Star Wars: Episode VIII: The New Threat

[Paendragon]

Admiral Dar Thandor

Dar walked into the cargo bay, and directly for Commander Tyler.

"Commander?"

"Admiral." Tyler saluted. So did the man standing next to him.

"You must be the man who made me come all the way down here..."

The cargo ship Captain blanched visibly. "Not me, sir." His eyes looked from the Admiral, to the Commander, and back to the Admiral. "If you would follow me?" He gestured toward his ship.

Dar was getting extremely irritated. "This better be good Captain."

"It is, Sir. I stake my career on it."

Despite himself, Dar's curiosity was beginning to get the better of him. What could be so damned important? He shook his head, and followed the silent Captain aboard his small freighter. The man led him and the Commander left at the top of the boarding ramp, then, surprisingly, immediately right toward the crew quarters.

A messenger, perhaps? Dar thought. It wouild be just like Wedge to do this. The man was as cautious about his communications as...

The thought froze in his head as the Captain stopped before the smallest cabin on the ship, and ... knocked. Knocked quietly, and respectfully. On board his own ship?

"Enter!" It was a gruff voice, worn from use.

They entered.

There was a lone man inside the cabin. His hair was more gray than not, and his face shown the telltale signs of age - weathered, and wrinkled , but still smooth for the man's age - but when he turned toward them, his eyes still held the fire of youth. Those eyes, and the instantly recognised lopsided grin the man flashed, would give away his identity in an instant to nearly anyone in the galaxy.

Dar snapped to attention, as did the Commander, and the cargo ship Captain.

"At ease," the man said, waving his hand in irritation. "I've had enough of that to last me a lifetime."

"Sir," Dar began, then shook his head slightly. "What are you doing out here? The Chief of State shouldn't be this close to the front."

"I've been near, on top of, underneath, and across more fronts in my life than you've even seen from a distance, kid." The Chief of State said, dryly. "And you're about to take me a lot closer."

"Sir?" Dar asked, confused.

Chief of State Han Solo, walked over and placed his hand on Dar's shoulder, and flashed that lopsided grin. "You're going to take me to Yavin."

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Maser D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

As the Shadow landed, D’Rack wondered out lud, so that Sara heard him. “Why do I need to come back here, to Yavin so much as of late”

Times were growing dark for D’Rack’s order, he had no idea what was coming. He couldn’t sense the near future, and had thought the Sith were growing again.

As D’Rack and Sarah walked down the ships ramp, he looked around and saw Tynan walk away from another ship.

“Tynan, we bring news to the Yavin, good news, the council will be pleased to hear. Can I speak to them now?”

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

“Tynan, we bring news to Yavin, good news, the council will be pleased to hear. Can I speak to them now?”

Tynan turned toward the voice, and found himself staring up at the tall Jedi Master D'Rack Frantok.

"Master Frantok." He bowed to the other Jedi Master. Several questions sprang to mind, but he stifled all of them. Any news at all from Coruscant would be welcome. If it was good news, than all the better.

"Most of the Council is still in chambers. I'm afraid we may have some news for you as well, and not much of it good." D'Rack frowned down at him, but said nothing. He was obviously curious as to what Tynan would tell him, but would respect his wishes that it wait until the chambers. "They will be happy to hear you have arrived."

He turned to look back at Vish's ship, but she was nowhere to be seen. That didn't mean she was not watching, of course.

He looked back up at the nearly eight foot tall Jedi. "I would escort you myself... but I have a rather urgent matter to attend to..."

He bowed again. "I will, however, join you as soon as I am able." He turned to signal to two passing Padawan Learners, and they hurried over, bowing before him.

"Jacen, Jorus, escort Master Fran'tok to the Council Chambers, and announce him."

He looked up at the Jedi Master, and grinned slightly. "It is good to see you again, D'Rack."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

They were the kind of vague images I would have considered a blessing a few days earlier, when the bogs and marshes of Alda seemed to bring horribly clear images of death and destruction, but now, it left me wanting more, more detail, more knowledge, more feeling.
I heard Marlik's voice again, Marlik that once lived in place of Figgas, Marlik my Master, and I heard Colme's voice, both muddled and hard to understand, when they didn't blend into one another. Warnings I was certain, but of what?
Another voice, this one one I have never heard before, but somehow knew.
The images were old ones, the old lady in the fire, the burning buildings. Even the one of Yavin itself burning wasn't new.
It was a clear voice that stirred me.
I opened my eyes, still tired, having hardly slept an hour, if I'd managed that much sleep.
I sat up, listening.
"Master DuVal?" But the voice had originally said my first name. Sounding more electronic than I was used to as it came through the comm device on the wall.
I stood and crossed the room, pressing the return button and replying, "One moment, Tynan."
I dressed quickly and met him in the hall outside my chambers.
"What's on your mind, old friend?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

The Bridge fo the Tremor

Captain Honisse Nurell had never seen jedi before, save for a few at a distance, and never had he seen them in action. When the doors opened, he was pleased to see them entering of thier own accord and not showing much sign of resistance.
"Good work," he stated, glancing to Gimora, head of his personal Guard. The Rodian nodded back, but seemed uncertain of whether this was a good or bad sign.
"Thier weapons?" Honisse requested.
"These weapons," the older male asked, drawing his lightsaber from his belt and igniting it.
The bridge crew started, then reached for thier weapons as the young female mocked her master's actions and turned to face the guards behind the two. Against the walls to either side, a line of droids waited his order.
"Lower your weapons," Honisse ordered, "Or we will fire."
"That's not likely to happen," the Male replied. "Your name?"
"Lower your weapons," he ordered again, knowing it would do no good.
It would be a battle afterall.
"No." He simply said.
In a moment of unease, one of the guards squeezed off a shot. The padawan deflected it without any tought, then turned to face the bridge command crew while her master turned to the guards, who strongly outnumbered the command crew. The deflected bolt struck the guard who'd fired in the hand and sent him staggering backward, disarmed.
Bolts were flying then, seemingly out of his control. The Captain stood, raising his weapon, but never fired once as the bolts were deflected back at those who fired them, leaving them disarmed and shaking thier stinging hands.
As the fighting died down, a brief ten second encounter at the Captain's guess, his men were disarmed, save for two of them, and Pleebo, the Ugnaught he'd taken on to lead his "resources committee," lay on the floor, bleeding from his right shoulder.
Only himself and Yelbacca, the wookie who'd never even raised her blaster, remained armed.
"I'm sorry, Master," the female Jedi said, looking at Pleebo.
"It'ws only one mistake, Raven," the male responded, turning to the Captain.
"Drop your weapons," the Jedi ordered.
He shook his head, raising a small communicator tomhis lips.
"Droids," he said, "Attack!"

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

He left D'Rack in the care of the Padawan's, and headed immediately for Raine's quarters.

He had a lot on his mind, and even had an idea as to who he'd like to send with Vish.

He reached her chambers, and hit the comm.

"Raine? It's Tynan."

No answer. He could feel her presence in the room, through the Force, pulsing. Twisting, as if she was fighting something.

His hand gripped his lightsaber, and he hit the comm again. "Master DuVall?"

He was about to overide the lock when her reply came. "One moment, Tynan."

Her Force signature had changed, again. It was calmer... even. He slipped his lightsaber back under his robes, but kept his hand on it.

A few quick moments, and she was before him, the usual mask on her face. He released his grip on his lightsaber.

"All is well?" He waited for her nod before continuing. He filled her in on his idea, and feelings, about Vish.

"I thought about what we discussed in chambers, and the idea of sending a team out to bring home the lost Jedi was a sound one." He looked at her, still concerned about what he had felt in her quarters, but she gave no sign of any worngdoing, besides some tiredness around her eyes. "Any suggestions as to whom we should send?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"If Marius and Raven were here, I'd suggest them, but being as they're not..." I thought for a few moments, looking at Tynan. "It should be someone who can get along well with the Vish woman. That might be difficult. It's a shame that Doprekka is still on assignment. This might do well for one of his temperament. Your thoughts?"

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Maser D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

"Thank you Tynan," D'Rack returned the smile. "It's good to see you as well. I have a feeling we will see alot more of each other."

He bowed to Tynan before leaving. D'Rack turned to Sara, she was studying the surrandings. "You will love it here Sara, it is a very beautiful place. But come, we must see the others."

D'Rack bowedto the two Jedi Padawan. "Lead the way."

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

He nodded. Marius would be the perfect choice... but as he was not here...

"I would prefer you, or I..." he shook his head. "But that is not possible."

He tilted his head to the side, slightly, and regarded her with curiosity.

"What are your feelings about Diora Barren?"

 

[Paendragon]

Master Duu'Raan

He meditated in silence, until he was interrupted by the door chime. Latley, he needed more and more time to rest... and feared that now was the worst possible time for his age to catch up to him.

"Enter..."

A young Padawan, no more than 8 standard years, entered, and bowed. "Master, Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok has arrived on planet, and is asking to see the Council.

Good. Excellent, in fact. Perhaps the Force has taken a hand, when one was needed most.

"I will come, now," he said to the boy. "Alert the other membersss of the Counssssil."

The Padawan bowed again, and left the room.

Duu'Rann slowly rose to his feet, and made his way to the Council chambers, where he found almost the entire Council waiting.

He was tired, still, and wished to sit down, but forced himself to stand. "You are all aware of our visitor?"

Heads nodded around the room, and he nodded in return. Now they would wait.

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

"The Council is ready for you."

"Thank you Padwan." D'Rack bowwed and walk into the chambers.

D'Rack looked around, seeing faces he knew, and some he didn't. With a both, he greetend them. "Hails my fellow Jedia."

"I bring good news. It pleases me to say that the last of the Imperial fleet is gone. They attacked Coruscant. Many of mmy forces were lost,but we pulled out on top."

"The Sith however, are stil out there, few here and there. But I sense they can't myster an offense on Yavin, Coruscant or the new Republic."

D'Rack waits for the views of the others.

 

[Paendragon]

Master Duu'Raan

Duu'Raan and the Council bowed to Master Fran'tok, then listened to his account of the battle.

Duu'Raan nodded. "I fear the Sssssith might not be our most serious concern at the moment, D'Rack."

He filled the Jedi Master in about his people, the Draacuurians, and their near destruction of a Sith fleet.

"By eyewitnessss accountssss, their numbers are ssstaggering... and they are dangerous." He told them about the skill of the warrior caste. "They surpasssss any ssoldiersss we've faced, yet. Two of them together are more than capable of taking down a Jedi..."

A Padawan entered, and bowed, waiting to be acknowledged.

"Yesssss?"

The girl stood. "Masters... we've received a transmission from the Skywalker. Admiral Dar Thandor says he'll be here shortly."

"Thank you, Marrisse."

Thandor coming here? Why?

"Thisss isss unexpected."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

Diora Barren.
I'd never have thought of the woman, but then, she and her padawan were rarely on Yavin. Usually, she took whatever mission the Council might offer her and left immediately.
"If she and Galleos are available, they would make good choices, indeed," I replied.
"Masters," the child's voice came from nearby, and though I'd heard (and felt) the approach, the presence hadn't been one I consciously accepted until then. The dreams and visions had my mind out of whack, it seemed. "The Council awaits you, as does Master Fran'tok."
"Thank you," I replied. "Lead the way, if you wold."
The child turned and led Tynan and I to the Jedi Council chambers.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raven Bosch

"Would like like to give that commnd again?" Marius asked him.
I'd hit the Ugnaught on the right shoulder with a defleted bolt and was cursing myself when the Captain gave the order for the droids to attack.
The Captain looked dumbfounded, then did exactly that.
When nothing happened again, Marius smiled at him, a bit more arrogantly than was expected of a Jedi, and something that I hadn't seen too often from him, though I could remember Raine discussing his youthful arrogance of past days on more than one occasion.
"Perhaps this would be helpful," Marius suggested, holding out the powerlink he'd taken from the droid's powercell. "I doubt they'll respond without this in place."
The Captain stared back at him for a few moments, uncertain and angry, but not about to let those feelings make him do something stupid. "What then, Master Jedi?"
Marius smiled, but before he answered, he deactivated his lightsaber and used the Force to pull the fallen ugnaught across the floor to me.
"Raven," he instructed. "Practice your healing."
"Yes, Master," I responded, deactivating my own lightsaber and tucking it onto my belt before kneeling before the injured alien.
"Now," Marius began,"We can begin to negotiate..."

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

D'Rack could hardly believe what he was hearing. "If what you say is correct, the we face a threat more powerful then the Sith combained."


D'Rack looked around. "I sense that some here are afraid. With reason too. Maybe the time unit the two orders is now. " The tall Jedi thought to himself. "We need to unit all our stregth to hold back this new threat, or the new republic and every other world will full."

"What is our options?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"What is our options?"
THe door opened just as Master Fran'tok said these words. Tynan and I paced in as the padawan stepped aside to hold the door open for us, then closed it once we were inside, disappearing behind it.
I bowed humbly before the large Jedi.
"Master Fran'tok," I began, "It's good to see you again. I apologize for our tardiness, but your arrival was so sudden, and there is much occupying our thoughts and actions these days."
"As for our options...I feel we have none, except to fight them, and win. If peace were an option, they would have extended that offer already. I've seen the damage these things can do first hand, and my experience was a mere taste."
I glanced around the room, wondering who might interject. When no one did, I continued. "In the opinion of..." I debated my wording, not wanting to mention Colme Harringer's place in this just yet. It seemed the wrong time. "An old friend, Unity is the problem here. Since Maste Skywalker's death, the Order has taken too many steps in too many different directions. It is time to bring our kind, the Jedi, back together to work as we were intended to."

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

"If that is what we need to do, to over-come this threat, then I will pludge my alliegince to this order once again." D'Rack replayed. "I'm not sure how the rest of the Coruscant order will feel about it?" He thought to himself, blocking the worry out of his thoughts.

"i do say that the rest of the Jedi from the Coruscant order will follow suit upon hearing of the tail of this new threat."

"I no longer have a large fleet under my orders, they battle with the last of the Imperials left me with only a few Star Destroyers."

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

He listened to Raine, and nodded in agreement, but was still surprised to hear Master Fran'tok's words.

Surprise was evident on Tynan's face, until it was quickly hidden.

Just like that? After all my worry? The order is united?

He found the impulse to shake his head in resignation. Master Skywalker would be pleased.

A Padawan enetered, and bowed.

"Master's, the Skywalker has arrived."

A chill crept up Tynan's spine. An omen? The order is reunited, and the New Republic flagship bearing the name of his old master arrives at Yavin IV? He was never one to put much stock in such things, but if ever they needed a positive sign, it was now.

"Ssssend word that we will await the Admiral, here," Master Duu'Raan said.

The Padawan bowed, and left.

"Masssster Fran'tok.... I'm ssure I ssssspeak for all those presssent when I say thissss issss mosst welcome newsss." Duu'Raan, took a long breath, and agin looked tired. "We will need your leadership and sskillsss in the dayssss to come..."

Tynan agreed. "The Admiral has promised us ships in our defense. And we still have the Solo in orbit. It's not a large ship, just a heavy assault cruiser, but it is quite capable. We could use any advice you have in setting up a planetary defense."

The conversation went on for awhile, with different Master's putting forth their ideas, until a Padawan entered again, and anounced the Admiral's arrival.

"Master? There's someone else with him.... I think it's... ummm... "

Tynan looked at the girl. "Who?"

"That would be me." The door opened, and the man leading the party wasn't Admiral Dar Thandor.

Tynan's eyebrows rose, and his hands fell to his side. "Solo?"

The Chief of State looked at him, and grinned. "Ahhhh, I remeber you. Ex-bounty hunter, right? Almost didn't recognise you. New haircut?"

Tynan nodded, still in a state of semi shock. He had only met the Chief of State a handful of times, most of which had been as Skywalker's apprentice.

"Welcome to Yavin." He bowed.

 

[Paendragon]

Han Solo

He surveyed the room. His eyes taking in everything, including the giant of a Jedi in the center.

"D'Rack Fran'tok, right? Good to see you."

His tone was brisk, but good natured. A man with a no-nonsense approach to life.

"In case any of you don't know who I am, the name's Solo." He grinned. "Due to some fluke, I managed to get myself elected as the Chief of this cockeyed government of ours. I won't say that I'm pleased, but it was necessary. Who is in charge here?"

A lizardlike creature stepped forward, another familiar face.

"There isss no one in charge, Chief Ssssolo, but I will ssspeak for the Council firssst in thisss matter."

And speak he did. He told Han all about the new race they met, and their capabilities.

"They're really that formidable?"

"Yessss. Incredibly sssso."

Han looked around the room.

"Anyone have anything to add?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

I sensed Tynan's surprise at Master Fran'tok's response.
Don't be too pleased, Tynan, I thought. The Jedi Council is spoken for, but living with the decision might be harder than we would like.
I held my tongue, then listened as the Council discussed, then smiled to myself when Solo entered. I had only met the man on two occasions, and they had been some time ago, the second time shortly after his appointment.
I remained silent as Master Du'raan explained the situation, then waited as no one replied to Solo's question of who wished to add more.
Best to let the man speak, then see what he has to say.

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Maser D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

There was a slit feel of unease in the air after D'Rack made his pludge. He knew it would surprise some, if not all.

Maybe it would be for the best if D'Rack didn't try to get on the Yavin Council. "Perhaps I will speak to Master Du'raan about that matter."

Just then, a old mn walked in. He was will known to D'Rack, as he was one of his old Master's friends; the man was Han Solo, the Cheif of State of the new Republic. Master Fran'tok bowwed to the man and showed respect.

D'Rack listened to the conversation, but some how he felt like an outsider. After all he and Sara just heared about this. "Why haven't Coruscant recieved word of this from our agents in that aera?" D'Rack was feel uneasy now, and it was noticable... for Jedi's that is. Sara looked over to D'Rack to see why she felt his unease.

"Something is troubling him, he never lets down his guard." Sara thought to herself.

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

Solo stood there awhile, silent, and the room seemed to wait with him.

"That settles it then. It's time the Jedi took a more active roll in the Republic."

Tynan's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Define active..."

Solo grinned. "I mean Old Republic active."

Tynan shook his head. "I'm not sure that's a good idea... the Jedi taking too active a roll in the Republic is one of the reasons things turned out as they did during the Clone Wars..."

Han waved his hand dismissively. "Pledging allegiance to a megalomaniac is why things turned out as they did during the Clone Wars, according to the history I read."

Tynan nodded, conceding the point. "Still, how active? I cannot, in good conscience pledge the Jedi to the New Republic, or ask them too."

Solo shook his head. "I'm not asking for any pledges. The Jedi will still answer to the Councils... but I'd like you to be as integrated as possible with our forces."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

I listened carefully, wondering who might interject and what they would say if they did. When no one responded, and Solo had said his piece, I felt sory I hadn't spoken. Luckily, Tynan spoke up, and his words were much more sound than mine would have been.
To me, Solo's words seemed to imply something that seemed far-fetched to me. Of course, my frame of mind was one as of late where it seemed a lot of meaning was being lost along the way. For what was best? That remained to be seen.
"Still, how active? I cannot, in good conscience pledge the Jedi to the New Republic, or ask them too," Tynan stated.
Solo shook his head. "I'm not asking for any pledges. The Jedi will still answer to the Councils... but I'd like you to be as integrated as possible with our forces.""Integrated?" I heard my own voice before I realized I was going to speak.
Control your emotions, Raine, Marlik's voice insisted, but this time, it wasn't Marlik's voice. A familiar one, yes, but not his, truly. I didn't dwell on whose voice it was in my head; that would have to come later.
"Mr. Solo, I am Raine DuVall, we have met on occasion, but always en passante, never for much purpose. With all due respect, the way you say these things, that you wish us to be integrated with your forces...it sounds as if you wish to make all out war with these Dracuurians. The Jedi have never been soldiers, and that has not changed. And as for working with the Republic, the Jedi Order is not at its strongest; in actuality, we are at our weakest since Master Skywalker first brought the Order back to the Galaxy. It is liekly that these Dracuurians will seek us out and attempt to destroy the order. Bringing us closer to the Republic will only further jeopardize your forces and the Galaxy's safety."
I waited a moment, wanting to look around the room, to see what reactions I was recieving form the other Masters of the Council, and from Master Fran'tok as well, and my senses...they were distant for some reason, perhaps protecting me I felt, but was uncertain.
"You are an excellent leader, Mr. Solo," I said, making certain to show the proper respect, "as are those Jedi who are present," now I eyed the others, carefully. "But I am of the opinion that, until the Jedi are united, truly united, and have readied themselves as a team for the task at hand..." I shook my head. "We cannot aid the people of the Republic in this battle. In order to do our part to strengthen the Republic, we must first strengthen our own bonds, and bring the Jedi Order back to what it must be. Otherwise, we are nothing more than soldiers with lightsabers. I've seen these things in battle, and this way, we will simply not be enough."
I lowered my head, sorry that I couldn't be helpful, knowing full well that I was a drain on whatever hope we might have been building, but also knowing I had to say what was on my mind, for better or for worse. I was more at peace then than I'd been in a long time. The issue was, what to tell them? When perhaps they felt I was building toward an answer to all these things I'd said.
"Since Master Skywalker passed away, we've been slowly growing further and further from what we are supposed to be, and that will not change with mere words, but with dedication and personal choices. The Jedi have split into two orders, Jedi knights and Masters alike have turned to the Dark Side," I felt eyes on me as I said this, Marlik coming to at least some minds I was certain, "Jedi and thier padawans with no connection besides thier interests in being involved with the Jedi Orders, arrogance more than dedication. The jedi must choose as individuals to dedicate themselves; the Council cannot do so, not until it is united, truly united, again, as Master Skywalker intended it to be."
Personal choice, but was that an option in our case? I'd spoken the words, now it was time for the Council to speak theirs, for better or worse. I knew I had other things to do, though I wished I could remain here to help.
Personal choice.
I'd made mine, for the time being. The question was, where would all these things lead?

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Mogo

"You sure you did the right thing?" I asked.
"Felt right," the male Jedi returned. We watched as the vessel we'd spent roughtly an hour on became more and more distant. I half-expected proton torpedoes to be fired upon us, but none came, nor did remote droid fighters pursue.
"I'll never understand how you people do those things..." I muttered.
"I gave them something to consider. We weren't sent to arrest them all, afterall. They have..."
He trailed off, staring out the viewport for a few seconds.
"Master?" the girl asked.
He blinked, stared a moment longer, then blinked again and turned to his padawan.
"Everything's fine, Raven." He stated, his voice still a little distant. "Just...had an odd feeling. Mogo, how are we in terms of the ship's wel-being? Is she prepared for an unscheduled trip?"
"Hard to say," I responded. "But she has a habit of holding strong when you least expect her to. Where're we headed?"
"I'm not sure yet," he replied. "Hold course for now, but don't jump to light speed. I'll need to meditate."
"Your show, boss," I replied. He exited the bridge, heading toward the personal quarters in the back of the ship.
"Looks like our day just got longer, Orin," I muttered.
"Oh, goodness," the gold droid began. "Where in the heavens are we headed now?"
"WHy do we ever turn you back on?" Orin asked.
"Oh, how rude..."

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Maser D'Rack Fran'tok and Jedi Knight Sara Nosh

D'Rack listened to the conversation. "Yes, at this very moment, the Jedi Orders are still splint. Even though the reunit of the 2 has been started, it will still take time for the order to be of much use." D'Rack stated, looking around the room to meet everyones eyes. Stoping to look into Sara's he continued. "I'm not even sure the Jedi from the Coruscant order will join Yavin like I have, they might follow; it is up to them."

Looking at his hand, and seeing a scar from a Lightsaber battle, he added. "Besides, who is to say the Sith may take advantage of this, and rebuild their force?