Star Wars: Return of the Sith

[Paendragon]

Tynan

The last Stromtrooper hit the ground, and the corridor was again quiet.

He turned back toward the duel, and ran. When he rounded the corner, he saw Marius disappear inside.

Damn. He sued the Force to accelerate, and came to a sliding stop at the door. Raine was down, hurt badly, and Marius was holding his own. Tynan relaxed slightly, and took a step. The Sith was good. Much better than Storm had been, but with the two of them...Then Marius was down. He expected the killing blow, and gathered the Force to him to prevent it... his skin crackled with Dark Side energy.

Surprisingly, the man didn't finish Marius. Instead, he turned slowly toward Tynan. A curious look in his eyes.

"My turn," Tynan whispered, just loud enough to be heard.

The Sith only inclined his head slightly, and brought his blade upward, beckoning Tynan forward.

Tynan calmed himself slightly, letting some of the dark energy bleed out of him. He crossed his two blades in front of him, and stepped slowly toward the other man.

"Who are you?" Tynan asked.

"Your death," came the reply. "unless you'd be willing to join me? They are helpless, after all..."

Tynan spat on the floor in reply.

"Very well, Jedi, if that's what you believe you are. Come to me..."

And go Tynan did. He charged, swinging both blades quickly and in rapid sucession. The Sith stepped backward calmly, his single red blade sliding smoothly back and forth, blocking each attack.

Tynan spun. Once, and again, and again, each time bringing his blades around one after the other to strike first high, then low, then high again. He drove the Sith backward each time, but the man was far from defeated. With a speed Tynan wouldn't have believed, the Dark Lord counterattacked. Tynan had no time to stop his spin, so he continued, calling upon all of his skill to block each thrust as he spun, and stepped backward, until they had returned to where the duel had begun.

Then defense became attack again. Tynan used the same spinning manuver that had been so effective in killing Darth Storm. His first blade knocking the red blade aside, and his second coming around for the killing blow. But the Sith had anticipated. He ducked low under the second blade, letting it slide inches over his head, and thrusts his blade, point first toward Tynan's chest.

The bounty hunter through himself backward, landing on his back, but not before he felt the red blade score his left shoulder. The pain hit him hard.

The Sith was above him then, swinging his blade downward for the killing blow. Tynan pushed the Force again the Sith, as if to throw him backward. The Dark Lord had anticipated this too, and already had himself anchored to the floor using Darkside energy. This time, Tynan had expected it. Instead of using the Force to push the Sith backward, he used it to push himself backward off the Sith. He shot along the floor out from under the enemy, and twisted, so that his left shoulder hit the wall behind him. His lightsaber tumbled out of his left hand, which had already been weak, but was now numb.

He rolled to his feet as quickly as possible, and turned to face the Sith, right hand holding his remaining blade upright before him. The Sith closed on him, a sneer on his face.

"Down to one blade, Jedi."

Tynan didn't answer. The man was good. Maybe too good. It seemed like he only got stronger as the fight went on, while Tynan felt his strength lessen with each thrust and parry.. He pulled more of the Force to him, and felt the crackle of energy. The Sith only smiled wider.

Realization hit Tynan. The Dark side. Was it possible that the Sith was using his owb power against him? Tynan knew that the man obviously knew more about its uses that he... and he had gotten stronger the more dark energy Tynan had pulled to himself. His anger was feeding the Sith!

He took a deep breath, and centered himself, as they circled eachother. Releasing that power went against everything he had believed. Everything he had tried to convince Master Skywalker of. That only by understanding and using the Dark side could one hope to overcome evil. But he knew the gamble was his only chance.As it was, he was losing... and with Raine and Marius hanging in the balance, losing was not an option. So he released his anger, and found his calm center, like Skywalker had taught him, and felt the Dark energy flow out of him. And for the first time, saw uncertainty in his oponents eyes.

But that uncertainty was gon in an instant, behind a scowl. "Lets finish this, Jedi!"

Tynan was calm, and for the first time in a long time, at peace. "Yes," he said sadly. "Lets."

 

[Paendragon]

Captain Dar Thandor

"Commandos ready?" the Captain asked.

"Aye, Captain. Shuttles are loaded, and waiting."

"Launch all squadrons to cover the shuttles. Tell the Reds to stay back in reserve, with the fleet. Then launch shuttles when the fighters are away."

"Aye Captain."

Dar watched his orders being carried out. Now came the difficult part of his plan. He had to look like a sitting duck. He had sent Wraith squadron out when he had first come in-system. The elite covert squadron had been the first to find the Super Star Destroyer sitting on the other side of the sun. They had gotten away clean, without the enemy knowing they had been seen. Which meant that the enemy had no idea that he knew they were there. he would let them believe that.

And if, for whatever reason, the enemy came out from behind that sun, he would call in his little surprise.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Mogo

I slipped into a small cove near a doorway and peered back down the corridor. Orin kept running, holding Luke and hoping the boy wasn't being jarred more than necessary.
The Troopers came into view, seeing the man and boy and slowing to take aim. I took advantage before htey had a chance to attack, killing the first two before they realized what was going on. It was a full scale blaster battle then, as Orin slipped into a cove of his own, lowering Luke to the floor and taking aim along with me.
Two of the Troopers began to retreat, one of them not making it, then the hall was clear of them and four bodies lay motionless where they had just entered.
I started down the corridor, meeting Orin, who'd grabbed Luke again.
"We have to get to the Owl," I said, getting frustrated now.
"We should circle around, now that we know they're behind us. I think they have thier hands too full to strategically chase us," he stated.
It made sense, but it also made sense that the Sith would want the boy again. Choices were limited.
I nodded. "C'mon," I said. "Before he returns with friends."
We hurried through the coridors ahead, making right turns in order to change our direction.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Jedi Master Basaal

They two entered in front of him, carrying the boy with them. He hurried to get there before his old companion could reach them first.
As he entered, he saw the Toydarian that had been on Yavin IV and his companions heading for the Spotted Owl.
"Stop right there," a voice announced, and the Sith, dressed in dark robes stepped from behind a small command transport nearby.
The Toydarian turned, aiming his blaster at the man.
"That won't save you from me," Figgas stated.
He wondered whether letting the child leave with the two would be wise, especially after they'd proven untrustworthy on Yavin earlier.
Better freighters than a Sith his mind suggested.
He agreed.
"Perhaps I might however," he stated, making his presence known to all four of them, walking slowly toward them, his arms at his sides.He stopped next to the Freighters, waving them toward the ship they were headed for, then raised a hand to his mouth, speaking into the communicator he held in it.
"The boy and the Freighters are leaving the hangar," he stated to Beegas through it.
"Copy." Beegas returned.
Figgas sneered after the three as they entered the ship, then shifted his glance back to Basaal.
"Hello, old friend," Basaal stated, pushing back his hood and smiling at Figgas. "Yes, I know you of old..."
Figgas pushed his hood back as well, but did not smile. Instead, he pulled his lightsaber from beneath the cloak.
"Enough talk then?" Basaal asked, pullin ghis cloak free and tossing it aside, then taking hold of his own lightsaber.
Once Figgas' own cloak was removed, leaving the two standing face to favce, ready for battle, the Sith finally smiled.
"That's the Marlik I once knew," Basaal jested, igniting his orange light saber. "I would gladly invite you back into the order, but I fear the council will not look fonly on your deeds. Such a shame..."
Figgas switched on his saber, red light glowing on his graying skin.
"The Jedi order?" Figgas stated, then laughed lightly. "I fear that you haven't quite understood the reality of the changes the galaxy is undergoing. It seems the Jedi Order isn't quite so powerful as its enemies these days Basaal."
The two paced, circling, bodies facing each other without the slightest fail. Air brushed thier bodies, briskly in fact, as the Owl lifted off and headed for the open end of the hangar.
"Perhaps you are right," Basaal returned. "But the Light Side of the Force will not lose it's strength while the Jedi still exist."
Figgas smiled at him, then advanced making a quick slash downward past Basaal, who merely sidestepped, not even bothering to parry.
It was a test swing, not a real attack but a test of how highstrung the enemy was. Basaal was quite calm.
"Ah," Figgas returned. "But they might notexist much longer, old friend. The Dark Side grows ever more powerful, and the glaxy as we speak, loses its faith in the Jedi order. As the Jedi are defeated, the Sith shall come to rule, shall rise to power, as we have in the past. But we shall not leave the Jedi to hide in shadows, like Yoda and Obi-wan Kenobi once did." Figgas shook his head. "No. We shall rule indefinitely, leaving those that oppose us at our feet in a trail of ash. And the Jedi shall fall from grace..."
He advanced again then, a real attack this time, aiming for Basaal's head. Parry then counterattack, but Figgas' grace was too much to deal with already. He was twirling around swinging the blade repeatedly at Basaal, who could only retreat.

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan/Vaine part 2

They circled eachother slowly. Each testing the other with a few quick strikes, and parries.

Then Vaine attacked, his red blade a blur forcing Tynan back, again and again back toward the edge. He could hear the whirring of the fan blades behind him, and feel his heel graze the edge of the platform itself.

He counterattacked quickly, driving the Sith back a few steps, but the dark Lord snarled, and attacked again. Tynan slipped out from the edge and cut high then low, both blocked by the Sith.

They turned slowly again before the Sith attacked once more. Tynan slipped out from the path of Vaine's attack, and swung low, grazing the sleeve of the dark Lords tunic.

A small piece of black cloth fluttered to the ground. Vaine watched it fall. His face contorted in rage.

They had come full circle again, with Tynan's back to the edge.

Vaine snarled and sprung forward, with incredible speed and intensity.

Time seemed to slow for Tynan. He heard a voice from the past, his old Master, in his head.

"This is to be used only against an overly aggressive opponent, otherwise it will leave you wide open, and vulnerable."

Time resumed to normal, as Vaine charged. He swung low, and Tynan blocked, but seemed to be off balance.

Vaine grinned in victory, and charged in, blade held high for the killing blow.

But it never landed.

Tynan fell to one knee and leaned back, away from the Sith, with his blade extended straight out toward Vaine.

The Sith, in his haste to get to the Jedi, impaled himself on the blade of his enemy.

He looked down at it in shock, the blue blade sticking out of his chest, the point no doubt sticking out of his back. He slowly stepped back, and the blade pulled free.

It apeared to have grazed his heart, and from the blodd leaking out of the Siths mouth, a lung as well.

Tynan had no idea how the man was still standing. Tynan stood up slowly, holding his blade toward the Sith, watching with no anger, or triumph. He felt, oddly, sad.

But Vaine was not done.

Tynan felt the Dark side surge, and readied his saber, and the Force to block. But he was thinking only of the Sith himself. He felt it just before it hit him, but not early enough for him to get away. The dark Lord had torn a large part of machinery off the wall and threw it at Tynan. Only Tynans agility had kept him from being swept off the platform into the blades below. He was, however, trapped. And he knew, he was helpless. The one weakness he had with the Force... telekinesis. He could not lift so large an object off of him.

The Sith circled the object, and came near the edge to finish the Jedi. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. He had no need to.

Tynan knew the Sith was dead, he just hadn't fallen yet. He also knw the man intended to take him with him.

The bounty hunter... no, the Jedi felt no regrets. He somehow knew the boy, Luke, would survive this day, and that the galaxy would be free of the evils of another Sith. he felt content with that knowl3edge. He centered himself, and prepared to become one with the Force.

At the last instant, he smiled.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

"You're learning quickly, my young padawan," Raine said, a rare smile that was more a smirk gracing her lips, "But do not try to learn too quickly. Remember this: That which is truly worth learning always takes time."
I bowed, but her meaning didn't sink in entirely. Not then.
"Yes master," I replied, the words more bouncing off than sinking in.
"Marius," her voice had a harshness to it that drew my immediate attention. I glanced to her, surprised. "I mean that. Never forget."
I bowed then, apologetically, and to convey that I truly did understand. i believed I did anyway.
"Marius," she said again.
I raised my head, but she didn't respond.
"Yes, Raine?"
"Marius."
But her lips weren't moving. And I noticed then that her voice wasn't coming from her, but from inside myself somehow.
My heart leapt in my chest. There was something...
Raine.
I remembered then, amidst my memory/dream, where I was and what had happened.
Marius.
I opened my eyes, the scene above me blurring for only a second, then my head began to ache, seeming to tear through my mind itself.
Marius.
I glanced to where Raine lay, her eyes open, but barely and her head turned halfway to face me. But she was looking elsewhere. I followd her glance, not catching sight of them until I heard the large piece of machinery strike the platform around Tynan, pinning him down.
Vaine was pacing around the man, trying to get in front of him, but he appeared weaker, worn down all of a sudden.
How long have they been fighting? I wondered.
My first instinct was to use the Force to try and move the machinery, but with my head aching, my concentration would fail me I was certain.
I kipped up, using the Force as best I could to enhance my speed. My hand flicked out, drawing Raine's saber to it as I moved across the platform toward them.
I ignited it as Vaine raised his saber and began to bring it down toward Tynan.
He saw me out of the corner of his eye, but his injuries were too much for a full reaction. He could merely watch as his saber came down, striking against the one I held.
I glanced down at Tynan, wanting a quick idea of how badly he might be hurt. Oddly, the man was smiling.
I turned my attention back to Vaine, who was turning, attempting to attack, but unable to move with the immense speed and aggression he'd had in our earlier confrontation. I saw as he moved, the blood, moving in a thick stream down his chest from the corners of his mouth. I turned, this time being the one who easily defended. Keep things simple, I remembered Raine telling me early on in my training. Making things dramatic does nothing but display arrogance. Arrogance does not lead to victory. It is not part of a Jedi's lifestyle.
I parried his swing, causing him to lose his balance. he staggered to one side, his guard always up, but never strong now, not with the life seeping from his chest and mouth as we stood facing each other. He caught his balance as his feet neared the edge. He tried a quick attack, but I parried it easily, then knocked his blade toward the ground and slashed at his arm, taking off his hand just above the wrist.
His eyes were glazing over, even as his hand and saber went twirling over the edge. I didn't wait to see if he would fall over on his own. He'd caused too much harm already, and I wanted to know he'd gone to a Jedi's blow.
I raised my foot, kicking upward into the man's chest. His body fell backward forcefully, gravity taking over. I stepped to the edge and watching as it went, facing upward, falling with the arms trailing out behind it, lifeless all the while.
When it hit the fans, all I really could see was the blood and a few pieces of it flipping into the air under the pressure of them moving.
I turned away, satisfied, and loked from Tynan to Raine. Raine's condition couldn't be helped now. She had to be taken for medical attention, but Tynan couldn't be left, and his condition might change with so much pressure weighing on him. I knelt, focusing my attention on the machinery infront of me. Slowly, i traised into the air, then floated to one side, then lowered and came to rest a few feet away from the man.
"Tynan," I began, standing. "Are you alright?"

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

He thought about his answer.

"Yes... I am. My leg is broken though... non-displaced from the feel of it."

He pulled a small bar to him, and tore off some strips from his clothing, weaving them together with the bar to make a splint.

He looked at Marius. "Thank you," he said, sincerely. He then looked at Raine.

"How is she?"

 

[Paendragon]

Darth Moridin

The skirmish had not gone as anticipated. The troops inside the hangar had received re-inforcements, and were holding their own. More than holding their own. He was losing too many men.

Even with his own formidable skills, it would be difficult. And then there were the droids. They had come from everywhere at once. And were still coming. Most of them were antiques, but even those were surprisingly powerful. Even more irritating, his feelings told him the Rebels were not even trying to take the city, but were instead only trying to keep him out of the hangar, which meant that they were after something here, and when they had it, they would take it and retreat. But what was it?

"Order the flanks to press the attack. Have each squad allocate troops to do nothing but lay down cover fire. And watch for those damned droids!"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

"I'm fine," she replied. I glanced over. She'd sat up by then, but she wasn't steady. And she wasn't truly fine, though I was pretty certain she'd live. Her face was breaking out in a heavy sweat, building in various places in droplets then falling down her face, leaving a trail behind them. Her eyes weren't quite focused, leaving her appear half-drunk or greatly confused, like a half-wit.
Shock had set in.
I saw her leg laying a few feet away.
"Grab it if you want," she said. "But I doubt they can reattach it."
She had a point. I grabbed it anyway, and handed it to her, then reached beneath her and lifted her into my arms.
She looked at me for a moment, clearly surprised.
"you've done very well, Marius," she said, barely whispering, but I heard her. Then louder, she added: "And so have you, old friend."
She looked to Tynan, who was getting to his feet, moving slowly but still moving.
"C'mon," I said, looking around until I found my own lightsaber, then drawing it to my hand. "Let's get to the Talon and get the hell out of here."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Basaal vs. Figgas

They'd fought for several minutes, but the man he'd once known as a companion had grown strong to the Dark Side.
"You surprise me, Marlik," Basaal stated, watching the man as they circled one another yet again. "I would have guessed you'd have fallen by now. I always bested you in training..."
"This is no practice duel, Basaal," Figgas growled. "And I will not leave you promising to win the next one. And I think you'll soon learn, I'm full of surprises."
Figgas lunged toward him, allowing him to parry quite easily, then turned and swung again, again to be blocked. Basaal was pleased thus far with his ability to defend the Sith's attacks, however, he was left with only defense, and without an offensive strike soon, the man would make short work of him.
Before he could plan a solid strike, the Sith set him off balance with a quick lunge, then poised one hand to point at the floor and let loose a sudden burst of Force Lightning that struck the floor, then licked up the Jedi Master's legs. Pain streaked through him, but not enough to keep him from seeing the man turning again. It was enough, however, to keep him from seeing that, as the Sith turned, he ignited the other side of his lightsaber.
The blade spun in Figgas' hand as the attack came, the one blade parrying Basaal's own out of the way, while the other spun around, slicing into his chest. He lost hold of his weapon and fell, the Force Lightning then enveloping him, leaving him writhing on the floor of the hangar in pain.
The Sith wasted no time, but quickly advanced, lunging at the Jedi with one side of his saber first, Basaal turned, trying to elude the attack, but managed only to get partway free of his enemy's attack. Figgas' blade sunk into his shoulder, increasing the pain he felt in his upper torso.
He was all but finished, he knew. But he wasn't entirely done just yet.
Figgas seemed to believe otherwise. He switched off both blades and paced around his opponent, grinning arrogantly down at him.
For a moment, Basaal's thoughts returned to his two companions here, Marius and Tynan. Arrogance might be thier weaknesses as well, though he guessed Tynan's might be more in the nature or pride.
Our greatest enemies lie within... he thought, echoing the words of many wise men throughout history.
"And what will you do now?" Figgas asked. "Are they coming to save you? I doubt that. My apprentice has probably made short work of your pathetic Jedi by now."
But Basaal saw otherwise in the man's eyes. He knew then, just by looking at Figgas, that his apprentice had been defeated.
"It seems as though they just may, and I do believe that's fear i see in your eyes, Marlik."
A lie, he knew. Even as marlik, the man had been fearless, for better or for worse.
"Fear? I believe it is you who should be afraid, Basaal," Figgas returned. "As you life is about to end and your companions have little time to save you. It is as I have already said, Basaal. Our time has come, and the time of the Jedi is passing once again. Very soon, it will all be over. Only this time, none will survive to bring the Light back to the galaxy."
He grinned then, stopping before Basaal and igniting one blade of his saber again. He raised the weapon over his head, readying the final strike.
"Ashes to ashes, Basaal."
But Basaal was moving, using all of his strength to get into the air, remembering the story he'd been taught of how Obi-wan had defeated the viscious Darth Maul, a legendary battle.
His own saber leapt to his hand as his feet found the floor and he turned, swinging the weapon toward the man's midsection.
But Figgas was too fast. He caught the weapon in parry, though barely catching it in time. As Basaal's blade flipped into the air, it sliced Figgas' right tentacle and cheek. The man turned, letting the blade continue above his head and counterattacked with a reverse swing.
His blade sank into the man's neck, sending his head from his body. It vanished into the air as his robes fell lifelessly to the ground.
Examining the wound on his face Figgas whispered, though in anger this time, "And the Jedi..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

"...shall fall from grace," Raine said.
"What is talking about?" Tynan asked. I hadn't thought she'd spoken loud enough for him to hear.
"It doesn't matter," I replied. "We'll ask her later."
Storm Troopers were lined up at one end of the hall as the doors to the turbolift opened. Blaster fire flew back and forth in front of us.
I looked to Tynan, who was in no condition to go charging out into the middle of a battle. I lowered Raine to the floor and took hold of my lightsaber.
"Give me one second," I stated, then ignited the weapon and stepped out, defletcting rounds back at the Troopers.
With my added help, the rebels behind me, led by Leroy Calrissian, charged forward, driving the Troopesrs into the hall behind them withina few quick seconds.
Leroy ran up to me, smiling, relieved.
"Another Jedi..." He muttered.
"N," I replied. "Three of us, but these two are injured. We'll need help getting to the hangar."
"That's where we're headed anyway," Leroy replied. "I've already givne the evacuation order to all those who wish to escape the City. We're getting out of here, and now."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius - fifteen minutes later...

We reached the hangar, running into a few groups of storm Troopers here and there, but managing to get where we were going with minimal casualties.
As we entered, the first thing we noticed was that the place was almost entirely barren, no life anywhere. In the center of the room, however, lay the garments of a Jedi, plain robes laying in a puddle, sliced in a few places.
"Who?" Leroy asked.
"I...Master Basaal?" I wondered aloud, disbelieving.
Lying atop the clothes lay a familiar pendant. That which he'd worn everyday he'd taught at the academy. A sign of peace from some distant world he'd once visited.
"It must have been..." But I didn't know how to finish, how to say that the man who'd killed him must have been so very skilled.
"Another time," Tynan insisted.
He was right.
"Which way?" I asked. "There aren't enough ships here to carry us all, and those that are here, don't appear to be armed well enough to defend us once we get into space."
"Where to?" Leroy asked.
"The other hangar," i replied.
"It's under attack..."
"Then we'll need a back way in, if there is one," I replied.
He thought for a moment.
"The ventillation system," he said finally. "We can get in that way."
He led us into the hall outside the hangar, then through a large grate in the wall. Within minutes, we'd reached the same vent that Basaal had exited the hangar not long ago. He hopped down, one at a time, me being careful while holding Raine. Once we were inside, we took shelter behind some of the vessels there.
"Beegas," i shouted.
He hurried over, eyeing Raine and Tynan with distress.
"I hope the other guys look worse than you..."
"Ask him yourself, if you've got the thread to sew him back together," I replied.That brought a brief smile to the man's face.
"It's time to retreat," i told him. "We've lost here, and done all we can to help the others."
Beegas nodded, then hesitated, turning to Tynan. "Oh, and we recieved a transmission from that merchant ship. Seems they've found your young friend."
He went to his troops then.
"Get her aboard the Talon," Tynan said. "She can't fly herself in this condition."
I nodded, then carried her up the ramp and into Tynan's vessel.

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

His heart lifted when he heard that Luke was safe.

He limped after the other Jedi, and some more troops into the Talon, using Jedi pain killing techniques to hide his discomfort. Barely.

He had to step around the two droids who had accompanied them, and slid behind the controls of the cockpit, trusting Marius to ensure the other were all strapped in. It would be a bumpy ride.

He flicked the comm. "Someone get inside the bow turbolaser battery. Lets give the troops cover to get to their shuttles."

"I'm there," answered Marius.

Tynan smiled to himself. He liked the kid... and owed him a debt.

He lifted the ship off the ground, and activated the shields, then moved the ship near the opening to the hangar.

"Shoot anything Imperial."

At that, the laser opened up, spraying the surrounding buildings with fire.

The Rebel troops broke for the shuttles, some carrying wounded over their backs.

He waited for the signal, that all troops were away. It came a few minutes later.

 

[Paendragon]

Darth Moridin

"No," he snarled.

Without the cover fire coming from the hangar, he would have made short work of the ancient droid covering the opening. Now that only the single ship fired back, he could.

He reached out with the Force, and lifted the hulking piece of machinery off of the ground, and sent it moving toward the ship, using it own shields against it.

Once the droid was positioned in front of the ships turbolaser, he stepped out from behind the building.

"Fire!" he called out. "Everything you have!"

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

He felt the pull of the Force before he saw the effect. And was shocked that the droid lifted off into the air. Then he saw the man. He hit the recorder he kept of the bridge and aimed it tight at the Sith who stood there.

Then the ship was being buffetted with blaster fire. The shields were holding, for now, but he still struggled to keep them airborne.

"Tynan, I think maybe..." Marius began.

"I'm one step ahead of you," he answered, ans he puled hard on the yoke, twisting the ship tightly in the small hangar.

He hit the thrusters, and followed the shuttles out though the rear hangar entrance. They circled below the city, and lowerd into the clouds for cover.

Minutes later, they broke from the planets atmosphere, and ran into an escort of X-wings.

"This is Colonel Darklighter. Head straight for the Solo. Captain Thandor has already given order to get the ship ready to leave."

He answered in the affirmative, and headed straight for the battleship. But his mind was on the large Sith near the hangar.

 

[Paendragon]

Tynan

Several hours later found the ship in hyperspace. He downloaded the image of the Sith from his ship, and had shown it to both Raine and Marius. Neither of had recognised him. Granted, there was still a small chance that he was an ex-Jedi, but Tynan didn't think so. Then where had he come from?

His hover chair moved toward the bow obseration deck onboard the medical frigate he and Raine had been taken to. His leg was still wrapped in a bacta-boot, a small portable version of the healing bacta tank. Luke, who he had been reunited with due to the merchant ship docking with the fleet, was now asleep in their quarters.

He was surprised to find Marius there. He had already given the man his thanks for saving his life.

Marius greeted him, and he smiled back.

"I understand Raine will be fine."

Marius nodded, and opened his mouth as if to say something, then stopped.

No matter. They would have plenty of time to talk in the future. He had made a decision. Marius might as well be the first to know.

"I'm returning to the order, if the Jedi will have me. And I'm going to ask for permission for Luke to become my Padawan learner."

Marius looked at him, somewhat surprised.

"I think we have a difficult road ahead of us, friend," Tynan continued. His mind went back to the vision given to him of Master Skywalker, warning him of the perilous future of the Jedi, and their need to stand together, or fall. "A very difficult road."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

There was something he wasn't telling me, but that was alright. He was allowed his own thoughts, of course, and if it needed to be shared, I felt fairly certain that he would do so when the time came.
And right then was probably not the best time. We'd survived, afterall, and that was the important thing. And in the process, we'd learned much. That our new enemies were not to be underestimated, that those that are closest to us were the ones we would need to rely most greatly on. Now, to keep these people near, in our thoughts and otherwise, that was the next step.
"The jedi order has lost a great leader in Basaal, but I believe it is gaining a great knight in your return. Things might almost balance out."
"They may," a voice announced from behind us.
I turned to see Raine walking toward us, moving fairly well on her new appendage. The sleeve of her pants missing, I could see the whole works. The artificial limb had been implanted directly into her body system, and through the transparent casing, i could see the wire "tendons" and metal "bones" shifting and pulling as she walked. She was doing quite well with it, but still limping awkwardly, disoriented and still in some pain I was sure.
"But our enemies have made themselves known. And why is that, Marius?" She asked.
"Because they wished to be known, master."
"Raine, not master," she corrected. "You're a Jedi in your own right now, Marius. And your answer is correct. The question is, how many enemies do not wish to be known, and where are they hiding?"
"And what do we do about them when we find them?" I added.
She nodded, stopping between Tynan and myself and looking from one to the other.
I thought for a moment, debating whether to ask, then decided it best.
"There's one more question, though. Dietre...?" I asked. This gained Raine's attention. "I know that name, but..."
"Much has happened lately," she replied, "And your memory is distracted. Besides, it was not only the name which drew your attention, was it?"
I shook my head, realizing her point. The Force had told me, given way to the familiarity that had impulsed this question.
"Dietre was a padawan learner a few years back," she explained, "But he disappeared along with his master and have not been heard from since. Until today that is..."
"A few years ago..." I thought aloud, then it struck me. I glanced up as if I'd been slapped. She merely nodded gravely.
"Then, the other...the one that killed Master Basaal? That might be?" I asked.
Again she nodded. "It was him. My Master Marlik; alive and well, but no longer our friend. And we have much to worry about, between him and the other that was one board. Tynan was right, young one, a very rough road lies ahead..." She held her hands out, one to either side, one for each of us to take hold of. "...and we must face it together."
I nodded, not realizing how closely what she said met what Tynan had been thinking earlier.
A new day had begun for the Jedi, and it had brought with it a new challenge. A war that only the strongest would survive.
I looked to Raine, then over her head at Tynan. Together was right. For better or worse. And hopefully, the Force would be with us.

 

[Orlanth]

The End.

Pease Stay Turned for Star Wars: Episode VIII: The New Threat.