Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

[Aristotélēsticus]

“…perhaps you should know that insulting your opponent is not the most appropriate way to kill him…” he said in mockery, and then he took two steps ahead and continued “…you can step back Master Starlighter…”

[Jason Skywalker]

"If you want to kill us, you'll have to fight us. And it won't be an easy task my old friend," Quinlan told him, grabbing his Lightsaber.

[Darth Kalverys]

Mara Jade stood before Darth Sidious. "You called me master, how can I serve?"

 

Palpatine smiled... it had been a long time since he had heard those words. "I've heard of a Jedi sanctuary on Felucia. My apprentice, Darth Vader, is on the planet killing two of the Rogue Jedi Masters. Meet with him to cooridinate the attack on Jedi. Then I want you and him to go to Naboo and destroy the Jedi there."

 

"Of course my master." Mara Jade said. Great! Just great! I hate that little apprentice of his... oh he is such an imbocile. I wish I could kill him, just for satisfaction, but the master has ordered me to never lay a hand on him... She thought to herself as she slowly walked away, to board her ship, the Jedi Killer.

[Nancy Allen``]

"Yes, I understand, of course I do." Alixe thought about her stay on Polis Massa, trying to figure out just what the hell happened. "I would be too if he was with me, especially given...never mind. You want to go after him? You like I organise a shuttle, have us find him celebrating victory wherever he may be?" The lighthearted tone, Alixr thought upon reflection, might have not been the best way to deal with the problem she was being told when she put the call through subspace communications. "That is kind of him, he did not have to do that. Yes, I know, I meant he is taking time to help out." Alixe rubbed at her temples as she remembered what happened. "Trust me it will be...what the hell was that?" Alixe pulled away from the video monitor at the sound of blaster fire and raised voices. Without a second thought she had made her way to where she stored her disrupter rifle to respond to the problem, whatever it may have been.

So what is going on? she kept asking herself after what happened on Polis Massa. What the hell happened? She had no answers, but after fighting her way out with those still loyal to the Republic maybe she would find answers on Coroscant.

 

****

 

"This is pointless." Alixe broke away from her thoughts when she heard the comment from one of the Republic soldiers and her mind focused on the present.

"Just concentrate on what we are doing here alright?" her voice cut through the air. Though she had to agree. After Polis Massa, a failed attempt to regain control of Coroscant, she somehow was able to convince the powers that be take a small task force to find any remaining Jedi there might be, starting with seeking out the Rutian Twi'lek she served with and was meant to be on Felucia.

"I say we make the Clone boys down there lead us to where they killed her. Make'em dig their own graves right there." That idea did appeal to Alixe, as well as less favorable ones. Scalping was one that crossed her mind. Torture, if there was a lightsaber down there letting the blade rest against bare trooper flesh just to hear them scream. After what they had encountered so far she doubted anyone would argue with whatever they did.

"Coming up on it now." Alixe looked again at where the Clones put up camp, before double checking the oxygen mask she had to protect against the natural dangers on the planet below. But most importantly she checked her rifle, wishing she had something that would be more effective against groups or at least make her targets die slower, more painfully.

Maybe she is still alive down there, she reasoned, knowing that her mind was focusing on dark thoughts and tried to be hopeful instead. Maybe the Clones are already dead. Maybe that devil could not make contact here. Alixe tried to shake away the thoughts of Palpatine, how she would make him suffer if given the chance, away. Maybe.

 

****

 

Even with the fact he was a former Jedi, even though much of his body was machine, Vader suffered considerable pain and frustration. In a sense his body was part of the problem: after dueling Obi Wan on Mustafar and being left for dead much of his body had to be rebuilt and the human parts that were left caused him a great amount of discomfort, his voice for example was laboured and had to go through an audio synthisiser. The fact it made him more imtimidating was not lost on him, but such an impression had it's down sides as well.

"These are the records we were able to gather from the Jedi Temple on Coroscant, Lord Vader," a proud sounding up and coming officer stated. At times like this however, Vader was greatful for the effect his appearence had, comfortably hidden behind his mask.

"And these will aid in the destruction of the Jedi how exactly?" he demanded with impatience.

"We know of many of the Jedi who had fallen to the Emperor, as well as deciphering how they sought those who would be worthy of joining their ranks."

"Dead Jedi and their ways are of no interest to me." Vader waited a beat, the air heavy with his breathing that only sought to frighten the upstart further. "I fail to see how this is anything but a waste of my time."

"There...there is something else." Vader watched as the officer brought up an image of a ship that was remarkably like the ones that were being put into service. "This was something amongst the records. It is very old, yet the technology was remarkable even by our standereds." Vader regarded the starship with curiosity.

"Why would someone who talked of peace as much as the Jedi have old, advanced weapon designs in their records?" Clearly this was no joint project with the Republic, it predated any plans they have discovered of the Empire as well, by...Vader looked again to make certain, thousands of years.

"As you can see these designs mirror our own." Vader studied them a moment longer before losing interest.

"Inform me the moment you have information on live Jedi." It still took a certain degree of effort for Vader to come to terms with the fact he was no longer who he used to be but his anger over what Obi Wan did to him, the loss of much of his life made the going easier. The Sith Lord made his way to his quarters where construction was underway on special provisions he had ordered. "I wish for privacy," he ordered, the technicians and engineers knowing better than to delay as Vader put through a subspace communication. He dropped to one knee in respect as the hologram appeared. "What is..." he paused, sensing the presence of another. "Who is this?" Vader demanded, his impassive mask staring at the young woman beside his master.

[Darth Kalverys]

Today would be the last of the Jedi died, except Master Yoda... Palpatine couldn't sense the old master. He assumed that he had killed him on Courscant... but he knew deep down that a Jedi Master wouldn't die from a fall like that.

[Master_Archon]

'Wisdom comes from the experience of life, it cannot be gained through any other respect, and comes in only one form, not many, this is why you are a little naive to me, whether you really are, or not,' Kota responded in thought to Ashira.

 

"Ashira-Li! Quit playing games with him, he is no one to taunt, I sense power that could anihilate you in moments, within this boy, if anyone must die, it will be me, no other!" Kota scolded sternly, he was indeed angered at the girl for speaking without forethought, and for using her learned wit and guile.

 

"Girl you are no pawn on this board, you are indeed like a queen, the greatest of pieces, yet the second most important, when compared to the king. Do not stay here, do not fight him, do not protect me; Quinlan is a friend I have long known, and his destany is death, whether here, or abroad, and he has accepted this, and has chosen to fight with me, but you must not stay here, as he has chosen. Listen to me now, since you were so offended by his comment, then prove him wrong, go, step away, let the fight insue, if this man is indeed as I sense he is, then he will keep his word, as long as you stay out of this fight, when the fight is over, whoever stands, whether me, him, or Quinlan, then go, go home, do this girl," he told Ashira in a hard tone, then turning to the hunter he took time to give him a long stare.

 

"Well, Apprentice of Darkness, when will you strike?" He asked, his tone had calmed.

[JediMaster12]

Ashira-Li was ready for the rebuke. Many times over she had been rebuked by the Council for being what she was. The greatest, which she considered a compliment, was the observation that she was like the Jedi Revan who existed long ago. She responded to the rebuke, "Ah but life is a game. A game that determines if you can survive in the harsh, cruel reality of the galaxy."

 

Her eyes never left the stranger, glowing with life, almost like fire. She directed at the stranger, "You are intent on slaying a Jedi and yet I know something that you don't about your master."

[Aristotélēsticus]

“A game! Indeed you are naïve, and indeed you are fool…be gone young Jedi, you’re more solid than I thought, and do not take my last statement joyfully as a complement…”

 

The Apprentice grasped his lightsaber and gazed at Master Vos…

 

“be gone you too, and take this girl with you…I came for him, well, and for something else which is certainly not including you both…go now, and let us finish our job before the whole galaxy became seduced by the force gathering of this point of place…”

[Master_Archon]

"Indeed..." Kota muttered, turning towards Vos and Ashira he replied, "...listen to him, go, both of you, if he wishes to fight me alone, then let it be so."

 

He focused his attention on Vos, "if Ashira doesn't listen, then do what you have to to make her, or to get her out of here."

 

At this Kota turned back to look at the young man, Kota's arms folded infront of his chest, waiting for somthing to happen.

[JediMaster12]

"You should know that life is a game with its twists and turns. Unfortunately you have little to no sense in seeing that," Ashira-Li directed at the stranger. There was no way she was going to let Kota suffer at her hand. She already lost a friend and sister during the Clone Wars and nearly paid the price. "Besides your master was once a student of mine. Unfortunately I severed ties completely with him when he betrayed the Jedi."

 

She had no intention of leaving and her posture said that. She was known to be the best with a blade having been trained by Yoda himself and three other masters both Jedi but one Avalonian. She had fought the Outcasts of her people the Rashikians when they chased her through the mines of Bandomeer and across the worlds that had been touched by Kirabaros. She had nearly died in a fight against a descendant of one who tried to kill her family. She didn't appear it but she was capable.

[Nancy Allen``]

Alixe was a little miffed at not leading the battalion but the plan that was drawn up was a good one. They were to find where the Clonetroopers had set up camp and then set up for an attack, the shuttle would fly overhead as a distraction. Her role was to set up high above the ground and take out any of the enemy that couldn't be overwhelmed. It did disappoint her that the mission was to capture, not kill. The fact was they needed information.

"Not that way," their scout said, leading them away from a path thick with gas.

Toss a couple of them down there, Alixe thought, Their allies dieing from poison will make them talk. Maybe that would come later. She noticed a stream up ahead and the rotting bodies of Acklay that must have been killed during the Clone Wars. There were no human corpses though, they would have been cleaned up. Suddenly the group froze, a silent signal enough to keep them from making the slightest twitch.

"Picked up heat signatures," she heard whispered. "Two, three." She waited a moment with the others. "Another group. One, two three." It seemed they had found them. Alixe couldn't see anything but thought maybe they were up high on the hill, maybe nestled in the natural topography. "They look sombre."

"Battle fatigue?" one of the soldiers wondered quietly. Alixe wondered who cared, glancing down at the stream and wondering if maybe that was a good place to set up.

"We'll go around, Alixe you go with alpha to the right then keep going to the other side and set up."

"Roger." Alixe could guess they were going to try and box the Clonetroopers in.

 

****

 

"Clean this mess up," Vader said, having disposed of the training droid he fought against. Adapting to a diffirent style of lightsaber combat would take some getting used to, he knew, the acursed body not being capeable of the feats it used to be. Vader made his way to the bridge of the ship that orbited Coroscant, being stationed there after a failed attempt was made against the Empire to recapture the capital.

"Lord Vader," one of the officers said, "we have an update on the Jedi records we had recovered from the temple." Vader watched as various security cameras played, showing the many Jedi that were there before and during the Clone Wars.

"Most of them would have perished at the hands of the droid army," he surmised, seeing many faces that were familiar to him. From behind his mask Vader closed his eyes, thinking of what might have been. Such weakness however was carefully hidden. "Yoda. The Empire was confident that he could not have survived." Vader pondered this for a moment, Yoda was considered the greatest of all the Jedi, perhaps he was still alive.

Where? Vader pondered, wondering where the great Jedi Master would hide himself.

"Compare what you have found with the list of Jedi who were not among the dead, and if you find out where they might be hiding I will deal with them myself."

[Aristotélēsticus]

“The likes of you have lead to the fall of the Jedi…reckless and mindless…”

 

He replied, and then he activated his red lightsaber, gazed at Ashira-Li and said…

 

“failed to see the truth, always…thinking about yourself, always…I came for a certain man to finish a certain job…manipulating nature’s rules produces catastrophic consequences…”

 

Then he controls a grand rock and through it at her direction.

[ExiledFish]

How had they found me? Lon thought to my self as he walked through the city he looked round the corner of the street spotting a few stormtroopers and again began to run down the small street. No one had known of my hiding place until now why send so many stormtroopers after one old hermit who isn't even a Jedi any more. He kept on running straight towards the troopers until last minute he activated his Cyan light saber and slashed them down cutting one of them in half he stooped looked around then jumped up on to a balcony over seeing the street. He would be safe here for now. A bead of swear dribbled down his wrinkle forehead and he watched as more storm troopers began to approach the street.

[JediMaster12]

Not breaking gaze with the stranger, Ashira-Li concentrated on the rock hurtling at her. It was coming hard and fast and would have killed any other person. With the ease of practice and control of her power, she stopped it and suspended it in midair not once looking at it. Using the force the stranger was exerting over the rock, she urged it to continue until it started to spin like an asteroid out of control. When she was satisfied that the stranger let go she took full possession of the rock with her mind. It was unnerving that she refused to look and see if she had control. All of a sudden, the rock shot back with the same force the stranger had sent right back at him but not with the intention to harm him.

 

That act was one of many that gave a glimpse as to the power Ashira-Li exhibited through the Force. Unlike the headstrong youths of her homeworld, she acted as if it didn't exist but always acknowledged that it was there. It was for her powers that the Emperor tried to seduce her to the darkside on numerous occassions before the Republic fell. Even after she went into hiding with Obi-Wan on Tatooine, she sensed that he was still looking for her since her body was never found after the issuance of Order 66. It was old teachings that gave her control and it was old teachings that allowed her to withdraw from the Force to a barely felt whisper.

[Aristotélēsticus]

Knowing that his last action was just for time giving proposes, he rushed toward General Kota holding his lightsaber, taking an attacking position. But when he saw the same thing he had expected, which is Ashira-Li throwing the rock back at him, he unleashed a wave of lightning blowing the rock into small pieces.

[ExiledFish]

Watching from the balcony Lon activated his light saber he had felt something it was near and a servant of the dark side jumping down he cut several of the stormtroopers down while smashing the other against the wall he used the force to sense the location of the strong dark side ripple then quickly began running through the town.

[JediMaster12]

"I see you harbor anger in your heart," Ashira-Li softlly stated the obvious as she watched the rock being blown to smithereens by the lightning.

 

As quickly as the stranger had charged, her lightsaber was in her hand and activated emanating a bronzium glow, a rare color of crystal. Her lightsaber was unusual in of itself in that it coud be a double blade or two single blades, a source of mystery to many. She had one blade lit now and was in a ready position, a deceptively simple one that hid the leverage needed for a powerful strike. She looked at the stranger still in the eye, her amber ones flickering like fire.

[Aristotélēsticus]

The Apprentice attacks Kota furiously clashing the Jedi’s lightsaber several times with his, to finally strike his stomach hard with a left-legged kick.

 

Knowing that he cannot take what he’s come for unless he get rid of her, The Apprentice turned his attention to face Ashira-Li. He walked gently, surely toward her and then he held his lightsaber’s hilt with both hands and produced a strong vertical strike…

[JediMaster12]

Ashira-Li was ready for the strike. With a speed that looked as if it defied convention, she activated her blade, a beautiful bronze like blade that glowed like fire and blocked the strike. She gave a push to push the stranger back. She then slipped into a Bushida formation to start. She then said, "Kota will not be harmed unless you want to be." Drawing on the Force, she twirled her blade as she charged forward.

[Aristotélēsticus]

The Apprentice stormed toward the furious Jedi, his lightsaber glows in a scent of reddest darkness, the very same darkness that rages inside of him.

 

He attacked Ashira-Li with several strikes, but the Jedi’s skills were of surprising ones, and he knew that this unexpected guest will cause him more troubles than he thought she will, so he thought of using a trick to get rid of her and get back to his mission main objective…still, he felt some sort of unknown danger getting closer…

[Grace]

"I can't do this!" Arden hissed irritably. Senka shook her head.

 

"Arden, if you believe you can't, then you will never be able to," she said softly. "And before you say it, don't tell me you'll try. Either you do or you don't. Vader has a distinctive signature in the Force. You've been near him. You know it. Find it. You can do this."

 

"Senka, according to your stories you're younger than I am," Arden said, exasperated. "But you've been awake for far more of your life than I have."

 

"Your power didn't leave you, Arden," Senka encouraged. "Focus on it. Concentrate."

 

Arden sighed reluctantly and did as she was told. Shock flooded her eyes. "There!"

 

"Now pull back or he'll know he's being watched," Senka instructed quickly. Again, Arden obeyed. Senka smiled.

 

"Good," she said. "Now you don't need me anymore. I'll be going now. Best of luck to you, Arden."

 

"Wait!" Arden exclaimed. "I want you to help me. I'll make it worth your while."

 

"I admit, I'm a bit curious about this rumored apprentice," Senka said. "Alright, Arden. I'll stay until you learn something from Vader."

[JediMaster12]

Ashira-Li held her own well. Old Petronius was to thank for the countless hours in Bushida formation and her time spent in war was critical factor. She parried the strikes cleanly as the stranger advanced. She knew deep in her heart that she would fail Kota just as she did Siri but that still gave her sound reason to try. She managed to lock her blade with the stranger's and as they struggled, she muttered, "Anger, fear, aggression. Serve you they will not if you wish to survive."

[Nancy Allen``]

Alixe listened to the somber group of Clonetroopers with the help of the microphone that allowed her to hear what they were saying over a long distance.

"...wrong that we have to take that with us," one of them said.

"It's evidence that the Emperor will demand." This was said by the commander she guessed.

"Feels wrong." Aayla was conspicious in her absence, which told Alixe they were talking about her and the thought nearly made her squeeze the trigger there and then.

"We all feel that way. Those were the orders handed to us."

"You believe..." they went quiet and began moving into a defensive stance. Alixe could see her squad move in and lined up the Clone Commander in her crosshair, squeezing off a shot that sent him crumbling to the ground. The distraction was enough to allow the squad to strike, moving in quickly to subdue the rest. One of the Clonetroopers who chose to run during the raid suddenly stumbled as a hole was blasted through his back, the grotesque wound made even worse when he moved his arm causing the hole to tear bigger. It was the last mistake of his life.

Paybacks are a.. Alixe thought when one of the soldiers called out to her.

"You didn't have to kill them." Alixe got up from her sniping position, not bothering to justify her actions.

"Lieutenant." One of the soldiers went over to the commanding officer with what looked like a metal tube in his hand.

"And the Jedi?" he asked, though going by what they heard he could guess the answer. Alixe took the lightsaber from the soldier's hands, looked at it for a moment before activating it.

"Let us find out." She went over to the Clones they had captured and held the lightsaber under their chins. "Where is General Secura?" she demanded. "Talk or die." One of them, feeling regret over his actions, spoke up.

"We were only following orders." When Alixe pulled the lightsaber back he added, "There's a speederbike where we can show you where she was." Alixe pointed the point of the blade right at his throat.

"Take me there."

 

****

 

"Lord Vader," the officer said when the former Jedi returned from his meditation to demand a report, "we've lost contact with our forces on Felucia. There should have been a report about the Jedi there." Vader said nothing, but waited expectently for the officer to continue. He brought up the information on screen. "This one of the Jedi still unaccounted for."

"How long?" Vader asked.

"Three days now." The officer brought up further information. I had a look at the records of the 501st who they replaced on the planet. They expressed their feelings over Order 66."

"I sense a disturbance in the Force," Vader mused, sensing there was more to this than some Clonetrooper's refusal to follow orders. "Prepare my ship," he ordered, turning on his heel. He would investigate himself.