The Hunt for the Sith Hunter

[Flamehart]

Craig agreed, "I've heard the phrase before. That's why I use my handguns instead of traditional blasters. Bullets travel much faster than laser blasts, so my chance of missing even if I do slip up is substantially lower."

 

He turned to Caitlin, "So, would you like it if after all this I made a trip to the New Jedi Order and introduced the man behind the mask of those records? I really wouldn't mind, and I'm sure the younger pupils'd love a demonstration. Besides, I kind of want to see about offering to help out the New Jedi Order with some things," he said with a slight smile. He was being genuine about this, and a part of him still wanted to have something to do with the Jedi Order after hearing about this, despite all his years of trying to distance himself from it.

[Curt-Man]

"Depends on your gun." Curt said as he raised his single blaster pistol. "I made this myself, its one of the fastest guns, i can't say thee fastest because i really don't know whats out there. Not only is it fast, but it packs a punch, this thing can put a hole in plasteel." Curt said proudly.

[Flamehart]

Craig drew out his handgun, spinning it before catching it by the barrel and handing it to Curt with the handle facing him. "My custom pistols. Fires .50 calibur or .45 bullets. They pierce most armors rather well, because nowadays people concentrate more on making armors and such resistent to blaster bolts, they don't take into consideration the hard impact of projectile weapons as much anymore."

[Curt-Man]

"A very nice gun indeed, my very first pistol was one of those old six shooters, man was I good with that. But of course being a teen and having money to burn, blasters being all hip and whatnot i bought one, then getting connections in the mercenary life, and becoming one myself I just decided to get the best I could."

[Flamehart]

Craig grinned, "Yeah. The most hip thing I have is my lightsaber, and even then it's outdated with all those upgrades you can get. I just figure it does exactly what a lightsaber should do - cut things like a hot knife on butter, so I don't have any need to upgrade my hilt with a buncha extra features." He took his handgun back when Curt was done examining it. "As I said though, current armor and metal manufacturers don't take into consideration of the impact and power of projectile weapons anymore, so a regular bullet pistol can come into handy even more than a blaster sometimes," He said, "On top of that...how many Jedi do you know can swing their lightsabers fast enough to deflect bullets flying at their head?" he added with a grin. He holstered both his pistols, then pulled out a Colt .45 revolver, handing it to Curt. "I used to use a revolver, wasn't satisfied with only six shots though. You can have it if you want." He offered, pulling out two cases of bullets for it as well.

[Writer]

Riebe activated both sabers, ready to fight the two Sith that came at her. They attacked together and Riebe flipped over their heads, lightsabers barely touching those of the Sith. The fight continued and seemed more of a dance than a fight. Riebe led the Sith further away from her speeder bike, tiring them out.

 

------------------------------

 

Caitlin smiled. "I'm sure the New Jedi Order would love to welcome a visit from Strider Flamehart."

 

The ship landed on Naboo and they were met by a protocol droid.

 

"I have been ordered to lead you to a place to stay," the droid said. "It is late and you must be tired."

 

"Yes, thank you," Caitlin said. She turned to the others. "We can continue our hunt in the morning."

 

"I'm glad of that," Erica said sleepily.

 

"Me too," Nadira mumbled. She sighed.

 

"I wonder what Riebe's doing right now?" Caitlin wondered aloud.

 

"Probably laughing at our attempts to find her," Nadira grumbled. "It makes me wonder if she even wants to be found."

 

"We'll find her," Caitlin reassured her. "She's out there somewhere."

 

When they were led to their rooms, Erica and Nadira collapsed on the beds immediately and Caitlin wasn't long in doing the same.

 

As Caitlin drifted off to sleep, she murmured, "Where are you?"

[Curt-Man]

"Yeah sure I'll take it, I used to be able to reload a six shooter so fast that peopel thought I was usuing a clip loading pistol. Lets see if I still got it." Curt took out the bullets, held the gun up, then in a blur curt opened the gun, loaded the bullets and almost fired one off.

"Hmm, not as fast as I used to be."

[Flamehart]

Craig couldn't sleep. He was sitting quietly on his bed, pondering over his past, present, and future. He couldn't be a mercenary anymore no matter how much he wanted to. He was beginning to move back towards his Force training and less on his instincts, and began to take more jobs for generosity than for pay. He began contemplating going back to being Strider, but he knew he couldn't ever truly put aside his fighting style, so the Jedi would have to come to terms with his drastically different fighting styles. He would think about it, he told himself. For now, he needed to focus his efforts on finding Riebe. He sighed, trying to sense where she would be. He couldn't imagine anywhere he hadn't been with Riebe that she would go that he wouldn't know about. "Had Riebe discovered any trace of me left behind when I vanished?" He wondered. He couldn't remember leaving anything behind...his old red cloak maybe in the Sith temple in Korriban when it was almost shredded to uselessness in a lightsaber duel...the shredded metal of an old katana he once wielded that lay next to it. "If she thinks me dead..will she believe I'm with them trying to find her..?" He wondered again. He sighed and lied back in his bed, letting his thoughts drift as he fell into a light sleep.

[Curt-Man]

Curt always slept fully dressed. He waited until everyone had fallen asleep, then he got up and snuk out the window. He walked down a street and saw moving shadows, he knew who they were and that they were about to strike. But he had to lead them away from the others, no matter how powerful they may be, he wanted them all to live, after all, a victory with death on your side is no victory at all.

[Flamehart]

An echoing noise was heard in Craig's head, like the Force beckoning him to awaken from his light slumber. Either that, or his "sixth sense" was kicking in. Craig was up in an instant.

 

Moments later, Curt felt a hand rest lightly on his shoulder. "Shall we?" muttered a low voice. Craig looked at Curt. "You are as fatigued as myself. You wouldn't be able to take them on your own without injuring yourself further. I'll lend you a hand." He offered.

[jokemaster]

The sith fought hard, and tired fast. Soon one started slowing down. Meanwhile Roma and Martins worked on the other sith, Roma leading him in, then Martins suddenly opening fire. At first the sith blocked both easily, but suddenly when Martins was supposed to fire, Roma stabbed instead. The sith fell.

 

The leader saw that they were losing and ran away from the canyon. They could hear the sound of a speeder engine, he was heading back to his base.

[Curt-Man]

"Ah bloody hell did you hafta come- watch out, two form the left, one form behind and three from 2 o'clock." Curt said then wipped out his pistol and fired off three shots, three thuds were heard. but then the other three came out, guns blazing and swords flurrying. Curt whipped out a vibro daggar and blocked the one blade while shooting another guy in the arm. Curt sidestepped and parried another blow and stabbed the guy in the chest, two left. They stood back, then one ran while the other circled them. Curt fired off the last 2 shots in the revolver, missing both shots the man lunged at them.

 

((feel free to take him out.))

[Writer]

A green lightsaber found its way through the back of the attacking man and he collapsed with a cry of pain. The lightsaber lit up the face of a young girl... about seventeen years of age. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail and she looked at Curt and Craig inquisitively.

 

"Alyssa!" a voice called. The girl half-turned as the man approached her. He was Luke Skywalker. "Please try not to run off like that."

 

"Sorry, Master Skywalker," Alyssa said, staring at the ground. "I sensed a fight and wanted to help."

 

"From what I see, you did just fine," Luke said with a small smile. "Go back and rejoin the others. I'll be along in a minute."

 

The girl nodded and ran off. Luke turned to Curt and Craig.

 

"Are both of you alright?" he asked. Before they could answer, Caitlin joined them.

 

"Skywalker?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

 

"Field trip," Luke explained with a smile. "We're showing the kids other parts of the galaxy. Alyssa Renolin ran off..."

 

"Again?" Caitlin sighed. Luke grinned.

 

"And played a part in combat..."

 

"Again?" Caitlin groaned. "Somebody really needs to settle her down."

 

"We try to," Luke answered. "But she must have some sort of attention span disorder."

 

"Meaning a lack of one?" Caitlin asked. Luke shrugged.

 

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

 

"Hunting for Riebe," Caitlin answered. Luke grinned.

 

"Normally it's the student that runs from the master," he said. "And the master hunts for the student."

 

"What's that mean for us then?" Caitlin wondered. "That Riebe's immature or that I'm too mature for my own good?"

 

"I don't know," Luke answered. "What I do know is that Alyssa will be drawn to your group. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up with you rather than with us. If she does, please contact me. I won't make her rejoin us, but I want to know she hasn't gotten herself into serious trouble."

 

"She's not that type, Luke," Caitlin chuckled. "But I'll let you know when she joins our party." She laughed. "It'll throw Riebe's AI for a loop. Alyssa won't know anything about Riebe or the Sith Hunters..." She stared at Luke thoughtfully. "What about Strider Flamehart? How much does she know of him?"

 

"As much as we do," Luke answered. "She's determined to defeat his records. Why do you ask?"

 

((Flamehart, now's as good a time as any for Craig to introduce himself ))

[Curt-Man]

"Great more jedi..." Curt mumbled. "Oh by the way, more highly trained and experience fighters and assasins will be coming soon, and I wouldn't like to be out in the open street when they get here, so if you please, lets have a tea party somewhere else."

[Flamehart]

Craig had been in the shadows most of this part, and his handguns were slowly holstering. Every body that Curt had fired a bullet into, he had as well at the same time, and Curt apparently hadn't noticed. Now he stepped forward in view, and bowed lightly, "Master Skywalker, a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I've heard some many things about your deeds in the galaxy," he said with respect in his voice. He held out a hand to Luke and said with an interested tone, "I've been intending to meet you once I finished helping track down Riebe with these companions.." He then said his introduction, "I'm Strider Flamehart, a companion of these fine people, a former Sith Hunter, and the former Jedi who set those records."

 

He continued regarding hearing about the records, "I find it interesting to hear what the students have been up to with the old records you've uncovered. If you would allow it, I would personally like to visit the New Jedi Order and its students after I'm through with this mission, if you would allow it. I personally am interested in the development of their skills. On top of this, I've been turning over the idea of seeking redemption and returning to the Jedi Order, and I was curious if you would permit it."

[Writer]

Luke's eyes widened as he realized he was talking to a legend. "You would be welcomed with astonishment and disbelief," he said. "Those records were set something like two thousand years ago. But once that had passed, the New Jedi Order, masters and children alike would be eager to learn from you."

 

"I am partially amazed that you react to it so calmly," Caitlin laughed. Luke smiled.

 

"But I know Riebe Sothe," he said. "And she is older than she seems... and older than she would have others believe."

 

He turned to Craig. "As for what you said about the students' interest in your records, you'll have a chance to meet your biggest fan... and the closest of the students to beating your records sooner than the end of your quest. Alyssa Renolin will be sure to sneak away..."

 

"Perhaps she would take council better from a man she respects more than a little," Caitlin suggested. Luke nodded.

 

"As for what your other companion said," he went on. "I had better get back to the students and you had better get some rest."

 

------------------------------------------

 

Meanwhile, Riebe was momentarily surprised at the sudden flight of the Sith and covered the distance to her speeder bike in a giant leap. "We have to catch him!" she called. "He might have information about our mysterious Jedi."

 

With that, she sped after him.

 

((My plan is for Alyssa to join us, listen to Craig partially, but be strangely drawn to Riebe when we find her. ))

[Flamehart]

Craig chuckled, "I was probably no older than 16 or so when I made those records. If I went now, I could probably blow them away, but I figure I might as well give the kids a fighting chance right?" He said with a grin. He bowed again to Skywalker, "I would be honored to stand before the New Jedi Order, and if Alyssa somehow ends up in our quest, I will counsel her to my best ability, and, rest assured, I shall keep her safe."

 

He continued on, "But alas, you are right, we have gone long without sleep and I could use some rest, but if she wishes to speak with me, the better idea would have her practice patience and wait until I return from this quest. If she can't and ends up in my care, as I said, I shall protect her," he finished, then bowed to Skywalker. "It was an honor meeting you. Good night Master Skywalker." With that, he started to head back inside the hotel, wanting to get some more sleep before morning.

 

((Oh yeah, I don't know if you noticed Wildjedi, but I mentioned Strider had left behind his old cloak and a tattered sword on Korriban in a Sith temple somewhere, so whether or not you choose to have Riebe stumble upon them later or not is your decision, I just thought I'd throw it out there, considering she thinks hes dead too.))

[Writer]

((Caught it and was planning on working it in ))

 

Morning came on Naboo and Caitlin awoke with the sun. She quickly woke Erica and Nadira and went to see if Craig and Curt were awake.

 

"Come on, gentlemen," she said. "It's time to get moving again."

 

 

Alyssa Renolin listened from around a corner...

[Curt-Man]

Curt was sitting reading.

"I've been awake for a while." Curt said as he closed the book and put it back on the shelf. "Lets get moving shall we?"

[Flamehart]

((Ah ok cool, thanks for the heads up))

 

Craig looked up, "Very well, ladies," he said with a grin. He was leaned against the wall, finishing the cleaning process on his pistol, and had just holstered it. He could sense Alyssa's presence, but made made no mention of it.

 

He turned to the Jedi of the group and said, "What would you all think if I decided to return to the Order after this mission? I'm not doing it to show off my records, I just think my mercenary days have been far behind me, and I'm not going into retirement, so redemption and going back to the best thing I was good at was the only thing I could think of. I really would like to help the development of the Order." His tone was sincere, and he seemed pretty sure of his decision already, having slept on it. He even added, "I'm even considering changing my name to my old one, Strider, just for old time's sake."

[Writer]

"The New Jedi Order could use a good instructor," Caitlin answered. Erica agreed.

 

"Old Order trained Jedi are rare now," she said. "The New Jedi Order has adopted a looser training style... they would welcome your experience."

 

The group left the building and followed Nadira as she led them where the map said to go. They stopped at the waterfall by the palace and Nadira frowned.

 

"It says to go down," she said, staring down the waterfall.

[Curt-Man]

"Fun." Curt said as he backed up, then ran and hopped over the rail and down the waterfall splashing into the water below.

[jokemaster]

Roma and Martins rode off after Riebe, yelling at her to stop or slow down. The sith meanwhile rode fast. All of a sudden he turned into a temple, and disappeared.

[Flamehart]

Craig nodded, and decided for now he would push back the thought until this mission was over. Upon seeing the waterfall, Craig moved his hand inside his cloak, pulling out a rope, and looked over at the women. "Anyone up for a rappel? I mean I can simply just jump, but I'd be willing to help any of you three down if you'd rather not." he offered politely, not at all trying to be condescending in any way.

[Curt-Man]

Curt surfaced and yelled "C'MON YA WUSSIES! JUMP!"