Puppet Master. For over thirty years they had been planning and plotting out the Jedi Civil War and now the Puppet Master was pulling the plug on it. The war had fulfilled the Crusade's expectations completely and as the Puppet Master had said, it had run its course. It is what the Crusade does best, vanishing in to the shadows. Within hours of the orders being issues, hundreds of Crusade backed operations will simply cease to exist. The Puppet Master watched the aide leave with a smile on his face. He turned and calmly walked back to his desk and to his reports. He softly pushed them aside and pulled over the holovid once more. He activated it once more and watched the young human female training, “She'll make a great Jedi Master AND member of the Jedi Council one day” he said softly adding, “We will make sure of it.”

He without taking his eyes off the video of the training, he opened up a drawer slowly and reached in to it. Carefully he pulled out a data chip. While looking at it carefully activated a comlink, “Get me Coruscant Control. I have a message that I want delivered to Daz Murl” he said coldly. 'The war might be over, however fucking with Daz has just begun' he thought with a grin on his face.

[Akirapryde]

An uneasy Peace!
Galactic Senate Building
Coruscant

It has been a long and hard month and a half ago since one of the most horrific attacks in Galactic history was carried out by the Azgardian 5th fleet on the world of Neeshana. The deaths of hundreds of millions caused an out cry for peace was heard throughout the Republic. Slowly the few voices that had been calling for peace since the beginning of the war turned in to a roaring thunder that could no longer be denied. Within days of the last fireball erupting on Neeshana, a hasty ceasefire was worked out and signed by the major combatants. This ceasefire opened the door for talks between the delegations of the waring factions. Their goal was simple, they sought a lasting end of the Jedi Civil War. During the past four years, what started in the shadows between rival Temples, exploded in to one of the most bloody wars the Republic had seen in centuries. The war burned so brightly and spread so fast that it consumed hundreds of worlds before its end was in sight.

Even while talks were taking place, the hope for peace was still threaten on all sides. Rouge commanders would attempt to test fate time and time again by lunching attacks during the ceasefire. Each time, these short skirmishes never lasted very long nor did the leadership of the involved factions allowed them to spread and cause the outbreak of full scale warfare once more. Those rouge Commanders were quickly arrested and in some more extreme cases, shot on the spot. However these skirmishes did show the deeper devisions between the Jedi Factions that still festered. It was the Rebel Jedi Factions who suffered the most from these Rouge Commanders as their loose alliances started to crumble in the face of staggering losses and without sound strong leadership to guide them through this stage of the war. Many of the faction leaders felt that the Rebel Jedi lost all hopes of winning with the death of their beloved leader, Bevurn'Age. The alliances simply fell apart without her unifying factor. However, her death gave rise to even more deeper hate. The more extremists factions of the Rebel Jedi laid blame for the current situation and Bevurn'Age's murder on the Temple at Neeshana and their council. From the ashes of Oulaven came rumors of a extremists group recruiting members from the remaining loyal Rebel Jedi.

Despite all that has happened during the month and a half, the ceasefire did hold. It was a monumental effort on all sides to ensure the talks moved forward despite the obstacles. There were times when talks fell apart all together and threats of returning to war. However, after weeks of negotiations and heated debates, an official end to the war was finally drafted. As more prominent names started to show up taking center stage during the photo ops and interviews with the media, these names became the face of the Peace. However, behind the scenes, three of the most important names to the official end to the Jedi Civil War will for ever be recorded in Republic History. Those names are, Warlord Raynar Heartman, the young freshman Twi'lek Senator named Nabrina, and lastly, Jedi Knight and scholar Visst Dassek. Jedi Knight Dassek played a key role in the negotiations and became an official medium between the different Jedi Factions. It was Jedi Knight Dassek, who came up with the idea to allow each faction to sign separately. This allowed for each faction to have a say in the peace as well as preventing lesser factions of feeling left out during signing.

As the hours count down to the moment the signing of the official peace accords draws near, hordes of ships arrive in Coruscant space. During any other time, this would trigger a military response. However, the fleets that protected Coruscant remained at their patrol points. With security tighter then it has ever been before on Coruscant, the delegations from the Rebel Jedi factions started to land at the Senate building. Light up so brightly that it could be seen from orbit, the delegations landed to Honor Guards from the six major factions of the war. Those being the Coruscant Temple, The Republic, The Neeshana Temple, The Korriban Temple, The Oulaven Temple and lastly the CSA. Even the normal security force of the Senate had been replaced by this multi faction honor guard. The only faction missing was the Azgards, and this was by design.

Due to the nature of the war crimes trial that has engulfed the Azgard leadership it was believed that it be best to leave them out of the Honor Guard detail. If being excluded from the Honor Guard detail was taken as a insult by the Azgards, their leadership made no show of it. Instead, the Azgardians showed nothing but over whelming support for the Peace Accords. However, in the media, images of their Leader, Warlord Raynar sitting before a panel judges while his personal honor and reputation got dragged through the mud did inspire many protests back on Azgard. Despite what many Azgardians have called the worse witch hunt in Republic History, the Leadership of Azgard has kept these events from affecting the Peace Accords.

A group of Azgard warriors calmly walked along the outer corridor of the mighty Senate Building. With less then an hour before the official signing of the Peace Accords, the last of the delegations have already arrived. It was because of a personal request from the Azgard Senator allowed their leader to sit in on the signing. The black armor of the two guards told all that behold them that the Warlord of Azgard was coming. Just a few paces behind the black clad armored guards walked Warlord Rayner. Even though he was personally accused of war crimes, he is still one of the most powerful beings in the entire Republic. His mere presence as he walks through the corridors of the Senate told all that simple fact. Although the Jedi Civil war had taken its toll on the elder leader of Azgard, he still walked tall and proudly with his mighty war hammer held proudly in his right hand. His cloak flowed behind him as he walked showing off his powerful muscular arms. Despite his age, Raynar was still in prime physical condition. His face clear and determined, the horrors that has scared his soul could easily be seen through his eyes. Regardless what anyone might think of him, in his heart, he knows he did what was best for the Republic. Regardless of the personal cost to him and his honor.

“My Lord, the latest reports from homeworld are very promising” explained Dack Heartman. He was the youngest of Warlord Raynar's aides and as such given the mundane tasks of relaying information regarding affairs back home. Dack was brought to Raynar's team as a replacement for Zeck Heartman, who had died after the march on the Coruscant Temple during the battle that followed it. Dack had large shoes to fill and seemed to be up for the task as he continued, “Most importantly, the indoctrination of Captain Ogon is nearing completion. He went before the House's Council of Warriors last night seeking adoption. The battles that night over the adoption have been recorded as some of the most intense in our history. Captain Jorus Heartman of the Integrity had stepped forward to be Captain Ogon's House Father” Dack was explaining till Warlord Raynar interjected.

“I know Jorus, a very good man and able Captain with sound leadership. He will make Ogon a good Father” Warlord said as he nodded. The act of adopting warriors was common on Azgard as each Warrior House tried to ensure they had the best warrior stock to draw from. The act of Adopting of non-Azgardians was much more rare, though it does happen and during these events, they tend to lead to some of the most intense duels over parenthood and rejections battles.

A wave of Raynar's hand allowed for Dack to continue, “Shalla Heartman had stepped forward and won the right in two separate back to back personal combats to serve as Captain Ogon's House Mother. One report sited that Shalla was almost cast out due to her inability to continue. However she refused to pull her challenge and defeated her opponent. And on a more surprising note, Marine Captain Brea Heartman of the 2nd Thor's Hammer battled sixteen other warriors to win the right to serve as Captain Ogon's House Godmother” once more Warlord Raynar interjected

“Shalla was expected, however, Brea Heartman? Now that was a surprise. Ogon must have surely surprised and impressed her to get involved despite her personal disgust for his father. I don't know if I should be happy for him or pity him. Brea will surely make sure that he serves his House with honor and pride. This is for sure. Ogon might have a long painful road ahead of him.” Raynar said with a bit of laughter in his voice.

Once more the Warlord waved his hand and Dack continued, “Colonel Shalo has reported that they are completing phase one of their investigations of the warship called Carissa. He said to make sure I quote him correctly, 'This beautiful warship will unlock so many secrets that our scientist will be working for the next hundred years understanding them all.' He has asked permission to seek the help from other Warrior Houses with reverse engineering the data we have from Carissa.” Dack paused to allow the Warlord to answer.

“Absolutely not. In time, we will share this technology with all the other Houses, but not before we have a chance to understand their full abilities. We must ensure that all this new technology will not be misused. For now, the secrets will remain locked up within our House. Make sure you let Shalo know this is my Order to him. What about the motion to our Council of Warriors regarding our merchant Captains” Raynar asked softly as they turned a corner.

Dack nodded as he brought the information up on his data pad, “While many of the Council of Warriors had first rejected the motion. There was a turning of support thanks to you Sir. Your speech in support of the motion has swayed many of their votes. They are voting on the motion today and it is expected to pass by a wide margin. The sixty eight Captains in question including Captain Jorus will be elevated to the Warrior Caste.”

Raynar nodded, “it's about time. If it was not for their courage in slipping their supply ships behind enemy lines and well ahead of our forces, we would not have been able to move as fast as we did. They allowed our supply lines to remain close to our forces while we over ran the defenders. We owe many of our rapid victories where the enemy was caught completely by surprise to this brave merchant Captains. These acts my friends, are the traits that define the heart of a warrior.”

Dack raised his hand, “Warlord, there is great concern from the Council of Warlords back home. They want to know when you will start to fight these war crime charges. Despite the Council's best efforts to keep the trails as low key as possible, protests are building back home. Public opinion sees the trails as a act of betrayal from the Chancellor's Office. The latest slap in our face was the demand from the Chancellor's Office that Warlord Vincent Mercer be transferred to Coruscant to testify against you. The Council of Warlords has delayed the request based on a typo in the original paperwork. They would like you to know that they can not hold off the request for much longer.”

Another one of Warlord Raynar's aide spoke up, “My Lord, I just don't understand why you let Chancellor Quee smear your honor like this. Everyone knows that you had nothing to do with the attacks on Neeshana. Why don't you defend yourself in court.” Asked Valin Furey. Valin had been one of Raynar's most trusted advisors and aides during the war. When it was first discussed among the Council of Warlords, that Azgard might be drawn in to the war, nearly a year prior to the war exploding. Valin was able to sit in with the Warlord during those first critical meetings of the Council of Warlords. Valin was there when the Warlord had lost his son on Baklid VI. He was there fighting along side the Warlord during the siege of Oulaven. Valin had marched beside the Warlord up the steps of the Coruscant Temple with the rest of the elite Black Dragons. When other Azgardian Warlords were questioning the wisdom in accepting these claims of war crimes, Valin understood the reasons and still stood proudly by his mentor.

The Warlord didn't look at his young aide, “It doesn't matter at this point. All that matters is that this war must come to an end and that end must happen today. Nothing else matters my friends. Each of you must understand this.” There was a tone in Warlord Raynar's voice that struck a nerve with each of them.

Nodding, Valin replied, “I understand My Lord, I am sure that you are happy that it is almost done with. Within the hour, speeches will be given and then the war will be officially over.” Valin noted the coming signing ceremony in the Grand Convocation Chamber.

Warlord Raynar stopped and slowly turned to the large bay window that overlooked the skyline of Coruscant. The lines of traffic for nearly fifty miles of the building were cleared due to the security of the event. He frowned and shook his head, “no, I am not happy. But it is almost over” he said softly. “The Jedi Civil War will be over once and for all. However, there are much more darker demons we must now face before we can rest.”

Valin nodded, “the coming of the Chaos?”

Raynar nodded, “yes. A darkness that alone not even the might of Azgard could hope to defeat. I have secured the loyalties of over a hundred commanders to form an elite strike force. When Visst calls on Azgard we will be ready for him.”

“Sir, I have a question” Valin stated confused as he tilted his head to the side a bit, “Why not just command the Azgard fleets in to battle. Why seek the independent loyalties of Commanders? You could send the entire might of Azgard against any threat you wish.”

Raynar smiled while he looked out the window as he pondered how to answer that question. It was a simple question that could only be answered in a simple manner. He slowly turned to face Valin. However he spook to his guards, “Leave us. I will rejoin you two at the Senator's repulsor pod” he commanded his guards then turned to the other aides that walked among them, “Go with the guards, we will follow in a moment.” Without saying a word, the two guards and other three aides nodded slowly then turned and left. Raynar watched them leave carefully, then turned his eyes up and down the corridor to ensure they were alone. He nodded as he noticed a pair of Jedi Guards in their cloaks with hoods up down the corridor by a blast door. He knew that they were too far down the corridor to over hear his conversation.

He turned back to Valin, “The reason why my friend, is because I will not be Warlord for long.” It was clear by the confusion on Valin's face that the Warlord had to go in to more detail, “Once we return to Azgard later this week, I mean to step down as Warlord of our people. I will seek the Religious Caste to appoint the next Warlord of our people.” Raynar explained.

Valin's eyes were still wide with shock, “Is this because of what the Chancellor is doing with that witch hunt of a trial. My lord you can and should fight his claims. They are simply wro...”

Raynar raised his hand to silence the young warrior, “Yes and no. By stepping down and accepting full responsibility of what happened on Neeshana, I can spare our people further shame of these trials. Which we both know will continue till Sate has had his fill of his trail.” Raynar turned around once more and looked out the window, “Valin, I am the last of the Free Birth warriors to sit on the Council of Warlords. I am one of the oldest Warriors of our people, a warrior who has seen his last war. The horrors of this war do not sit well with me.” Raynar paused as he looked out the window as if to focus his thoughts, “It is time for a younger generation to lead our people. I want to leave with grace and with the remaining of my honor intact.”

Valin shook his head as he looked down a bit. He hated the idea of Raynar stepping down. Raynar had led Azgard longer than most Warriors had been alive. However, he knew his mentor and respected this choice, “My lord this is a noble choice you are making however there is a flaw in your plan. By stepping down, the Chancellor can have you arrested and imprisoned for those trumped up charges while the trails continue. With out the protection of your position, he will surely strike out at you personally for forcing him to end the war.”

Raynar nodded, “Yes, I truly think that he will take that very act. And I am actually counting on it. Which is the reason why I have secured the loyalty of those commanders. They each have sworn an oath to respond to Visst's call to arms when it comes. Rather the Council of Warlords answers it or not, Azgard warriors will serve and die for the Republic against the Chaos. The Chancellor may have his drama and Azgard will be spared the shame of it.”

“You are a most clever man, My Lord.” Valin said with pride as he started to see the larger picture. “This is the reason why you refuse to fight these claims?”

Raynar nodded, “Sate is easily distracted. More so by his own plots unfolding. He has personally set in on each of my hearings. While he is there watching my honor being torn down by his own judges, my Long Daggers have been securing loyalties of Republic Marine Commanders. Outside of the Commanders and a few Long Daggers, you are the only one that knows of my plans. And you, my friend, are the only one that knows of my intention to step down as Warlord.” Raynar slowly turned to Valin and stepped closer to him. While placing his hands on Valin's shoulders, “Listen to me carefully my young friend and student. You are not to speak of these things, that we have talked about here to anyone, regardless of reason. When the time is right, all thing hidden will become known. But for now, you must remain silent. This is my ORDER, is this clear.”

Valin felt a sudden surge of pride wash up in to his heart. He smiled and nodded, “You have my word, I shall never divulge your plans, My Lord.”

Raynar smiled and nodded, “Thank you my friend. You have trusted me and I am grateful for your friendship.” Raynar patted the young man on the back, “Go on, I will meet up with you in a bit.” he said then motioned at the lavatory, “I need to use the can, first.”

Valin nodded, “Yes My Lord.” and on that note, Valin turned and walked away as Raynar walked past where they were standing and slipped in to the lavatory.

Down the hall, the pair of Jedi looked at each other from under their hood. One turned and started to walk towards the lavatory but paused after only a few steps. The second hooded Jedi placed its hand on the shoulder of the first. Without turning around, the first Jedi turned and looked over its shoulder at the second. Almost as if some unheard conversation was taking place, the first Jedi nodded and turned its head back at the lavatory door. It pulled out a cloth covered lightsaber and removed the cloth. After placing the cloth away, it took the lightsaber and slid the saber up its right sleeve. Then it took the lightsaber from its hip and did the same thing to it with the left sleeve. Taking a deep breath, it moved for the lavatory calmly. Within moments it reached the door of the lavatory as the second Hood Jedi kept a careful watch. Almost completely silently, the first hooded Jedi opened the door and slipped inside the lavatory.

Warlord Raynar rested his head against the wall above the urinal. This morning had been very taxing on him with the trails that had been going on. “Thor, if there was ever a time to give your strength, I am sure I will need it in the days and weeks to come” he prayed softly as he closed his eyes. 'Soon the Jedi Civil War will be over and we can finally focus on the real threats to our Galaxy' he thought, then added, 'how could I have let it get so badly out of hand.' He had hated the way the war seemed to drag every world that joined it down. It was not just the Republic that suffered but seemingly every world suffered from it. Almost as if there was some greater agenda at work within the war. He shook off the thought as he heard foot steps.

Lifting his head from the wall he saw the source of the noise. He smiled, “ah Senator Reglia, I had been meaning to thank you for your help in making today possible.” he said as he saw the Alderaan Senator.

Senator Reglia nodded as he slowly walked behind Raynar seemingly heading towards the urinal on the other side of Raynar. Reglia took note that Raynar's mighty war-hammer was just within arms reach. Raynar didn't watch the man closely as he turned his head to pick Reglia on the other side of his shoulder. “You know, this day would not have happened if you had not been so helpful.” Raynar was saying then stopped himself in mid sentence. He smelled something on the air right behind him. It was a scent he had smelled before. He probed his memory hard for that scent once more. 'Cherry melons' he thought. Then it dawned on him, 'Baklid VI!' Raynar turned fast and lunged for his war-hammer.

The second hooded Jedi stood guard nearly half way down the corridor to make sure that no one heard or saw anything. Suddenly the sounds of what could only be twin lightsabers activating filled the air right around the door of the lavatory. On that noise, the second Jedi moved closer to the door and drew out its own lightsaber as to stand guard over the door. Their plan was working nearly perfectly. Now if only they could carry out this part of the plan and get out of this area, they would be home free. There was no near the corridor to hear the sounds of combat nor did anyone suspect the Jedi Honor Guards from the Neeshana Temple of any wrong doing. At the moment, everyone was focused else where.

[Akirapryde]

Coming of Enemies
Jedi Prison
Korriban, Galactic Republic

It has been a month after the official end of the Jedi Civil War. Largely in most parts the Temples and allied worlds have honored the peace as they attempted to work together to put this horrific war behind them all. A new Jedi Council has been seated on Coruscant which will lead the entire Order in new directions. Even as the Jedi attempt to restart their Order, rumors of scandals based on a series of news articles that was aired shortly before the Council was confirmed by the Jedi Oversight Committee. Despite harsh words from both the Jedi Council and the Chancellor's office regarding the leak that fueled the articles which smeared the Azgardian Military and namely one Azgardian Officer named, Fiolla Heartman. The Articles were printed based on two separate interviews with the former Jedi hero turned terrorist who now has returned to the Temple, Jedi Master Daz Murl. During a series of public appearances, the Supreme Chancellor Quee made sure to parade Jedi Master Murl around Coruscant even during the same time that Warlord Raynar was assassinated. However like all things on Coruscant, the scandals that erupted from those news articles soon were pushed from the headlines by the birth of an all new terrorist organization, The Flail!

While Azgard were paying respects to their fallen leader, a timely warning from the Jedi Council pushed their military in to action. What could have been a nightmare on Azgard much like the same nightmare the Azgard military unleashed on Neeshana, was thwarted. In a short lived battle near an asteroid field just outside of Azgard space, nearly sixty Azgard warships and over two hundred fighters dealt a soundly defeat to the Flail. The Flail had hoped to reignite the flames of war by attacking Azgard its self. Thanks to a tight partnership between Azgard and the New Jedi Order, which has been the fruits of Warlord Raynar's hard work, the warning allowed the Azgard navy to catch the five Flail warships and a large number of smaller craft completely by surprise. Despite a number of requests from other agencies, Azgard as neither denied nor acknowledged if any prisoners were taken during the short lived battle.

As part of the funeral ceremony for their fallen leader, the religious caste has chosen a number of warriors that they would support to lead Azgard. After a week long event of heated battles before the thousand meter pyre, a leader, that all Warrior Houses would follow, was elected. Warlord Ton Furey had won the right to lead the Azgard people in to the future. Warlord Ton hails from the powerful Warrior House Furey and is a product of Azgard genetic breeding programs. Even before the death of Warlord Raynar, Warlord Ton was one of the most out spoken critics of Chancellor Quee within the Council of Warlords. Not only is he a strong critic of Chancellor Quee, Warlord Ton is the leader of the political movement known as The Crusaders. The Crusaders see the role of Azgard as the only protection from the darkness that the Republic needs. That they should take a more active and predominate role in defending the Republic from ALL threats.

As relations between Azgard and the Republic becoming more and more strained to all new levels, the relations between Azgard and the New Jedi Order has never been stronger. This became evident by a personal invitation for Jedi Master Visst and the rest of the Jedi Council to come to Azgard and pay their respects to Warlord Raynar's funeral pyre. It was Warlord Ton who was the one behind the invitation issued to the Jedi Council. He even took the time to hand write the invitation and had it hand delivered. It didn't go unnoticed that the Azgard Council of Warlords did not include other members of the Jedi Order, the Senate, or the Chancellor's office in the hand written invitation. When questioned, the Azgard Senator replied only with, “This is a extremely intimate event for us. The fact that Warlord Ton, has invited non-Azgardians to view this event and pay their respects is his right as our Warlord. As such, I shall not speak on such a matter.”

As the smoke from Warlord Raynar's pyre was still in the air, back on Coruscant, the Supreme Chancellor made a huge political stumble, that many analysts says might cost him the election next year. Right before the courts were about to enter deliberation over the war crimes trails of Warlord Raynar, the Supreme Chancellor signed an executive order that dismissed the charges without prejudice. This act effectively ended the trails without a clear ruling one way or the other and leaving the memory of Warlord Raynars honor as well of that of Azgard itself in the balance. Azgard issued their public outrage over the Chancellor's actions and called it 'a political interference with the Independent Courts.' History has shown that it is very difficult for a Chancellor to maintain their Office during elections without direct support from Azgard. With the end of the Jedi Civil War in memory and reconstruction underway, a uneasy peace between the CSA and the Hutts, Scandals from what is being called JediGate, rumors of Republic run POW death camps leaking to the media, The birth of the Flail, a reforming New Jedi Order, and a political landscape that looks more like a minefield then a Chancellor friendly Senate, Chancellor Quee can ill afford to make more political enemies. Making political war with Azgard seems more like political suicide for Chancellor Quee. With the elections coming up in nine months, only time will tell if he can remain in office.

It has been over three thousand years since the Jedi and the Republic Tarraformed Korriban in to the lush beautiful world that it is now. Cleansing the world of its dark influences, and the ghosts of dark lords that lurked in the shadows, was one of the most important operations the Jedi has ever taken on. The ruling Council of the time dubbed it their brightest shinning moment in their history. Today, Korriban is a hub of interstellar activity throughout the entire region of space, and home to the Jedi Temple of Infinite Knowledge (The largest Jedi library in history). As well as the famed Korriban Jedi Prison named Borsk Roc'ag Complex (Named after the Jedi Master who designed the massive complex) was built on Korriban. Here some of the most dangerous Force using criminals are held. This massive complex that looks more like a city than a prison is made up of four levels of security blocks which prisoners are held in.

The lowest security level is the Green level, where force users that can be saved from the dark side influences are counseled and allowed to work towards their freedom someday. Next is the Blue level where trained Jedi who have become tainted yet are not completely consumed by the dark side are held. Here these prisoners are dealt with in hopes of turning them from the path of the dark side. It is in Blue block where the most successes of the prison come from. Many young Jedi that slip from the path of light are saved by the hands of hundreds of dedicated Jedi teachers and instructors here. Then there is the infamous Black level, here, such creatures like self proclaimed Sith Lord Rumun DeBrek, who the Jedi have given up all hope on, are secured in carbonate. The section of the prison is so secured that it is left completely devoid of any atmosphere and all its inmates are kept in carbonate till such a time that the Jedi can decide what to do with them. Some of the most advanced battle droids patrol this section of the prison.

Lastly, there is the newest of sections to the prison, the Red level. Even though the Jedi Temple on Korriban didn't choose a side during the Civil War, it was still a Republic World with its duties to the Republic. As such, the prison was a logical location to send many POWs from the Rebel Jedi factions. The Red level was designed to house Jedi POWs who were captured from hundreds of battlefields across the Outer Rim. The creation of Red Level caused a massive debate within the Korriban Council. Some of these POWs had been touched by the dark side however they were not classified as criminals within the traditional definition. Such POWs like the infamous General Darven Graff are held here in a state of judicial limbo. General Graff became infamously known because he overrode the controls a large number of refugee ships and held them between his retreating fleet and the advancing fleet of Azgard warships in the Hogh'ash'til system. The cowardly act outraged the Azgards and allowed General Graff's forces to escape largely intact from the battle. He was captured shortly before the attacks on Neeshana and the cease fire that followed by forces of the Republic Army. During his capture he was noted saying, “Better you blokes than those bloody Azgards!”

Figures like General Graff, who fit the profile, of a person touched by the dark side and who's crimes run much deeper than those committed over Hogh'ash'til, perfectly should be treated as if they are criminals and their trials should proceed without further delay. However it is argued that they are not criminals by civilian court standards, that they are soldiers taken in war and therefore their crimes committed on the battlefield should be handled by military tribunals not held within the civilian courts. As the debate raged within the Korriban Temple, the war continued and the number of POWs held steadily grew larger and larger. The Korriban Temple did everything in their power to ensure that justice was served while at the same time protecting the rights of those common soldiers who only committed dark acts on the battlefield. It was a nasty debate that Korriban Temple was forced to endure while the other Jedi factions became more and more distracted with the Civil War. Now that the war is over, hope has returned to the Korriban Temple as the New Jedi Order has started to reform itself.

One last aspect of Korriban that makes this location note worthy, is the Jedi Database located deep below the prison. Here hundreds of trillions of terabytes of information are regularly uploaded and downloaded throughout the entire Jedi Network. Twenty kilometers below the prison, houses one of the most extensive networks of systems that make up the entire Jedi database. During the war, it was the greatest fear of the Korriban Council that an attack would come on the database itself. It was because of this fear that they allowed the prison to be used to house POWs from the war in exchange for a large fleet being stationed above the world and added troops on the ground. With the threat of the Civil War finally gone, the Korriban Council has sent the troops and their fleets home. Moving through its slightly lit corridors, the only Jedi Scholars, Liberians and other learns of knowledge come down to this complex to seek answers to their questions or just see what more they can learn. Once more, this place has returned to a place of higher learning.

Deep within the secured section of the complex, sitting at one of the few direct wired terminals, a young Jedi works the keyboard steadily. Her brown hair tied in a pony tail behind her head as her deep brown eyes are affixed on the screen before her. There is a brown tattoo under each eye in the shape of downward pointed curved arrows. She smiled as she continued to work, her small frame seemed to mask her skill as two Korriban Rangers lay unconscious and bound along the wall behind the door. She paused working on the computer long enough to pull up her own datapad and plugged it in to the terminal and watched as the upload window popped up. This window told her that the upload had started and how much more time she needed to complete her task.

“How much longer, Sweetie” Biggs asked over the comlink.

“I am uploading the program now. Give me a few more minutes and we will be free once and for all.” Lysire said as she glanced over to the two sleeping guards.

“Are you sure we have to do this” he questioned once more. He hadn't like this idea from the beginning. Sure the benefits greatly outweighed the risks but still breaking in to one of the only prisons specially designed to hold Jedi didn't sit well with him. Not to mention that he put some of these prisoners away.

“Biggs what did I tell you” she snapped, “listen, IF we don't do this, than THEY will never stop coming after us. Daz will never let us live in peace knowing what we know. He has to kill us to silence us. And now his puppet Visst sits on the Council. We can not expect any measure of a fairness from the Jedi anymore. Visst had talked just like Quaad had, when I talked to him. His half hearted words only meant to separate us. Sure, I could have taken his deal and leave you to face Daz alone! I told you this already. We are in this together. Its all the same back at the Temple, just new faces in charge. You were right, we should have run a long time ago. I had faith in the Jedi, Okay I was wrong. I get that, and I learned from my mistake now. If we don't do this right we will be like all the others. A one way ticket to the Ilushan Gardens.” she explained while she continued to type lines of code on the computer.

She could hear Biggs sigh in her ear, “I had really hoped that Visst was different. He just seemed so different. Maybe the war changed him like everyone else.” There was a since of sadness in his voice as he spoke of the war. As if deeds and nightmares wrenched heavily on his soul. “I had hoped that he was different.”

“Well he wasn't” she snapped as she cut him off, “I told you it was a stupid plan and wouldn't work!” she paused a moment to clear her thoughts and calm her heart, “listen I am sorry baby.” she said as she push back from the terminal. Turning away from the terminal she leaned back in the chair, “I really tried to get Visst to work with us. But just like Quaad, he can't be trusted.” she paused and lowered her head in to her waiting hands, “None of them can. We are all alone.” Her voice now filled with sadness, “And now they will hunt us down to make sure we never speak what we saw. Daz will come for us.” There was a since of defeat in her voice, “We can only depend on each other lover. And in a few moments, no one well even think of coming to look for us. We will vanish in to shadows.” she said softly lifting her head from her hands as she leaned all the way back in her chair to look at the concrete ceiling.

Biggs sighed once more, “You know something, you have really grown in to a remarkable woman, Lysire. I love you so much. Lets hurry up and get the hell out of here.” She could tell the passion in his voice once more.

Lysire smiled at his words. As they grew together, she had learned to see through his lies and deceptions as she watched him work first hand. Beyond all the masks he wears, she learned a part of him that no one knew existed. She knew in her heart that he loved her. “Okay lover, just give me a few more minutes and it will all be over.”

“Okay baby, just hurry up. That patrol is starting to make their return trip and will be heading your way soon” Biggs said softly with clear concern in his voice.

She turned back to her terminal and started typing once more. “Okay the program is loaded and uploading the the network now. Twenty minutes and it will be over” she examined her work with a smile. She leaned back in surprise as something caught her eye, “Hey, I found another one of those little shop of horrors of Quaad's.” She paused as if reading, “Did you know that Daz had a sister?”

“I don't care Lysire, get out of there!”

“Hold on, I am checking something. Its on Staoke IV. According to this, she passed through this place a few weeks ago. Well, I guess Daz and Quaad were working together from the beginning. Just like we had feared, right! Hey whats this? Something called Operation Talisman.”

“Lysire! GET OUT OF THERE!”

“Okay okay, I am getting the location of Quaad's new shop.....”

“NO! NOW GIRL! MOVE!”

Lysire hated the idea of leaving behind a huge clue that could topple Daz, the Chancellor and this fake attempt at a 'new order'. But she also knew her baby was watching her back and knew it was time for her to leave. She pickup her things and loaded her backpack calmly. She didn't want to rush out of fear of leaving a clue behind of what she was doing. She cleared the terminal and shut it down. She pulled out small can and placed it on the table. She then walked over to the two sleeping guards and pulled them out of the room one at a time. She then returned to the terminal and set up her program. She set her watch and at the same time, she started her watch and the program at the same time. “I am leaving now” she informed her husband as she activated the can on the table. A thick mist filled the air in moments destroying all traces of her being in the room. Soon their would be no traces that she and Biggs were ever on Korriban.

“Good girl, I am watching that patrol. Be careful baby.”

Lysire nodded as she continued to move down the corridors carefully. She knew better then to attract attention to herself by running. She just walked like she belonged right where she was. On the way in, she actually had to stop and give a group of padawans directions. She had spent so much time in this complex as a youngling she could walks its corridors blindfolded. Had she acted strange then it would have brought attention to her and could have cost her, her plan. She just continued to walk calmly through the high security part of the complex. She smiled as she saw the last set of doors down the hall that would take her back in to the open section of the complex. She paused at a security monitor and looked at it. She was a bit ahead of her own time table. She had to wait for a moment till she saw the light above it flicker. With that flicker, she nodded and knew that she had seconds to move past it before it resumed normal operations.

The security monitors were the hardest part of her plan for her to over come. They were monitored in three different rooms across the complex and checked by a motion alarm. Even if someone was not watching the monitor in that moment and an intruder passed before the monitor, it would sound an alarm each of the viewing rooms. If the alarm is not silenced by the guards, then it will trigger a general alarm and the whole network would shut down and become secured from the inside. She could not turn the monitors off because someone would trigger a general alarm. Her answer was simple. Each room had a limited number of viewers for all the monitors. All she had to do was have the computers which switched between viewers, synchronizer with each other so that each room was watching the same monitor at the same time. Which meant that they were not watching other monitors at the same time. Then pace the time between rotations to match when she walked in front of a monitor. This way she could walk right in front of a monitor while it was not being viewed. The next step was critical, disable the motion alarm, which would place a warning on the viewer while it was being viewed but because the monitor was not being view it would not be seen till it was rotated to the viewer once more. Which by that time the motion alarm would be reactivated, the warning on the screen would be gone and she would be passed the viewing range of the monitor.

She slipped down the hall calmly and checked her watch again. She was still running a bit ahead of her time table. She knew she and to slow down but she had to stay on schedule with the monitors rotation. She slipped in to a blind spot and paused just short of the doors. She watched the seconds click down on her watch.

“Baby that patrol is coming. I will override the door and get you out of there!”

“NO don't!” she said in a panic, “Listen, we can not trip the general alarm. Just relax, I have this covered. Just wait baby. Trust me!”

“This is crazy!” he said sounding defeated, “You and your damn little tricks”

“Its why you love me baby!” she said as she watched her watch. When she saw that the time was right she nodded and calmly walked for the door. She knew the routines of the outer guards and she knew she needed four more minutes for her program to be fully uploaded to the entire network. She watched as the light on the monitor flickered above her head as she walked up to the door and watched as it automatically cycled for her. She didn't have to touch a thing as the door opened and she walked right out of the most tightest secured location in the entire Republic. She smiled as she watched the door behind her close and her program completing its final function. The last parts of her program was erasing any trace that the security had been tampered with. 'Eat your heart out Anastasia!' she thought as she finally beat that aging hacker at her own game. 'Who is the real Stainless Steel Rat now!' she thought laying claim to the coveted title among hackers throughout the Galaxy.

“HEY! Hold it right there!” a guard yelled out as he turned a corner and watched her walking out of the double security doors. The two guards that were with him drew their blasters and spread out as they tried to rush her.

“Damnit!” Biggs said in her ear comlink as Lysire was already reacting to the guards.

'There is only calm, only the still air about me' crossed her mind as she calmed her mind and reacted as she had planned. She crossed her arms reaching in to her red cloak. She flung her hands forward as she throw out missile like weapons towards the guards. She had only a moment to react before one of them alerted one of the control rooms. She had to silence them before they triggered the general alarm. Once the missile like weapons left her hands she bent her knees as she pulled her arms in a bit while letting out a soft breath. She then drew on the force as she pushed her hands outward once more. Using the force she caused the missile like weapons to lung forward at remarkable speeds. Even before the guards were fully aware of what was happening, the eight darts found their marks. The highly harden six inch needles pierced their armor easily. Because she used the force to guide the darts she was able to land two on the smaller of the guards and three each on the two remaining larger guards. The plungers in the darts flung forward on impact sending the powerful sedative in to each target's body. The guards stumbled about and then fell over sleeping.

Lysire smiled as she slowly rose up once more and calmly walked forward towards the guards. Working for nearly two years on one of the Jedi's more elite Black Ops teams, one learns to be prepared for just about anything. She bent down resting her knee on the ground she removed her darts from the sleeping guards. She quickly took a moment to make sure that none would suffer any ill effects from the sedatives. “Lysire, get the hell out of there!” she heard Biggs pleading.

She continued to check the guards, “just making sure that they are going to wake up when the sedatives wears off. They will have a killer headache but it looks like they will be just fine.” she said finishing checking the last guard. She slowly rose up returning her darts to their holders on each side of her body. She turned to leave the area as she checked her watch once more. She smiled, “two minutes and its over. I am on my way up, baby.”

************************************

Warlord Ton stood calmly next to the landing pad as an Azgard shuttle hovered slowly as it circled to land. Warlord Ton was a large man standing over two meters tall. His long bushy red hair hung over his shoulders and halfway down his back. The lower parts of his hair had been loosely breaded so the winds would not cause it to flap about. His long breed dropped below his chin. He stood there leaning on his large double bit battle ax which came nearly up to his shoulders. Over his shoulders hung the purple and red cloak of leader of Azgard. While the rest of his outfit seemed warm enough, it was made up of byproducts of some animal. One might easily confuse Warlord Ton as a member of an undeveloped culture as he stood their waiting for the shuttle. On his belt hung two different lightsabers won in combat.

As the shuttle landed, it was only Visst that departed. The Warlord nodded as he watched Visst walk off the shuttle. He lifted up his battle ax and sung it over his shoulder, and started to walk up to Visst. About half way between the two, Warlord Ton throw his head back with a deep laughter then nearly doubled over. Visst looked confused at the Warlord as the large man laughed nearly uncontrollably. “My Friend, please forgive my laughter.” he said in a deep voice as he tried to regain his composure. “Please forgive this, but you...um..your....well, let me just say it like this. You don't measure up to your reputation.” He said as he finished walking up to Visst. He dropped to a knee to allow Visst a chance to see in to his eyes. Warlord Ton took his mighty battle ax and laid it in the dirt next to Visst. “I am under the impression that gifts of friendship are common among your kind.” he said pulling the two lightsabers from his belt. “These two were taken in two separate battles” he said presenting the first one.

Talking a deep breath, “This one belonged to the Master known as Chom'Rar from the Kellinfur Council. We met on the field of honor during the early morning hours of a winter's day. He must have known that his position was lost and his forces were doomed. Prior to the battle he asked if we would allow noncombatants to leave the field. I agreed and allowed many of his wounded and support personal to flee the battlefield. The battle was grand and well thought out. The Jedi there defended their lines with honor and courage against my best warriors. Even though they were outnumbered by over ten to one, they never turned or fled. Much like Master Chom'Rar, he stood and faced me. We fought hard and he nearly took my own life. However, Thor was with me on that battlefield. Master Chom'Rar fall that morning and we won the day.” He nodded as Visst took the first lightsaber.

Taking again a second breath as he presented the second lightsaber, “This one belonged to a Jedi Master named, Jichiirurra from the Balishtain Council. He was the first Wookiee I had ever seen let alone had the pleasure of crossing blades in combat. His forces fought like rats on a starship. They would ambush us and then vanish in to the mountainous forests. I learned to respect Master Jichiirurra for his, um, I can not say for sure if Master Jichiirurra was a male or female. Nonetheless, I learned respect the tactics that was brought to the field of honor through this Master. It took my legions nearly two months of hunting before we were able to corner the Jedi Master and his army. If the previous months were any measure of the final battle to come, I was truly not disappointed. They held the high ground and were dug in. We had to fight for each and ever step up that mountain. Oh, yet the Gods of War were pleased that week. The Mountain ran red with blood of warriors for weeks to pass after that battle. Our conflict that week rang across the lands like thunder. Taking Master Jichiirurra's life was no simple task. Sadly like all great battles, one side must be defeated. His death brought honor to the battle and his kind.” Warlord Ton lowered his head in reverence of the memories he had just recited.

“I remember that night like it was yesterday. Beaten and defeated, he still held courage and honor in his eyes. He dropped to his knees and lowered his head. One last moment, he looked at me with those eyes. Then he turned away as I made sure that his death was quick and painless. I will never forget the honor he held in those eyes.” Warlord Ton smiled as he handed the second lightsaber over to Visst, “Both these men died with honor and courage. Their memories well live long in my heart as their deeds are sung in the halls of my House. Take these weapons as an offer of friendship and peace among warriors.” He reached over and picked up his battle ax and turned, “Come my friend I have much to show you.”

Warlord Ton lead Visst across the landing pad and through the nearby woods, “I am sorry I had not been able to meet with you sooner, but I have been tied up with affairs of the State. However, I saved this meeting for last so that I might take as much time as it might take.” The Warlord explained as they walked through the woods, “These lands belong to the Warrior House Heartman. I had to seek special permission to even be here let alone bring you here” he smiled and leaned over, “Luckily for you, I am the Warlord of Azgard” he said joking.

As the exited the thick woods, Visst couldn't help but become entranced by the beauty of what he saw. He had walked over a short ridge and now stood over looking a valley lake, “It was Warlord Raynar's favorite place on Azgard. I knew that you two shared a friendship. I knew that you would like to share this place with his memory” Warlord Ton said softly.

Visst couldn't speak, the colors of the trees, the rich waters of the lake, the sky all reached out to him. Visst felt a strong presence of the Force here. He also felt something else here. He turned his head to the northern most part of the lake. There, he could see a think fog that hung low to the water. This fog seemed almost too still as he examined it. He then realized that the fog was artificial and more importantly, he felt the presence of force users on the far banks of the lake over there. There were many force users hidden by the fog as Visst could barely make out simple buildings through the fog. “Sensitives” Visst questioned softly.

Warlord Ton nodded slowly, “They are Beskyttet” Visst understood the Azgard word for protected which only deepened the mystery. Warlord Ton must have known that this only teased his would be friend, “Each Warlord of Azgard serves the people of Azgard. And through this, they are allowed to issue four edicts. These edicts take place after the Warlord has dead and can never be over turned. Never once, has a Warlord ever used all four edicts. Warlord Raynar used only two. His second was for them. Your Civil War left many refugees wondering the space lanes seeking a peaceful place to call home. That group there crossed paths with Raynar. No one knows what made him convinced about it. But he said that these refugees hold the secret for his first edict.”

Warlord Ton looked down, “This was a riddle for the next year and half. His first edict was written by the sages of the religious caste over twenty years ago. Under his orders, they kept it secret till a new Warlord won the privilege to lead our people.” He turned and looked at Visst with a much more serous look on his face and in his eyes. “His first edict was that Azgard build a sound and solid relationship with the Jedi.” he pulled out a scroll from behind his back, “See the seal and the date” pointing to the freshly broken seal and the date on the seal and inside the scroll confirming the date of being written. Over twenty years ago. It read clearly for Visst, 'The Jedi and Azgard must learn to work together to ensure a lasting peaceful future for the Republic. Because of this, I command that the next Azgardian Ruler ensure that relations between Jedi and Azgard remain close. And to put down the thoughts of prejudices.'

Visst finished reading the edict and then looked out over the lake once more to the settlement of refugees. So many simply don't understand Azgardian culture simply because they refuse to see it in all of its colors. He closed his eyes as he took in a deep fresh and clean breath of lake side air. He cleared his mind as he reached out to feel the refugees on the far side of the lake. He could feel multiple races, entire families, one small community banded together. They felt calm, at peace and happy. He heard the sounds of children playing and parents working in his mind. Visst's mind was ripped from the lake side refugee community. He sensed a great disturbance in the force. He could see and hear sounds of horror and cries of help. Blurred images crossed his mind causing him to stumble backwards. Before he realized it, Warlord Ton had caught the little Jedi Master.

Visst looked at Warlord Ton with sadness on his face, “I am sorry Warlord Ton, however I must go. Something horrible is happening on Korriban. I must leave now.” He said confused and unsure of the moment.

Warlord Ton was not sure how to take these changes in his plans. However he knew that the relationship he had to build demanded understanding. He nodded, “If Korriban is where you must go, then I shall ready my warships and we will leave right away.”

Visst righted himself once more as he was to regain his footing, “I thank you, but no. The Unending Light is fast enough to get us there when we need to be there. This is a Jedi matter, I would prefer that we handle this alone. If you and your warriors are needed, I shall seek your help.”

Warlord Ton nodded as he started to lead the way back to the pad, “I understand. I will call for a shuttle to take you right to your ship. Plus notify your people that you are leaving.”

Visst nodded, “Thank you Warlord.” He then pulled out his communicator, “Captain, how long would it take us to reach Korriban?”

The voice of the Captain of the Unending Light replied with, “stand by Master Visst.” within a few minutes while Visst and Warlord Ton continued to rush back to the landing pad, “twelve hours Master Visst.”

“Thank you Captain, please inform everyone that we are leaving at once. I am returning now. Set our course for Korriban” Visst informed calmly.

[Akirapryde]

Coming of Enemies (Part Two)
Pickerson's Estates
Korriban, Galactic Republic

“Come on mommy! You're missing the beat!” Adi called out laughing as she watched her mother continued to play music on the game. Music of the game and laughter filled the brightly lit family room as most of the family played while Adi and her father watched. It was Friday night and a storm was brewing in the distant sky. Already lighting was flashing across the night's sky as thunder was being heard in the distance. It was coming up fast and was promising to be strong and gave the family all more reasons to remain at home tonight.

The entire family room had been transformed in to a music sound stage as the family set around the large holoplayer. The tables had been moved to allow for drums to be set up while shads on the lights were removed to add more light to the room. About the tables and floor was a wide range of snacks and canned drinks to hold them over till dinner arrived. It was Friday family fun night and the entire Nammon family was enjoying time at home together. For the Nammon family, it was their Friday tradition to spend quality time together so that they don't grow apart. Tonight's festivities was game night with musical instruments and the holoplayer. With mother, Hala playing lead on her instrument, while oldest son Bror was beating on the drums keeping the rhythm for the family. youngest son Tal, played back up with his instrument and his older sister Gara sang to the lyrics on the player. The youngest daughter, little Adi set next to her father, Jedi Investigator turned Prison Warden, Kell Nammon. The family room was filled with music and laughter as they enjoyed their Friday night tradition. As the song finally came to an end, Hala laughed while bending over from exhaustion as she placed her instrument down in its stand, “Okay, I have had enough for now!” She said then turned and pointed to Kell, “Oh darling, you are up!” as she rolled her hand over and curled her finger playfully luring her husband up to the game.

He laughed as his daughter Adi leaped from the sofa to retrieve his instrument laughing along the way. Just as he was crossing the floor there was a ring from the front door. “Oh saved by the delivery boy” he laughed while returning to his seat “Looks like dinner is here!”

Gara placed her microphone down, “I got the door!” she said with excitement nearly leaping over Tal and pushing Bror out of the way. The two younger boys both laughed and made smooching faces at each other. Gara glared at them while fainting to swing at them as the boys both busted out in laughter. She waved her parents and younger sister off and started to walk towards the front door. “Is the money on the table Mom?”

Hala reached her place on the sofa next to Kell and flopped down, “Yes it is, don't forget to tip him. I think its that boy that likes you so much.” Hala said while giving a playful wink to Kell. He smiled back at Hala and gave her a playful nod. They both knew their daughter's affection towards their local delivery boy and Hala had made sure to request him tonight and got the boss' permission for the young man to hang around for a song or two. He was a nice young man and the Nammons knew his family well. The Nammon's were well known in the neighborhood for being a polite and respectful family. Their charity work at the local Temple was well known.

“MOM!” Gara turned and glared back at her mother. She turned her head flipping her long blond hair in the air behind her as she reached down and picked up the credits on the table. She watched her youngest sister run off to the back of the house yelling something about getting her stuff animal. Gara only shook her head as she turned for the door. She took a glance back at the family room and smiled, 'they are not prefect, but they are my family. And I wouldn't have them any other way' she thought as she turned her attention back to the door. The smile on her face was board as she thought of what to say to the young man she had looked forward to seeing again. She hadn't seen him since school let out last week and was excited to see him again. She reached down and unlocked the door.

Before she knew what was happening, door flung open just as she unlocked it and a bright flash filled the air right in front of her face. The shot nailed Gara dead between the eyes as her head whipped back causing the lifeless body to follow the motion. Even as the body was falling towards the tile floor, two masked figures dressed in military black uniforms rushed pass the falling body. They were dressed in some kind of commando outfits with hooded masks over their heads. They had their blaster rifles up and pulled in to their shoulders while looking straight down the sights as they continued to move in haste. Their speed was surprisingly fast as they continued to rush forward in to the entry way of the family room before anyone had any clue what was happening. Just as Gara's body was just hitting the floor they were already taking aim at their next set of targets. Bror was raising up from the drums with a look of shock and terror on his face. One of the intruders shot him square in his left eye sending him flipping over his left side and backwards towards Hala who was screaming out in bloody murder. The second intruder leveled its blaster rifle at Tal and fired, the shot hit Tal between the eyes killing him as fast as his brother and sister. Tals body flung in to the drum set as it fell backwards, the killers didn't waste time waiting as they switched targets once more.

Even before Tal's body was dancing across the drum set that he was blasted over, Kell reached out with the force and flung his lightsaber from its resting place on the mantle to his waiting hand. He leaped from the sofa to protect his surviving wife as he activated his lightsaber. Once more did the sound of blaster fire fill the room. Kell lurched forward as Hala turned in horror to see the origin of the new sounds. Kell dropped to his knees as his lightsaber slipped from his grip and deactivated as it hit the ground. The smoke leaving the small burned hole in the back of his head told the story. Hala turned to see two more intruders coming up from the backyard door. One carried a blaster just like the first two while the second one had no weapons out that she could tell. Total shock and confusion had taken hold freezing Hala in her tracks. She slowly turned to see Gara's arms flopping one last time on the tiled floor of their entry way. The attack had occurred so fast that the first victim's body had not settled before it was over. She continued to turn her head just in time to take a shot between the eyes. Her body crumpled as she fell on top of her beloved husband. Within seconds the entire front of the house had turned from laugher and chatter to terror and then dead silence. Three of the intruders that had blaster rifles shifted their stances as they searched the room for the last target that they knew was here. Their fingers off the triggers as they continued to search for for that target.

The only mask intruder without a blaster rifle walked through the room, “Corporal” she said as she pointed to the home office. One of the intruders dropped his blaster and let it swing from its harness as he rushed in the direction that was pointed. As he moved for the home office as she spoke again, “So where is the baby?” she paused, “Adi” she called out as she started to walk through the room. “Adi” she said softly in a kind hearted voice, “Come on out sweetie. Its okay now.” The masked intruder said as she motioned for the other two intruders to protect the home office. They were already behind schedule and needed to get back up before all was lost.

The masked intruder walked towards the back of the house as she reached out with the force, “Oh Adi, touched by the force, aren't you child.” She calmly said as she walked in to the first bedroom, which she already knew was Adi's. They had studied the lay out of the house for days and even had a copy built where they had trained. They knew the house as good as those who lived in it. Using the force she ripped the doors from the closet as well as everything else in it. She turned to the bed and lifted it up and over to the side. Shaking her head she continued to move to the next room. “Come on Adi, you can come out sweetie. You're safe now.” She ripped this room apart as well searching for the young girl. Without locating the girl the masked woman walked back in to the hallway and reached out with the force once more, “Adi, where are you” she said softy as she could feel the child through the force. The woman walked in to the Master bedroom slowly as she knew the child was hiding in there somewhere.

Adi hid under her parents' bed as her tears filled her eyes. She held tightly to her stuffed animal that she had rushed to get just moments before she heard the blaster fire. With her face buried in the animal in hopes of keeping her sobs from being heard, Adi did everything she could to not make a sound. She could hear the footsteps of the woman, who was calling out for her now, walking around her parents' room. Holding the little stuffed animal tightly to her face, she turned her head so she could look out from under the bed. She had to wipe the tears from her eyes just to see normally. Adi saw the same kind of boots that the military men had worn a few months ago at her father's work. She was so scared, she didn't know what had happened or why her mother and father weren't coming to help her. 'Mommy where are you?' she thought. She could still hear the sounds of the game playing in the family room. 'Where are you guys' she thought as she continued to watch the military boots walking around the room. She was so scared that she could help but whimper as the boots moved closer to the bed.

The masked intruder slowly searched the room as she walked around. She wasn't trying to be silent, she could feel the child's fear and she loved it. She checked the bathroom, closets and even the cabinets in the bathroom before returning to the bed. She could feel that the child was close by but couldn't locate her. Then she heard it, a soft whimper from under the bed and grinned at the discovery. The intruder turned to walk down the bed as if leaving the room, “Well I guess I can't find the little girl” she called out as she pulled out her lightsaber. Holding it above the bed as she walked getting a better fix on the sound she had heard. Then without warning, the lightsaber activated sending the blade burning through the bed and causing a small plum of smoke to raise up from the bed. From under the bed a small hand rolled out letting loss a small stuffed animal. The intruder nodded as her eyes narrowed with her smile, “good bye Adi” she said coldly as she deactivated her lightsaber and left the room.

Jenna walked down the hallway as they had completed part of their mission. The delivery boy was a distraction and a delay she had not counted on. It was up to her Corporal now to make up for that lost time. As she entered the family room she noticed that one of her men was about to remove his mask. “I wouldn't do that if I were you” she said walking up to him as she placed a hand on his. The confusion in his eyes prompted her to explain, “Farseeing, retard. Remove your mask and the Jedi will know who you are.” With that explanation he nodded and returned his mask to its normal position.

“Corporal, how much time” she asked as she set down on a chair.

The masked man at the office computer was typing away fast, “Almost done. It was easier to hack his system then I had first suspected. We will be ahead of schedule Captain” The man explained.

Jenna nodded as her comlink went off. They had chosen to use comlinks over hololinks to prevent any images landing in a Jedi farseeing vision. She activated the link, “Speak”

“Captain, the preshow is ready for the team to hit the field.” the voice said in a short to the point communication.

Jenna knew all to well that they had to be fast if this plan was going to work. She nodded as she heard the report. “Thank you, standby, once the team is on the field we will start the show.”

The Corporal turned to face Jenna, “We done here. Everything it set to go off once you are ready.”

She smiled and leaned back in the chair, “Sit back boys, all we need do is wait for the team to arrive.” She said looking at her watch, “And they should be arriving right now.”

**********************************************

Drifting silently out of hyperspace, a large heavy cargo shuttle turned as it started to make its approach to Karriban's northern hemisphere. Its red and silver markings along the body and wings signified that it was a Republic merchant shuttle. The numbers that it bore proudly matched the ones of a shuttle that regularly traveled back and forth to Karriban. Its IFF code told Karriban control that it was the same shuttle that they checked in and out regularly despite being an hour late from its normal arrival time. However if anyone noticed, this shuttle was nearly twice the size of the regular shuttle and the wing pattern was slightly different. To a sound military eye, it could easily be noticed that this was not a civilian merchant shuttle. If fact, it was a Republic military heavy cargo assault shuttle. Sadly no one noticed the differences or barely pay heed to its tardiness. The shuttle continued towards the planet as it normally did as if nothing was wrong. However already tremors in the force have already reached one small Jedi Master on the nearby world of Azgard. These warnings did not go unheeded.

"Karriban Control, this romeo two niner fife alpha foxtrot." The pilot said calmly as he worked the controls of the large shuttle. It was not the starfighter that he was used to piloting but he managed the controls without any major issues. Aside from his Republic issued civilian helmet and coat, the rest of his uniform was completely Rebel in origin. He glanced at his copilot who was also dress just like him. One more means to fool the Controllers at the civilian space port. Their trip started nearly two hours ago and light years from Korriban. After the failed Azgard mission, it was decided that better planning needs to come before hasty organized operations in the future. This operation however has been in the works even before the cease fire and final betrayal had occured. For Colonel Kerish, this was more than just a operation to strike back at the Order and the Republic. This was about saving his brother in arms from wrongful imprisonment. And while they had limited resources following the disastrous defeat at Azgard, soon they would be able to field an army again. He smiled at the idea 'soon we will be matching across the stars again' he thought.

"Romeo two niner five alpha foxtrot this is Karriban control. Welcome home guys. A bit late I see." The voice over the com said softly. Had the Republic fleet remained on station over Karriban, then their more advanced sensors might have been able to tell the controllers that the shuttle on approach was not the same that they were expecting. Instead the civilian space port relied on lower technology and the on board IFF system. There was also the voice modulator which disguised the pilots voice and made it sound like one of the pilots of the crew they were pretending to be. The trade off was a five second delay between his spoken words and the actual transmission of those words. Sadly no one in the control room noticed the five second delay. All of these factors only confirmed the disguise and allowed the shuttle to slip in to position with out warning.

The pilot nodded knowing he was on holovid communication, "yeah, we are having engine problems on our number two main coil exchanger. Its been messing with our flight controls and even com systems. Hey shep, can we get a direct approach on pad twenty three left? We can wait up here if we have too. I don't want to put too much strain on that coil." Col Kerish wasn't about to tell them that the reason why they were late was they couldn't find the IFF device from the wreckage of the real transport shuttle they had attacked in deep space. It was a lucky shot that placed the whole mission in jeopardy from the beginning. A blaster shot hit a fuel cell and blew their target shuttle in to large chunks right when they first fired on it as it exited hyperspace. Sure it ended the combat even faster than planned but then they had to conduct a number of space walks to find the IFF from the debris field. This was no easy task, and without it, the plan could not work.

The voice over the comlink replied, "hold on, I will have to check." A few moments passed then the voice returned, "yeah that approach works. But you know the deal Vin, remain clear of the prison's airspace. They do get a bit testy when our traffic violates their airspace. You are cleared for approach as requested. You are at the top of the stack, you may start your approach now." The Col smiled as he got his request. That was the only part of the plan he was personally worried about. The shield that covered the prison alone was too strong for their ships to punch through. They had lost their only major capital ship during the Azgard mission so they lacked the fire power needed to force their way through. They had to get under that shield for the plan to work. This approval got him one step closer to completing the most daring mission of his life. From this moment on, it all would ride on the training of his soldiers to complete their tasks for the mission to succeed.

He turned to the woman standing in the entryway, and out of sight of the hololink, of the flight deck, "Captain, pass the word that the troops, tell them to be ready for the big game. We are about to hit the field and we will be moving hard and fast."

Captain Cordelia Vicsoum smiled as she nodded, "indeed Colonel, our troops will be ready for the big game." She said as she turned and left the flight deck. Unlike the pilot and copilot, she was dressed in her jedi robes with a black outfit underneath it. Her double bladed lightsaber hung from her hip. Her pale skin marked her as a near human but the black tattoo that covered her left eye and part of the left side of her face was her most significant feature. She was a well built female with the clear signs that she works out that gave her well defined muscle masses that fit her frame. A black reinforced bracer on her right forearm reached to just the top of her right hand. Her shoulder length black hair was neat yet chaotic in cut.

Col Kerish activated his personal comlink, “Pregame this is the team. We are taking the field now. Keep to the schedule no matter what.” He didn't wait for a reply nor was he expecting one. He knew already that either everything was in order or it wasn't.

*******************************************

The Capital spaceport was a very well laid out port that had given attention to the large number of passengers that moved through the port and this region of the Republic. The architecture of the three large main buildings that made up the entire spaceport was one of the must sees for Korriban. The designers of the spaceport had it in mind that when a visitor arrived to this remarkably changed world, they would be greeted by that change once they entered the main concourse of the spaceport. Local artist displayed their best work while performers conducted any number of displays of song and/or dance throughout the concourse. This was the full intent of the spaceport, to show travelers what level of culture was in store for them on Korriban.

With the night's fast moving storm approaching the spaceport, many departing flights had to cancel or postpone their departures due to weather issues. With these flights were on hold, the concourse of the spaceport had become filled with tourist and travelers waiting to leave Korriban for other destinations. The spaceport administrators did everything in their powers to ensure that their weather bound guests were well taken care of. So despite the late hours of the night, still performers would entertain while food and drinks were passed out. Many travelers had taken to just sleeping along the walls of the concourse and waited out the storm. The concourse of the spaceport started to look more like a homeless shelter due the number of travelers. With so many travelers overwhelming the security, no one noticed a few travelers moving among the large groups leaving a bag or there. Their abnormal behavior would have easily been noticed during any normal day. However this is not a normal night and the security personal had their hands more than filled as the situation turned from bad to worse.

By the end of their trip through the concourse, ten small bags had been placed next to unsuspecting travelers throughout the concourse. The original plan had not called for mess casualties but from the way the weather was looking tonight, that is what they were going to have tonight. This attack was only meant to be the diversion from their real targets. Once they got the word, they were going to unleash hell in the concourse and all those inside it. The six volunteers knew that this was a suicide mission but if they succeeded in their operation then the main mission would also succeed. And for them, that was all that they needed to know to sacrifice their lives. Each of the men looked at each other as they stood in one of the bathrooms just off of the concourse as they waited for the signal. And then it came, “Pregame this is the team. We are taking the field now. Keep to the schedule no matter what.”

One that note, one of the men lifted up his suitcase and laid it on the counter. Slowly he opened the case and pulled out the body armor from within it. And under the armor was number of blaster type weapons. Each of the other men did the same as they started to get their gear out of their own suite cases. The words of Colonel Kerish still resting heavily on their minds, “None of you have special training or Jedi powers, yet each of you are the most important part of the plan. Without you six, the mission will fail without a doubt.” Within moments they were ready to make their mark on Korriban as they were armed to the teeth. One of the men walked over to a wall as he shook up a can and then spray painted a large 'F' on the wall. He turned to the others as he tossed the can on the ground. Each one nodded as they dawned combat helmets and checked their gear one last time. The last man to dawn his helmet pulled out a remote as he checked his watch and with a nod to the others he activated it. The request from Colonel Kerish was simple, “All we need is one hour. Just sixty minutes. Hold on for sixty minutes and your place within the Force is assured.”

The blast was so powerful that it rocked the entire building and knocked out power. As if the large blast was not enough chaos, the sounds of blaster fire rang home the truth that the spaceport was under attack by terrorists. Security teams who had managed to survive the blasts found themselves overwhelmed by the attackers and cut down. The attackers didn't stop with the security teams, as they turned their weapons on the travelers and tourists. Even the wounded became targets as the massacre continued. The attackers just marched up the concourse firing on anyone that moved or seemed to be alive. Within moments of the attack starting, the administrators knew that they had to call for help but hoped that their own security teams could control the situation. The closest garrison they could call upon was located at the prison. As reports of more attackers in the other two buildings started coming in to main administrators office of the spaceport,they had to accept the fact that they needed help. The call was placed.

**************************************

“Romeo two niner fife alpha foxtrot, this is Korriban Control. Be advised that we have a situation down here that is forcing us to close the spaceport to all traffic. You are going to have to climb to orbit and hold till we can get things under control here.” the voice over the holovid said with a hint of terror in his voice.

Col Kerish smiled as he heard the report and checked his watch, “right on time” he said looking at the copilot who nodded back. The Colonel activated the holovid, “Korriban Control, negative. That coil is already red lining it. One way or the other, we have to land.” He said then leaned over to look pass the doorway and held up four fingers for those in the back to see. The message was clear, four minutes out.

There was a long pause from Korriban control and the Col already knew what was taking place. They were desperately trying to find a place for them to go. They couldn't land at the spaceport while it was under attack. So where would Korriban Control send this shuttle in distress. “Romeo two niner fife alpha foxtrot, here is what you need to do. You will make a one eighty and fly on heading three three seven. You are going to set down at Borsk Roc'ag Complex till we can get control of this situation over here. They understand your situation and have approved this procedure. Once you are on approach you are to contact Borsk Roc'ag Control on two seven three point eight. Do you understand these instructions?”

Col Kerish smiled as he nodded, “Korriban control I copy all. You guys keep your heads safe and we will see you shortly.” He turned to his copilot as they turned the shuttle around.

While they flew back to the prison, both men watched the surrounding skies carefully. There was just one last thing that needed to happen to this plan to work perfectly. And it was not long till they saw it. Six large air speeders with prison markings making their way towards the spaceport. The rapid reaction force of the prison had taken the bait and now all that remained guarding their target was the normal prison guards and a few dozen workers. And within a few minutes, most of them wont matter at all. Col Kerish, was not a lucky man, he just knew his enemies very well. Nothing here had been succeesful because of luck. In fact luck was against them even from the beginning with that lucky hit on the other shuttle. The successes that they have enjoyed so far was knowing how their enemies and how they would react to certain events.

As the prison came in to view, the Col contacted the prison controllers and informed them of the situation. They gave the Col his landing instructions and advised him and his crew to remain in their shuttle at all times. The Col of course agreed to the terms and thanked the prison for the use of their pad. As the large shuttle hovered over the pad, and lowered its gear, the copilot activated a small comlink and sent a single click over it. Somewhere in a nearby subdivision, Jenna and her team waited for that very signal to start their phase of the plan. The Col turned the shuttle slowly to face the control tower as he started to lower the shuttle towards the ground. He smiled as he saw the lights across the entire complex go out. He could see the controllers rushing about trying to figure out what was wrong. “Its go time!” he yelled as he targeted the tower with the shuttles main pair of quad heavy blasters. The shuttle fired and the control tower erupted in to a massive fireball.

The sides doors of the shuttle opened up as the shuttle continued to turn firing on other near by guard towers. Along the side of the shuttle, gunners laid down a blinding flash of repeater fire on the guards that had come to greet the wounded shuttle. Col Kerish took his time to clear out all of the guard towers as he moved the shuttle towards their true destination. Blaster fire filled the roof tops of the prison as guards were cut down while they fled the area. There was no need to hurry this part of the plan. Had Jenna done her job right, the prison would have no power, no communications, all the riot doors were sealed blocking support from stopping them from doing what they wanted. For the time being, they owned this prison. Checking his watch, that time was running out but they had to take care to do this operation right. As the last guard tower was blasted from its supports, the Col shifted the shuttle over once more and allowed it to hover over a building.

He got up from his chair and removed his Republic garbs, “Keep the shuttle here till I return. Don't let the guards flank us.” he informed the copilot then left the flight deck. “Lets get our men!” he ordered to cheers.

************************************************

Jenna was sitting in her chair just waiting for the signal to come in. She was not in a talking mood nor did she care for anything anyone else had to say. All she had to do was give one command and then she was finished with her part of this mission. She had two of her men go get the body of the delivery boy and drop him in the family room with the others. Soon it was all going to be over and the Jedi would not be able to take the Flail lightly ever again. Then it happened, her comlink went off. “That's the signal. DO IT!”

Within seconds the Corporal sent the commands under the Wardens own account using his own password to lock down the prison and kill all the power. They were able to shut down the back up generators as well as killing the communication and security systems. They knew that this was only a stop gap delaying tactic but it was going to be more than enough time for them to do what they had to do. Once the final command was set, Jenna ordered her men out as she walked to a wall in the family room. There she used her own lightsaber to burn a 'F' on the wall. “Under estimate us again!” she said coldly then vanished in to the storm with the rest of her team.

****************************************************

Lysire always believed that getting out of a secured area was always harder then getting in. With the adrenaline pumping and the taste of victory on a person's lips, it was this time that the most common mistakes are made. Lysire was not about to blow it just yet. She calmly walked down the corridors of the database network complex as if she had nothing to fear. Her mind as clear as possible as she forced herself to ignore the passing time to when her program will auto launch. For her there was only the calming breeze on some distant world moving leafs on some strange tree. There was no fear, no worry, no negative emotions at all.

She found her small duffel bag still hidden in the bottom of a trash can where she left it a few hours ago. Once she retrieved the duffel, she crossed the hall to the same service elevator that she had overridden to get down her in the first place. Once inside the elevator, she checked and found her patch still in place just like she left it. Using the patch she commanded the elevator to return to the main level. Once more, she was calm and relax. Even here, she could make a number of mistakes that could cost her their mission. So she just relaxed and enjoyed the ride up. It would be a ride back in to the light of the prison that will take over thirty minutes.

The ride up was long and gave her time to reflect on the days events. She felt like they had come a long way. Despite the few encounters they did have, neither Biggs nor herself had shed any blood. Lysire leaned back against the elevator wall and sighed, 'we have come along way since then' she though as she watched the negative numbers climb up to zero. The war had changed her, tainted her, corrupted her in to something that she had become ashamed of. It was not just her either, Biggs as well had been changed to something far worse then they both had imagined. It was Biggs' idea to dye their cloaks blood red to reflect the blood that covered them both because of what they had done.

The thoughts of blood on their hands triggered memories of back in the Garden. It was supposed to be a show of trust that Grand Master Quaad had invited them to see the the Garden first hand. However for both of them, it was a wake up call to the real horrors that they had become a part of. They all had had their eyes opened to the true darkness that they each had become a few weeks before this, but walking through the Garden and seeing the true horrors that they were a part of became a sense of battle cry for them now. It wasn't long before the entire team, who was completely loyal to both of them was helping with the over all plan. It started with one or two beings at a time were helped flee the fate that so many others couldn't. It soon grew to tens of beings at a time were being saved.

Lysire remembered how on that fateful night together, Biggs seemed so distracted. She had gone to her husband to comfort him after a rather hard day of 'playing the part'. That day they had nearly escape Daz but half of those they were trying to help didn't make it. She had sworn that the prisoners would have ratted her and Biggs out in an attempt to save their own lives. surprisingly they just went to their fate taking their secret with them. Quaad and Daz were no more the wiser that one of their most trusted was undermining their operations in the Garden. What Biggs told her that night showed her once and for all why she loved him. Yes he had done such terrible and horrible things before, how he had been such a monster and she was blind to it. But those things were in the past, now, he was making good one their promise to turn back the darkness.

He wanted to get them all out and shut down the Garden once and for all. Not just some, not just a few, but all of those locked up in the Garden. He had a daring plan that if it worked, no one would be the wiser to their involvement. As he explained his plan Lysire watched his eyes. She knew that those four being they had failed to save had gotten to him. She knew that the plan was foolish and too risky. But he wanted to save all of them. He needed to save them all. It was if his own soul rested on this mission. What could she do, for all of his faults she loved him. So she agreed and help him convince the others. They set their plan in motion with hopes that the force would be with them. Yet sadly it wasn't. Quaad and Daz had made a surprise visit to the Garden just as they were getting their plan underway. Their plan fell apart and failed horribly. They were unable to get even one prisoner out and safe. Even worse Biggs was caught nearly red handed by a guard. He was able to talk his way out of it. They thought that the guard had been convinced, they had thought they were safe.

They had managed to escape the Garden without their involvement or their plan being discovered. Or at least that was what they had thought at the time. A couple days later they received a summons by the Grand Master himself. Everyone knew it was a trap, but Biggs was determined to face the Grand Master once and for all. He had hoped by killing Quaad that they would be able to save all those left behind in the Garden. What could have Lysire done, she fallowed him this far. It only seemed logical to finished what they had started a few months prior. She stood beside him despite his protest and she demanded to stand beside her husband. One by one the entire team stood and agreed to face the Grand Master and end his rein of Terror together.

It was indeed a trap, they were ambushed in the hanger bay just as they left their ship. Sadly no Quaad or Daz to arrest the squad, they were attacked by jedi who had been told that they were evil darksiders that had to be destroyed. Lysire sighed as she slid down the wall watching her slow accent back in to the light, "evil" she stated softly. "Can we ever wash away the blood from our hands?" She asked softly, “will we ever not be evil again?” as she lifted up her red cloak the tears from her eyes washed down her face. The battle was largely one sided and each had thought they were not going to leave it alive. Lysire, Biggs and their friends had reserved themselves to this fate and fought as hard as they could to try to make a difference.

However fate was on their side this time in the form of thirty some odd thousand elite Azgard warriors led by Warlord Rayner. Seizing the moment Biggs led an organized retreat back to their ship and out of the temple. Knowing the tide had shifted against Master Quaad, Biggs had set course back for the Garden in hopes of rescuing those they had to leave behind. They flew as fast as possible for the Garden and once they had arrived the battle was joined once more and this time was even more intense than the one they just left. The guards had been warned about Biggs and his team. In the end, it was finally down to Lysire and Biggs. The others had given their lives to open the way for the rescue.

However it was not to be. Lysire saw it in Biggs' eyes. It was the kind of horror that comes from seeing in to the eyes of the beast. Biggs told her that they had to leave, and leave now. When she asked about the prisoners, he replied only with. "Quaad's message beat us here." For the next few days, Lysire watched the man she loved suffer like no other. They drifted in deep space without any course or hope of salvation. The whole time he just set in the back of their shuttle staring out at the stars as tears washed down his face. So much had been paid to rescue those left behind and she knew that the guilt of failure rested heavily on him. Nothing she said seemed to bring him any comfort as they drifted hopelessly.

Finally he broke his silence, "we have to let everyone know what happened at the Garden. We have to expose the secret." Lysire had argued that this was a bad idea. They didn't know who to trust, she pleaded that they should just disappear and never look back. He looked at her with those eyes and just said, "we can't let them get away with this, Lysire." She was worried because while Quaad was dead, he had powerful allies that they still didn't know of. Plus there was still Daz. She knew all about his Doctor Jeckel and Mr. Hyde personality. He was more dangerous then any other of Quaad's allies. Daz and his team of murders would be on their heels once they showed their faces.

She didn't want to but still she knew it was the right thing to do. So first Biggs went to his family to try to speak with them and get their help. They laughed at both of them even as they showed them the evidence of the Garden. His family accused them of making it all up and even threaten to call the authorities if the continued with this. Both Lysire and Biggs did have blood on their hands and it was the blood of innocents. LOTS of blood! Yet here they were trying to do the right thing and failing at it. Next, Biggs tried to speak to the Chancellor himself Coruscant. Biggs had hoped that seeing how the Chancellor was a close friend of his family, that he might listen to the pair of do gooders. However to their dismay, Daz had beaten them and was already all over the Chancellor. No doubt attempting to block them from speaking with the Chancellor about the Garden. Daz had gotten ahead of them and was waiting for them.

Next it was Lysire's turn, she choose to go about it a different way. She managed to speak to Warlord Raynar. He didn't trust her, after all, to outsiders, she were part of Quaad's best Hunter Team and his most trusted bunch of murders. Lysire wasn't proud of of her actions and understood why she was not to be trusted. He had every right not to trust her so she had to try hard to get him to listen to her. He had agreed to view her data after the signing of the peace accords. She watched him place the datachip in a compartment in his hammer as he left. She finally allowed her self to feel like Biggs idea was going to work after all. Then they heard word that the Warlord had been assassinated. By the time they had reached the scene, Daz was already there. Both just knew he was involved somehow in the assassination. Worse yet, the Warlord's hammer was missing. They slipped back in to the shadows as depression set in. It was if the Force its self was working against them doing the right thing.

Biggs had one more idea, but it was by far the most dangerous and would send him right in to the mouth of the dragon it self. He was going to speak with Visst personally. Lysire finally stepped up and stood her ground. She didn't trust anyone close to Daz, and no one didn't get closer than Visst. Biggs was well known and to easy of a target for Daz's hunter squad. Many still believed that she was weak and easily controllable. She could slip in and get Visst alone and talk to him. She also had the skills to make sure that she had an escape plan should it turn bad. She demanded Biggs listen to her and accept it. Daz hated Biggs and therefore she was the best one to speak to Visst. After an hour long heated debate he finally gave in and agreed to leave Coruscant ahead of her meeting. It was just before the meeting she received word from a trusted friend within the Temple that Daz was returning to the Temple. Surely to capture and silence before she can shed light on the Garden. Visst didn't surprise her, and with Daz just a few minutes away she had to run. They both had to run. There was simply no other choice for her or the man she loved.

Lysire looked up at the numbers clicking away, the ground floor was near. She slowly got up and pulled at environmental mask out of her duffel bag. She checked the gages and smiled, "plenty of time" she said with confidence. She pulled the mask up on top of her head then picked up the duffel bag and got ready to leave the elevator behind. She knew that once the elevator doors opened up there would be a slight change in pressure so she prepared for it. She watched the levels slow as it reached zero. She reached up and pulled her mask down. Taking her time she sealed the mask and started the air flowing. The level counter reached zero finally and she braced herself for the change in pressure. As the elevator finally came to a rest the entire power went out!

[Akirapryde]

Coming of Enemies (Part Three)
Borsk Roc'ag Complex
Korriban, Galactic Republic

Lysire blinked in surprise as she activated her comlink, "Biggs, the power just went out!" She said in a bit of a panic and add, "I didn't do this” she claimed cutting off the accusation.

Biggs replied rapidly, "I know Lysire, the prisons under attack! There is an assault shuttle shooting at the towers and guards. The security cams are off line as well. From what I can tell someone hacked the system and has locked the guards down." Lysire could weapons fire in the back ground and she had fear for the man she loved.

Lysire didn't want to hear this. "Damn our luck! The one day we choose to conduct our operation here, it gets attacked." She started to play with the controls for the elevator. "The elevator is completely dead. Though I think I am on the ground floor." She said using her multi tool to open up the control panel as she continued to hear sounds of combat over Biggs comlink, "I think I can get power to the doors. Just give me a moment.” she could no longer hide her fear, “Baby, please be safe."

"Can't you just force the doors open" asked Biggs, "that shuttle is moving towards your neck of the woods. Lysire I want you out of there." It was in that moment that she could hear sounds of a engines over his comlink, which told her that the shuttle was moving away from Biggs. It only confirmed what her husband was saying.

Lysire shook her head as she answered, "the sedatives we used will leave the guards unsure of what happened and their memories blank. We took every caution to ensure that no one will suspect that the database was hacked. I don't want to mess this up now. We worked so hard for this. Anyway, the reactionary force will be more then enough to handle the attackers. We just need to slip out of here undetected." She explained while trying to mask her fear for her beloved husband, "I can use my datapads energy source to open the doors." During the years before she had learned to embrace emotions. Recently she had learned that most emotions can lead a person towards the path of darkness. Especially the emotion of fear. She remembered his words so many months ago as it he was whispering it to her now, 'fear is the emotion fueled by refusing the Force and unwillingness to let go. Trust in the Force and accept the fate that has been laid out before you, for you both.' Since that day, she had tried really hard to put fear behind her. But learning to change one's self is harder then it sounds. She tries so hard to walk in the light once more. Its just so hard to face the temptations every day.

Biggs' frustration was growing, "you know I hate these plans of yours where I am helpless and have to sit by and watch you do all the risk. This is just like Telnis VII, and I still hate it!”

She cut in on his comment, “But baby, if you were not watching my back. Then who would rescue me, like every time I get in to trouble.” Her fear finally back under control she was able to be playful once more.

“I do love saving your sweet ass baby.” he joked, “These links you set up are all dead along with the security network. I am going to clean up here and move to meet you." The sounds of combat faded in the distance which meant that the shuttle was indeed moving further away from Biggs' location.

Lysire smiled as she worked, "okay baby, I will meet you at my exit point. Just be ready so we can get out of here. With the attack going on the reactionary force will be touchy. As long as we can remain out of sight of the attackers and the reaction force, we should be okay."

Biggs laughed, "yeah I would say touchy" he said as she heard him closing cases and moving things around, "I will be there, don't you worry about that!" He promised.

Lysire continued to work on the control panel. She had remembered glancing at the blue prints while they planed this mission last week. Now that memory was coming back to her as she worked. She could see the blue prints in her mind as if she had just looked at them. She knew what she had to do as she pulled out her datapad and ran a cable from it to the control panel. However, this attack added a new dimension to their plan and so she had to start thinking on her feet now. "Okay, give me about ten minutes baby and I will be out of here. The datapad needs to charge the door's power supply."

****************************

The guards knew that something terrible was going on when all their computers, security and power went out. Red Six cell block was cut off from the rest of Red Detention Level once the massive riot blast doors sealed them in. Luckily for the guards, it was between shift change so their numbers were doubled from three to six. Their local comlinks only had a range of a couple of kilometers so they were able to find out that the complex had fallen under attack and that their primary systems had been shut down and that they were unable to call for help from other Garrisons. Luckily for the guards, the blast doors were sealed and without power they can not be opened unless a special code cylinder (which only three guards throughout the entire Red Detention Level possessed) was used. They each knew that they were safe behind the blast doors.

However this didn't change the situation on the inside. Sadly only being armed with stun rifles, batons and cuffs were little match against attackers using blasters and military tactics. “Red Six, be advised that the attackers have engaged our forces along the Red Raceway, we have lost communication with our forces beyond the Red Raceway. We believe that the attackers are heading your way. The network is still down, but we are working on it. Sit tight, the blast doors WILL protect you”

"The entire network is down! No links, no power, nothing!" Cried one of the guards at the center station in wing six of Red Block. Unlike other Red Block wings, here the most dangerous of POWs were kept. Smaller than the other wings, it was the most secured from escape being in the heart of the Red Block. “They're coming for General Graff” exclaimed the the guard as he turned to the other guards, “I just know it!”

"Break out the rifles" said the most senior of the guards as the sounds of combat seemed to get closer. “They wont get through the blast doors. But just in case they do, we will be ready to fight them off. We could hold them off here for hours if we have to.” The veteran Guard was right, the wing was designed to give defenders a clear advantage with intersecting fields of fire and covered positions. They could easily hold off a much larger group even with stunner rifles here in the wing. Plus they had their backs against the walls and home field advantage. These also gave them a high sense of do or die. “Our boys will get the network back up soon enough and help will be on the way” he reassured them.

"What about the reaction force" asked one of the other guards.

The leader of the relief guards shook his head. "There was some kind of crisis at the Spaceport. They were sent to help out a hour ago. They talked about it during our briefing before we headed here. I don't think we can count of them."

The guard at the console continued to check what he could do, "From what I can tell and hear what everyone else is saying, the Warden has everything locked down. Maybe they are attempting to trap the attackers before they get in too deep."

The two leaders shook their heads at the same time. "No the system had to have been hacked. The Warden would have never shut down the Comlinks and power like this." The senior guard said. It was clear that they were trap in their wing and had nothing to do but wait. He looked around as the last stunner rifle was passed out. He walked over to the console and inserted his code cylinder and turned it, “I am clearing the key codes. IF they breach the blast doors, they will never get the cells open.” he said pulling his cylinder from the console. “Alask and Inder get up on the catwalks. Cover the door and use these riot stun grenades should the doors open.”

Rann stepped forward, “Sir, with all do respect. Alask is horrible shot. I am a much better sharpshooter. I should go with Inder.”

The veteran guard looked at Alask who nodded back, “Fine, Rann go with Inder. Listen you two, we only have four of those stun grenades so make sure you make each one count.” he said turned to the others, “Okay, listen guys, this will be our finest hour. Even if they have control of this section, they have to be working on a tight time table. Surely by now, our forces are working to corner them. If we can hold them at that door” he said pointing at the blast doors, “then we will buy time for our troops to flank them. All we have to do is make sure they don't get past that hallway” he said pointing at the kill zone between the blast doors and the cell block wing. “We can do this guys! Now lets go!” he said.

Rann and Inder both took off for the two catwalks along both sides of the wing. It gave them a great field of fire. The rest of the guards took up positions along the console and walls. The veteran guard set them up in such a way that they could provide a concentrated field of fire down the hallway and at the blast doors. The sounds of combat fell off drastically with the sound of an explosion. The guards prepared to fight off the attackers as they lowered their visors on their combat helmets. “Remember guys, check your targets and control your rate of fire. We are not looking to win this fight outright, just hold them back and eat up their time.” the veteran guard said as he slid down behind one of the large banks that made up the central console.

*************************************************

Col Kerish and his troops rushed up the Red Raceway and took up positions along the walls. He smiled as he looked at the large blast doors with a white six painted in the center of the door. He checked his watch, “We are ahead of schedule” he said turning to his troops. He nodded and waved one of his men forward. He trooper pulled a gaged and bound guard along with him. The trooper kicked the guard in the back of his knees forcing him down before the Colonel. The Colonel nodded, “Normally I would give you the courtesy that a prisoner of war would get, however, the war is over. This means you are not a POW. Isn't that correct Sergent Zurel Noor.”

The guards eyes went wide as he knew that his name was not on his guard uniform and there was no way this attacker could have known the guard's name. The Colonel continued as he grabbed the guard and ripped his shirt open exposing the code cylinder underneath, “I will be needing this” he said ripping the cylinder from the man's neck as the chain gave way. He motioned for the trooper holding the guard to follow as he waved his troops to secure the two approaches to the area. His troops fanned out in proper military fashion as they took up positions to guard the blast doors. “Oh let me see” he said walking up to the data access port and started to place the cylinder inside. Col Kerish's eyes were on the guard's eyes as his grin grew. There was no reaction to the guard and Kerish wasn't expecting any. He knew that Sergent Noor was a veteran guard had highly trained, he had respect for the guard's profile and training.

Just as the cylinder was about the enter the data access port, a panel popped open around the corner of the wall next to the blast door. “Opps!” Col Kerish said with a broad smile on his face as the guard looked at his other hand which had triggered the secret panel. “What is this?” Col Kerish said as he moved the guard around to see the other data access port and a scanner. He slid the cylinder in and turning it and activating the scanner. Col Kerish waved at the trooper who gripped the guard and forced his head in front of the scanner while holding his eye wide open. “Oh, now how did I know this?” he said as the door started to open. “Its a shame that you are not willing to work for us Sergent Noor” the Colonel said then drew out his blaster and shot the guard in the side of the head. The body fell over lifeless as he waved his trooper back to the line.

The Colonel checked his watch and nodded, “Right on time” he said softly and looked at his troops. “Lt Tualin, you wanted to know why I knew we would get to our General. Here let me show you our most important assets in this operation.” He said as he waved the female Twi'lek forward with him. “Come on” he said as he started to walk in to Red Block Six Wing.

She followed nervously with her weapon at ready, “The guards Sir!”

The Colonel only laughed as they walked down the hallway to see Guards Rann and Inder kneeling in the center of the room with their hands on their heads and a red and white arm band on each of their left upper arm. The Colonel reached over and placed his hand on the barrel of her blaster rifle. He slowly lowered Lt Tualin's weapon, “They are our friends” he said with a board smile then called out. “Second hold the corridor, the rest of you start getting the other wings cleared and make it fast! LETS GO! TIME IS THE FACTOR!” He issued his orders as he continued to walk up to the guards while his troops rushed around and started to secure the area. They found the other guards unconscious and bound at the center station. He nodded, “You boys have earned your place within the Flail” he said with pride looking at the two guard who smiled back at him.

One of the Colonel's men yelled out, “The access codes are gone!”

Inder smiled, “Colonel, I took the liberty to copy them during my shift. I figured that they would get deleted as normal procedure” he said pulling out a code cylinder and handed up to the Colonel.

The Colonel laughed as he took it. “Good job boys” he said and tossed the cylinder to the tech. “Kill those men!” he ordered pointing at the other guards. It was Lt Tualin who carried out the order with a smile on her face. He turned to the two remaining guards as blaster fire filled the wing, “Get up boys. You are among friends.”

The two guards rose up with pride as they took the hand offered by Col Kerish as the two techs started rapidly wiring up portable power supply. A trooper tossed a bag to the two guards who started to remove their clothes and change in to rebel outfits. Col Kerish walked over to a large man size blast door. This cell block was by far the most secured area in all of Red Detention Level. Here the prisoners are kept in a state of isolation their entire stay. He found the thought of his leader locked away like some rabid animal horrifying. He placed his hand on the door as his comlink went off, “Colonel” he heard the voice of Cordelia come over the comlink, “We have secured Black Detention. Starting our operation. Please send in the transports”

He smiled, and checked his watch, 'two minutes ahead of schedule' he thought pleasantly. “Thank you Captain. The transports are on their way. Make sure those door are opened for their arrival.” He closed the channel then opened up a second channel, “Its time for the half time show!” he ordered and closed the link. Turning his attention back to the blast door, “Get this DOOR OPENED!” he yelled.

“Yes SIR!” one of his techs called out and set the last cable. “Controls are working and codes are uploaded. Opening now!”

Colonel Kerish waited for months for this moment. Back on Jekeer when the forces of the Republic had finally cornered their forces, it was General Graff that took a group of volunteers to lead the Republic on a wild goose chase while the rest of the unit slipped away to safety. Their General had risked his life so that the rest of them would still know freedom. He remembered watching the battle fade as he led the survivors away. From the reports that were issued by the Republic, their beloved General had been killed in the battle. It was by a stroke of luck that one of the Republic Officers had been sympathetic to the plight of the Rebellion. He risked everything to get a message to them that their beloved General was still alive. He reached over his shoulder as the thick blast door started to open and pulled out a pair of double bladed lightsabers from his combat pack. Through the darkness he could see a figure rise up and then a pair of red cybernetic eyes start to glow, “General” Col Kerish paused, “brother, welcome to your freedom” Colonel Kerish said holding out the lightsabers.

As the techs continued with their other tasks and more noises from down the corridor were being heard, the mighty General Graff slowly walked from the darkness and in to the light. His large frame and prefect build told all who beheld him, that this man was Azgardian. He walked right up to Colonel Kerish and look down at the five foot elven man, “I always knew you would not leave me to rot” he said with a deep mensing voice.

Colonel Kerish smiled, “We didn't know you had survived the battle till much later. Then it took time to locate which prison you were sent to. Had it not been for your new friends” he said motioning to the two newest members of the Flail, “We wouldn't have even known you were here at all. The Jedi were keeping you a dark little secret.”

General Graff grabbed the two lightsabers and nodded his understanding, “A dark secret that the Jedi will soon come to fear!” he said as he embraced his comrade in arms. Then walked completely out of the cell for the first time since he was brought to this hellish place. “You!” he said pointing to the two former guards. They both turned in fear of his very voice. “If not for your kindness, I would have gone mad in that cell. Thank you for your help and company. Your actions will not be forgotten with me.” The two former guards both nodded their reply with smiles on their faces. Another soldier presented the General with a military belt and his black and gold cape that was his trade mark. Both of which the General put on and hung his lightsabers from his belt.

Already others were being freed as will as other groups were being brought in to the wing. Within moments the wing was filled with former POWs and as their numbers continued to grow, General Graff walked over to the central console and with a high step, took a footing atop of it. “Brothers and sisters!” he yelled out, “Many of you have heard about the betrayal of Neeshana and this peace treaty signed by those very traitors to our cause! They say the war is over!” he turned around so that those behind him could see his face, “I tell you, let their war be over.” it was clear that their was some confusion within the ranks of POWs, “If the war be over, then why are you still here!” Turning as he walked around the console and stepped between the large consoles, “I will tell you why, because they feel that you are too dangerous to be set free once more. That you are darksiders bent on bringing hatred and suffering to the Republic. This peace was not done to bring order and peace to all but to serve those who had the power to benefit from it! The wealthy like those on Neeshana benefit from the peace just as they had helped murder our leader who was under their protection” Once more he turning again, “Then let them have their peace!” He he drew his lightsabers and activated them, their black and gold blades illuminated the area as he held them up high for all to see, “Let us have OUR Revolution! WELCOME TO THE REVOLUTION!” he yelled out lifting his head high to the cheers of the former POWs.

Colonel Kerish knew he couldn't say anything but the two former guards could, each yelled out, “Graff! Graff! Graff!” within moments the entire cell block was screaming out Graff's name as his rescuers starting passing out weapons. Lightsabers, blasters anything they could have gotten their hands on prior to the mission. Still the cheers filled the block like a thunderous roar echoing across the entire block as General Graff held up his hands in victory over the prison. He leaped down from his console and smiled to Col Kerish, “Let us go. How is my army doing?” as he led his new found troops out of the block.

Colonel Kerish nodded leading the way, “Your shuttle is this way sir, it be a tight fit but our ships are not far. As for the army, Captain Vicsoum should have them loading now” he said checking his watch, “In less than two minutes we will be out of here and have a army of the likes the Jedi have never seen before. Riped right out of their own nightmares!”

**********************************************

Getting out of the elevator was easy enough. What really surprised her was that Black Detention Level had an atmosphere. “Biggs, something is wrong. I have an atmosphere.”

She could hear him moving rapidly, “Listen, is there another way out?”

She turned a corner which was the last leg before she reached the actual holding area. “With the power out, both of the service elevators are down. I have no choice but to head for the duck that I came in through.” she froze in her tracks as she leaped for the safety of a nearby wall, “Biggs I see a droid on the ground. It looks like its been shot.” She could hear voices echoing around the corner.

“Stop, just wait there, I will get to you. Just give me a moment and I will see what I can find in the prints.” There was genuine concern in his voice. He trusted her but also knew she was not a fighter.

“Hold on I hear voices. Let me check it out.” she creped along the side of the wall till she reached the last corner. Carefully she lowered herself down and slid a mirror out of her pocket. She used it to look around the corner. She could see five troops looking around as if guarding a tech who was working on the central console. Lysire looked more closely and could tell that of the five troops walking around two were Jedi and two were not. The other one she couldn't get a good look at through the others. “Biggs, I have terrorist in the main Black cell block. Looks like.....Oh my god!” Lysire said in shock and pulled herself back behind the corner, “Biggs its Cordelia!”

“Shit! Don't do anything! I am on my way!” she could hear him dropping things and running.

Lysire moved back to the corner and peeked around with her mirror once more, “They are working to get power to the central console and I can hear Cordelia talking to someone on comlink. Talking to some Colonel.”

“Lysire don't do anything stupid. You are no match for her. Just sit tight I am nearly there!” His voice was labored as she could hear him rushing over the roof tops and through the catwalks.

Lysire continued to watch, she knew this area very well. Some hundred thousand violent Force users has been frozen in carbonite and were set up on either side of the main walk way. They were suspended from the ground on tracks that reached out from the walls. The levels of racks of frozen inmates reached up towards the ceiling. It didn't take Lysire long to figure that what ever Cordelia was doing it was nothing good and innocent people would suffer because of it. “Biggs, I have to do something. I can't sit by and do nothing!”

“NO, just stay where you are Lysire” he said as he seemed to leap from one thing to another, “Uhg, I am almost there!”

“Listen, the Teacher said, all it takes is for one good act to destroy evil or one act of nothing to allow it to prosper. Biggs I can't sit by anymore and let innocent people suffer. You wouldn't either.” and on that statement she clicked off her comlink. Lysire took a deep breath as she cleared her mind and pushed out all traces of fear. She knew that Cordelia was much better than she was in lightsaber combat. However, she had her own tricks up her sleeve. She put her mirror away and stepped from the corner in to the opening. She let her cloak of Force around her to fade as she lifted the hood of her red cloak. She had been using the Force to mask her presence while she was on this operation. Slowly letting out her breath she calmly walked towards the center of the walkway and in complete view of everyone. There was no fear in her heart just the simple desire to prevent the same level of suffering that she and her husband had done in the past.

Cordelia sensed Lysire right away as she got a feeling through the force, “Steady boys, we have company.” She turned around to see Lysire and started to walk foward, “My my my, its a little rat.” she waved her hand to have her troops spread out. Cordelia checked to ensure that the tech was still working. He seemed a bit flustered by the change of situation but her glare got him back to work. “Be careful boys, this rat is very tricky and there is always a tiger nearby her” Cordelia said as she checked Lysire out slowly. “Thats a new look for you, Lysire. You look like you are right out of a story book. Shall we call you, the girl in red?” Cordelia checked her men as she continued to move forward, “Thought you weren't part of the Order anymore. Even heard they want to place you on trail.”

Lysire smiled as she shifted her gaze slowly watching all five of her possible attackers, "that won't stop me from destroying evil where I find it." It was clear to her that she was out numbered and as the group slowly spread out to flank her. But she felt in her heart the need to do something to prevent them from what ever they were doing. She felt good about what she was doing.

Cordelia laughed as she through her head back, "evil!" She drew out her double bladed lightsaber and activated its purple blades, "I recall you go by the nickname Liberian of Death!" She checked her men one last time as she noted that they were in position. She personally had never faced off with the young Lysire but figured that the little scholar would not make much of a challenge to her and her men. "Enough, get her!"

On that Cordelia's men rushed forward as Lysire dropped her duffel and reached out with the force. Throughout the entire Order there has never been a Jedi with the control over move object at such a low experience level as Lysire. Even the great Jedi Master Visst fell slightly behind her abilities. As Cordelia's men started their attack on Lysire, reached out and ripped a number of the Carbonite slabs from their racks and they flew across the wide walkway. She kept some in the air by bumping them up as she let some slam down in the paths of her attackers.

As one of the male jedi rushed forward toward Lysire, he noticed the slab flying forward at him. Halting his attack he leaped to the side he slid across the floor as the slab hit and bounced harmlessly near where he was moving. What he didn't notice nor did any of the other attackers was had he not moved, the slab would have missed him anyway. Many months ago, Lysire wouldn't have thought twice about taking his life. However that was then and, today she was a different person. Another slab slid across the floor like the attack before on another one of her attackers and with the same results. Within a few seconds Lysire had nineteen large slabs moving through the air or sliding across the ground. She had affectively created a barrier between her and the five attackers. And to their frustration, they couldn't get pass the barrier.

One attacker attempted to leap over her defensive slabs with his lightsaber out and over his head ready to bring it down on her. Lysire wasn't about to take any lives but that didn't mean she would hurt them. Turning to see the attack she lifted and bump a slab up and at the attacker. The slab caught him in the lower body knocking the wind completely out of him with a loud thud and groan. The slab fell back to the ground harmlessly as Lysire turned to face another attacker as the one she just blocked landed painfully. She watched the next one rush forward with his blaster rifle at ready. He leaped up and stepped up on to a slab. She flipped her hand up with the force and sent the slab smashing in to his front and tossed him back. Lysire was able to keep them at bay for almost three minutes. In combat it was a life time, and the effort was starting to take its toll on her. She was clearly gifted with move object but she didn't have the stamina of the Great Masters yet.

A large slab landed by the central console causing the tech to leap from his tasks with a whimper. As her frustration and anger both grew, Cordelia was getting more and more enraged with this annoying little rat. She heard the tech's sound and looked back to see him not at his post, "GET THOSE DOORS OPEN!" She yelled at him. Her anger of the situation was clearly heard in her voice as those force users about could feel her anger drawing on the dark side.

"I almost got it Captain" replied the tech as he moved back to the consoles and resumed his work with renewed vigor.

Lysire froze in her tracks as she looked around at the hundreds of thousands of frozen criminals. It had taken the Jedi thousands of years to capture them. They were the most evil and dark beings in the entire galaxy. Lysire turned her gaze upward to the set of large blast doors over head. Beyond that the force showed her a vision of the two large transports with their bellies opened. Their tractor beams charged and ready to retrieve these very inmates. In the back of her mind she heard the cries of millions of innocent victims brought to suffer if those doors were to open. In that second she had a choice to make. She could easily hold off the attackers and wait for Biggs or stop the tech from opening those doors. Her vision fell down upon the tech as her eyes narrowed, "not one more victim" she said under her breath.

Reaching out with the force to seize the moment and forsaking her own defense for something greater than herself. Lysire could feel the tech's fragile body in her grip through the force. He tried to resist her, but her control was simply too great over it. With great care not to harm him, she gripped him then snatch him from the console and tossed him out of her way. She glanced at a pair of slabs and flung them at the central console. As the slabs smashed in to the console, it erupted in to a large shower of sparks and debris. The slabs cleaved the console station from its base as they slid across the ground while sparks rained down from the portable power supply. Lysire smiled as she watched the tech slowly get up unharmed from the attack.

Cordelia turned to the destruction of the station just as it was happening. She let out a scream of anger as she turned to face Lysire. Drawing heavily on the dark side, Cordelia leaped high and fast in to the air as she moved to attack Lysire. "You little rat, you're going to pay for that!" She yelled on the attack.

Lysire exhaustion was getting the best of her and she had to drop her focus to stop the tech. Cordelia was rushing her and Lysire had one chance to stop her. She snatched up a slab and moved it to bump her attacker from her course. Lysire felt it was a good plain but when she saw Cordelia's purple blade cut the slab in half and killing the helpless prisoner trapped inside, she stood in disbelief. It was too late, Cordelia was on top of her with her double blades already swinging she landed next to Lysire. Lysire turned her focus to defending herself from the lightsaber attacks rather then the slabs around her. She had just enough time to activate her own yellow lightsaber and used it in her own defense. Her slabs started to rain down as Lysire's concentration was broken.

The duel between sabers had been joined finally while the rest of Cordelia's men dodged the raining slabs. Lysire was horribly out matched as she put all of her focus in to defending and blocking Cordelia's attacks. Cordelia's attacks were very fast as they were driven be anger and fueled by hate. Lysire could feel her opponent's dark energies pulsating through each new attack against her, as her own fought to be released. Dodging and parring each blow as they came in, Lysire had to give up ground as she continued to defend herself. It was a fight that Lysire knew she couldn't win. However, she didn't fear the defeat. She knew she had prevented a great evil from occurring and that was enough for her.

Cordelia pushed her advantage with each new set of attacks on Lysire. Cordelia twisted her blade as it caught Lysire's own blade. Taking advantage of it, Cordelia continued rotating her blade. Cordelia smiled as Lysire's lightsaber slipped from her grip. Cordelia could have shifted her blade with a twist of her wrist and sunder Lysire's lightsaber. However she was out for the blood of this little rat. Cordelia instead shifted her weight and swung her blade to remove Lysire's head. Cordelia felt the dark side calling through her mind for the death of the rat and she was not going to deny it. Her whole mission had been compromised by this rat and it was time to kill it before it could cause anymore problems.

As Lysire's lightsaber flew from her grip, she shifted her weight back and stumbled. With her weight unbalanced, Lysire fell backwards as Cordelia blade swung and nicked her shoulder and the side of her face in a double tap motion. Cordelia spun her double bladed lightsaber once as she leaped up drawing on the dark side to hone her attack this time. Finishing spinning her lightsaber, Cordelia aimed her blade right at Lysire's heart. "DIE RAT!" She yelled.

Lysire hit the ground hard as she just narrowly avoided the last attack. She was disarmed and fear raced through her mind as she looked up to see Cordelia's purple blade rushing down at her. Lysire threw her hand up more out of fear then anything else. Her mind was not focused on any dark act while fear gripped her. Bluish lighting leaped from her hand and flashed in her eyes as it slammed in to Cordelia. Lysire had used dark powers many times before to cause untold suffering and pain. She had used them to achieve horrible things in the past. This was the first time that she felt the horror of what she had just done. Just as she let loss the lighting she forced her will to pull it back. The tried to control what had happened. She closed her eyes as she fought hard to pull it back. The darkness within her soul fought hard for its released once more and now it had a taste of freedom, it would not be denied.

As Lysire laid helpless on the ground, her eyes were transfixed on the bluish lighting still dancing over Cordelia's body. Horror still filled her heart as she felt the pain of her own betrayal. So much had she tried to deny the dark energies that surged through her, and in a moment of weakness she failed herself. The blast of lighting had hit Cordelia just moments before Cordelia's lightsaber had found its target on Lysire's own chest. Even as Lysire was pulling the darkness back from its attack, Cordelia flew through the air backwards as the lighting danced across her body. Now she laid dazed and convulsing from the attack. Lysire never saw the two other Jedi who had been able to flank her on either side. Both men had ever intent on making Lysire pay for what she done. They rushed her swinging their lightsabers on the attack. Lysire never took her eyes off the suffering she had caused. For so long she fought to deny the darkness within her self, now she felt betrayed.

As they swung their lightsabers in on the attack, neither attackers noticed Lysire's own lightsaber tremble and then flip up in to the air above her. Had they noticed, they would have seen the trouble descending upon them. Instead they were more focused on exacting revenge for the trouble she had caused them. Lysire heard the sounds of the blades come rushing in then all of a sudden the sounds of four lightsabers clashing against each other. She looked up in a daze to see Biggs stand over her with his and her lightsaber in his hands. Like a mighty sentential, he stood with his legs stretched out so that he stood directly over her while blocking to two attackers. The sounds snapped her out of her from daze but she couldn't seem to control her trembling. His eyes met hers in that moment, and with a smile, "told you I would never leave you."

The eyes of her attackers were steadfast focused on that blade. It was one of the rumors that had spread through the rebel factions and it was impossible to miss. The blood red color wasn't enough, as it set there blocking one of their own lightsabers, small pieces of flame seemed to dance across it as if it was on fire. It was the proud symbol of Jedi Knight Saab, but to the rebels he had become known as the Tiger Prince. Turning his eyes from Lysire to one of the attackers Biggs said, "hope I am not missing the party!" On that, Biggs engaged both jedi at the same time with a combination of attacks that forced them to withdraw from Lysire. The sound of lightsaber combat filled the room as Biggs showed them why he had earned his neck name. His attacks were both fierce and fast as the two Jedi were forced away from the helpless Lysire. Even while engaging the Jedi, The Tiger Prince was able to deflect blaster fire coming in from the other two troopers.

Lysire rolled over on to her knees as she pulled her arms in under her body. She wanted to join the battle to help her husband but she couldn't attempt it. She could feel the power of the dark side surging through her once more and she knew that she couldn't afford to let it slip more. She fought and struggled to bring it back under control. She barely succeeded in controlling it and dared not tempt fate again. Her eyes glanced at Biggs as he fought heroically defending her with both his lightsaber and her yellow lightsaber. *'He won't survive long! Release me and we can save him together'* her own voice tempted her from the back of her mind. She wanted to help him but she looked at her hands as they trembled as the darkness fought for control over her. She struggled to will it away but the draw was simply too much for her. Her eyes fell upon Cordelia, who was struggling to get back in to combat as well. The bluish lighting still surging over her body. *'He can't hold his own against all of them. Release me!'*

She rolled her head over trying to clear the thoughts from her mind. She knew that it was the temptation of the dark side calling on her. She also knew that she couldn't fear their fate or else they will both become lost again. *'Feel the power we once shared, how much we were able to do with it. Release me and we can be great once more.'* her voice beckoned in the back of her mind once more. Lysire pulled herself tighter in to her ball while she still fought the dark temptations. She closed her eyes as she heard her own voice temping her to return to the path of darkness once more. The memories of the past few months flashed in her mind. How hard both of them had worked to become free of the darkness. A sound of a pair of lightsabers activating broke her concentration. She looked up to see Cordelia slowly standing up as she made ready to engage Biggs. She was wounded but still dangerous, Lysire felt temptation reaching her heart as she stretched her hand out towards Cordelia once more.

With their hearts so closely joined, Biggs could feel the struggle in Lysire's heart. It concerned him more than the life or death battle he was waging right now. He loved her, god how he loved her. He didn't care about anything else but keeping her from the darkness. They both promised to never leave each other for the darkness, and he was not about to let her slip. He turned as he felt darkness trying to get the upper hand within her heart. He saw her reaching out toward Cordelia and screamed, "NO!" He knew the temptation of darkness and how powerful it was to overcome. He felt her heart and sensed her weakening under the temptation. He reached out with the Force and gripped a slab and slammed Cordelia in the back with it. It was a painful hit and sent her flying across the floor and no longer a threat to the battle. He returned to his combat as he deflected a blaster bolt towards one of the other jedi. The blaster nailed the Jedi in the back of his upper leg as he was recovering from a blow Biggs had landed on him just a few moments before. The man fell forward gripping his wounded leg and screaming out in pain.

The second jedi leaped over Biggs hoping to flank him in a daring move, however Biggs was a highly skilled down and dirty street fighter. Just as the man landed Biggs landed a round house to the side of the man's head causing him to stumble. Then Biggs followed a knee in to the Jedi's groin with such force that the man literally was lifted up off the ground. The jedi let out a loud groan as he throw his hands between his legs. His knees buckled after the low blow attack. Biggs used the Force to hurl the man cross the walk way. The Jedi's lightsaber flew from his grip as he landed. Biggs turned to deflect another blaster bolt. This time Biggs deflected it at the lightsaber resting right next to the Jedi he just tossed. The burned and shattered lightsaber flew back even further from the Jedi as he looked back at Biggs in disgust. Biggs returned the glare with a smile as he deflected two more blaster shots.

Cordelia had heard about The Tiger Prince but never truly believed many of the rumors about him. Just watching him fight, she could tell that they were routed in truth. He was fast, powerful and ruthless. He also used both his skill as a Jedi and unconventional tactics to score hits on her troops. However she could feel that his mind wasn't in this fight. 'The secret of beating him was clearly in Lysire' she thought as her gaze shifted from Biggs to Lysire who seemed to be in some kind of pain. She moved from behind the slab and hatched a plan to defeat both while salvaging her own mission. However before she could act on her plan, she had to think fast as a pair of blaster bolts rushed in at her. She noticed just in time that Biggs had deflected the pair of blaster bolts at her. She activated her lightsaber and spun it to deflect the bolts away from her. She turned to the two troopers with the blaster rifles, "Stop firing morons!" She snapped as she had to deflect more blaster bolts away from her. "Help the tech" she added as she used the force to hurl one of the large slabs at Lysire.

Biggs saw the slab being rushed at Lysire. Fear tried to grip his heart, but he cleared it with much effort. He calmed his mind and rushed to cut it off before it reached Lysire who was still fighting with her own demons. As he moved to Lysire's side, he reached out with the Force and flung another slab at Cordelia to distract her while he used the Force to gentle stop the slab heading for Lysire. Once he had it under control, he move it away from Lysire. Finally reaching her as he slid up to her while stopping by her side. Carefully, he took her in to his arms while softly saying, "Please don't leave me baby.” His focus didn't returned to the battle at hand. In his heart, his focus was where it needed to be.

Cordelia saw the slab rushing at her and used the Force to fling it high in to the air above and behind her. She moved forward towards Biggs just as she heard a man scream and a loud thud of a slab hitting the thick metal floor. She turned to see the tech's legs stretching out from under the slab that she had carelessly hurled. Anger filled her mind and heart for in that moment her mission had failed. Without the tech there was no hope of getting the blast doors open. She was in raged as she yelled out at the top of her lungs, "NOOOOO!" as if she attempted to undo her own mistake. She heard a metal pop then a twang echo through the block. She turned to see Biggs lifting Lysire up in to his arms tightly. A grapple launcher attached to his combat belt.

Biggs smiled at Cordelia, "Master Ubeern was right," he said as he activated the launcher and he and Lysire were lifted up in towards the catwalks “you have no control!”

Before she could think to do anything as rage filled her mind, they were gone in to the shadows. She watched as Lysire's duffel bag flew up in to the darkness of the catwalks as well. Anger raged through her so intensely that she was frozen in place. Cordelia heard a computer voice echoing through the block, "Main power reboot in thirty seconds"

"Everyone! Withdraw!" She ordered. Her two troopers had to help the two wounded Jedi back to their feet and out of the Cell Block. Everything had gone so well for her, 'till that rat showed herself!' she thought as she doubled checked to make sure her people were leaving. The five terrorist left the body of the tech behind as they were forced to withdraw empty handed. Just as she was leaving the cell block, she gave a look back, "this isn't over, Tiger Prince!"

[Akirapryde]

At Water's Edge
Wited'etee
Outer Rim

It had been months passed since the failed mission to conquer Origin and secure the Sword. The battle was a costly one for the army that Rose had so tirelessly built in complete secrecy. The opening hours of the battle had gone just as Rose had predicted it would have. The locals natives were no match for their firepower, skills, or numbers. Though a bit of orbital bombardment didn't hurt either. As the last bit of leadership of the natives had fallen, victory seemed nearly assured. However, they were to be denied victory at the very last moment. Jedi Weapon Master Uris Chun and his band of do gooders surprised the attackers at the verge of their final victory. Some how he even managed to enlist the help of Aral and her sister. Orchid knew that Aral was powerful but never imagined how much her powers and control over the Dark side had grown. Orchid and her apprentice Lotus were simply no match for the person who now claims the title Dark Lord of the Sith.

Orchid had tried every trick in the book to get the upper hand on Aral however nothing she could come up with seemed to work. Aral was just to powerful. As the battle raged, Aral called on reinforcements but they were stretched too thin as it was. Rose's plan was clever but she didn't take in to account Chun and his allies shown up. As Rose's death was felt and all seemed lost still Orchid still tried to defeat the Sith Lord. In the end, Orchid was bound to be defeated in this battle. Aral must have sensed the coming end of their decade old rivalry as she moved to finish off the pair of want a be Sith Lords. However, Lotus denied Aral of her final victory and the pleasure of killing Orchid. Orchid had her doubts about Lotus before and did not completely trust her, however all that was about to change. Orchid was spent and wounded, Lotus could have left her to die. But she didn't. Lotus flagged a speeder and got Orchid out of Aral's clutches.

The next few weeks they spent fleeing Aral from Origin. They had their own ship, however that changed when they stumbled across the Crusade again. If the beating on Origin was not bad enough for them, Orchid learned that the Crusade doesn't forget anything. The Crusade had laid a trap from Orchid and nearly wiped them out. Once more Orchid and Lotus were able to flee with a few 'trusted' companions. Then once more, they crossed paths with Aral thanks to a leak within their own ranks. The betrayal was almost the end of the two of them except for a streak of luck. They were once more able to escaped with their lives and not much else. As Orchid's ranks continued to shrink, Aral was building a sizable force in the Out Rim while taking full advantage of the Jedi Civil war and the confusion of peace that soon followed.

Not long after the signing of the Peace Treaty and the end of the Jedi Civil war, Orchid and Lotus had found them selves down to just a few loyal droids and a small ship. For months their lives had been running from Aral or the Crusade or both at the same time. Orchid even tried to seek safe haven at some of their old safe harbors only to find the Crusade waiting for them. Even pirate fleets who had been forced to serve Rose had set their sights on Orchid. The rumors throughout the Outer Rim was that Rose had stashed a weapon's cache that could easily match even the Azgards. Many believed that if anyone knew where this hidden cache was, it would be Orchid. There was simply no safe haven for them to go. When word slipped out that Aral had been drawn away to face one of Roses former darkside lieutenant, Caravis, Orchid took her chance to slip below the radar and vanish. Even the Crusade wasn't able to locate Orchid as a second shadow war slowly consumed the Outer Rim.

Caravis was a loyal, bold and able leader of Rose's forces. Many suspected that the two were lovers to some degree. Rose was many things in her life and stupid wasn't one of them. She knew that getting the Sword was only part of the larger goal of ruling the Galaxy. She had to crush the crusade before they figured out a way to stop her. So during the years she worked for them, she learned as much as she could about how they operate and how to counter the massive force. She also started building an Army of darkness that was only loyal to her. Lord Caravis was the first dark sider she recruited right from under the Jedi's noses. He was her most trusted and because of that she allowed him to command her forces while she took a third with her to Origin. Now that it was clear the Sith Lord Rose was no more, Lord Caravis laid claim to Rose's throne and started to pull the fractured forces together once more.

While the Jedi civil war continued to rage another war slowly took up steam in the shadows of the Outer Rim. A war to fill the void left behind by powerful Dark Queen, Rose. Without Orchid to step forward and claim her rightfully place as Rose's successor, the other commanders from Rose's army fought and plotted between each other to gain the upper hand on the others. It was not as devastating or even as wide spread as the Jedi Civil War, but the battles between these dark forces were nonetheless intense. Within the deep shadows on this shadowy war were the fingers of the Crusade pulling strings. A galaxy under the control of the Sith was far worse than the Jedi controlled galaxy. They made ever chance to ensure that the waring factions were engaged with timely and helpful information of other factions actions. Playing the dark forces against each other was much easier than plotting the Jedi Civil War.

However Lord Caravis' claim to the Dark Lord of the Sith was his own undoing. It was a bold move that Aral couldn't ignore. She was laying her own ground work for rebuilding a Sith Empire of her own. There was simply no room for any other Dark Lords of the Sith. She was forced to address this foolish act before others saw it as a weakness within her and challenged her. While Aral was capturing Lord Caravis and his family and plotting their very public murders, orchid and Lotus took full advantage to flee. They dropped under everyone's radar and literately vanished from sight. Even the Crusade was unable to track them as they slipped from the normal underworld locations.

Lotus rolled over in their joined sleeping bags as the brisk morning was just getting underway. She smiled as she looked at Orchid's closed eyes. Her hand through her lover's hair soft brown hair as she watched Orchid sleep soundly. The black tattoo across her lover's eyes mirrored the suffering she had gone through in the past. Lotus had somehow found a place in Orchid's heart that was still free from torment and still able to love. Lotus could remember the first time they had met so long ago and how their feelings had chanced over the years. She slowly moved her body closer to Orchid's as she softly brushed hair from her face. She lowed her face toward Orchid's until her limps touched the soft tender lips of Orchid's. She could taste the sweet tender lips and feel the warmth of her lover's breath as she kissed her. Lotus slowly pulled back some resting her head on her hand as Orchid's eyes slowly opened. "Good morning lover" Lotus said with a smile and added, "sleep well?"

Orchid smiled softy as she wiped the sleep from her eyes, "oh god yes. You were right this was a great idea." Orchid said while yawning “I can't remember when we last slept on solid ground.” Then reaching over Orchid added, “But I would prefer a bit more.” She pulled Lotus in to a deep passionate kiss. Orchids arms coiled around Lotus while the pair rolled and their naked bodies crossed each other. Their tongues softly licked as they slowly pulled away from their kiss. "That just never gets old" Orchid finally said looking up in to Lotus' eyes as she looked down at her.

Lotus smiled as she nodded, "nope, it doesn't." She slowly got up form the sleeping bag and walked across the small tent. Hanging from the center support pole as Lotus crossed it, three lightsabers hang from a cord that was tied to the pole. Lotus walked playfully across the tent teasing Orchid with her full hips and well formed body. She came to a small table where some boxes and bottles were. She picked up a bottle of spirits and opened it as she turned to Orchid who was now sitting up on the sleeping bag. Lotus smiled as she took a drink from straight from the bottle.

"Is he still alive" she asked about the body of the young half naked Jedi healer on the ground.

Lotus moved the body with her foot and noticed him groan and move a bit. "Yeah, but I don't think he will be much good for a while" she said with smile as the memories of the night before flashed in her mind. The pair loved each other, but last night was about carnal pleasure. From them, he was just something to help them achieve their own pleasures. Lotus looked down at the wounds they had inflicted on the young Jedi. She really didn't feel anything for him. He preformed as expected and that was all she cared about. "Why do you keep them" she added as she took another drink while looking at the young Jedi and recalled the others in their ship.

Orchid motioned for the bottle and caught it when Lotus tossed it to her, "Mother always said, 'you never know when a good Jedi Healer will come in handy. Always keep a few on hand.'" She explained as she slowly got up. She stretched upward and giving Lotus a full view of her toned and lightly tanned body. "I guess the lesson was never forgotten. I have always found keeping a few handy has paid off." She said while stretching, "plus they make for grreat play things” she said rolling her 'r' like as if she was a cat.

Lotus laugh as she caught the bottle after Orchid took her second drink, "want to take a dip?" She asked as she walked for the door of the tent. “Then I will show you how my mother taught me to cook Gil Fish. Trust me, it will make for a great breakfast.”

Orchid smiled checking out Lotus' long legs with a playful glimmer in her eyes, "Sounds delicious, though I would like more of that.” She said as she tossed a small pillow at Lotus' rear. “I'll be right out sexy" she added as Lotus winked back as she kicked the pillow back on the bed.

Lotus smiled and swatted her bare rear, "you know where to find it." She walked out of the tent and across the sandy shore of the lake side camp site. Lotus slowly took in the majesty of her surroundings as she paused just on the other side of the tent door. The whole area seemed to take her back to more simpler days. When she saw this place as they searched the planet for live, she knew they had to come back here. Something drew her to this lake and she could still feel its draw on her now. She glanced at their ship resting under its camouflage and nodded. The whole place just seemed so simple and prefect. However there was something simply not seem right also. Just beyond her senses, she could feel a strange draw but she could put her finger on it. Shaking off the feeling she walked down to the water's edge slowly as she took in the vast lake and the surrounding mountains.

Carefully stepping closer she shivered, "crap its COLD!" She yelped out as a wave washed over her feet.

"I bet" Lotus heard all too close behind her. Spinning just in time to see Orchid rushing at her. With a leap, both young darksiders flew back towards the ice cold water. The water blew up in to the air as both landed in the water. They soon vanished beneath the waves.

Orchid was the first of the pair to surface with joy in her heart and laughter escaping from her lungs. Lotus followed shortly holding her arms tightly to her body, "You are SO evil!" She said half laughing and half freezing.

Orchid laughed more and splashed her, "somebodies lights are on brights!" She said playfully as she stepped back getting ready for the counter strike she knew was coming.

Trying in vain to avoid the slash, Lotus jerked at the new rush of cold water washing over her. "So are yours!" She yelled back and splashed the water back at Orchid. The two were evenly matched in this battle of splashes. Within seconds it was a full scale splashing war between the two dark lovers which lasted for minutes. Their laughter echoing across the mountain lake as they continued to splash and play. In the distances their echoed laughter were being heard by another group of hunters.

Orchid wasn't expecting the cheating move from Lotus, so when she was lifted out of the water while Lotus drew on the force Orchid was truly surprised. "Lotus! Don't you dare!" was all Orchid could get as Lotus dumped her head first back in to the water with a loud splash. Lotus laughed in victory as she paraded around with her hands held high. As Orchid was coming up for air, she was about to attack Lotus with her own Force attack but stopped before she started. She took noticed to Lotus looked concerned and focused across the lake. “Lotus?” she asked fearing the answer. 'Had Aral found us already?' she thought fearfully.

Lotus continued to try to clear her mind and push her senses to the very limits of her training. “I” she said then paused, “I, I sense someone out there.” She lowered herself in the water a bit as if looking under something, “a feeling I hadn't sensed in a long while.....DAZ!” she warned.

Orchid knew she could take Daz but not if he had brought his entire team. “How many” she questioned as she started to searched the far bank of the lake. Not being able to spot the targets she turned and drew on the force and ripped their lightsabers from their resting place. Orchid caught hers as Lotus pulled hers own towards her.

“I am not sure, two maybe more. Its hard to tell from here.” Lotus said calmly.

“Right, we will leave everything behind. Lets get out of here.” she said as she started to rush out of the water.

“No wait, I don't think they know were are here. I am not sure but I simply don't sense danger from this.” Lotus said as she turned and faced Orchid, “Lets not do anything stupid that will get them to suspect us.”

Orchid nodded, “Okay” then turned her head to the young Jedi as he tried to crawl out of the tent. “Don't you dare. Keep your mouth shut or else you will watch the others die a very slow and painful death.” Orchid warned the young male then added, “remember what I did to your Master.”

He looked down in defeat. They had been captured for only a few weeks and it already seemed like a life time in hell. He looked out over the lake as sense of hope came over him. He knew that the Order would not give up on them. He never doubted that they would be rescued. The fact that the Order sent Daz and his team after them only secured his faith in the Order. He dared to smile as he sent a telepathic message to the others, 'found'. He knew that they would understand as so many of his companions had given in to despair that they had been lost forever.

Orchid walked up on to the shore, “Retards!” she yelled to the droids who came out from the ship. “Break camp normally and prep to depart” she said as she walked up to the young Jedi smiling as he looked to the distant shore. She slapped him so hard he nearly rolled over, “Get on the ship and secure yourself.”

He knew better then to disobey. He got up and walked over to the ship. He walked passed the droid as they argued, “how do you break camp normally?” he heard one of the droids asking. He didn't pause, he had to tell the others that soon they would be free once more and this nightmare would be over. He took one last look at the distant shore with his eyes full of hope. He nodded as he figured it would take them just a few minutes to dispatch the pair of darksiders. He turned and vanished in to the ship.

Sadly, there would be no rescue for the eleven Healers. Within an hour and a half, the camp was broken down and the ship was made ready. As the door closed and the engines fired up, hope turned to despair. Despair turned to depression as the ship lifted off and climbed for space. Even the pair of darksiders couldn't believe that they had gotten away from Daz and his team. The ship climbed for the heavens as the planet and hope for rescue slipped beneath them. With a blast the ship vanished in to hyperspace leaving behind the remaining hope that the group of Healers could muster. Their spirits finally broken in that moment. Their whimpers and soft cries brought smiles to Orchid and Lotus as once more they had escaped death.

[Akirapryde]

Teaching lessons
The Colony
Azgard

The skies over the Colony always seemed so cloudy despite the weather. This grayness gave the entire area a sense of depression. The Teacher looked up to the sky as he listened to the winds around him. They had never been disappointed with their colony on Azgard but he knew that this place was not their permanent home. He felt the change in the winds for them. He had only been waiting in the forest for a few minutes. He could feel their approach just as he could feel the wind on his face. Only a few minutes later his faith was rewarded by the sounds of a air speeder approaching. He smiled at the thought of faith. The force to him was more than just faith. For him, it was voices and echoes of the past as well as future's past. He could hear, see, and feel what was being expressed to him through the force with each passing moment. The world around him was not as simple as many were led to believe. So long ago he had tried to teach that the world was more then just what they saw or wanted to to see around them. He knew that the world a person perceived was a mirror of the pains they held on to within their hearts. Meaning a person's own energies through their heart or soul twisted and fogged their perceptions of the world around them. This was also the true for visions within the Force. There as much more to the world than right and wrong, just and unjust, God and Evil.

So hard had he tried to get others to see that life and the Force were more tightly woven then anyone could imagine. And even those who had strayed from the path were still as tightly woven in to the light as those of light were woven in to the darkness. Back during his time with the Jedi, this line of thinking was considered radical. He had dared to say that in each action there was the foundations of light and dark. That even the most vile of dark lords held on to strings of light deep within his heart. He had spend all of his life helping those who fell from the path to make their way back. For him, it was part of a journey that some had no choice but to endure. He understood that others could learned all that they needed from the path of the light. He also understood that some needed tones of darkness to learn their lessons. Now he had to reach out once more and help one more lost soul.

He looked up the path from where he stood and smiled slightly as he saw the Azgardian air speeder landing. There were a few Azgardian soldiers aboard, but they remained with the speeder. Three people shrouded in cloaks slowly disembarked as the Teacher continued to watch. He knew each of the well. Each had become lost to the shadows along their own paths before and now they each had been found and are now making their way back. His first gaze fell upon Prince Saar who walked behind and to the left of the lead person. His red cloak glided behind him as he walked through the forest. Before, the young prince had been filled with such anger and hate that the Teacher didn't think it possible to bring it under control. There was a time that the Teacher had his doubts about Prince Saar's ability to recover from his fall. However the Prince had found the strength needed to overcome the darkness within the woman that he loved. Using her love as an anchor, he had been able to overcome that hate and anger that had driven him to his fall. When the Teacher first saw the young prince, his future was clouded by darkness and uncertain. Now, the Teacher could see a future filled with such brightness and promise. Prince Saar was a brave and courageous man who possessed the ability to lead masses. With the taint of darkness removed, he could live up to his full potential if he could find a way to overcome the nightmares of his own history. The Teacher knew that there was much left for Prince Saar to face and conquer. Still he knew that the young prince could overcome them under the right mentor. 'And I know just the mentor' he thought with a smile.

The Teacher's eyes drifted over to the young Princess Saar-Chalco. She walked side by side with her beloved prince as they wore the same red cloaks. He understood the meanings behind their cloaks and found it fitting for their recovery from the darkside. Her's was truly a tragic story to be told, one that touched his heart deeply. There are a few special souls chosen for greatness, like Prince Saar whom the Teacher knew was destine to become a great leader some day. Then there are those who's memories would become the driving force behind those very great leaders. This was the path chosen for Princess Saar-Chalco by the Force. The Teacher felt no sadness of her fate, for he knew it was the will of the Force. He could sense everyone's fate through the force so plainly as he could see them through his own eyes. However, Princess Saar-Chalco fate was very special. She was shown her fate by the Force through a vision dream. To him, this could only mean that her journey back from the darkness closer to completion then even he had first suspected. The Teacher learned along time ago, never question the will of the Force. The only time he ever questioned the will of the Force, entire world had died by his own hands. He shook his head, 'she was shown her fate for a reason' he assured himself.

The small Twi'lek girl walking front center of the two young nobles was the reason why they had returned so soon. Even through her cloak, he could see her soft blue skin and features. He knew even without seeing, that she had suffered greatly from her journey back home. She had left their colony a few weeks ago hoping to find the man she loved. He knew that she would run back to him. Her love for him was strong and deep. He had tried to help her understand the power of love and how it could be used to help her lover. However, his time was running out and she could sense the end coming. The Teacher knew that the Force was a funny thing at times. It could show a possible future and give you every opportunity to ensure that it happened as a test. This was the very chase for her, the vision of her lover was a test for her. Sadly she failed the test. He refused to warn her of the test she had entered in to, but he did tried to ensure that she was prepared to face it. She loved him, but his love for her was not strong and only bedded in the flesh. She had to suffer through the test if she was to learn the lessons that the Force was trying to teach her. He had his concerns that she was not strong enough to survive the test. When he had sent the two young nobles to retrieve her, they were given orders to not render aid till the test was completed.

He watched the three calmly walk up as he read each of their emotions. He could feel the joy that each noble felt from their combined love for each other. The young Twi'lek was filled with sadness and suffering from her own losses. He could feel the change in her. He sensed her heart had been broken but he also felt her heart stronger from it. He knew that she had not only survived the test, but learned from it. As they grew closer the Teacher greeted them, "no suffering is greater than that of love lost." He could tell his words hit their mark as he added, "Tell me Fiethia, did you find him?"

Fiethia nodded, "I did." She said coming to a stop before the Teacher with her head looking down in sadness. So much has transpired in such a short period of time for her. She had wished she didn't go, but looking back on the journey she felt she had no choice in it.

"And did he welcome you back as you had hoped?" He already knew these answer but needed her to hear her self speak what she already felt before she ran back to him.

"No Teacher. He felt the darkness within me gone. He didn't trust me. I begged him to return with me so you could save him like you did me." The tears flowing from her eyes dripped down to the ground.

The Teacher stepped forward, "child,” he gently lowered her cloak and rested his hands on her shoulders, “you must understand that the force guides us all on our own paths that we must fulfill. Your path brought you to me. His didn't. We can not change the will of the Force no more than a bird can change the winds that fills its wings." He looked deep in to her eyes, "but that is not the worst of it?"

She shook her head as her tears growing more steadily, "he tried to kill me because he claimed I betrayed him. He thought I had told the authorities about his crimes and was going to betray him to them."

Nodding, "yes I saw this happening and I saw you returning to us safely. This was the reason why I asked our friends here to seek you out and help." He said then nodded to both Biggs and Lysire. "Love is a powerful emotion that can save or destroy one's soul. The difference is in attachment. It is what we do with this attachment that makes us strong or weak. We must learn that the will of the Force will be fulfilled rather we like it or not. We must not defy the will of the Force no matter how much we love someone. Even if it means letting that loved one go."

She looked up at him, "I don't understand Teacher, you said that through one's love anything is possible. Why couldn't I save him."

"Your love was so strong that it gave you the courage to escape this world undetected. To travel to the Outer Rim and find him and his gang. Your love carried you back in to the darkness where I first found you and protected you from its tainting. The reason why you could save him is because his love was not strong enough to bring you both out. The failure wasn't in you or your love for him. The failure was in his ability to overcome his fears and see the purity of your heart. You told me long ago, of the man you loved. The man as a boy before the gang took you both in and started both of you on the path to darkness. The brave and strong boy who would sing to you as a child when you both were living on the streets." The Teacher explained as he took her chin in his alien like hand. Carefully guiding her eyes to his, "Now you must choose to remember him as the boy who gave you hope and comfort or the man that lead a vile gang of criminals. How will you choose to remember him?"

She tried to look away but his touch and soft gaze locked her eyes on his'. "I want to remember the boy who sang to me when I was scared." She said as she tried to dry her eyes with the sleeve of her cloak.

The Teacher let her chin go, "good, now then you have much more to learn before my departure." He said softy to her as she stepped forward in to his waiting arm. He turned as they started to walk back to the colony.

Biggs stepped forward, "Teacher, you're leaving?"

The Teacher heard Biggs question and paused as to listen to the Force and gaged how to answer it. He turned his head over his shoulder, "yes I am departing in a few hours. Galoupt will be taking over till your return."

Now even more confused, "What do you mean till I return? Teacher I don't understand." Biggs tried to decipher what the Teacher was saying but it just confused him even more.

The Teacher slowly let the Twi'lek go as the turned his body half around to face the young female. He nodded to her, "go on, I will meet you by the water's edge. Wait for me there." With her nod he turned completely around to face Biggs as she continued down the path for the colony. He stepped forward towards Biggs and Lysire. Once he was close enough he rested both hands on Biggs shoulder, "you are a remarkable man, Prince Saar” The Teacher knew that the young prince hated the title but it fit him so well. “When I first saw you, I knew right a way who and what you were." For so long he had been waiting for the right person to come along. The one person he knew would take his place. "You have gone nearly full circle along your path. You still have much temptations to overcome and darkness within your heart to face. However with her help” he said motioning towards Lysire, “and through your own personal courage you will prevail. This I am sure of” there were many things that the Force had not yet showed him, but he knew that Prince Saar would overcome his own personal darkness if he could face his own history and learn to forgive himself for being part of it.

“One day, if you heed my lessons, you will return here in their hour of need and led them to a permanent safe home.” The Teacher said motioning back towards the colony, “Till then, you must continue on your journey back without me. I have taught you all that you need at this stage in your journey. Princess Saar-Chalco will help you along the rest of your way. However, heed this warning Prince Saar, you must be prepared to face this journey alone. Remember what I taught you about love and the power and dangers within it. Know how to use it, and respect it." The Teacher understood the importance of not sharing Princess Saar-Chalco's fate with Prince Saar. He loved her completely and knowing of her loss might tempt him from his path in an attempt to save her. "You will also find allies and other teachers to learn from as your journeys continue. IF you listen and take heart of my teachings you will become what you were meant to be." The Teacher explained.

Biggs couldn't help but be moved by such show of confidence. He looked to Lysire who smiled her approval at him with a soft nod. He hated how he had treated her in the past and the horrible things he had done to her. He couldn't say when it happened, but somewhere something in his heart gave and he saw her for the lovely woman she had always been. He never dreamed of feel such emotions for anyone but now that he can, he couldn't imagine not feeling them again. He turned back towards the Teacher, "why must you leave now?" He had hoped to continue the lessons that the Teacher was offering once they returned. It was a urgent signal that sent them to Baklid VI and their near fatel run in with Daz. They had heard about how Daz had kidnapped Lysire's brother and tortured. Daz was still the moster that he remembered despite his hopes that Visst was right. The Teacher urged not to be quick to believe all that the eyes and ears show. That many things even within the force are illusions and reflections of the pain and fear that people feel inside their own hearts. 'I have caused so much pain and fear. I know so many must see me as that same kind of monster' he thought to him self as he calmed his mind. 'I will have to face Daz once more. I know it. Only time will tell if I am ready to face him or not.' Biggs thought calmly.

The Teacher frowned as he looked Prince Saar in the eyes, "I have done all I can to prepare you and the others for the coming darkness. I too wish we had more time, however the truth is, we don't. You are ready to face your trails. You both have achieved so much in such a short period of time." He took a step back and look at Princess Saar-Chalco and smiled at her. Her body had been for ever changed by the dark powers she attempted to control. Her skin forever paled, her body weakened and her presence tainted for all to sense. On first appearances one could easily mistake her for a sinister dark creature that she once was. He knew the deeper part of her that the dark powers had not reached. He could feel the true heart in her that held Prince Saar's love. It is this love that continues to save her from the darkness that still attempts to control her soul. 'Her loss will be tragic for the entire galaxy' he thought with sadness. "Both of you will over come all that will be put before each of you. You must remember what I had taught you. Your combined love will protect and serve you both. Hold true to this."

They both smiled and nodded as the Teacher continued, “now Prince Saar, you have your trail before you. I have explained all that you must do. Go now.” he said as he motioned towards the waiting speeder.

Biggs and Lysire both nodded and turned as that walked back for the speeder. Just as they were half way their, Lysire motioned for Biggs to continue. She then turned and rushed back for the Teacher. She bowed respectfully as she stopped before him. “Thank you for all that you have done for us. I know we will never see each other again. I promise you, we will not become lost again. We will not leave you.” she promised with a tear dripping down her face. She moved forward and hugged the tall alien. As the Teacher bent down to hug her, she whispered, “Thank you for keeping my secret. I know I can't ever tell him. It would rob him of his destiny.” The hug was broken on that as the Teacher nodded. She turned and rushed back to rejoin Biggs at the air speeder. Within moments they vanished through the trees.

[Akirapryde]

New Beginnings
Core World of Kalore
Galactic Republic

Shain looked up from his paper and looked at the man before him. It had been a long and insightful interview in that he learned nothing more then what he already knew from the application. Normally he would have simply ignored the application due to lack of experience but something told him to dig deeper. Shain might not be a prefect man, but he was a smart man. "Tell me David, why do you want to work here. You are clearly more intelligent than to work in this demanding field. Judging by your mannerism and behavior I would take you as having some military background. Yet you claim none in your application. Deserter maybe?” Shain said softly as David shook his head. “I know when a man is running from his past. And I can see it in your eyes that you are running. One thing I won't take is being lied to son. So tell me, why you want to work here."

Shain had his doubts about this David Cambro person. The application offered hardly any details or history about the man. While he did consider his doubts, he didn't think there was a danger from this man. There was something else behind those eye that Shain could see. There was a sense of nobility about him, but David offered more humility than anything else which Shain could respect. David was indeed running from something and it was clear for Shaim to sense. Watching David carefully, he could see that there was deep debate going on in David's mind.

David looked down for a moment as he thought of the best way to answer this question. There was just so much at stake right now. This job was the best opportunity that they had in along time. It was a chance for something better. But the truth was something that he could just tell. The echoes of his past came forward and the answer was clear. "Yes I am running. Not just me, it's both my wife and I. Our lives could very well depend on remaining hidden. Please don't ask further to what. I will not lie to, I promise. I need this job to support my wife and I. Because of this need I will be here everyday ready to work. There is no moving up for me. Staying in the shadows is where I must remain to keep us both safe. So I shall not be a problem employee. I will be hard working, dependable and most importantly quite." David explained.

Shain accepted David's answer about what they were running from. He knew better than to dig too deep. The man was truthfully to a limit, and that limit was fair enough for him. "You have never worked a day in your life let alone at a steal plant.” Shain said looking at David's clean hands. “What makes you think you can cut it."

David leaned forward on the desk as he unfolded his hands, "yes I know I have never endured hard labor before.” David said with a sense of determination in his eyes, “But I have no other choice but to do so now. I will learn and do what I must to provide for my wife. And because you are going to have faith in me now, you assure yourself that I will be loyal."

Shain leaned back in his chair and glanced down at the faded tattoo on his arm. It was so long ago that he was like David. Running from his own past hopping to make a change for the better. A series of stupid mistakes that could have ruined his life had someone had not given him the chance to turn it around. How much his life could have been different today had he not set in that very chair where David sits now. Shain brought is eyes back up to David. "The employees that work for me are like family. All I expect from everyone is to come to work on time, do your job while here and follow the safety rules. These are the same things that I hold myself to. We do regular drug testing and if you stray once, I will call the police on you in a heartbeat." David smiled and nodded as Shain stood up while offering his hand to David, "you start tomorrow morning five AM. Don't be late and expect long hard hours."

David up and took hold of Shain's waiting hand, "Thank, I won't let you down." The path before David was a new one, but he accepted it as just one more challenge. However unlike the others before him, this one meant more than anything else before.

Shain nodded as he let David's hand loss. On that note, David turned and left the small office. Shain lowered himself back in to his chair. He smiled as he watched the young man leave and shook his head in disappointment, "I hope you have that chance to turn yourself around before your past catches up with you son." He turned and looked out of his window which over looked the large factory. His father had started this plant from the ground up. Nearly twenty years ago, his own father set him down in this very office and did the same thing for him. It was something his father had always taught, to pass kindness forward. Up here in the low mountains, life and people were different. Not like those down in the cities. He nodded his head, “Pass it forward son” he recited the saying his father would say to him all the time. He reached over to his desk mounted comlink and activated it, "Janees, let Mao'em know I have hired that extra man he has been bitch'en about. Tell your brother that he starts tomorrow so stop bitch'en at me.”

The comlink crackled to live with a bit of laughter, "yes Mr. Husress."

***********************************

Mao'em walked through the loud and hot factory with a stack of envelopes in his hand. Thanks to increased sells and orders, work at the factory has been nearly nonstop for weeks now. He looked around at his men working hard to meet the next order. Working in a steal mill is one of the most demanding jobs on world, and Husress Steal is one of the very few that does not use any droids. It was the only major industry left in the small community. Nearly everyone worked or had a relative that worked at the mill. His eyes fell upon his newest man, David. Everyone called him Pretty Boy due to his good looks and city slicker mannerisms. It was a hell of a time to sign on board, little time to learn and far less room for mistakes. Many of men had washed out during times like this. But Pretty Boy pulled through and made it work for him. Mao'em had never seen anything like it before. He started to walk towards the group of men working the forge. Each were dressed in heat resistance suits with ear muffs to protect their hearing from the loud machinery. He knew better than to speak. He waved his hand to get David's attention then pointed to a side room. It was the end of the week and time for paychecks. For everyman, it was the best time of the work week. Thanks to all the overtime, Mao'em knew that the two local bars would be packed tonight. However he needed to have words with David personally.

He saw David nodding his understanding, Mao'em turned and headed for the room. It didn't take David long to follow his crew chief in and closed the door behind him. "Yes boss?" David asked while removing his thick silver gloves. He had ever bit a reason to be nervous about being called from his work like this. David didn't want to attract attention to himself so he kept a very low profile. Only talking or joining others when he was asked to. At first it worked out for him, but as time passed he was finding himself drawn in by those he worked with. For what every reason David couldn't come up with, they seemed to like him.

Mao'em leaned on the table that was in the center of the break room. "I heard your wife got hired on last week as a secretary."

David smiled with pride, "yes Sir."

"Look I am going to be frank with you. You are one of the best workers I have, which has surprised everyone. Maybe not the most knowledgeable, but in time that will change. I never seen anyone put so much effort in to doing a job well. There are some rumors going about that Mr. Poe'inl has been talking with you about joining their sales team." Mao'em couldn't believe he was even having this conversation. Four weeks ago, he would have personally taken the young pretty boy right over to Mr. Poe'inl's office. But now looking at the dirty faced hard worker, he couldn't think of letting him go. "Tell me the truth. Are you going to transfer?" The rumors gained credibility when David's wife Mikala was hired on. There had to be something in the works.

David looked down, "he offered me a position with his team and a promotion for my wife two days ago." As he explained he looked up to the man that took him under his wing and helped him learn all he could, "I told him no. This is where I want to be. Mikala needed something to do and it made sense for her to work here with me. The two, as far as I know had nothing to do with each other."

It was true, since David hired on, she had greeted him with lunch everyday and dinner on nights he worked late. It was a sad thing about her. She was crippled by an infection some time ago which gave her a sickly appearance. At first no one could stand being around her. There was just something off about her. Something that drove people away. But up here, things are different. Up here, one finds out why you don't like something rather then going on about feelings. Mikala was just a sad story but a surprisingly nice and kind woman. Mao'em was actually surprised she was hire knowing the owners love for beautiful women. Mikala might be a nice and kind woman, but as looks go, she scared those that didn't know her better. Which was why everyone figured David was transferring.

Mao'em nodded and accepted the man for his word. After all, in the thirty days he had worked with the man, he never knew David to lie. "I got your pay check. Heard you put a down payment on the old Brigum house out by the lake." He said as he pulled David's pay check and handed it over to him. Another thing he liked about David was he never turned down work no matter the shift or hours. David was someone you could count on.

David took the check and opened it with a smile across his dirty face. It was one of few times he ever earned his own keep. "Yeah, this check is going to seal the deal. We were able to move in a couple of days ago. I never imagined how good it would feel to own something that was truly mine." The pride and happiness was clearly written across his face. They had found the place while out walking by the lake and learned that it was up for sell. It was small, with a bit of land to work. But it was theirs and they earned it by their own hard work.

"I talked with some of the guys. They have put together some things. Tables, chairs, lamps and some odds and ends. Nothing grand but it will be a good start for you and your wife." Mao'em knew from a previous conversation that Mikala couldn't bare children so he made sure to stay off the subject. Getting David or Mikala to open up about anything was harder then getting ole Husress to come up with a pay raise. So when things like that come out, one remembers. He didn't have a problem with their secrecy, Mr. Husress had warned him that they probably had a troubled past that might come back to hunt them. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble drove them up in to the mountains.

David looked up from the check with his eyes wide, "is this a ploy to get me to stay?" He joked as he thought of the offer. They had just finished moving in last night. It was not a hard move for the pair. A few plastic bags full of clothes, some plates, and a hot plate and a pan. There were other things that were harder to move but generally it was a pretty easy move. Never before had he worked so hard in his life and had so little. There were so much that he could have by didn't. So much that he had been used to but now didn't have. Never before had he realized what he had and didn't wished for more. Never before had he been more happy about his life.

"Nah, I knew in my heart you would leave. You are not some blood sucking bureaucrat. You're one of us" he joked back. When the rumor first started he looked in to it. Being the boss' brother-in-law helps in times like that. You always should know where a man stands. David was pretty easy to read. Triple the pay, with a bonus was hard to resist. But he could tell that David enjoyed working with the guys. Something about being around them made him happy. It was the damnest thing he saw but couldn't deny it. All he wanted to hear was David's answer from his own mouth. A person could read allot from hearing it from another's mouth. "Last season after I bought that land next to mine, I bought a new tractor. My old one works just fine for a small bit of land like yours. Why don't I bring it by this weekend and the guys and I will show you how to till your own soil."

David took a step back. All his life he had followers but never friends. He really didn't know what to say to such acts of kindness. For a moment he just looked back at his boss with his mouth opened like a fool. Mao'em laughed, "there is a price. Have your wife cook up some of that Tarisha again. It was asked for by guys. Some of them would like their wives to learn to cook the dish." When David hired on, they were living out of a small motel room just down the street from the mill. Everyone knew where they lived and how poor they were. When last minute overtime would come up, Mikala would show up with this large dish for the entire crew. It was something that won over the guys. Even when they didn't have anything they still gave to others. Mao'em knew they were good people.

David broke his mind lock with laughter, "better have those women show up early. It takes hours to prepare."

Mao'em smiled and stepped forward with his hand out, "I bring the beer and my old tractor." As the two men shook a loud whistle blew, "that's lunch, go let your wife know we two will have company this weekend."

David nodded as he put his check in his pocket and turned to walk out. He stopped just short of the door and turned back, "thank you. For everything."

Mao'em smiled, "I didn't do anything. It was all your hard work."

"I know, thank you" David said and left on that note.

**************************

With such a beautiful day one would think that any could draw a sense of happiness from the partly clouded skies and mild mountain day. However for one pair of locals today was anything to be enjoyed. Sitting under a small covered area near the parking lot, David frown at what he was being told by Mikala. While he was working in the forge, she was up in the offices catching news of what has been going on. And that word was beginning to slip out of the media of schools being closed across the world. While none of media outlets are talking about it, there was word from one of the other secretaries relative that the school in Ravendale had been bombed. The Government has put a lock down on key regions of the planet and worse yet, the newly formed Republic Ranger had been sighted operating a few hundred kilometers north of their small hometown. "They couldn't have found, could they?"

Mikala shook her head, "no way! The alchemy completely severs us from the force. As long as we don't use our powers they can't track us."

David looked at her with profound sadness. They had worked so hard to rebuild a simple life here. Here they had a real life, sure it was hard and didn't always work out but they always pulled through. More importantly, they had each other. "I didn't use mine, did you?"

Mikala shook her head as dread set over her face, "no" she answered and looked down at their lunches. Her mind drifted back to just last weekend as they had friends over. How the wives all laughed as David learned how to till the soil. She recalled watching him digging, covered in dirt and sweat. How she loved him completely. For the first time, they were so at peace and together. "I used the office computer and hacked my way in to the planetary network. The Rangers are here" the fear across her face was clear for anyone to read. She looked deep in to his eyes, “Daz is with them.”

David looked around almost fearful of just uttering his name would summon him, "What did we talk about. No hacking, we don't know if they will be able to track it.” he tried to undo any of the damage that had already been done. It didn't matter, if Daz was indeed here and he had no reason to believe he wasn't. All that they had worked for could be lost if they tripped up now. “Okay, listen. No more hacking. We will just act normal and be normal. The alchemy has worked this long, no reason to believe that it has failed us or will fail us. The Rangers aren't right here so they mustn't know we are here” he explained.

Mikala seemed to take comfort in that small fact. But her fears still held true in her heart. Daz was here and he was after them again. She closed her eyes and held fast to hope though. It was a large world with a very large population. Even if Daz was here, it would be very unlikely he would find them through the Force. She made sure of that. She took in a deep breath then let it out slowly, "as long as we don't tap the force, use our powers, or draw attention to ourselves there is no way they could find us.”

David smiled as he resigned himself to the idea of this was going to be their lives for now on. Living on the run was still very new to both of them. He figured that the Jedi hunters would be the first to find them. However a few weeks ago, he saw that show about the Republic's Most Wanted. He almost spit up his ale as his face appeared on the show. The Rangers were pulling all the stops in their hunt for him and Mikala. They even gave him a sinister nickname from his past, The Tiger Prince. Back then, it was a name to instill fear in those he faced. Now it was a name used to describe the Monster he used to be. And they told all the stories of what he did and even more of what he didn't do. For some reason, they insisted on making up even more carp about him. He had actually thought it was funny because he wondered if he had done enough to be a monster or did they have to make sure he was one. He shook his head, “we shouldn't have tried to lay routes. That was foolish of me. I should have known that we would have to run again.” He said looking down in sadness, “I just didn't think it would have been this soon.”

Before Mikala could reply, the air around them light up as if they were in the middle of a sun. All noise seemed to stop in that moment. Even before she realized what had happened, David leaped up and knocked her to the ground while he covered her body with his own. He buried his face in her clothes while covering her eyes with his jacket to protect her face from what he knew was coming. he noise returned in the shape of a loud thunderous roar. David could see Mikala screaming but the roar drowned out her voice even though she was only centimeters away from his face. The roar of the air was followed by winds that tossed vehicles in to the air and about as if they were toys. The ground shook for what seemed like a life time as the winds continued to shift and change ripping and tossing smaller buildings about. The light subsided as the wind shifted from blowing to sucking things back the way the winds came. David lifted his face and looked off in the distance to see a large glowing mushroom cloud rising.

Mikala lifted her head up and looked at what David was looking at. “My god Biggs, what is that?”

“A planet buster, somewhere near city center of Resolute” he explained as the mushroom cloud continued to raise and grow over the now ruined city. 'something wrong' he thought in a panic. Had it been a planet buster, they should have been killed as the blast could have easily reached their community up in the mountains. “Somethings not right” he said then added, “should have been much worse than that.”

Without warning, a loud siren started to wail at the mill. David looked to Mikala, “something is very wrong” he said leaping up to his feet and helping Mikala up to hers. The pair rushed through the debris heading towards the mill as workers were fleeing from it. All were in some manner of wounded or being carried by others. The entire area looked more like a war zone that the pair had become used to rather then the mountain community that they fell in love with. Even though the blast was nearly a two hundred kilometers away and was a weaken blast, the devastation up here was painful for them to see. David pointed, “Mao'em” as they watched their friend stumbling out of the mill with blood on his shirt.

David caught him as they rushed up, “are you okay?”

“The mill's fuel valves are stuck open. The mill will explode soon, you have to get out of here.” Mao'em said while coughing up blood.

Another worked rushing from the mill, “Mao'em!” he yelled over the sirens. “Snip's entire gang is still in the mill. Their trapped under the forge!”

Mao'em turned to the mill and watched vents along the top open up blasting extremely high pressure steam as a last ditch effort to protect itself from the doom that is coming. “There is nothing we can do for them. The temperatures inside will cook them alive in minutes.” he turned to David and Mikala, “you have to get the hell out of here before the mill blows!”

David turned the the mill. The choice was already made for him and he knew it. Those men had to be saved. If the mill blew up, hundreds more would be killed or suffer from the blast. “No!” he snapped as he turned to Mao'em, “Get everyone out here. I will get them out.” he said to a shocked Mao'em.

“Not without me!” protested Mikala.

David just smiled at her. He knew he needed her but wouldn't speak for her. Those days were over. “I need you to cool off the forge. IF we can seal the valves than we might be able to save the mill.”

Mao'em stepped forward with help from his coworker, “Are you crazy!”

“We can either argue and do nothing, or let us try.” David interrupted. He stepped closer to Mao'em, “Soon you will know our dark secret. All of you will. For keeping it from you, I am sorry. But I am not sorry for coming here. Please let us do what only we can.”

Mao'em looked in to David's eyes and saw that same determination that he had become accustom to. He nodded his head, “The Forge is the key. The lower the temperature will allow more control from the safeties. The more control the safeties will have over the fuel. Right now, its running away.” he hated to see his friend go in there, but he trusted David. Regardless of what ever secret there was, he trusted this man. “We will keep everyone clear.”

David nodded as he turned and ran for the mill. Mikala followed shortly behind as they ran toward the disaster. “You know, once we do this, we can't go back. They will surely know we are here.” It was clear that in this very moment of this act, they would be surrendering their lives here. It would be like a giant flare going up for all force users to see. She wasn't second guessing David's actions. But she knew she was going to miss her life as Mikala.

David nodded, “yeah I know. But we can't let them die. We have to stop this!” he knew what had to be done. In this moment, he understand why they were here now. They were meant to be here in this moment to do just this thing. It all seemed so clear to him now. As he let go of the shadowy protection of the alchemy and opened himself up to the force once more. He could feel through the force Mikala doing the same. They would need every bit of power they could muster if they were to save the workers and the mill. He couldn't let them down not after all that they had done for him. “We can do this Lysire” he encouraged her. 'We have to do this' he demanded of himself.

The pair rushed past workers who were still trying to flee the mill as the temperatures continued to raise out of control. The sounds of the sirens were soon over casts by the growing sounds of steam pipes bursting under the incredible pressures within the mill. Mao'em watched his friends rush in to the mill while others fled it. He turned to the other workers, “Okay guys! Lets get everyone clear of the area. David and Mikala will do what they have to do.” For some reason, Mao'em had faith in the pair. He didn't know why but he just knew that they could take care of it. He turned one last time to the mill hoping to see the pair but the plums of steam and gases made looking deeper in to the mill impossible. He turned and started to help workers to a save distance from the danger.

[Akirapryde]

Two Halves of the coin (part one)
Azgardian Heavy Carrier Ka-riss-ah
En route to Republic Core World of Kelore

Visst walked slowly down the corridors of this mighty trans-galactic warship. The day that they found her adrift lifeless and helpless in deep space. How her corridors and rooms were so cold and devoid of life. Then they discovered the heart and soul of the ship, the remarkable AI named Carissa. How she pleaded for life and not to be turned off once more. Visst couldn't help but feel like both he and she had grown since that day. She has become an important part of a battle plan to save this galaxy. Now her corridors are filled with Azgardian warriors from the warrior house Heartman. New life has been breathed back in to this old ship. Looking up and down the halls and watching the crew, the Azgardian crew tending to their duties. Somehow it seemed natural for them to be aboard. So much has happened since then and he knew that the worse is yet to come.

He had just finished talking with Master Noor regarding the events unfolding on Kelore. Daz was acting normally impatient and stubborn. Visst was getting more and more worried over his friend's choices. Everything he had done up to this point was to help Daz and give him all the chances to succeed. However, Daz had simply refused to listen and heed warnings. Visst could feel that something was going on, something greater than the crisis. He wasn't sure, but there was one thing he was sure of. He couldn't go in and save Daz, not anymore. He didn't want to cast Daz out of the Order however, this might be even beyond his own help. Yet at the same time, something the Teacher had said about leading and the Order itself stuck with him. Daz has been able to get away with things that no other Jedi would have been able to. Visst couldn't turn a blind eye to what Daz had done on Kelore.

There were so many within the Order that looked up to Visst and he could feel their respect. Rushing down to the planet to save Daz from himself would only prove to others that he was treating Daz unfairly in regards to the Code. Having Master Noor handle the situation would allow Daz to either succeed or fail on his own. Master Noor was a capable and able Master, more impotently, she was a member of the Jedi Council. Daz would have to respect her position without relying on Visst's help. Beyond this, Visst felt that they were rushing blindly in to something that could destroy the Order. He needed time before acting so that he could center himself and focus on the Force. He had asked Ogon to give him that time he needed.

The situation was growing further out of control and Visst knew that behind the scenes the Chancellor was pulling the strings. 'What is the draw that Quee has for Daz' was a question that bothered Visst deeply. Lucky for the moment, Master Noor had reported back that she had confronted Daz a few more times before finally ordering Daz to return to Coruscant with the Rangers and wait at the temple so that the Council can talk to him about this issue. She personally witnessed Daz and his Rangers leaving the area in their fighters. She seemed relieved at their departure and indicated that the funeral rites should be concluded in less than an hour. Visst couldn't deny that the result was pleasing and he was happy to see that it concluded. 'There might be some hope for him' Visst thought.

Looking up, he took notice of Ogon walking up to him with the illusion of Carissa behind Ogon. Seeing her image really surprised him sometimes and often caused him to question her true origins of only being a machine. Visst didn't have to look, he knew that Talon was behind him. Her ability to remain in the shadows and keep mind of herself surprised him. Before she had always been out spoken about her thoughts. Now she played a different role, that of being his bodyguard. Was it her training to take on this change of mannerism or the workings of the Puppet Master. It was something he would have to consider deeply later. As Ogon walked up Visst nodded, "you have something for me?"

Ogon nodded and motioned for Carissa to speak. She stepped forward, "the Justice Ministry has placed a heavy lock down on information coming from Kelore, but we have uncovered information that another bomb has exploded some time ago. There is little to go on, but from what I can tell through intercepts, the bombing took place at another school" Carissa explained.

Visst frowned as he thought of what was going on. The Flail had planned these events too carefully. Something about all this bothered him deeply. There was more going on then these bombings on Kelore and he could feel it. He just couldn't put his finger on it. "Have you been able to locate Daz's group leaving the system" He asked softly.

Both Ogon and Carissa simultaneously shook their heads and Carissa spoke up, "if they had indeed left the system we would have been able to detect and track them. My sensors are more than close enough” she explained with a frown and added, “the only logical explanation is that they didn't leave the world as reported.”

Visst nodded 'it would have been too easy for you, Daz, to just leave. Why, why Daz do you make things so complicated.' Visst thought frustrated as he continued to consider the events going on. "There is much I must think about before going down to the planet and confronting Daz. Please keep me informed on the situation." They both nodded but before anyone could answer Visst's comlink went off. The pressure of these events were painfully written across Visst's face as he activated the comlink, "yes"

Noor's voice broke in, "Master Visst, the situation has reached it's climax. Under the belief that Daz and his Rangers had left the world as ordered, I lift the site in the care of four Padawans. There was a detachment of soldiers nearby, so I trusted they would be safe. I felt it a sound test for them to obey a simple order to keep the area clear of trespassers. The youngling Preena, to whom I had just taken on as my Padawan, was mauled by one of Daz's Rangers during an exchange. The facts are still unclear but the Padawan will survive her wounds thanks to aid rendered by some soldiers, Master Heartman, and Daz. The three other Padawans were disarmed by one of the Rangers and forcible removed from their post. Due to these unfortunate events, I have ordered that the final funeral rites be suspended at once. I further ordered all Jedi personal to return to the temple. This will keep them away from Daz's and out of harms way. I will continue to keep you informed Master.” There was a clear change in her voice as the disappoint could no longer be hidden, “Master I feel that because I failed to understand the situation I failed you and this child."

Visst was not pleased with this latest development at all. "Master Noor, we will discuss this once I can meet with you. I trust in your decisions and judgment. Your choice to withdraw from the situation was a sound on. Even I would have not seen the events unfold like this.”

Noor's voice broke in again, "Yes Master"

The link went dead as he put his comlink away. The situation has given him the time he desired to search the force. There was no longer a need to confront Daz right away. Angelique was with him and he had a full team of Rangers. Even with all of this, he still worried very deeply about Daz and the situation. Nonetheless he had made up his mind about his course of action. "Ogon, I must search the force. Please continue to keep us where we are and maintain radio silence. Daz is not to reach me till I am ready" Visst requested.

Ogon nodded as Visst turned and entered his room. He walked to the center while Talon took up station next to the door. He set down and quickly entered his meditative state. It didn't take him long to open himself up to the force. Sound of the future entered his mind as well as events in the moment. He could feel that this event was the making or breaking point of the Rangers. He knew that the key laid with Daz. Still there was the unanswered questions of how Daz affected this or what Quee wanted with Daz. Yet there was something else that washed over him. He could see ending of some battle in the near future. A battle between Talon and Daz. He could feel the emotions of the battle playing out as they fought in this life or death struggle. He watched with and opened mind as he saw Talon killing Daz.

Visst focused on this vision but there were simply too many details that were clouded by the darkside. He couldn't be sure of the nature of the battle or why it took place. The only result Visst was sure of was the downfall of Daz Murl at the hands of Talon. Another image came to Visst's mind. A small lake side home in the mountains. It was a calming place that brought a since of refreshment to his mind after the battle vision. It was a welcomed sensation for him. He could feel a great pull on him to go there. He was not sure what he would find but he knew he would find something there. Something that played in to the larger story of what was going on. As his eyes opened he was reassured that his place was not part of the events currently unfolding on Kelore. This was not to be part of his story.

He looked up to see Talon standing by the door calmly. Her rifle at ready, her armor didn't have a blemish on it. She was truly a profession soldier through and through. She would stand there till she died if he ordered her to. Her training made her loyal to the core, he got that from his vision. Not within the images, but more of a feeling about her inner personality. She was loyal to her people and to the Jedi. 'Could this loyalty be called upon once the Puppet Master activates her programming. Could it be a deciding factor' he pondered as he watched her carefully. He slowly got up, "Talon, I must ask you to remain here. Where I must go, I must go alone."

Talon had that look of wanting to disagree but her training took over. "Yes Master" was only her reply. He was not sure where she picked up just addressing him as Master. But it didn't seem to bother her and even more so seemed to better define their relationship. He was okay with it for the moment.

Visst walked over and put on his utility belt, "you may remain here and out of site." He started to gather up his things.

"Yes Master"

"I will be back as soon as I can. I have much I must contend with. And I feel it might be safer for you to remain here." He latched his lightsaber on to his belt and pulled his robes on.

Talon looked surprised, "Safer Master? For me?"

Visst turned and faced her. She was truly an impressive warrior to behold. "No, for Daz."

She leaned back in surprise as Visst walked for the door. Talon didn't know what to say to that statement. She trusted the little Jedi with her life. And while she never had to say it, she gave a blood oath to defend him till the end and avenge him in the end. She just nodded, 'he knows how to handle Daz best' she thought softly then said, "As you wish Master."

Visst was happy he didn't have to explain everything to her. Her trust was evident in her actions. Telling her it would be safer for Daz was actually more then he needed to say. For some reason he felt he owed her some kind of reasoning. He took one last look at her then walked through the door. As the doors closed he activated his comlink to Ogon, "Ogon please have my fighter made ready."

Over the comlink he heard, "Yes Master Visst. Shall we jump in to normal space and announce our arrival finally?"

"No Captain. I am not going to meet with Daz. That time has not come, yet." Visst explained.

"Master, about a half hour ago another bomb went off at a military academy. Are you sure we shouldn't render some kind of help?"

Visst could feel the draw of the situation and understood that many were in need. But he also felt that being dragged in to the situation blindly like Daz had been would be foolish. The plan had already been set forth and he knew there was little he could do to stop it now. Daz had everything he needed to succeed once more. This was Daz's story and his own pulled him else where. "Captain give me one hour, then you can announce our arrival." He figured that would give him enough time to investigate what the Force was drawing him to. Then he would deal with Daz's situation. He already felt that Noor might see Daz's actions as over the line. There might not be much he could do to protect his friend after his foolish actions. 'The real questions is, should I still protect him' crossed Visst's mind.

By the time Ka-riss-ah was in a position and Visst departed Ka-riss-ah while she hung in Hyperspace near the zenith of the planet, a massive explosion had leaved a huge chunk of a city near where he was traveling. Visst shook his head, as reports came in that Daz was failing horribly. He felt sad over the losses but knew this was Daz's story. He shook his head as he departed Ka-riss-ah in his fighter. He piloted the craft through the jump point that Ka-riss-ah's powerful engines had formed for him. "Carissa, please pull up the locations of all the bombings and display it on my screen."

He watched as his datalink came to life. It was a feeling about the bombings. Something nagging at his mind regarding this past Flail operations. They were little red dots across a large map. "Now draw a line between the first, second and third bombings" he requested as a bold red line showed up on the map. "Now a line between second and forth bombings." Once more another line was added to the map. "Where is the Jedi temple located?" A new red dot appeared on the map and he didn't need any more lines. "Inform Master Noor to evacuate the Temple at once. That is where the final attack will take place." He order as he saw the giant 'F' formation of the five attacks. 'Graff had planned out the attacks to signal their war on the Core Worlds' Visst thought as he turned his fighter toward the mountains and away from Daz and his operations.

It didn't take long for Visst to located the lake in his vision. In hopes of helping those in need, he asked Master Noor to have the Jedi head to those areas where Daz's team were not and help where they could. It wouldn't be much but it would be something. The reports were depressing but he trusted in the Force. He set his fighter down along a road which lead to the small house he saw as he over flew the lake. He walked the rest of the way their on foot. During his travels he felt Biggs and Lysire in the distant area through a powerful surge in the Force. Minutes later, he felt their presence vanish once more. As he walked along the road he felt the Force about him. He knew he was on the right path guiding him up the road. Short time later he came to the simple house in his vision.

He could hear the familiar sounds of chickens in their pins on the side of the house. He walked across the property and took notice that there was no power cells or lines leading to the house. 'primitive' he thought softly as he continued to look around. There was a fire pit between the house and the lake. As we walked over he saw that several logs had been cut to fashion seat around the pit. It was clear that not to long ago, maybe a few days or at most a week ago, a large group of people were here. He placed his hand over the pit and closed his eyes. He could see a group of people laughing and dancing about as the fire burned. The music matched the scene and was played by a group of the men around the fire. It was smoothing to see the mixed races laughing, eating, and drinking around the fire. He saw Lysire showing other women how dance with her hips like he had seen women on Baklid VI dance. “I see, the trial continues Teacher.” Visst said taking in the vision of the night time party of friends then added “and I am still presiding over it.” He slowly rose up from the fire pit and walked around the house.

He could feel the echoes of the past speaking out to him. It was strange for him as he looked around and could see and hear the echoes of Biggs and Lysire here working the land and striving to build a life. Even though they seemed happy on the surface, he could feel deeper. He could feel their remorse and sadness over what had happened during the war. While Lysire's own darkness seemed almost to have a mind of its own. Biggs suffered greater from the sadness and remorse. He paused next to a small field and could feel the seedlings thriving within the soil. There were clothes drying on a line behind the house. Off in the distance he saw a small house that could only be an outhouse. He looked around and felt at peace along the shores of the mountain lake. “Much like Azgard.” He said as he turned to the house and walked towards it. He didn't hear or see anyone around, and found the front door unlocked. He slowly opened the simple wooden door and found its creaking some what comforting. The day light did a lot to illuminate the interior of the house. He did see a simple oil lamp hanging from a hook on the wall next to the door. On the far side of the house was a fireplace that doubled as a place for cooking.

He walked in slowly as he called out for anyone. He knew that no one was home but did so out of respect. As he walked in, he noticed how simple everything was. The house was divided in to two sections by a partial wall. A living space and a bedroom, the latter he decided didn't need investigation. Walking around the living space he found a glass jar with about a hundred paper credits tossed and waded within it. Next to the jar he found and picked up a list of items. There were many items on the list that had already been crossed off. He smiled as he noticed that items were normal every day items. “Milking Cow” he read off the next item on the list. "They were going to buy a cow" he said softly with a smile. He replaced the list next to the jar and continued to walk around. On the mantle he found a digital picture of a group of people standing around a tractor. He noticed that the some of people in the picture were from the fire pit vision. In the picture he identified both Biggs and Lysire once more. They were dirty and appeared to be well worked. In their smiles he saw something honest and humbling.

"That does explain why" he said as he replaced the photo and added, “Now for the what.” He took a moment and looked deeper at the picture. He could feel the moment it was taken. There was no hate, anger or fear. Just friends celebrating something worthy of achievement. "Your chance at a new life?" He questioned.

"Who the hell are YOU!" Visst nearly froze for a moment, then something dawned on him. There was no sense danger other then what he would create for himself. He slowly turned with his hands up to see a woman dressed in humble dirty clothes with a rustic blaster leveled at him. Behind and to the side of her was a teenage boy with a similar blaster aimed at him. Just outside he saw two younger girls and judging by the movements of the shadows maybe another child.

"Ma, that's the bird like creature Mikala talked about." The boy said softly to the woman.

The woman motioned her head at the boy without taking the weapon or her eyes off of Visst, "hush boy" she said sternly. Her eyes squinted a bit as she looked Visst over, "anyway, it looks more like a lizard to me than a bird."

Visst didn't move, just stood there taking in the situation. He knew all of the different kinds of loyalty. There was loyalty that was demanded by training, like that of Talon. He knew of loyalty from fear and respect. Each of those loyalties could be changed. What Visst saw in this woman was the kind of loyalty brought by trust and sincere friendship. Much like the loyalty Angelique has for Daz. Visst knew better then to directly challenge it. The Force brought him here for a reason, he trusted that reason was not to be shot. "I am Visst" he said softly and as clearly as possible.

The boy smiled, "see ma"

The woman frowned a bit, "I said hush." She stepped forward, "Mikala said you would know what was written on her left arm. If you are her friend you would know this."

Visst smiled at the question, "Fear." He waited a moment for the answer to sink in. During that time, he took in Lysire's message. She had many words tattooed across her body in that ancient language. He couldn't help but wonder, 'Why this word from all the rest? What were they fearful of? What should be feared?' he silently questioned, then asked out loud "Where is, um Mikala?"

The woman put her weapon away as did the boy. "Get to work" she ordered her children then added, "remember only items on the list." As the kids started to rush about the house gathering things and placing them in boxes, she walked over to the book shelf and started to search for something, "she's dead. The'ir both dead. Died at the mill during the blast and don't ask questions."

Visst knew she was lying but also understood not to push the issue. Before he could have said something, the boy spoke up once more. "My pa is alive because of them."

The woman grabbed a book, "Boy, I said hush! Don't make me put you over my knee boy! Now no more!"

The boy looked defeated, "someone should know. Its only right and fair ma. What those gold star fella's saying an't right!"

"I show you right if you don't hush!" She snapped with her hand pulled across her body as a threat to the boy. He retreated and remained silent. She then turned to Visst and walked up opening the book. Visst and the woman seemed surprised to see the book had the center cut out and there were four scrolls hidden within. "She said this one was for you. Some foolish rambling about lights and shadows." She said pulling the scroll and handing it over to him. As she pulled out a paper with a comlink contact on it she said, “Mikala said you would know when to use it.” The woman looked around at her children working “Mikala and David died. What they did for all of us earned at least that much. No one here will betray them. Not even to those gold star carrying Jedi.” She closed the book and handed it over to one of the girls holding a box. “The boy's right. They're good people. You should know this.”

Visst looked at the scroll and nodded, "I know."