Star Wars: Return of the Sith

[Angelus]

Bal

Bal set his comm unit to search for the Rogue's signal and smiled when he received it loud and clear. He looked back at Wolf and said, "Do you think that you can lay in a course for that signal."
When he received a nasty sound from Wolf he knew that he just asked a stupid question. He flicked the switch on his comm unit and said, "Okay- if you would kindly follow me then I could take you to where I think both of us wish to go at this moment."

He then ran his hand over the switch to the hyperdrive and looked back at Wolf and said, "Okay, when you are ready boy."
As soon as he got the beep and the message on his screen saying that he was ready Bal flipped the switch and watched at the stars changed into lines and then a tunnel as he disappeared into hyperspace.

 

[Call Sign Oracle]

* Doprekka gave a simple nod to his master at the suggestion of meditating over the recent events. Indeed it was something he had considered on his own, but did not wish to leave Duu'Raan if his master had needed him. With an easy turn he walked off into the woods to find a comfortable spot to meditate. Finding a large tree stump he decided on this and sat atop it, folding his hands in his lap and beginning to enter into a meditative state, opening himself to the force. Letting it flow through him and heighten his senses and awareness. He could feel his consciousness being pulled away from Yavin 4 and out into the cold freedom of space. Beyond stars, planets, moons and suns. It was a pleasure to just ride the wave of the force and experience the light side in all things. Though he was strong in the force, and extremely so, he was still padawan and did not yet realize why the force would lead his awareness so far from Yavin 4. Until he saw before his eyes, a moon..or no..it was mechanical in nature and large. No it couldn't be...An imperial orbital base, and war factory. He had no idea where the force had swept his consciousness, he only knew that there were two suns and the planet it orbited was as black as glass. This did not bode well...Not at all, and then with no warning.

He broke from his meditative trance at the sound of something...un-natural. Opening his eyes, he looked about and caught a glimpse of something metallic. He had no idea what it was but he was certain that droids if indeed that was what it was were not roaming the woods alone. Standing to inspect the anomoly, he quickly ducked to the left as a blaster shot zinged past his right shoulder. He was under attack! Without thought he ignited his light sabre and dashed forth, deflecting blaster bolts from a now visible imperial scout droid. With a well placed deflection he sent one of the shots back at the droid "wounding" it and causing it to lose altitude. With a quick lunge and strike he slashed into the scout droid and it exploded from the power of his strike. Doprekka stood over the droid and let out a low pitched sigh as his light sabre wooshed away to rest dormant once more at his side. He shook his head took up a piece of the scout droid which bore a partial insignia of the empire on it.

This was not good. A scout droid on yavin 4, it had no doubt sent its video feed back to base upon destruction, and if nothing else there would be an imperial vessel to investigate the destruction at some point. No, this was not good at all. He turned and walked back to the temple to bring the bad news.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

I nodded to the commander in thanks.
"I will depart as soon as possible," I returned. "I wish to speak with Master Basaal before the Council meeting."
With that explanation, I headed to the docking bay.
When I reached the hangar, I quickly suited up and climbed in the X-Wing, then took off for the surface. As I went, I could see a few others taking off as well. I wondered if Daelon was in one of those craft.
No way of knowing for sure, I thought, then concentrated on bringing the vessel toward the planet's surface.
Once I'd entered the atmosphere, I brought the X-Wing down to land in the open hangar, then climbed out and met with the guards.
"Identification sir," one asked, as I pulled the suit off. Once my Jedi garb was in sight, specifically my lightsaber, he straightened some and said, "My apologies Master Jedi. The others are waiting for you."
"You misunderstand," I corrected him. "I am not here for the meeting, as I am only a padawan. I have come to speak with Master Basaal."
The man nodded to me, eyeing me curiously as the other guards filed in to met the other transports (the guards had gathered in the hangar as more transports met with the landing pad. Now, there were more than fifty guards there. It made sense. The base had no doubt heard of the odd arrivals on Mached V before our departure. An unknown Jedi and the arrival of a Sith who seemed to have honest intentions...security would be crawling with intentions of detaining those they did not know).
I saw the shadow of familiarity in the eyes of the man before me, however, and realized I was looking at one of the head guards here, John Barrite. He hadn't quite recognized me just yet, but I knew he knew me somehow.
"Marius," I replied. "I was a student here some time ago."
THe man nodded, but the name didn't help him much. Too many names to remember here, I guessed.
"Take this man to see Master Basaal," he instructed a nearby guard.
The guard nodded and said, "This way, sir."
I followed him out of the hangar.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Mogo

"We're outside of firing range," I informed Nastasia, who'd somehow taken on the role of captain of this vessel, odd given that she wasn't even a member of the crew. I guessed I missed Kerra more than I realized. It was nice having someone barking orders at me again. But from here on, I was taking control of the Spotted Owl.
"When I get down there, we need to talk," I informed her.
I headed down, finding the bridge a few seconds later, just in time to hear the Rogue pilot's last message.
He'd take us to where both of us wished to go at that moment. Yeah, okay.
And we'd follow, but only because of his status. A Rogue pilot was said to be an honorable man. I wondered if he realized that we were of a less honorable stock.
"Okay, Nastasia," I began. "Miss Vish, whatever you want me to call you. It's time we had a little chat..."
"As soon as we come out of hyperspace," she said, then kicked the hyperdrive on. I lost my balance, floating suddenly back toward the back wall as we kicked into hyperspace.

 

[Paendragon]

Luke

Luke looked down at the silver cylinder in his hand, and back up at Tynan, who was at the controls of the Talon.

"Can I turn it on?"

"A lightsaber is not a toy, Luke. Especially not a dual-phase like that one. If you flick it on it's second setting in here, it could cut a hole through the cockpit. And that wouldn't be good at all, would it?"

"No." Luke frowned. "How about when we get to the planet."

"Yavin 4 is a moon."

"Whatever."

Tynan glanced at him, before looking out the viewport again. "Knowing where you're going is as important as knowing why you're going there."

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Consider it a lesson."

Luke nodded.

Then a voive came crackling over the speaker. Talon, You're cleared to land on landing platform four. The coordinates are being transmitted."

"Copy Tower," Tynan replied.

Before long Luke could see treetops appear in the cockpit window, and felt the ship dropping downward, until he felt it touch down.

Tynan took a deep breath. "Can you feel that?"

Luke shook his head. "Nope."

"Open yourself up to the Force..."

Luke did the exercises Tynan had taught him, and gasped, losing contact with the Force. His eyes were wide. "So much! So much..."

"Life?" Tynan finished for him.

"Yeah..."

"Let's go meet the Masters."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

I stopped by the small man made pond as he came into view, and waited. A stream rolled gently past me to the other side, and the small walkway I stood on was green with well-cared for grass. The garden was a beauty, serene and peaceful in nearly every way. The Academy had a way of seeming surreal to me, especially now that I'd seen the sand dunes and ruined cities and dying forests of the rest of the universe.
He was speaking with one of the guards, walking slowly, almost casually, appearing as though he were discussing the weather instead of making plans with security to better the protection of the Yavin Academy.
"Ensure that the Jedi masters are made aware of the situation here, that we only have a small amount of guards here to defend the place. Surely, the empire, or what fragments of it remain, is in search of the place. And with Sith apparent in the Universe, there is no way for us to be certain that they cannot find us. This meeting is a great risk for all of us," he told the guard.
When he reached me, he stopped, turning to the guard.
"I will have that message relayed, Master Basaal."
Basaal nodded to the guard, then the guard turned and started away, taking the one who'd escorted me with him. Once the two were gone, Basaal turned to me. "In the man before me, I believe I see the boy I once knew," he muttered. "Somewhere inside, buried beneath too many years and trials."
"It is good to see you Master Basaal," I said, bowing slightly to him.
"You've returned for the meeting, yes?" He asked.
"No," I corrected. "I am still a padawan."
"But not for long," he said, as though correcting me. "You are here for the trials, yes?"
"I...I'm not sure, Master Basaal."
"And you come alone," he added, ignoring my statement. "Things have happened, and you feel it is time to challenge yourself, to make it on your own."
"Raine...," I couldn't find the words just yet.
He nodded. "You aren't certain. And perhaps you never will be. I remember Raine well, and she was the same as you when it came to her Master, Marlik and his disappearance. She always sensed that he was still alive somewhere. It weighed heavy on her heart and conscience."
"I know," I replied. I remembered seeing her staring out at the night a few times on Mached V, and her thoughts were far away. SHe'd actually aske dme once. 'Marius, have you ever felt completely alone?'
"Don't waste your life in search of something that you will never find, Marius," he said. "I realize that her death is currently an uncertainty, but it may just be that you are not ready to part with her."
I just looked at him, not lowering my head or feeling out of place, but realizing still that was a possibility.
"You are nearly ready for the trials, if not ready. And recent events have already changed you. That I can see. If she is gone, the trials are your only option. We cannot have another complete your training, not now that the Sith have made themselves known I donot wish to press you. You can always return after some independant study if that's what you feel you need. We need whatever Jedi we can find to join in the struggle here, so it is imperative that you make the correct decision as to when you take the trials. While your skill might be useful to us, it is only useful if you are ready."
I nodded in understanding. It was true that Raine had spent far too much time worrying over the welfare of Marlik, if indeed he actually could be alive, and it had been three years since he and his padawan had vanished, without a trace. I couldn't waste that kind of time, not knowing that Raine had taken so much time in my training. Passing the trials was something I had to do for her, to honor her memory.
"How soon can I be tested?" I asked.
He looked at me, smiling slightly.
"We can begin directly after the meeting," he replied.

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

Tynan walked slowly toward the temple, looking at it. It had been quite some time when he had been here last. There were more armed guards, now, he noticed. Nod doubt because there were less Jedi. When he had been a child here under the instruction of Master Skywalker, there were always several Masters present at any given time, and several more Knights. Now all he saw were guards, and a few children meditating. Master Basaal would still be here, he knew. Possibly Master Duu'Raan, although he tended to travel much more, especially since Master Skywalker's death.

He looked around, and reached out through the Force. It's funny how much he still felt his old Master's presence here.

"Tynan?"

Tynan smiled, and looked down at Luke, who looked up at him expectantly. He knew that the Master's wouldn't allow him to play with the blade at all once he began his training in earnest. Not until he had more control of the Force, at least. What the hell. He stopped outside of the main entrance, and walked over to the side.

"Go ahead." He held up his finger. "Just this once."

Luke grinned at him, and held the silver cylinder up. He thumbed on the switch, and the purple blade came to life with the familiar snap-hiss. Luke looked at it with awe in his eyes.

"Now twist the assembly, just as I showed you," Tynan said.

Luke did, and the blade thinned out slightly, before changing color to a pale blue, and doubling in length. "Whoa," the boy said.

Tynan smirked. "Yeah. Whoa, indeed. Now be careful, the lightsaber is not a toy."

"Indeed it iss not, Tynan," came a voice from just inside the entrance.

Tynan winced before he caught himself. He signalled Luke to turn off the blade, which the boy did immediately, and then the former Jedi turned to look at the only Jedi Master with so distinct a voice.

Tynan bowed his head in respect, and noted that Luke bowed at the waist as Tynan had showed him. Good, kid... good.

The Jedi Master returned the bow, and looked at Tynan with his reptillian eyes.

"What bringsss you back to the Academy, Tynan?"

"I found a boy who is in need of training, Master Duu'Raan."

"And yet you thought to go to Mached V before coming here. Interessting."

"Mached V was closer," he lied.

"And you knew Raine would be there, asss well."

Tynan frowned, and nodded once.

Duu'Raan looked at him. "We will discuss the matter of young Luke, later. There are other matters to concern us at the moment."

Tynan was becoming irritated, and let it show. "More important that training a child?"

Duu'Raan laughed. "Sstill impatient, Tynan. Not a Jedi virtue."

"I'm no Jedi."

Duu'Raan nodded. "Indeed, you are not."

"And the boy?"

"We will discusss it later. I believe you know where the guess quarters are?"

"I'll find them. Come, Luke." He walked past the Jedi Master without stopping, and into the temple.

 

[Call Sign Oracle]

Doprekka walked up to the temple through the throngs of guards and new comers, he did not expect so many people to be here and it disturbed him, he did not reign in his temper as well when he was un-calm, and the recent events proved to shake his calm. The ramifications of an imperial scout droid on yavin were innumerable and none of them good. The large wookie walked to his master as he noted a small boy handling a dual phase lightsabre, though he said nothing as his master spoke to the boy and the man he was with he simply stood there, with his robes somewhat smoking from the near miss on his right shoulder from the droids blaster. Holding the piece of the droids armor with insignia behind him so as not to alarm too many.

 

[Paendragon]

Master Duu'Raan

Master Duu'Raan felt Tynan's anger wash over him as he walked past, and shook his head with regret. Tynan had been one of the most promising students to come to the Academy, but his arrogance and his temper had always been his downfall. His power had made Master Skywalker himself take him as Padawan. His power, and his beliefs about the Dark Side. His potential, could cut both ways, if he followed that path to it's fruition.

Which is why Duu'Raan had tested him. And Tynan had failed that test. Where was all the calm, and direction that had been present under Luke Skywalker?

He realized the boy had not left, and looked down at him, surprised that his appearance didn't frighten him.

The boy looked at him, and bowed low, at the waist. "I apologise about the lightsaber, Master Duu'Raan. I won't use it again until I'm ready." The boy stayed bowed, until Duu'Raan returned the bow.

"Luke!" Tynan's voice called out from inside the temple.

Luke smiled. "Coming!" He bowed again to Duu'Raan, who returned the bow again, before the child ran off into the temple.

Interesting. He could feel the boys strength, but it was too early for him to judge just how strong he would become. he watched him go, a plan hatching in his mind.

He frowned, and turned toward his Padawan. "Something wrong, my friend?"

 

[Call Sign Oracle]

*he looked to his master and shook his head letting out a long sigh, before holding out the small armor plate with the imperial insignia.*

(Imperial scout droid. I found it in the forest. It has been destroyed but I fear it is too late. The imperials will send more scouts or will investigate themselves before too long.)

 

[Paendragon]

Duu'Raan's frown deepened. Events were outpacing them. Not good.

He looked up at Doprekka, and held out his clawed hands. "I'll bring it to the Council meeting, and show the masters. They should know how dire our ssituation is becoming. You sshould be there asss well. There will be questionssss, no doubt."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Mogo

WHen we dropped out of hyperspace, I went up to her and waited, staring.
"WHat, Mogo?"
"That's Captain," I replied. "I'm the captain here now that Kerra's gone. You're a passenger. I appreciate your help in fighting off that Star Destroyer, but we shouldn't have even been there to begin with. From here on out, I make the decisions as far as the Spotted Owl and her crew are concerned."
SHe looked at me for a moment. I wondered if she were debating an argument in return.
"Frieghter vessel, please present identification," a voice requested over the communcations link from the Yavin 4 base.
She nodded finally.
"You're right, Mogo," she said. "I just got carried away."
She nodded again, probably the closest she would come to being apologetic.
"Good," I said.
She stepped aside, allowing me access to the communications system.
"Again, frieghter vessel, please present identification."
I glanced ahead at the moon, and the Rogue pilot in his X-Wing.
What had she gotten me into?
"Um...," I turned to her. "Why don't you finish up here, since you've already started all of this. Get us wherever we were headed. I'll take over when I see fit."
She nodded, stepping forward and clicking on the Communications link.
"Rogue Pilot, can you request permission for us to land?"

 

[Paendragon]

Captain Thandor

"Captain, two ships just dropped out of hyperspace." The Comm officer turned toward him and smiled. "One of them is Rogue nine, sir."

Dar's lips quirked into an almost smile. "Are the ships together, or is the other in pursuit?"

"They appear to be together, sir," the tactical officer said.

"Inform Colonel Darklighter that Rogue nine has returned, and send out clearance for him to land."

 

[Orlanth]

D'Rack Fran'Tok

The Renegade had jumped out of Hyperspace in front of Yavin VI. D'rack hadn't been here for some time now. He was feeling both pleased and sad.

"Sir, we are being requested to identify ourselves, orders?" The Comm-Officer asked as he looked over to D’rack.

“Open up the communication channel.” D”rack ordered as he walked over to the Comm-station.

“Channel open and ready sir.”

“Good.” D’rack in healed a deep breath and let it out as he flicked a switch. “This is Jedi Master D’rack Fran’tok, commanding the Imperial-Class Star Destroyer Renegade. Awaiting your response.”

 

[Call Sign Oracle]

Doprekka looked to his master and gave a simple nod. Moving to his instruction and taking his place to his masters right. Observing in silence for now, keeping hold on the piece of metal in his grasp. He would wait for the questions.*

 

[Dark Warrior]

Daelon

Daelon waited until the Jedi had moved away from Marius before walking up to his friend.
"Marius." Daelon said, his friend turning to face him.
"Daelon..."
Daelon smiled weakly, hoping to avoid the subject which was on his mind, and most likely Marius' as well. "I hear you're going to take the Trials. I always knew you'd get there first." Daelon said with a little chuckle, trying to break the tension between them.
"Well, I came down here to wish you luck, but I guess if you have to wait around, I'd like to stay... I'm sure Kelson wouldn't mind... but then again, you probably want to get yourself prepared."

 

[Orlanth]

D’Rack Fran’Tok

D’Rack had ordered his 2nd in Command of the Renegade to hold position in orbit of Yavin, and keep watch for any unexpected changes.

D’Rack had been given clearance to land, and was on his way to land. D’Rack was alone; the Commander of the Renegade had strongly suggested that at least two High-ranking Storm Troopers went with D’Rack, for his own protection. “I am a Jedi, a Master, I am part of the Jedi Council; I would be protecting the Storm Troopers more then they would me.” D’Rack remembered saying as he was flying the Shuttle through the Clouds.
“Commander, you, and everyone on this ship, and in my fleet are now apart of the Rebellion, and every ship in this fleet is also a part of the Rebellion. As soon as you accept that, the easier it will be to carry on with your orders.”

D’Rack had by will of the force, had managed to over-power Kane, and take command of an Imperial Fleet, and a sector of Coruscant.

D’Rack’s Shuttle emerged out of the Clouds as he approached the landing pad; folding the S-foils he breathed a sigh. “I am back, home.”

The loading ramp smacked the ground of the ground, as D’Rack walked down. Looking to his left, then right; with the wind blowing his Cloak, D’Rack smiled to himself.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

I looked to Daelon, and I could sense that he was uncomfortable. He didn't want to talk about it, and niether did I.
"By now, what I need to know should already be a part of me. Other than that, I doubt I can really prepare. Too much thought about it so close to the trials..." I trailed off. "Just a distraction. I need my mind cleared of all of that. I would greatly appreciate your company, Daelon, to keep my mind occupied. If you would stay that is?"
I looked to him, thinking, you're closer than you seem to believe my friend. A true Jedi at heart, even if not in practice yet.
I knew he had done just as well on Mached V in the battle as I had, if not better. He needed to trust himself more, but I guessed I could understand where he was coming from, especially as I stood there, fighting off the butterflies that threatened my stomach more each second.
I awaited his reply.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Cloud City, Bespin

"Sir," a voice announced behind him.
Darth Vaine turned to face the man who'd entered behind him.
"The...the...item...you've been awaiting has arrived., sir," the man said.
"Excellent. And has it been damaged?"
"No sir, it doesn't appear to have been," the man returned.
"Good," Vaine replied. "Have it taken to the unfreezing chamber."
"Sir," the man began, then paused, having spoken too hastily perhaps. Vaine turned to face him, moving slowly, but meeting his eyes. The man stepped back. He was dressed in plain but formal clothing. A man of importance, but in a mining colony, such men did not dress extravagantly.
"I thought...I thought you were leaving when you recieved this object."
Vaine eyed him, sensed his fear, but respected his attempt at a stand.
"I will be leaving when I see fit. But I will return, Mr. Bennison. As we agreed."
Bennison nodded to him. The man had been a child when Lando had held his own rank. He admired the stories he'd heard about that man as he stood there more than he ever could have imagined.
He nodded to Vaine.
"Take me to see the item, and I pray that it is in perfect condition," Vaine said.
The man turned and led him from the room.

 

[Angelus]

Bal

Bal transmitted his clearance code towards Yavin IV and hoped that they would recognize it. As he sat back in the seat of his chair he suddenly found that he was getting a little cramped in the chair. He looked down at his read-outs and found to his shock that he only had a little fuel left. He flipped on his comm unit, "Control, this is Rogue Nine- you can check my voice identification if you want too but I suggest that you do it quickly as I am extremely low on fuel and if you don't want me to slam into the atmosphere and be destroyed then I am pleading with you to let me land."

He flipped over to the frequency that he had with the freighter that had saved him, "Freighter captain, if you can see that I am going to crash can you please do something to help me."

He moved closer to the moon and looked down at his read-outs again before he noticed a flash on his starboard side and saw a group of Star Destroyers appear out of hyperspace. He shook his head, Oh no..... I just left this party. What is going to happen when I am low on fuel against more than one.

 

[Paendragon]

Master Duu'Raan

Master Duu'Raan bowed to Master Fran'tok as he walked up, then looked up at the giant of a man. "The Masters are waiting in the Council Chamber, D'Rack. My Padawan, has come across some more troubling news that we need to discuss." He gestured toward the chuck of debris Doprekka carried. "I believe you know the way?" He stepped aside to let the other Master enter.

 

[Orlanth]

D'Rack Fran'Tok

D'Rack looked down at Duu'Raan. With a bow, D'Rack speaks. "Duu'Raan, how good it is to see you." D'Rack said with a smile. Looking over his shoulder to his Shuttle, with a sigh, he continued. "Yes, we have a lot to talk about." Looking back at Duu'Raan. "Things have grown more complex then we think."

 

[Angelus]

Bal

Bal looked over at the Star Destroyers, wondering just what was going on and what he was going to do when suddenly his comm unit came to life and a voice came over it. He looked down at it and wondered what was going to happen when the voice of the control come over it and said, "Rogue Nine, this is control. You and the freighter have been given permission to land. You may land on either the Solo or the planet."

Bal looked down at the planet and wondered if he could make it but then he looked over at his read-outs and saw that his fuel level was dangerously low. He looked down at the planet again and knew by the distance between him and it that he wouldn't make it. He then saw the Solo moving closer as it orbited around the moon. Bal smiled as he banked his X-wing towards the large ship.

As he moved closer to the ship he flicked on his comm unit and said, "Solo, this is Lieutenant Bal Isalias of Rogue squadron. I am coming in to land and hope that you have an open area for me."

He flew towards the ship and then flicked the comm unit over to the frequency for the freighter, "Freighter captain, you have permission to land on the planet. I will see you again and congratulate you personally. Until then this is Lieutenant Bal Isalias out."

 

[Paendragon]

"Indeed we do, D'Rack. The Dark Sside cloudsss everything." Duu'Raan, looks up at D'Rack, his reptillian head tilted to one side. "Everything..."

Duu'Raan, while not exceptionally strong in the Force, did have one strength. He would occasionally have flashes of the future. He was in the midst of one now, but it was.... cloudy. And it involved Master Fran'tok.

He saw him in a dark robe, fighting a great evil. What, he could not say, or who. The sense of foreboding was overpowering...

 

[Dark Warrior]

Daelon

Daelon smiled, his mood finally beginning to lighten. "Of course I'll stay. Not alot else to do. It's either down here with you, or up there with Kelson..." Daelon gestured vaguely in the direction of the Hope. "And he's the last person I want to be around now." Daelon finished, wondering exactly why that was. He found a comfortable place to sit, relieved for a moment of rest. He looked around this semi-familiar terrain.
"Yavin IV... it's been a while." Daelon said, his eyes going glazy as he recalled many fond memories of this place. "What I wouldn't do to return to those happy times. When things were so much more innocent." he said, forming the thoughts he had been thinking since their departure from Mached V into words. Daelon looked across at Marius. "But it's the past. We have our futures to look to. What are you going to do... if you pass the Tests?"