The Duel: A Legacy of the Force Story

[CSI]

Ah, Revan. That's the true Sith teaching. Betrayal. Passion. Emotion. Rage. Hatred. Pain.

[Emperor Devon]

And subtlety without needless force. He used it well.

[CSI]

Well...Are you working on your next RP?

[Emperor Devon]

Until Jae or Tysy post something, no.

 

I think we'll all be waiting on my nemesis, though... She was vague, but said that her chapter would be posted tonight and that I'll be amused.

[Tysyacha]

"A soft yet twisted juxtaposition of a robe is what I'd like to wear," said

Tysy, "made out of black and white material. Soft and silken, but not so

much that it sticks to me whenever I sweat during combat." She smiled.

[Emperor Devon]

Devon nodded. "It shall be manufactured soon. Come. To my mediation chamber."

[The Source]

Arriving on Vryss 6,000 years in the past, the smuggling vessel Dark Horizon started its descent. Landing struts lowered from the vessel's bottom, and it's engines started to power down. For a brief moment, the vessel hovered in place, and then it proceeded to lower itself to the ground. As the landing struts hit the dry surface, dust particles defied the nature of gravity, and moved freely within the air. With a slight bounce to its shocks, the Dark Horizon found its mark upon the surface. Once the vessel fell silent, the main entry ramp started to open, and its mechanical gears echoed in the dead silence. Hitting the surface with a thud, the ramp scattered more dust into the air. At the top of the ramp, the inside light created a robed-silhouette figure. Small flickers of red sparks fell from the silhouette, and lines of smoke lingured around the stranger's head. While remaining in place, the hidden stranger's facial features ocassionally light up, and revealed his dark brown retnas. With the movement of one hand and arm, the stranger summonsed an object from behind him, and then attatched it to his belt clip. While placing his hood over his head, the stranger took his first step forward. As each of his steps hit the ramp, they echoed from within the shell of the vessel. As he remained hidden within his hood, the stranger scanned the unknown planet's surface.

 

"I need to find some supplies," Magnerous thought, "Maybe the locals will have something of use." As Magnerous walked away from the Dark Horizon, the entry ramp slowly started to close. With a quick flick of a finger, Magnerous tossed the remains of his cigar, and then he continued towards a large ancient temple. "This place feals familar," he thought. "Something dark and familar."

 

Once he arrived at the tample, Magnerous could sense the precense of two dark figures. Stretching out to the Force, Magnerous tried to sense where they were hidden. Resisting to use the Force for years has paid its toll, and has made him slightly vulnerable to others who are in tune. "If I don't do something quickly," he thought, "I won't have time to react." Keeping his hands in the inner portion of his robe, Magnerous flipped a clip, and then a small round object hit the ground. As he took steps torwards the temple door, Magnerous released four other objects from underneath the robe. Without pulling attention to himself, Magnerous made a quick hand guesture, and used the Force to bury the round objects. Upon arriving at the temple door, two Dark Jedi jumped out from behind him. Turning his head around slightly, Magnerous spoke, "I woudn't move any closer."

 

Without giving a response, the two Dark Jedi raced torwards the invader. Magnerous made another hand gesture, the ground errupted with a series of explosions, and they killed one of the Sith instantly. As the other Sith fell back, Magnerous summonsed an object off his belt, and with a quick series of bolts he killed the attacker. "Great," Magnerous thought, "I landed on a Sith planet."

 

While clipping the blaster to his belt, he scanned the temple door's surface. Ancient hydroglyphics were engraved into the stone, but Magnerous could not deciefer their meaning. One of the symbols felt familiar to him, but he could not remember where he had seen it before. "Interesting," Magnerous thought while lighting up another cigar. "Interesting indeed."

 

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

 

I am going to make it hard for you Devon.

 

I will send my stats to everyone in the morning.

 

More coming tomorrow.

 

P.S. I will check my grammar later.

[Emperor Devon]

Hey Mac, great to see you posting a chapter.

 

There's three things that need fixing, though. Vryss is a wet and dark planet. It also had no people or life on it before Devon went there. But if that's important to your chapters we can certainly change it.

[The Source]

Hey Mac, great to see you posting a chapter.

 

There's three things that need fixing, though. Vryss is a wet and dark planet. It also had no people or life on it before Devon went there. But if that's important to your chapters we can certainly change it.

Lol... How about the eastern hemisphere is wet, dark, and lifeless. The western hemisphere is dry, hot, and has a few lifeforms.

 

I believe you are 6,000 years into the future. Lol... I am 6,000 years in the past.

[Emperor Devon]

If it works with you, sure.

[The Source]

As his hand dragged across the stone door, Magnerous pressed a series of seven hydroglyphics inward. Each key snapped into place, and the door started to rumble to life. Stones scratched together, the ground shook, and the temple door started to slide upwards. Magnerous couldn't figure out what had happened. As if he had been here before, Magnerous drew the key-sequence from memory.

 

Once the door was fully open, Magnerous pulled his hood forward, closed his robes, and proceeded into the temple. After taking several steps inside, the door slowly descended into a close position, light was cut off, and the sound of air pressure sealed the temple.

 

Stretching out to the Force, Magnerous tried to sence the presence of other lifeforms. Being reminded of his out of practice state, his attempt to utilize the Force failed. Magnerous found himself looking down a long corridor, which was being illuminated by several wall torches. Cautiously, he started to walk down the corridor.

[CSI]

I want to, but I just don't know when to start.

[Jae Onasi]

Jolee watched the attack. It was successful. Very successful. Too successful...how could I have missed that, now? He called out to the other masters, “It’s one of those damn Sith illusions. Break off—it’s a trap!”

 

The masters flew back along the time conduit to prepare for the inevitable attack.

 

“Illusion, eh? Two can play that game,” Jolee muttered. He turned to the other masters as they returned to their time, and waving his hands a bit, projected an image of himself. “Make an avatar of yourself for Devon to attack. Let the illusion take the dark energy and feel the damage. The more real your picture is, the less likely the attack will break through to you. Now, folks—I feel him coming.”

 

Talin saw Jae kneeling, meditating, and ran to her. “Jae! What are you doing? We’re about to get attacked!”

 

Jae blinked a moment and focused on him. “Tysy’s not safe. He’s already sent her the holocron of Traya, and she believes him. I may have failed already to keep her on the path of light.” She put her head down in her hands, fighting the fatigue and sadness.

 

Talin kneeled down next to her, pulling her gently to him. “It’s never too late for anyone. We’ll find a way. Now, we need to build our illusions before Devon comes.”

 

They created their projections. Jae saw two of everyone, some of the avatars more real than others. Jolee’s illusion was so life-like that Jae wouldn’t have known which one was real if it hadn’t been for the image grinning like an idiot instead of having Jolee’s more normal sardonic look that always hinted at the amusement he saw in the world around him.

 

Devon’s anger was fierce, and the raw power of the attack crashed down on Talin and Jae’s illusions. Jae started to shake from the effort of holding the details of the image in place as it shrieked and shuddered, taking the damage in place of the Jedi. The sweat made lines on Talin’s face as he fought to keep his avatar from being crushed under the brutal attack. Jae linked with Talin’s mind instinctively, and their combined strength multiplied their power. The illusions held. It was some minutes before the Sith Lord finally appeared satisfied with his ‘lesson’ and ceased the attack. The time conduit collapsed, and the room was silent as the Jedi breathed deeply and regained their strength.

 

“Everyone alright?” Master Vrook asked, looking at every Jedi with a critical eye for any possible damage. Visas, Kavar, and Jolee all nodded back. Kavar moved to assist Supat, who was leaning back in a chair, pain shadowing his eyes.

 

Jolee looked over at the couple and saw them facing each other as they both kneeled, foreheads touching, her hands resting on either side of Talin’s head as she healed them both of their minor injuries. When he took her hands in his and kissed her forehead, Jolee announced, “Looks like they’re both fine, too. And Jae, while the lovely tableau Talin and you are creating is very inspiring for a romance holovid, you’re going to make Vrook even more sour than he normally is. I think Kavar could use some help tending to Supat, too.”

 

Jae got up, noting that Vrook did not appear quite as annoyed as he normally might be at her contact with Talin. She walked over to see about the Ithorian’s injuries. Placing her hands on his head, she sent her healing force through him. “I saw him attack you, Master Supat. I didn’t think you could heal from the attacks so quickly, however. Your vision is OK?”

 

Supat closed his eyes for a few moments as the relief from the healing flooded through him. Then he looked up at Jae and smiled wanly. “He forgot one thing. His attack only affects peripheral nerves.”

 

“And retinas are created from central nervous tissue, not peripheral, so the attack there was ineffective,” Jae smiled. Then she became sober once more. “I don’t think we’ll have the same fortune next time. He strikes me as one who hates making mistakes.”

 

“We cannot underestimate him, indeed. However, it is unwise to allow fear of his power to rule us. Everyone has their weaknesses. His most obvious one is the illness that rots his physical being. I will have to research that one more, but the methods of his attack and my experience in his presence have narrowed the field of possible diseases considerably.”

 

“You need to rest before you do that research, Master Supat. Healer’s orders,” Jae admonished, but her wink lightened the mood.

 

Supat patted her hand. “I’ll rest, but there’s much work that needs to be done.”

 

“Come on, old friend, let’s take you to your quarters,” Vrook said as he helped Supat up. “Between Kavar, Visas, and me, we’ll make sure you follow those Healer’s orders.” The four masters left the Council chambers.

 

Jolee looked over at Jae and Talin. “We need to go to the Eloni cantina.”

 

“It’s a little early for a Ryloth beer, don’t you think?” Jae said, dryly.

 

Jolee shook his head. “It’s never too early for a Ryloth beer. However, that’s not the reason why.”

 

“Jae needs a dancing lesson?” Talin quipped. Jae looked askance at him and whacked him playfully before he captured her hands in his.

 

“Hush, you’re both interrupting,” Jolee chided, though the slight grin that followed gave away his amusement. “Devon contacted me as the attack let up. He’s sending ‘minions’ to attack Mik’oth.”

 

* * *

 

“Oh, my dear friend the Lekku-less Wonder!” cried out Mik’oth when he spied the Jedi trio enter his cantina.

 

“I see you must have been watching ‘Extreme Fashion’ this week, Tail-headed Tornado,” Jolee said as he gave the blue Twi’lek a bear hug.

 

“Stripes are in this season, my old friend. Stripes are in.”

 

“Yeah, but red, yellow and purple all at the same time?”

 

“Pfft. What do you know about fashion, anyway? Always wearing that same boring brown robe. It's so last millenium. Some day I’m going to steal that hideous thing and give you something much more up-to-date. Ah, and my favorite young couple who I brought together.” Mik’oth elbowed Talin slyly. “So, how was the honeymoon? You look far too satisfied to tell me it was anything less than very enjoyable. How was the holovid I sent you?”

 

Jae blushed, and even Talin’s cheeks pinked slightly. “It was, er, very educational. There were some things there that we probably would never have, well, considered.”

 

“Good. Jae deserves to be taken care of properly, don’t you my dear? How did you like the dancer outfit I left for you at your hotel suite?” He gave her a kiss on both cheeks in greeting before hugging both her and Talin.

 

“I’ve given it a special place in our home,” Jae grinned while Talin coughed back a laugh.

 

“Oh, wonderful. I just knew you’d enjoy it. And the fit?” the Twi’lek asked her, winking.

 

“Was perfect in every way,” Talin interjected. Mik’oth looked over at him and smiled broadly.

 

“Oh, does that mean I might have a chance of winning the baby bet?” Mik’oth waggled his eyebrows.

 

“All right, all right, it’s been a very eventful day and Jae doesn’t need to blush any brighter,” Jolee said, shaking his head with a smile. “Let’s find a table, Mik’oth. I have some business that may be a bit urgent.”

 

Mik’oth returned to his more business-like demeanor and found them a secluded table. They settled into their chairs, though the Jedi maintained a certain vigilance. “What’s wrong, Jolee?” he asked.

 

Jolee replied, “We had a battle through time with a Sith Lord today. He’s supposed to be sending some minions of his to attack you. We’re here to stop them. We may need to have you leave for your own safety.”

 

“I have to get my patrons and staff out before I can leave myself,” Mik’oth said. He waved over one of the cantina girls. She listened intently as he gave her instructions. “Darling, put a note on the door that says ‘Closed due to Private Party.’ Have all the staff get the patrons out as quickly as possible, and if something unusual happens before they’re out, get everyone to the nearest exit. Evacuate the staff as soon as we get all these people out. And Li’ella, it’s not a drill.” The corners of her lips dropped as she realized Mik’oth was not joking, and she hurried off to the other staff. Mik’oth went off to greet his patrons and help them find their way out safely, and when he was satisfied that no patrons or staff were in jeopardy, he returned to the table. “OK, Jolee, you’re killing a very profitable night, but I know you’re usually right about these things. What’s next?”

 

“We look for a way to get you out of harm’s way. I think you should come with us to the Temple—we can protect you better there.”

 

“Are you crazy? I’m not going to hide out in some stuffy old building when I have work to do.”

 

The ozone scent of another time conduit filled the cantina, and a dozen walking monsters lumbered out of thin air, followed by 8 more who had not survived the time transfer and were in various states of decomposition when they flopped on the ground. The 3 Jedi and Mik’oth had no time to consider the causes for that. The Jedi ignited their lightsabers and protected Mik’oth as he ran for the bar to find his blaster rifle. The monsters’ small dark eyes looked over the room, and when they saw their prey, they advanced slowly, raising the halberds. One of the monsters’ halberds hit another accidentally, and the injured one collapsed.

 

That fact teased at Jae’s consciousness as they slashed away at the nightmares that flailed at them. Finally, it coalesced into a solid reason. “The halberds—they’re poisoned somehow! One hit and we’re dead!” she shouted over the din of battle, blocking the blows that came crashing down on her from one of the creatures that was 3 times her size. Her arms shuddered under his unnatural strength, and the halberd nearly grazed her face. She allowed the Force to flow more freely, and it bolstered her energy. She pushed back against him while whirling her blade around, and after several chops, succeeded in removing both arms. The monster collapsed to the ground, howling. Jolee and Talin likewise struggled with lightsabers against the thick-hided beasts. Their skin could almost have been made out of cortosis, it took that much effort to breach. Jolee decided on a different tack, and initiated his Force storm power. All but 2 of the monsters howled, dropping their huge weapons and grabbing their heads. Talin closed to take advantage of their incapacitation, while Jae cocked her head to evaluate the attack’s success, and suddenly had the explanation.

 

“Keep up the Force storm, Jolee! They have metal teeth! I’m going after those last 2.”

 

“I don’t have too many shots at this, Jae. It takes a ton of energy.”

 

As she approached, she saw Mik’oth shooting at them while they muttered with a nearly worshipful look and what passed for a smile on their vapid faces, “Must go to blue! Must go to blue!”

 

Jae yelled over to Mik’oth, “Get down behind the bar! They want you because you’re blue!”

 

Mik’oth ducked down out of sight as Jae leaped over the bar to protect him. She saw their look of disappointment as they realized their ‘blue’ was now gone. Their disappointment turned to anger and they started smashing away at tables and chairs to get to the ‘blue.’

 

Jae and Mik’oth hunkered down under the bar and whispered to each other as much as possible over the din of lightsabers crashing against the monsters, tables and chairs breaking, and glass shattering.

 

“Mik’oth, you got anything here that’s blue that I can wear to distract them from you? Shirt? Towel? Jacket? They’re mesmerized by blue.”

 

Mik’oth looked around briefly through some of the drawers tucked under the bar, then got a sheepish look on his face. “Jae, I’ve got only one thing in blue.” He lifted up a dancer’s outfit from the drawer. “It even has tiny blue accent lights.”

 

“Please tell me you’re kidding.”

 

“Jae, we’re being attacked by ungodly creatures. Would I kid at a time like this?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“OK, I might, but it really is the only thing I’ve got.”

 

Jae took the outfit from his hands. “Close your eyes.”

 

“What?”

 

“Close your eyes. I have to get dressed in this darn thing, you can at least give me some privacy.”

 

“Jae, I’ve seen it all, believe me.”

 

“Not mine, thank you.”

 

Mik’oth sighed and closed his eyes. “Someday when we’re not getting attacked by the latest Sith creation, we’re going to have to have a little chat about this prude problem.”

 

She only caught him peeking one time. “The question is if there’s enough material in this thing for the blue to trigger their tiny little brains.”

 

“May I open my eyes now?”

 

“You may.”

 

He reached for a spot on the dancing bra, and when Jae made a move to bat his hand away, he held up a finger to stop her. “Ah-ah. Don’t you slap me. I’m just going to turn on the switch for the lights.” He found the tiny button on the strap and starbursts of blue lights lit up all over the outfit and started flashing.

 

“Mik’oth, this is an absolutely garish costume.”

 

“That’s a lovely compliment. Thank you. You fill it out rather nicely, I might add.”

 

“Just help me get on top of the bar.”

 

“Ooh, nice view.”

 

Jae glared at him.

 

Mik’oth held up his hands. “I quit, I promise I quit, but you look just luscious!” He poked his head up just high enough to see where the creatures were. “Dance around, Jae. I’ll call them.”

 

Jae thought briefly about how ridiculous it was to be dancing on top of a bar in an outfit that left absolutely nothing to the imagination, aqua lightsaber lit in one hand.

 

Mik’oth whistled loudly and called out, “Here, monsters!! Come to the blue!!”

 

One of the misshapen monstrosities turned its head at the sound and saw Jae swaying on the bar. “Blue! Must go to Blue!”

 

“Jae, put some hip into that dancing.”

 

“I’m trying, Mik’oth! They don’t teach Cantina Rat 101 in Jedi school!”

 

“Well, it’s obvious now that they should.” He called out again. “Come on, monsters. Here’s the blue!!”

 

Another of the monsters turned and was mesmerized. They trudged over towards the bar, chanting “Blue! Blue! Must go to Blue!”

Jolee had to stop his Force storm on the remaining 5 briefly to regain strength. They heard the others chanting “Blue!” and followed. Jae found herself with 7 monsters at her feet, all swaying along with her and watching her intently, stupid smiles on their faces. Jolee and Talin looked at each other in disbelief, then walked up behind all of them, spearing through them one by one. Jae noted that it took several times to pierce the thick hides and heavy skeletons, but then Jolee found the location of their hearts, and the two men worked quickly to finish off the rest.

 

Once all the creatures were dead, Talin helped Jae down off the bar. “You look exquisite,” he grinned.

 

“Can I borrow your robe?”

[Tysyacha]

Tysy followed a few hesitant paces behind the Force Presence who had called

her, feeling more nervous by the second. This was wrong. This was dead

wrong, for Meditation Chambers were the places where Jedi became Sith and

Sith either became Jedi or died from the pain that the Light caused them.

I must not fear, she told herself. Not because fear is an automatic

path to the Dark Side, but because This One will sense it and feed upon it.

 

"Welcome to my most private of sanctuaries," announced the Presence.

"This Meditation Chamber is home to me. It is where I can concentrate on

the Force the most and therefore channel it. It is where I focus my power."

 

And where I can focus mine. Tysy suddenly realized that this place

imbued with scarlet light and curling red smoke need not be a death trap.

"It's very nice," she said at first, but then the Padawan remembered this

wasn't a stylish new addition to an apartment on the reborn planet Taris.

"It amazes me," she said, "the atmosphere, the dark energy here. Are you

sure you aren't trying to sway me through some arcane Force power?"

 

"Come now, child," said the Presence, smiling. "True Sith consider it a far

greater victory to convince someone to join them of their own free will."

 

Of course. Darth Sidious, or Palpatine, had used torture. So had

his apprentice, Darth Vader, and the various officers beneath them. Was

it any wonder that the Empire had crumbled so quickly once they both

had died? Even animals rebelled against their masters if their masters

were cruel. Tysy had a thought that this Presence was trying to "kill

her with kindness", as the old Galactic bromide went, but there was

something more to this. Something not yet known to her, and insidious.

 

"What do you wish me to do?" asked Tysy, not calling the Other "Master".

 

"Reach out through the Force. Sense the power here, and the anger. This

anger is not directed against you, young one, or even the Jedi as a whole,

but the Light Side of the Force. The truth of the matter is that no one, as

long as they are not gods and mere mortals, can meet the excruciating

standard of perfection that the Light demands from them. Can you see it?"

 

"I see it," I said, my voice a whisper, "although through a haze, darkly. The

Light Side represents honor, compassion, responsibility, charity. Even though

it makes me feel like more of a person when I do good things, I feel like far

less of one when I fail to do them or make a mistake. It's the mistakes that

I remember. The shame of having to answer to the Masters in the Jedi

Temple when I stole something, or did not get involved when the weak

were about to be oppressed by the strong. I said I was sorry, but still..."

 

"Still, the Jedi did not forgive you. They remembered your mistakes, and

the Masters held them against you in silence when you ventured out to do

your next good deed. Why do you cling to the Light, when it has brought

you nothing but guilt and pain at its core? Shame and agony? If there is

one Master who has ever been completely kind to you besides Skywalker,

then tell me. Name one, and the hold of the Dark Side shall lessen upon you."

 

Silence from Tysy. She sensed the Presence was pleased. I told you.

 

Suddenly, the girl remembered. "Master Onasi! She never condemned, never

judged." Tysy stood up and instinctively fell into the Vaapad stance once more.

 

"Indeed? It is she and her slaves whom I will soon call to account on Vryss."

 

Tysy's heart stopped dead cold. For two seconds, her pulse did not sound.

No! You monster! She sent a frantic message out through the Force:

 

Leave me. Leave me here. Don't try to come and save me. If you do,

this Presence will hunt you, and you will die. Stay where you are. Ya liubliu

tebya--I love you, Master Onasi--and I want you to live and save the galaxy!

[Emperor Devon]

So foolish.

 

Devon stared out across the rain-drenched plains of Vryss. An unusually large storm was brewing in the air, just as one had been created in the Force.

 

The Sith Lord smiled to himself. They fell for the trap perfectly!

 

Oh, the torture session with the 'Council' was useful in how they would underestimate him, but then again, that was all moot.

 

Jae and her friends were on far-off Coruscant. Far away from the planet of those irksome creatures that meddled in time.

 

His Force storm had worked pefectly. Several of his pets had been killed instantly when he sent them on their assassination mission, so Jae would doubt his ability with that power even more.

 

It was so simple. He had ordered a fleet of his ships to Braxis IX. Once there, he had sent them through time. But that was no true credit to his abilites. All he had to do was conjure the storm, and release his hold over it. It soon had grown out of control, and had swallowed up every last ship.

 

But they had survived. His vision was on them right now.

 

Dozens upon dozens of his finest warships were heading to Li'adin right now. Upon arrival, he had given the order for the planet to be turned into space dust.

 

Who will 'save' Tysy now?

 

Of course, this would take time. The space around Li'adin was highly unstable, no doubt a result of generations of time-travelling. It would take time for his ships to be able to launch an orbital bombardment. He couldn't say how long.

 

But not time enough for the Jedi!

 

The Jedi. Where were they? Devon reached out.

 

Ah, there they are.

 

So, his pets had been killed? It was of little consequence. He'd sent another just as stupid batch mere minutes ago.

 

Unfortunately, they were even more faulty than the first. Not only did they have a passion for the color blue, but also for food as well. But that would be for the better. Twelve monsters eating that Twi'lek into poverty would distract the Jedi even longer.

 

Jedi. Such an annoying title. One his prospective apprentice was clinging to like a child's worn-out toy. One that was dirty, and needed to be replaced by something obviously better.

 

Showing signs of rebellion, was she? Devon sighed to himself, and reached out towards his meditation chamber. The Sith holocrons were retracted behind the walls, and replaced with ones the Jedi had made. They had been thought lost during the war with Exar Kun.

 

There. She should be happy with those new toys.

[The Source]

Raw, stale, and decaying air filled his lungs, and it reminded Magnerous about the Sith tombs on Korriban. Smuggling Sith artifacts from around the galaxy was dangerous, and it had cost Magnerous gravely for his youthful naïveness. However, that was another lifetime ago, and now Magnerous was searching for supplies to replenish his reserves. Entering the temple was more of a necessity than a curiosity, and not being in tune with the Force would make this journey even more dangerous.

 

Inching his way forward, Magnerous followed the corridor to a massive chamber, which contained two other passageways. One passage leads to the north, and the other passage stretched out to the west. As he kept himself hidden at the lip of the corridor, Magnerous studied the contents of the room carefully. Along the eastern wall, pieces of a mural could be seen piercing through a layer of webbing. Another two sets of hieroglyphics wrapped around the rim of the ceiling and floor. Torch stands were scattered throughout the room, and they illuminated the area in dim lighting. On the western side of the room, near the passageway, two large and tall statues sit at both ends of a stone tablet.

 

Echoing from the northern passage were voices, and they appeared to be moving towards Magnerous’s direction. Quickly, he moved behind one of the large statues, and waited for the new comers to arrive.

 

---

 

Coming out of the passage were three young Sith students. Along with their traditional gray uniforms, they each had a saber hilt attached to their belts. Stopping in the middle of the room, the three students stood and continued their debate. “Look I am telling you Atrina,” one of the male students spoke, “Master Onasi was definitely betrayed by his apprentice.”

 

Frustrated with Jonas’s interpretation to history, Atrina replied, “I don’t think it was that simple. Lord Tiberius left the Jedi Order because she disagreed with their policy. Her reputation as Dark Lord showed that she was not an ordinary Sith. Lord Tiberius showed compassion for others. ”

 

“Okay, enough of this speculation,” Jonas countered with a slightly disagreeable tone, “I heard rumors that the Onasi family has an heir that lives on today.”

 

Chuckling under her breath, Atrina replied, “Jonas, your full of tall tales.” Shaking her head in a mocking fashion, she added, “Come on. Lor-“ Feeling a slight sensation in the Force, Atrina stopped in mid sentence to observe her surroundings. “Come on. Master Shar sent us here for a reason,” Atrina continued, “This place gives me the creeps.”

 

As they headed towards the western passageway, Atrina picked up another sensation in the Force. “What on Korriban is going on,” she questioned, “I don’t think we are alone.” Scanning the area aimlessly, Atrina couldn’t find where she sensed the intruder.

 

---

 

Approximately four feet from where Atrina was standing, Magnerous could feel the beating of her heart, and the oxygen that was being released from her lungs. “Young this one is,” Magnerous thought, “But very inexperienced.” Stretching out the Force, Magnerous was able to summons enough of the energy field, so he could click on all three-saber hilts at once.

 

With three bright red flashes of light, the sabers cut through the upper leg of all three students. Under the duress of severe pain, the students fell helplessly to the floor. Within moments of their fall, two of the students died from heavy blood loss. Screaming from the intense pain, Atrina rocked back and forth on the floor.

 

Walking out from his hiding place, Magnerous flicked his old cigar, and light up another one to take its place. As he leaned over the last survivor, he spoke with a slight muffle, “If you want to continue breathing, you will tell me what I need to know. Do you understand?”

 

Clenching her leg firmly, Atrina gave a slight nod, and asked with fear reverberating in her voice, “What do you want?”

 

Magnerous tore a portion of her uniform, and wrapped a small tourniquet around her leg. After he slowed her blood loss down, Magnerous leaned her against the base of a statue, and then replied, “I would like to know why you are here? Who sent you, and who does this temple belong to?”

[Tysyacha]

[Ever seen two holocrons argue? You're about to!]

 

In the Meditation Chamber of the Presence, Tysy still had the holocron

of Darth Traya in the pocket of her regulation Jedi-issue nightdress. She

was pleased that the dark hooded figure had offered her Jedi holocrons

while retracting the ones that the Sith created back into the walls. For

now, Traya's was all she needed, all the Dark Side influence she could bear.

 

Tysy took down one of the Jedi holocrons gingerly, glowing light blue in a

pyramid shape. Perhaps setting it down next to the seething red one of

Traya was an unwise move, but up until now, Tysy had believed that

holocron presences kept to themselves and did not interact with other ones.

 

She was about to know how wrong she was when she activated the Jedi one.

 

"Good evening," said the holocron image, a dark-haired female with serious

blue eyes. "My name is Bastila Shan, and I am a Jedi. I sense that I am a

prisoner here, in a Sith Lord's meditation chamber. No matter. I can still

rescue you, if not in body, then in mind and soul. Are you a prisoner as well?"

 

"No," I said. "Not really, madam. I was transported here through time,

because the Presence who uses this chamber needs me. He is dying,

and he needs someone who can follow his teachings and continue them."

 

"Ah. Another Sith Lord. Exactly what this galaxy needs and craves. I'm sorry

if I sound harsh, but this Presence of whom you speak means nothing but

harm to you. He means to turn you to the Dark Side, and I won't have it."

 

The holocron of Traya began to tremble, and it flickered into malignant life

of its own accord. "You won't have it? What about the Padawan? Isn't it

her decision whether she follows the path of the Lght or Dark Side, Jedi?"

 

Bastila's image frowned. "Darth Traya. You're the one who taught my

only Revan, and you were the one who destroyed him. I've had several

thousand years to think about why he left me, and I'm convinced that

your latent teachings caused him to abandon me and the rest of his crew."

 

"My latent teachings? My dear child, my foolish one, you still do not

understand. Revan left for the Unknown Regions without you in order

to make sure that you did not die. He cared for you and Zaalbar, and

Canderous Ordo, and Mission, and the rest aboard the Ebon Hawk.

What kind of a Jedi would he have been had he sacrificed all of you?"

 

"We would not have died. However, we need to get back to the issue

at hand. How is this Sith Lord twisting your mind? Through torture, or

through seemingly kind treatment that has an ulterior motive behind it?"

 

"The second one. However, he's also telling me what I believe is the

truth about the Light Side of the Force. The Light Side demands and

expects perfection from everyone who claims to practice it. I can't

meet this standard, and he says that's why the Light Side causes

nothing but shame and guilt in its followers. I can't argue with that."

 

"Can't you?" said Bastila. "Standards for Jedi are high for a reason.

I know that you've made some mistakes in your life with the Order.

We all have; that's a part of being human. However, you no longer

need to feel shame and guilt when you do wrong. Something has

already forgiven you for them and integrated them into its plan."

 

"What has?"

 

"The Force. It has a destiny for you, a grand design for your future."

 

This made Darth Traya laugh. "Indeed. It wants to use you, to control

you to achieve some measure of balance. This is what I fought against,

why I tried to destroy the Force through the wounds of the Jedi Exile.

Would you be a slave to this Force, young one, or would you rather

control it? Use it as a weapon, an ally in your crusade against Light?"

 

"I don't know if I want to fight a crusade against Light. As for being

a slave to the Force, I would rather be its slave than its Master. I've

always wanted there to be something beyond me, something beyond

myself. The Force is what I've wanted, and I believe that following

the path of Light is the best way to make sure it stays in balance."

 

"Is it?" Traya pursed her lips. "I would like to talk to you of hypocrisy."

 

"In me?" I asked, feeling my stomach sink sadly. "Where do you see it?"

 

"Not in you, my young Jedi. In her," said Traya, turning to Bastila's image.

 

Tysy had thought that activating the holocrons would dispel her confusion.

Instead, she was more confused than ever about what path to follow...

[Emperor Devon]

I hate to burst your bubble, but in Devon's universe Bastila would never have had a Jedi holocron.

[Tysyacha]

Too bad, Sith.

[Emperor Devon]

Too bad, Sith.

 

 

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

 

"Tysy?"

 

Devon's gloved hand rapped on the door to his meditation chambers. "You have bathed in the power of the Force for several hours. Come. No apprentice of mine will be without a lightsaber."

[CSI]

Not so fast, Emperor.

[Emperor Devon]

Devon will be dead in months. He wants an heir as soon as possible.

[The Source]

“For the past several weeks, Master Shar has been receiving orders from a distant source,” Atrina replied, “Her source seemed interested in making direct contact.” After she took a moment to breath passed the pain, Atrina continued, “Shar was told about this hidden temple, so she sent a small team to investigate.”

 

“What is so important about this place,” Magnerous asked while adjusting Atrina’s tourniquet. “What else can you tell me?”

 

Antrina clenched her fists together, for another sharp and agonizing pain shot up her leg. Following several deep breathes, she finally responded, “This temple was built by a Sith Lord named Templora. According to the Sith archives on Telos, Templora built this temple to hide a very powerful energy source. Unfortunately, the archives didn’t go into too many details.” Adjusting herself into a better position took some effort. After she became comfortable again, Antrina continued, “Shar’s contact knew certain things, which were buried deep in the Sith archives. Without the contact’s knowledge, the Sith would have never found this temple.”

 

“Someone would pay handsomely for this energy source,” Magnerous thought, “I can finally get the Horizon fixed.” Once he rose to an upright position, Magnerous asked, “What did you find?”

 

Looking at Magnerous with a quizzical expression, Atrina replied, “During our search, we found evidence of grave robbers. It looks like someone had beaten us to it. Why?”

 

“I don’t think grave robbers emptied the tomb,” Magnerous replied. Scanning the objects around the room, Magnerous realized why the Sith didn’t find anything important. Getting into a crouching position, Magnerous studied the young Sith’s face, and asked, “Your scars. You have been disciplined harshly haven’t you?”

 

“What does it matter,” she replied, “You are only going to kill me. Why do you care?”

 

Chuckling from her response, Magnerous replied, “If I wanted to kill you, I would have already done so.” Magnerous reached over and wiped some dirt from her check, and spoke, “Plus, I didn’t kill your friends intentionally. If I didn’t take the initiative to strike, you and your friends would have overpowered me.” Before she could respond, Magnerous waved his hand over her head, and proceeded to place her into a healing trance. Once she was out cold, Magnerous rose to his feet and walked over to the eastern wall.

 

When he first arrived to the chamber, Magnerous didn’t understand why the room was setup in such a strange configuration. “There is something here that has been overlooked,” Magnerous thought, “This whole room is setup like a puzzle.” Upon the eastern wall was a web covered mural, which was unreadable to the average tomb raider. Carefully, Magnerous wiped away the cobwebs, took several steps backward, and closely examined the pictorial in front of him.

 

Stretching across the wall was a mural, which resembled a map of an ancient civilization. Within the center of the map was the tomb, and two crystals were embedded on its right and left side. Surrounding the tomb and crystals, several primitive homes were scattered towards a horizon. Along the bottom of the mural, hieroglyphics explain a sort of uprising, and the impending fall of their ruler. “This must be Lord Templora,” Magnerous thought while cleaning off a hieroglyphic. At the far ends of the mural stood two figures, and they looked similar to the statues that were in the chamber. Each figure wore a Sith ceremonial robe, and they both held a lightsaber in an inward angle. One of the Sith held a yellow bladed saber, which symbolizes the Jedi Sentinel class. Within the second Sith’s hand was a blue bladed saber, which symbolizes the Jedi Guardian class. Glancing back at the two crystals that surrounded the temple, Magnerous quickly saw the connection. While using his index finger, Magnerous tapped on one of the crystals, and it fell into the palm of his hand. After grabbing the second crystal, Magnerous walked over to the western side of the chamber, and studied the two statues closely. Each of the statues contained a hollow fisted hand, which was angled toward the center of the room. Matching the example on the mural, Magnerous placed each crystal inside a hollow fist. After several minutes had passed, Magnerous realized he was missing another step.

 

In between the two statues was a stone tablet, which also had a series of hieroglyphics etched into its surface. Along the right and left side of the tablet were two hand impressions. As Magnerous placed his palms in the impressions, the hieroglyphics on the tablet changed to basic. Studying the tablet closely, Magnerous got more insight into his faulty thinking.

 

On the Stone Tablet:

Master Templora ruled over the people of Vryss for two hundred years. During his long reign, Templora trained two loyal servants to carry out his will. Durion and Carva helped to keep the people of Vryss oppressed. Both loyal servants forced the Vryssrion people to build a massive temple, and to move their villages closer to their ruler. Signs of rebellion began looming, so Templora decided to find a means of escape. After gathering several components from around the planet, Templora built a gateway to escape the impending rebellion. Before he stepped through the gate, Templora gave two crystals to his loyalists. Durion was his apprentice, and he received the ‘Mantel of the Force.’ Carva was appointed Durion’s apprentice, and he received the ‘Guardian of the Force.’ Once Templora departed through the gate, the rebellion began to sweep across the village. Carva and Durion were killed during a seven year battle. Within the confinement of the tomb, Templora’s loyal servants were buried under each other’s monument. As a symbol of dishonor, the locals buried each man under the opposite’s statue.

 

Stretching out to the Force, Magnerous pulled the dead Sith student’s lightsabers to himself. After figuring out what went wrong, he inserted each of the crystals into a saber, and reordered them into their proper place. Once the sabers were in proper order, Magnerous stretched out to the Force, and activated both sabers from a distance. Instantly, the hieroglyphics that wrapped along the edge of the floor and ceiling started to go off in sequence. As each hieroglyphic was activated, the symbols made a clicking sound. Once all the hieroglyphics were illuminated, the northern and western passageways were replaced with two other chambers, and a wall embedded holocron was activated.

 

Standing in front of Magnerous, the hologram of a Sith began to speak, “My name is Durion. I am the former apprentice of Lord Templora, and for several years I have been fighting a rebellion. During the second year of our war, I decided to try and contact Master Templora. After entering the gateway myself, I began to realize what we have created. Upon entering the northern gateway, you will be sent back to the past. Since there is no temple in the deep past, the gateway will stay open for only a few minutes. Be very careful in your choices. If you choose the western gateway, you will be sent into the future. If you wish to control your destination, you must press one of the symbols on the floor. Starting at the northern passageway, going in a clock-wise direction, the symbols represent one thousand years. If you desire to go one thousand years to the past or future, press the first symbol near the door, and step through the appropriate passageway. Do you have any question?”

 

Magnerous stood there in awe, light up a cigar, scratched his chin, and thought about the possibilities. “I could go back and fix some gambling debts,” he thought, “Maybe I can deal with some unfinished business.” After contemplating on its possible uses, Magnerous finally asked, “Is there a way I can take a ship through?”

 

“Yes. Once you have chosen your destination, go to the passage way of your desire, and hit the symbol embedded on the third stone to the right. After everything is set, the gateway will be projected outside and above the temple. The gateway will be large enough for several ships to pass. Keep in mind that the gateways are unidirectional. You will have to reactivate the gate on the other side to get back,” the Durion holocron replied.

 

After staring at the northern gate for a while, Magnerous stretched out to the Force, and deactivated one of the lightsabers. Once the saber was powered down, the gateways automatically dissolved. Magnerous walked over to Atrina to check on her wounds. “I have the most powerful weapons in the galaxy,” he thought, “No. If I choose to use this device, I am only going one way.”

 

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

 

What everyone else sees:

 

For a brief period of time, everyone became aware of a massive anomaly in the Vryss system. Either they were told by an officer, or they picked it up on sensors themselves. Emperor Devon and Master Kavar were informed about an anomaly appearing in the orbit of Vryss. All you know that it was a massive threat, and it appeared in the orbit (not the surface) of Vryss.

 

(Do not play omnipotence.)

[Jae Onasi]

Jae has a Moron Moment--What does 'do not play omnipotence' mean?

Back to the story....

 

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

 

"Master Kavar!"

One of the younglings ran over to him with a datapad. "One of the scientists said to bring this to you right away!"

Kavar scanned the brief message. Oh, frack.... He tapped a short return message. "Thank you. Please return this to him, and ask him to contact me as soon as possible if there are any changes in Vryss."

 

"Yes, Master Kavar!" The youngling ran off quickly.

 

Kavar opened a link to Jolee. "Jolee, we have a little problem. When can you return?"

 

"Well, Kavar, we've got a little problem here. We got a dozen chimerae attacking, chasing Jae, and eating through Mik'oth's kitchen, including the countertops, pots, pans...."

 

Kavar smiled in spite of himself and caught the image that the monsters, while dangerous, were more of annoyance than deadly. "Mik'oth must have a fabulous special tonight if they're eating that much of it."

 

Jolee informed him of a place to go that Kavar had never heard of before.

 

"Jolee, tell Mik'oth to feed them all Sullustan puffer paste. Wait 3 minutes, then feed them Hutt Fizz."

 

"You are one sick man, Kavar. Mik'oth's never going to forgive me for the mess."

 

"Beats the alternative. I'll be there shortly with reinforcements."

[The Source]

What does 'do not play omnipotence' mean?

 

If I have spelt it correctly, the term means 'to see something before it happens'. Or - Knowing all things. Otherwords, if someone said, "Hey their is a temporal rift forming on Vryss without investigating, the question would be, "How did you figure that one out."

 

Since you didn't react in that way, you did not play what I call the 'omnipotence card'. Hehehe...