The Force Wars (IC)

[rengadeirishman]

"Peace is a beautiful thing." Dorian Darklighter thought as he watched the suns set over the dune sea, ending the heat of another Tatooinian day. In the sky he saw streaks of light, "another meteor shower." he said to himself.
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Jedi Master Thorror sat meditating in his chamber in the Jedi Praxeum on Kashyyyk. The venerable warrior's eyes shot open. A great disturbance in the force. Things that should not be. Things not of this galaxy. Terrible crying of thousands defenseless. Not another one, not another. He rose from his seat and opened his door. Laroh, a promising Yuuzhan Vong Padawan was outside it.

"Yes Laroh?" Thorror asked in his deep rumbling voice, a gift from experimental surgery to allow him to speak Basic.
"Master Thorror, A message has come for you from Knight Ordo, I am told it is quite urgent, and it is marked only for you."
"Thank you Laroh." Thorror said taking the data slate and pushing it into his datapad. At once his fears were confirmed.

"Master, I have been away on Utapau. Dark news has come to me. Master Thorror, we have a problem."

"Go to your chamber Laroh." Thorror said as he moved quickly toward the communications room.

The droid who manned the array turned toward him when he entered.
"Summon Tal Varsus, Tell him Thorror calls him to Kashyyyk, and that he must get here with all possible speed."

 

[AmenRa]

Coruscant, The Jedi Temple

Jedi Master Tal Varsus stood in front of the classroom where holodisplays of Jedi Masters from long ago shown. He was wearing his brown Jedi robes, and he held his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke.

"You see," he said to the group of Padawans, "the future is constantly in motion, and although a Jedi may receive sensations of the future, it is impossible to predict what may become." Varsus then pointed to a hologram of a rather distinguished looking Jedi. "Master Obi Wan Kenobi had no idea that his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, would descend into darkness, and even ---"

A tall, Twi'lek female gracefully walked into the room. She bowed her head to Tal, and with a sway of her hips stepped close to him. Her words were a whisper in his ear. The group of Padawans saw Varsus nod to her, then turn back to them.

"Jedi Lalena Kar will continue the class," he said to them. He then handed the Twi'lek woman the remote control for the holodisplay and headed towards the entrance. She followed him out the door, just beyond sight of the students.

"I sensed urgency in Master Thorror's message," she said to him. She carressed his cheek, tracing the nearly invisible outline of a scar with her fingertip. Varsus quickly took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

"There is darkness in the Force," he said. "Keep watch over the students here for me, and inform the Council of my leaving as soon as they are in session."

"I will," she replied and then reached up to kiss his cheek. Tal Varsus stopped her, looking around the hallways of the Temple, and then he quickly kissed her hand.

Varsus walked straight to the Temple hangar, where he found several of the XJ-9 starfighters already flight prepped. An astromech droid was assigned to him by the hangar crew chief, and within an hour, Tal Varsus was entering hyperspace for Kashyyyk.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Reyn Ordo stood on the plateau where he had landed his ship. His black cape fluttering in the wind, he looked down on the Tusken Village, and watched their doomed defense. These creatures, these invaders, destroyed the valiant but doomed Tusken's effortlessly and in detail. Their size and brutish appearance belied their grace and skill in combat. They're speed and grace spoke of only one possibility. The Force. As if to confirm his suspicions, one of the monstrous aliens released a blast of what could only be force lightning, obliterating the unfortunate Raider. Reyn's mandalorian instincts roared at him to join the battle, warring with his Jedi training. He wanted to meet these beasts in battle, but knew he must relay what he saw. Master Thorror had taught him, with difficulty, that there was no dishonour in retreating to strike back with force later.

One of the invaders fell, a tusken gaderffi piercing his throat. "Well struck." he said under his breath, as the brave Tusken Warrior fell to the blades of the invader's comrades. Reyn watched the rest of the battle. It seemed the Tusken who had slain the invader was some sort of Chieftain, for moments after his death the battle was over, the few remaining Tusken warriors scattered, most were slaughtered piecemeal as they retreated.

Reyn stared down to the spot where the chieftain fell, "You will be avenged brave warrior." he said, as he turned to leave. He entered his ship and took off, punching in his destination coordinates.

"Ossus is closer, but I shall go to Kashyyyk, Master Thorror will know what to do."

 

[AmenRa]

As the stars disappeared to be replaced by the mottled vortex of hyperspace, Tal Varsus relaxed the best he could in the tight cockpit of the starfighter.

The cockpit canopy had darkened to blot out the swirling mass of light seen within hyperspace. And, other than the occasional chirp from the astromech droid seated comfortably in the socket behind, all was quiet. Varsus closed his eyes and reached out, touching the tendrils of the Force. Within an instant he was connected to the galaxy, feeling the presence of every living thing. The Force was everything...everywhere....

...life creates it, makes it grow... came in a whisper, carried from an ancient Jedi long since gone...

...its energy surrounds us, binds us....luminous beings are we....

Varsus smiled, then focused, seeking a presence, touching it...and he felt the Wookie Jedi Master Thorror respond.

I am coming, old friend. In hyperspace now. I will be with you soon. Tal thought to him through the Force.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Aagh Koth is Trapped

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Time: Approximately the middle of the Clone Wars

For all intents and purposes, the warehouse appeared to be abandoned, just like the rest of the buildings in the area. But Aagh Koth knew better. He knew that there were people in that warehouse, people he was supposed to meet. Pushing open the broken doors with his hands, he walked in. There, in the middle of the building, was a raised platform that had a beam of light covering it. Aagh walked towards it and mounted it. A voice then rang out from the darkness.

“You are Tarkin Antilles, yes?” asked the voice. Aagh could not place what species it belonged to, because it sounded rather artificial.

Aagh simply nodded in response.

“You wish to join our organization, yes?”

Again, Aagh only nodded.

“Why do you wish to join our organization?” Before Aagh could reply, the voice continued. “Could it be, that you wish to make this organization another part of your empire, Aagh Koth?”

Aagh’s eyes widened only a fraction in surprise. His cover had been blown, or at least his cover for his cover. But how? Before he could start to consider this, a stun pike had come out of the shadows and stunned him, dropping him to his knees. He stared out into the darkness, towards where the voice had come.

“Don’t be so surprised, Aagh,” said the voice. “Someone with your reputation would find it very hard to go unrecognized, especially in the criminal underworld. You thought you could worm your way into our organization and take it over from the inside. Well, that isn’t how it’s going to happen, now is it? Once you’re out of the way, we’ll get into your ship and learn all your secrets. The Black Sun Syndicate won’t stand a chance once we take over your organization. Now to dispose of you.”

The platform beneath Aagh opened, dropping him into a pit. And as he dropped, the Force presented him with a vision of the future: battles being fought across star systems, people being attacked by Force users, the Jedi trying to protect them, and a galaxy in chaos.

Then, all was dark. The floor of the pit rose. Upon it, standing upright, was a slab of solid carbonite, with Aagh Koth inside. Sound seemed to return to the warehouse, and with it, the sound of the voice laughing. The voice continued to laugh for nearly a whole minute before it fell silent. Then it said: “Take him and his ship to Hoth. Lock them away for the rest of time.”

Little did the voice know that in truth, Aagh Koth was a Jedi Master, and that he, the voice, was merely a pawn in a grand plan.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Thorror felt Tal touch his mind. The situation has been grave, the greatest of my padawans is approaching as well, he says he knows of the threat. It appears dire he answered. Thorror walked onto the balcony of his chamber and stared out into the mighty wroshyr trees, contemplating what was to come.

 

[AmenRa]

hyperspace, the Perlemian Trade Route

The astromech droid signalled with a series of chirps and beeps, and the stars came into focus as the starfighter reverted to real space.

Tal Varsus was still contemplating the last of the thought message Master Thorror had sent him...."It appears dire". He snapped out of his reverie for an instant, looking off his starboard side to the distant system of Tanaab. He waited and watched while the navicomputer displayed new hyperspace coordinates for Kashyyk as the astromech performed calculations. The starfighter lurched, and once again the canopy darkened as they entered hyperspace.

He considered Thorror's message. He knew the Wookie wasn't one to speak lightly, and if he said it was dire, then it was indeed dire. Varsus hoped Thorror had an explanation for the distinct feelings of ominence he had felt when he received Thorror's message. Hope was irrerelevant, in truth, because Tal knew Thorror had an explanation. Thorror always had an explanation.

Tal reached out through the Force and touched Lalena Kar, just for an instant, a light caress. And then he concentrated, listening ahead in the Force, trying to capture a glimpse of what the future held. He saw nothing. The future usually came to him only when it was the will of the Force, never when he wanted to see it.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," he said to himself.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Reyn Ordo emerged from hyperspace about two hours from kashyyyk, and proceeded the rest of the way on ion power.

He entered atmosphere near the Praxeum and settled onto a landing pad in the shadowlands. He emerged from his ship to an escort of padawans, and took a deep breath of the Kashyyyk air.

"Its been too long since i last set foot here." He said as he walked along the pathway, his cape fluttering lightly behind him. One of the padawans, a young verpine, kept staring at him.

"Master Ordo..."
"Im still just a knight lad, call me Reyn, but if you feel the need to be formal, Jedi Ordo will be quite sufficient."
"Im sorry Jedi Ordo, but I am curious, why do you wear armour? does it keep you alive?" Reyn chuckled at the question.
"I wear armor because I am a mandalorian, we are bound by honour to wear our armor. Most important for me, as my father is our ruler, Mandalore."
"Doesnt your armour restrict your movement?"
"Slightly, but the force helps me compensate, and the protection it gives me is worth it."
"What if your opponent also had a lightsaber?"
"My armour is made from mandalorian iron, which is resistant to lightsabers."

The padawans chattered amongst themselves as they escorted Reyn into the praxeum, it was there on the dais in the main hall that Master Thorror waited.

Reyn approached the dais and bowed slightly, "Master."
Thorror came down from the dais and embraced his former padawan, a growl of happiness slipping out of his throat.
"How are you my boy?" Thorror asked, releasing the young warrior.
"Well as could be expected, Master. We have much to discuss."
"Patience Reyn, be mindful of the living force, Master Varsus is on his way. We will discuss it when he arrives. Come, we shall eat."

 

[Adamus76]

"This cold is freezing my balls!"

The exclamation came from a winged Geonosian, hovering a few feet above the cold, windswept plains of Hoth.

"You don't have any balls, T'krat." This voice emerged from the throat of a stocky Bothan, so covered in thick fur-lined clothing that it was difficult to determine where his own mottled fur began.

"It was a figure of speech."

"Well, I do have balls and they are freezing!" This was a human, also wrapped tightly in winter gear, his hot breath crystallizing with every exhalation.

"Hush! Don't want the boss to hear your whining." The Bothan again.

The boss had heard, but he simply chose to ignore it. He lead the ragtag band of criminals across the vast ice desert landscape of Hoth, occasionally consulting a map drawn on a crumpled piece of paper as they walked on and on.

"Don't know why we're here in the first place," T'krat began again. "Nothing but ice and wampas here."

"The boss heard of something buried here," replied the Bothan, "something valuable."

"You give the boss too much credit, Neron," said the human.

"Vedico hasn't led us astray yet, Colin."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned he can take this ice planet and shove it up hi-..." The human called Colin stopped his sentence short, interrupted by the sight of the barrel of a blaster pistol shoved in his face.

"Shut up." Vedico's voice was a low, powerful rumble. His white hair drifted from his angular skull, caught in the icy winds. The whole group came to a sudden halt.

Vedico withdrew his blaster from his associate's face and pointed it towards a vast ice ridge that towered above the group. "We're here."

"Where is here exactly, boss?" asked the Geonosian, slinging an unwieldy looking rifle from his scrawny insectoid shoulders.

"Echo Base," replied Vedico. "Or what's left of it."

 

[AmenRa]

Tal Varsus's starfighter descended into the forest of Kashyyk. He maneuvered over the canopy of wroshyr trees, guided by the praxeum's landing beacon. Soon he saw the landing pad. The fighter gave a whine as its repulsorlifts carried slowly down.

Once the ship had powered down and the canopy lifted, a Wookie crew chief placed a ladder to the cockpit, and Tal climbed out. Tal told the young male, who was still a half meter taller than he, thanks. The wookie growled a reply, and a hearty welcome back.

Tal drew his cloak around him, pulling his hood over his head. As he walked towards the inner halls of the praxeum, he was greeted by several padawans. He smiled and nodded to them, offering a wave to some. He then found his path blocked by a young Rodian. The student produced a lightsaber from his belt and ignited it.

Varsus smiled as the saber's snap-hiss echoed across the walking bridge. Varsus raised his hand and made a simple gesture, a Jedi gesture. The saber suddenly flew from the Rodian's hand, de-activated, and came to rest smoothly in Tal's open palm. The Rodian straightened from his stance and cast his head down in shame.

"Still not ready," Master Varsus remarked. He approached the Rodian and handed him back the saber. "Have heart," he told the student, "you were anxious when you faced me, and I could feel it in the Force. As Master Thorror has no doubt told you many times, a Jedi is his most powerful when he is at peace."

The Rodian bowed deeply, and Varsus continued until he entered the main hall. Another padawan met Tal there, and escorted him to the dining hall where Thorror and the Mandalorian Jedi Reyn were eating.

"I see I have arrived just in time for dinner with friends," he stated.

 

[Angelus]

As the ship flew slowly towards the planetery shield of Coruscant the lone figure sat in the back, his face hidden by a strangely familiar cloak. To give the figure a cursory glance you would have thought that he was at peace by Alain Talan'vor was anything but. He could feel the turmoil that was still raging within him, the part of himself that were still trying to take over. All he wanted was for those voices to leave him alone, if only for a little while but he knew that this was his punishment for what had happened to him while he had been under the control of the dark side all those years. His eyes fell to the lightsaber that hung at his belt and wished that he could get rid of it but he knew why he couldn't for if he did he would risk repeating the mistakes of his past.

"I know what troubles you my young Jedi. I wish that I could tell you that the path back will be easy but I do not wish to lie to you."

Alain raised his head to look at his master and saw the old man flinch slightly when he looked at Alain's eyes. Alain wanted so much to look back down at the floor of the ship than see the pain that was in his master's eyes.

"You know that it will always shock me when I look into your eyes Alain. I can remember the first time that I looked into your eyes when you came to me as a padawan, how so much like my own they were but when you came back, after you had fallen so far I was shocked to see those eyes of yours, how they seem to glow like fire."

Alain looked down at the floor, "I am so sorry Master. You were right all those years ago when you said that there would be no easy way to becoming a true Jedi. I thought that there had to be an easier way than the one you were showing me. I was far too impatient Master and for that I will always be sorry."

Illus moved slowly to sit down beside Alain.

"I can sense the pain that you have in your heart but it is time that you let it go. That is one of the paths back to the life that you gave up. You know where that will lead; you know the pain that you caused when you gave yourself over to the dark side. I do no wish to lose you again Alain for I fear that I will not be able to take it."

Alain looked over at his master in shock and surprise. It was the first time that he had ever heard Illus, the one person that he thought was more powerful than anyone else speak like that. He knew that this was just one more thing that he had to atone for. He sat back and closed his eyes once more, just to hear the voice that was still inside his head, the voice that told him to attack and kill just for the share fun of it. He placed his hand around the handle of his lightsaber, knowing just what he had done with it, how he had cut down his brother with it which made him want to weep.

It was then that another voice, that of the pilot brought him out of his thoughts, thoughts he knew he would still have.

"We have just cleared the planetery shield and have been ordered to fly directly to the Jedi Temple."

Alain looked at Illus.

"I did not expect to go to the temple this soon. I wish that there was more time."

Illus opened his mouth to tell Alain that it would be alright, that he would be safe when they both reached the temple. Before he could though the pilot once more came over the intercom and told them that they were to land at the nearest docking station and from there they would go to the Jedi Temple.

"They changed their orders master. Why is that?"

"There is no need to worry too much Alain. They always change things on this planet. You should know that."

He could tell by the sound in his voice that Illus was worried about the change in where they were to dock. He wanted to ask Illus what was wrong but knew it best not to question him so instead he sat back and just looked towards the front of the ship, waiting for the sound of the repulsors to signal that they were landing. Before too long he heard them start up and knew that there were coming down for a landing. He looked towards Illus just to see him getting to his feet.

Very slowly he got to his own feet, his hand falling once more to the lightsaber handle that was held at his side. He looked towards the ramp of the shuttle as it lowered and took a deep breath. It was the first time that he had come to this city since everything that he had done as a Sith Lord. He stood there at the top of the ramp and looked down at the bottom of it with just one thought, what was waiting for him down there. With a deep breath he walked down the ramp, pulling the hood of his cloak up as he did.

When the two of them set foot on the docking station they were surprised to see that there was more than one Jedi standing there with their lightsabers in their hands accompanied with several soldiers. Without a seconds hesitation Illus walked towards the Jedi.

"What is the meaning of this. We were told to go to the Jedi Temple as soon as we came here but now we have beeen ordered here and are greeted by all of you."

One of the Jedi walked forward, his lightsaber handle held tightly in one hand.

"We know who is with you Master Van. We have been told to take him to the temple under guard as we know that there will be people in this city that will wish him death. We are not here to kill him."

Alain stood there, his face still hid under the hood of his cloak with a smile on his face, "I would like to see you try," he said under his breath.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Varsus! My old friend." Thorror bellowed as he saw Tal walk in. He walked over to him and embraced him. "Come, sit and eat. We have much to discuss, but first we must eat then retire to the council chamber. You remember my old padawan Reyn Ordo?" he said and Reyn bowed his head "Master Varsus." he said

 

[AmenRa]

Tal braced himself as Thorror reached his arms around his shoulders. He knew Thorror would never willingly hurt him with a hug, but the massive strength in a full-grown male Wookie could easily crush an average human in an instant.

"It is good to see you once again, old friend," Tal said to him. He then returned Reyn's bow, "Jedi Ordo," he said as he sat down and extended his hand. He then picked up a piece of gobsi fruit and began to slice it with a small table knife.

 

[Wolfsister]

Lalena Kar sighed, opening her eyes and staring at the cream coloured walls of her sparsely furnished room. She wasn't seeing the wall, however, she was sensing the far too distant touch of the man that she hoped would one day admit that he loved her. She sensed his unease and her own was beginning to grow.

She had informed the Council, as duty had bound her to do so, and she had taken up all of Tal Varsus' young ones. But she found herself oddly restless, a disturbance in her inner peace that worried her far more than the news that a Sith was coming to live amongst them.

Unwittingly, her mouth twisted distastefully and her lekku twitched slightly. Another Twi'lekkian would have insisted that she was anxious, though most humanoids would not have been able to tell.

She rose gracefully from her interrupted meditation and contemplation when a chime announced a visiter to her quarters. She opened the door with a single wave of her hand and found a young padawan standing uncertainly on her threshold. She tilted her head to the side and smiled, inviting him in.

Uncharacteristically, he suddenly ran into the room and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her shoulder. She heard the muffled sound of crying when he said thickly, "I miss my mother...."

She smiled gently, smoothing down his fine blonde hair, and closing the door with another flick of her hand. "Come come now, young Aldo. Do you not remember what I have taught you about the Force? Open yourself up to it, young one and feel the universe around you....."

 

[rengadeirishman]

Ships filled the ashen sky of Mustafar, ships of a design never before known. Carrying creatures never before seen. The smaller landing craft plummeted toward the planets surface, carrying another force for conquest. Valuable ore could be mined from this world, and the invaders needed a strong foothold in this new galaxy. The inhabitants could not begin to resist the onslaught, and any defense was slaughtered piecemeal. A huge warrior, skin greying with age, his left eye replaced by a simple bionic implant, stepped onto the surface, clad in the armour and mantle of a warchief among his people. He produced a large sword and slammed it into the ground, where it projected a beam of bright red light into the sky from its pommel. "Another world for Dakar, another victory for the Dakari!" he bellowed, a roar coming from the assembled warriors. They would continue, and this galaxy would burn.

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Thorror rose from his seat at the masters table, his mighty appetite sated. He turned to Reyn and Tal. "Come we will repair to the council chamber, we have much to discuss."

 

[AmenRa]

Tal Varsus rose from the table and followed Master Thorror into the council chamber. An ominous presence filled his Force sense. It was the shadow of foreboding, the darkened smile of a war to come. He knew whatever it was that Thorror was about to tell him held the fate of many lives within it.

Tal had always been a Jedi. Born on Coruscant, not far from the Jedi Temple itself. His mother was a legal attache for the Senate, and his father a design engineer for Incom. He was 4 years old when he first reached for a bottle of blue milk across the table from him. The bottle came to his hand by his will alone, pulled by the threads of the Force.

It was only a few days later Master Kisor Vayl, the Faleen who wielded the orange saber staff, came to his parents' door. Tal was taken away, to Ossus, to the Temple, to a hundred other worlds.

Many years later, Varsus was knighted a full Jedi after he assisted Jedi Thorror and others in saving the Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium from an insidious rebellion. Thorror pushed Tal to train harder, fight better, and learn more. He not only became his friend and confidant, but a teacher of sorts as well. When Thorror became a Master, everyone knew that Tal Varsus was not far behind.

Tal, however, began to study what many referred to as "The Old Ways". He collected holocron after holocron, text after text, all from the old masters. Some of the old masters he even touched through the Force. The Council saw Tal grow among the Jedi, and even the older ones began to seek his counsel on matters.

On a diplomatic visit to Ryloth, Tal found the Twi'lek Lalena Kar. He took her as his Padawan for a time, until he felt she would broaden her Jedi training with other masters on Ossus, Kashyyk, and at the Temple on Coruscant. Their training sessions became fewer, with Tal deliberately distancing himself from her. His feelings for her had become more than that between Master and Student. But, no matter how far from her he was, whether it was the Outer Rim or in the Core, he could feel her presence with him always. It was during her training in the lightsaber style of Vapaad, when emotions were on the edge, that he found himself making a silent vow that the next time his lips touched hers, he would not run away again. He kept his promise.

As Tal Varsus became a Master, it was known that he, Thorror, and others would shape the future of the Jedi. But now, this dark cloud that had suddenly shadowed the Force seemed to shroud the future in darkness.

As he followed Thorror into the chamber, he suddenly stopped, his eyes closing. The Force was speaking to him, but it was not a vision of the future, but a voice from the past. A consciousness, calling from space, centered around a vergence in the Force. A being, closed-off, encapsulated, buried, his physical form surrounded by darkness and stifled by closeness. Tal Varsus had felt this before, but he had been able to understand it. This time the message was clear. Somewhere, far from this place, on a barren, frozen world, a Jedi's Force essence was crying out for release.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," he said.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

General Whilhuff Koto

Location: Somewhere in deep space

A knock came on his office door as General Whilhuff Koto worked. He opened the door from his desk and found Major Kerrigan standing outside.

“Come in, Major,” said General Koto, returning the salute that the major gave him upon approaching his desk. “What is it?”

“Sir, we are getting unconfirmed reports of hostile alien activity within our area,” said Maj. Kerrigan. She was a fine looking woman about half as old as the general. She had shoulder length hair that was tied up in a bun as per military regulations. Her uniform was a model of military code, as was she. She tended to follow the handbook to the letter, deviating only when absolutely necessary.

“Hostile alien activity?” replied the aging general. “What do you mean? Another planetary squabble?”

“No sir,” replied Maj. Kerrigan. “The reports say that an unknown alien force attacked Tatooine and inflicted heavy damage before pulling out.”

“Odd. Where are these reports coming from, major?” asked General Koto.

“Smugglers and other informants that we are in contact with, sir,” replied the major.

“Have one of our ships that’s on patrol in the area stop by and investigate.”

“The Memory of Ithor is already en route sir.”

The general looked at the woman standing before him with a raised eyebrow. “More of your ‘better to ask forgiveness than permission’ deals, major?”

“Yes sir,” she replied, not a trace of embarrassment or guilt appearing on her face. The general and she had discussed this many times, always with the same results: the general would tell her to make sure she had good reasons for taking matters into her own hands and to be sure that such a decision was not a major one; she would simply stand there and reply in the affirmative.

This time though, the general continued to look at her. “You know, major, you are getting a little out of hand, sending the Memory to investigate before informing me of this.”

Again, the major’s face remained neutral as she replied. “The Memory already had Tatooine on its list of stops, sir. I merely had a message sent to her commanding officer stating that we had unconfirmed reports that we liked like him to look into.”

“Ah, well, as long as Tatooine was already a stop, then you did alright, major. Inform me when the Memory reports in.”

“Yes, sir,” replied the major. She saluted, turned on her heel, and walked out of the office, the door closing behind her.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Reyn followed after the two venerable masters, remembering when he had been taken in by Thorror. His mind wandered back to that day in his home, shortly after he had joined the supercommandos. Thorror had fought alongside Reyn's father, who was the Mandalore, against an attempted coup by Jalon Vau assisted by Darth Victus, who wanted to get his hands on mandalorian iron. Their forces had fought hard and triumphed, with Mandalore killing Vau in single combat and Thorror saving Mandalore's life by cutting down Victus. It was then that Reyn and met Thorror, who recognized the his force potential and asked his father permission to take him for training. His father had told the mighty Wookiee that Reyn had grown into a man as far as the Mandalorian people were concerned, and so it was his decision. Reyn had at first not wanted to go, but his father convinced him that it would make him an even greater warrior then he was, and so Reyn left.

They traveled around the galaxy, spending time on Ossus, Coruscant, Dantooine, and Kashyyyk, learning all that his master could teach him, philosophy, history, cultural knowledge, alien races, the force, and of course swordsmanship. Swordsmanship in particular he had enjoyed, and he knew, at the risk of hubris, that he was the greatest pure swordsman in the order.
But even he knew, that despite his skill, Thorror could overcome him with only slight difficulty. Thorror's speed, strength, sublime bladework and effortless mastery of the force made him, for Reyn's money, the greatest Jedi since the death of Luke Skywalker. and easily among the top ten or twenty of all time.

But not only was Thorror a mighty warrior, he was a noble, kind, and compassionate soul, everything a Jedi should be, and Reyn thought himself extremely honoured to have been the padawan of the Wookie.

They entered into the council chamber and Thorror sat down on the largest chair, designed for his size.

"Tal, Reyn has seen the threat, and he has brought a report" Thorror said.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Reyn began his report. "I witnessed their attack on Tatooine, specifically an attack on a tribe of tusken raiders. These invaders are shorter but almost as broad as a wookiee, they are possesed of skin in various shades of green and most seemed to have jet-black hair in a topknot. Judging from their muscle mass I would say there almost as strong as a wookiee. They are posessed of features similar to Gamorreans, though a bit leaner and stronger in the jaw. They also have tusks as big as a Whiphid's. They wore armour of a variety of colours, with a variety of ornamentation, often trimmed with some sort of fur. From what I saw they fought with a variety of melee weapons, from warhammers to broadbladed axes, to massive swords, to long bladed spears. It is my believe that all the warriors had some force ability, given the way the moved like jedi, despite their size, brute force, and heavy encumbrance. My assertion is supported by the fact that I saw one release a blast of what could only be force lightning. Tuskens are fierce warriors, but they couldnt have killed more then three or four of the invaders, while they themselves were slaughtered piecemeal, despite outnumbering the invaders in my estimation four to one. I wish i had more to offer then this, but it was all i was able to ascertain. I would have joined the tuskens in the battle, but i felt it was more important to say what I had seen."
"You have done well Reyn, I know your blood raged against retreating, but you have done the proper thing. You are a skilled warrior, but the planet was lost. Your honour is not compromised." Thorro said leaning back in his chair and putting his fingers together.

"Your thoughts Master Varsus?"

 

[Angelus]

The trip to the Jedi temple was faster than Alain was ready for and as he walked away from the speeder and into one of the corridors he could feel the Jedi who had previously called this place home. It was as if they were all telling him to leave this place as he did not belong and he wondered if they were telling him the truth. He had thrown every bit of Jedi knowledge that he had been shown by his master away and turned down the path caused nothing but pain and destruction. He had become everything that they fought against; a user of the dark side, a Sith Lord and for that he could never forgive himself.

He had used the fleet that he had amassed to destroy city after city before his master had come along and saved him. For that he did not have the right words although he wished that he could say something to the man that was walking beside him. He turned to look at the walls around him and as he did he could not help but notice several of the people that were in the hallways stop and look at him. He did not need to read their minds though to know what was going through their minds as he could read it on their faces. They did not want him here.

"Master. Why am I here? Is there nowhere else that I can live?"

"I am afraid not my young Jedi. I know what you feel about this place and I know what everyone else will thing of you but it will be good for you. Before you ask the question I know is brewing inside you let me explain. Everyone here will be able to feel the remnants of the dark side that is still within you and know what you were once. I do not think they will hate you but they will not trust you. You must gain their trust back and in doing so bring forth the Jedi that you lost."

"Yes Master."

It was then that a Jedi appeared as if out of nowhere and bowed before Illus before he looked straight at Alain, startled to see the Sith cloak that he was wearing.

"Master Illus Van and Jedi Knight Alain Talan'vor. You are to follow me to you quarters. The remaining members of the council wished to talk to you after you have settled in Master Van."

"Tell them that I will meet with them within the hour."

The Jedi bowed once more before he turned and walked away from Alain and Illus. Alain looked over at Illus once more and wanted to ask him what the meeting was for but he knew that it was best not to ask because if it had something to do with him then he would have been told then and there. He took a deep breath and followed the Jedi down the corridor until they came to the lifts.

Seconds later they were standing outside a door and the Jedi turned to Alain.

"This is your quarters Knight Talan'vor. Master Illus' are just down the corridor. If you will please follow me."

Alain looked at his master who put up a hand, "There is no need to worry. I will be back shortly."

Alain did not say a thing but walked into his quarters. The first thing he saw was the window that overlooked the vast city that was spread out in front of him and moved towards it. He placed his hands on the glass of the window and stood there, not expecting this. He knew that he was lucky in being here after what he had done. He had commited attrocities he knew would live with him forever and would spend the rest of his life paying for.

He walked over to his bed and sat down on it, placing his hands in his head and let his thoughts flow over him but as soon as he did he heard the voice of his other side, the side that lived to cause pain and destruction. He could hear it laughing as he thought of all the pain that he had caused in his life and knew that he was not strong enough right now to fight it. It was the part of him that was so seductive, the part of him that promised him power he knew he would never have as a Jedi. It was also the part of him he knew he could no longer listen to because if he did it would cause the death of more people and he feared one of them would be his master.

He turned and looked out at the window, wishing that it was night time so that he could sit in the darkness with his thoughts. He closed his eyes and tried to collect his thoughts but all that was there was the voice that was even now screaming at him. He realized that he would not be able to shut that voice out while he sat there in his quarters and knew that he had to go somewhere else. He got up off his bed and walked to the door slowly, looking at it as it slowly opened in front of him.

He walked out into the corridor and made his way to the lift, taking it down to the bottom floor. As soon as he made it to the bottom he looked around, hoping to find somewhere that he could meditate and think about things, somewhere that he could find at least some peace. He wandered around for several seconds before he entered a large room that seemed to be empty. He moved to one side of the room and sat down on the floor before placing his lightsaber in front of him. He once more looked down at the hilt of the lightsaber, the one that he had twisted with his rage and wished that he could get rid of it.

He closed his eyes slowly and felt himself lift up off the floor as he felt the force flowing around him. He reached out slowly with the force and felt it connect with the hilt of the lightsaber, lifting it up off the floor. He pushed the activation button on the lightsaber and saw in his mind's eye the bright red blade, the blade that he hated.

It was then that he felt someone enter the room and opened his eyes and looked to see a padawan. He opened his mouth to say something but it was then that he saw the padawan's eyes fall to his lightsaber and go wide. Before Alain could say a word the padawan pulled his lightsaber from his belt and activate it.

 

[AmenRa]

Tal Varsus listened quietly as Jedi Ordo gave his report. Aftewards, he rested his chin in his hand a moment in contemplation.

"Reyn," he said, "you are an example to all Jedi. I know your heritage as Mandalorian urged you to rush into battle, but by quietly watching and observing you have shown great wisdom and forethought."

Tal got up then, and walked over to a window where he stood and peered out to the forest of wroshyr trees. He smoothed a hand through he short, graying brown hair, and turned to Master Thorror.

"These aliens are of a kind that I've never before heard of," he told Thorror. "And Force-users, nonetheless. If this is the first wave of some sort of invasion, then we had better come up with a plan of action quickly before more systems are attacked. Planets that are undefended will fall quickly to an army that has the Force with them, especially when it reeks of the power of the Dark Side."

Varsus came and sat beside his Wookie friend once again. Turning to him, his green eyes became serious and focused. "I think we should bring the Council into session. I know it will take some time to recall all of them, as it will take time to assemble the thousand or so Jedi that are scattered across the galaxy. Alerting the military should also be a simultaneous step. Since Reyn has seen them first hand, it may be necessary for him to address the Chief of State and the Supreme Commander while you and I speak to the rest of the Jedi.

"These are my thoughts, my friend," Varsus concluded.

"But," he began again, "there is another matter. I have been receiving Force impressions of a presence. I believe somewhere there is a Jedi that is captive, from long ago, as the echoes of this Force message seem to come from a great distance. I would like to take my leave and search for this while the Jedi are assembling, should you decide to call the Council into session."

 

[rengadeirishman]

Thorror stroked his chin as he contemplated. "You are correct Master Varsus, I have felt his presence, but I question the wisdom of awakening him, i sense a darkness about him. At the same time, i find my curiosity compelling us forward. Go then Master Varsus, and may the force be with you. I will contact the council and we will decide the proper course, and the Jedi will be mustered." he said rising.

"I will accompany you Master Varsus, it seems like the galaxy has become much more dangerous for a Jedi, even one such as you." Reyn said to Tal rising from his chair. Suddenly, Thorror was overcome and took his seat again.

"Master Thorror!" Reyn shouted moving to his side. Thorror waved him away appreciatively. "I am fine, but woe that these dark tidings should come now. Did you not feel it? Jak Katarn has become one with the force."

 

[AmenRa]

Tal Varsus cast his head down, tears welling behind his eyes. He reached out through space and touched Lalena Kar, searching for comfort with her, knowing she, too, had felt the passing of Jedi Jak Katarn.

In almost a whisper, Tal began to recite the Code:

"There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity....

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Location: Somewhere in deep space

The comm. chirped on General Koto’s desk, and when he answered it, the blue image of Major Kerrigan appeared.

“Yes, major?” asked the general.

“Sir, we are receiving a priority transmission from the Memory of Ithor. They are currently in orbit around Tatooine,” replied the major.

“Patch it through.”

The vid screen on the general’s wall, to his left, activated to show the commander of the Memory.

The Mon Calamari commander offered a salute before speaking. “Sir, the reports of a hostile alien attack are true. We arrived here and found all the major settlements in ruins. According to the locals, the attack took place about five standard days ago.”

“Did any of them say what species attacked?” asked the general.

“The spacers who were around at the time of the attack said that they’ve never seen this species before, nor their ship designs. They described the attackers as almost as broad as a Wookie, but shorter. Their skin came in various shades of green with jet black hair tied in a top knot. None of the witnesses bothered sticking around to get a more detailed description, but some did say that despite the size of the attackers, they moved with a seemingly unnatural grace,” said the Mon Cal commander. “Other witnesses said that the attackers used primarily melee weapons.”

“Are there any signs of the attackers still being there?” asked the general.

“No, sir. When we arrived, there weren’t any unidentified ships in orbit. And we have done a primarily scan of the surface and found no evidence of camps of settlements that are not already on record,” replied the commander.

Hmm…odd. Why would they attack but not stick around? thought the general. “Very good commander. Conduct a more thorough investigation and prepare a report that I can take to the Supreme Commander, and possibly the Senate.” The commander gave another salute before the screen cut out.

The general turned back to the hologram of Major Kerrigan that was still floating above his desk. “I trust you recorded all of that?”

“Yes, sir,” replied Major Kerrigan.

“Good. I want all active ships to go to alert level 1. They are to be on the look out for any ship designs that are not in their databanks,” said the general. “I also want probe droids sent out to survey all the systems within our area. I’m sure you know what to do after that, Major.”

Major Kerrigan saluted, and the hologram fizzled out.

The aging general sat back in his chair and turned around to look out the viewport of his office. Outside, he could see most of the ships of the 5th Fleet that were on reserve, and right smack in the middle, easily eclipsing all other ships, was the Skywalker. And beyond, the rest of the galaxy. As he usually did, the general looked just a few degrees below the bottom of the Skywalker, to where he knew the Naboo system was located, just a thousand light-years from the space station that served as the hidden base of the 5th Fleet.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Just what we need." Thorror said. "The Grandmasters death on the eve of seemingly inevitable battle. The force challenges us endlessly."

Just then a beeping filled the air, council had been called. "Reyn, I must beg you to once again report your findings. We'll attend by holotransmission. Tal, if you could take your customary seat Ill begin the transmission."

Council chambers were always built identical, so that masters, through holotransmission, may feel as though they were at the main council on coruscant. Thorror took his seat, that corresponded exactly to his seat on coruscant. He began the transmission. "Master Thorror, Sage of the Third Praxeum, Watchman of Kashyyyk and parts surrounding, transmits now." he said, then barking out a phrase in shyriiwook, clearing the security protocols to keep outsiders from hacking into the council proceedings.

"Greetings, brothers and sisters in the force."