Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part VII: A Glimmer of Hope

[Shana]

Lenatha simply smiled at the sight of Andorra and turned to Kalla.

 

"I guess you're right, those who don't risk don't gain right?", Lenatha said and looked over as Andorra rushed over to her showing her her sword and the newly installed heat cell's effect on it. Lenatha giggled and looked at Andorra with a big smile.

 

"It's not wrong to get excited like a schoolgirl Andorra, you should see me around the medical equipment, I'm like a little girl with new toys too. And do me a favor, call me Lenatha", she said and blushing a little. "Umm... can I have a moment of your time alone Andorra? I have something I want to talk to you about and I fear once we're on Geonosis we won't get much time to talk with the research and investigation going on".

 

Lenatha was holding her nervousness back, she was given a bit of courage by Kalla's words but the actual confession of her feelings was proving slightly difficult. Still, she knew she had to seize the chance, before everything got more complicated.

[Cyborg Ninja]

Xan took the datapad from Darth Pestilus and scanned over the names. He heard Pestilus's remark about a Kaltas and suddenly got much more excited. He had heard rumors about certain Kaltas members and had always wanted to see what they could do in a fight. He looked for the Kaltas on the datapad and found one under the name Kalla Kaltas. He continued looking at a few of the names and stopped occasionally to fully read the name.

 

"Jun-la eh? I must say I'm a big fan," he chuckled.

 

His next stop was on Andorra Evenstar. It took him a few minutes to remember who she was but chuckled a second time upon remembering. He had seen her a few times when he did a few odd jobs for her mom. She looked like the spoiled brat type but she was still pretty hot. The next name he stopped at was Lenatha Pradhes.

 

"Lenatha Pradhes, she's that hot twi'lek doctor. Though I can't help but recall seeing her back when I worked with a rather annoying Hutt. I don't know if either Lenatha or Andorra would remember me, so other than those two I don't actually know anyone else here."

[JediMaster12]

"Certain," Tonatius replied. "As to learning to do this yourself. I noticed an old blade in the cargo hold. You can practice on that with some of the parts. Learning by doing is a good way to know what you are doing." He finished her blade and with a deft twist, he gave a few mock swings before executing a move that had the blade end in his open palm and the handle out towards his cousin. He grinned at her as if to tease her.

 

Jun-la had been watching and chuckled softly. She said, "Acting naturally is what everyone should do on occasion. To deny who you are merely makes you a shell of what you are."

 

**********

 

Tavaryn had left the piloting to R4 and went to check upon the patient. He was restrained and was willing to rip out his throat when he walked in. He said to the prisoner, "You have said much about a pestilence. I want to know what it is."

 

The Togorian growled, "I won't tell you a thing. Better you see for yourself. When released into the Republic, those against us will turn into freaks of nature. Not even your precious Jeedai can stop that."

 

"So you say," Tavaryn replied as he checked the charts regarding the amount of painkillers flowing into the prisoner. "Getting your arm lopped off must hurt. I wonder what will happen if I press this," and he pressed the button that shut the meds off.

 

The Togorian was doing his best not to cry out in pain as Tavaryn looked at him with an impassive look. He managed to send a look of pure hatred out at him which quickly changed to surprise when Tavaryn hit the button to start the meds again. "What are you doing? Make me suffer!"

 

Tavaryn stood over the prisoner and looked down. "We will be landing on Geonosis. Where is the best landing place to avoid detection?"

 

"Same place the Jeedai snuck into...if you can find it." The Togorian sneered.

 

Tavaryn nodded and turned to leave. The Togorian shouted, "Wait! You're supposed to torture and kill me!"

 

Tavaryn turned and looked back, "You really think I would be that cruel?" He then left to the sounds of the Togorian shouting obscenities at him and Alriana. He went to the main hold and asked Alriana, "What do you know of Geonosis?"

[Alkonium]

"Do what you wish with them, whatever that may be." Pestilus replied, touching the shuttle down on the planet surface.

 

***********************

 

"Let's give them some privacy." Kalla said to Tonatius, leading him into the cockpit. Watching the view of hyperspace, she asked Matton, "How hard will it be to manoeuvre around the New Imperial blockade?"

 

**********************

 

Feeling the Ackbar come out of Hyperspace, Komad sensed an unsettling presence on Geonosis. "Impossible, it can't be, Sith?" He thought out loud. "Commander, over the past two months, has there been any information intercepted from the New Empire about emergent Sith Lords?" He transmitted up to the Bridge.

[Tysyacha]

"Certainly...Lenatha," Andorra replied, blushing. "Care to go somewhere like the cargo hold or--someplace else where no one usually goes?" Something in her was awakening, which she thought had died with the loss of Kalla Kaltas. The Avalonian no longer felt any resentment toward her cousin--in fact, she was happy that Kalla and Tonatius had found one another. As for the good doctor...

 

For the first time since Virul possessed her, she felt something wonderful: hope.

[Shana]

"Care to go somewhere like the cargo hold or--someplace else where no one usually goes?"

 

"Of course", Lenatha said and actually was relieved that she wouldn't have so many eyes on them if they were somewhere more private. She walked into the cargo hold with Andorra and turned to look at her.

 

"I have never been very good at expressing what I want for myself, especially to other people when it comes to how I feel about things. But given the situation that we rush to face, I have to say this before anything else happens. I know I'm probably being selfish about it since, it's only been a few months since I treated you first at the hospital. But I do think I won't get another chance if I don't say it...", Lenatha said and made a small pause to collect herself and stop herself from shivering so much for the nervousness. "I... love you Andorra. I have loved you ever since you came to the hospital the first time, I know it's unprofesional in so many levels but I just can't help it, my heart just went to you even though you didn't say a word, even though you just slept on the bed for all that time, I couldn't wait to see you again... I sound like a stalker... you probably must be disgusted by it but even when you woke up and you told me your story, I couldn't help but fall harder for you. I kept thinking, I want to be with her, support her anyway I can, even if from afar. You must think I'm a total stalker and an opportunist, but I had to tell you, I had to..."

 

She stood there in silence, this was the first time she had opened up about her feelings in a long time. But Andorra made her feel like she could be herself more easily. She didn't have to pretend to be the formal doctor everyone expected her to be. She could be, just herself.

[Tysyacha]

"Lenatha," Andorra said softly, "I believe no such things about you, nor have I ever. You saved my life in more ways than one, and set me on the path to joy and redemption instead of complacency and fear. You call yourself a 'stalker' and an 'opportunist', and yet neither of these types of criminals would have been so genuinely compassionate as you have been toward me. In fact, they would have...had their way with me...while I was still comatose, and not waited for me to wake up, if they wanted me that badly! I..." She paused, with the next words coming out of her throat like stomach acid in an episode of sudden vomiting. She had not talked about these things so deeply before.

 

"Virul possessed me, it's true. I thought I was doing the right thing on Bastion by supposedly killing him, but as it turns out, I was only doing the vengeful thing. The Dark Lord sensed my hatred and fear, and that opened the perfect door in my mind for him to slip right through. As a Sith, I found myself no longer capable of love, except the love for Kalla Kaltas that would not die within my soul. I could have forsaken it, and her, and become stronger. Yet I chose not to. The simple reason is that I...well...what is life without love?"

 

Andorra took Lenatha's hand. "I find myself falling for you, too, good Doctor," she said. "You've shown me love, and I've begun to love you in return. If this 'vivinecrosis' infects or kills us, or we fall in battle, I don't want to have wasted the chance to tell you so. Thank you...for everything you are."

 

She leaned forward for a kiss, closing her eyes. All of her fear vanished...

[JediMaster12]

Tonatius followed Kalla to the cockpit where it looked as if Matton were dozing but in reality he was attuned to the sensors on the ship. He grinned at the memory of his first time flying with Matton.

 

Matton didn't bat an eye when Kalla asked her question. He kept his eyes closed and replied, "The blockade won't be a problem to maneuver around since most of the lasers on the fleet are designed for ships larger than this. The barrage though will be tricky. Don't worry, the side deck has a few trump cards to get us through."

 

Tonatius whispered, "Plays pazaak in his head."

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Commander, over the past two months, has there been any information intercepted from the New Empire about emergent Sith Lords?"

 

"Sorry Komad. There haven't been any reports of any new sith." She replied as the bridge of the Ackbar rocked repeatedly under turbolaser and proton torpedo strikes.

 

"Garja! Start selecting targets. Hit the Star Destroyers first!" She shouted as a console on the bridge burst into flames and one of the crewmembers grabbed an extinguisher and began putting the fire out.

 

"Find the Imperial Command ship at all costs. We need to take it out. Without their commander they'll fall into disarray. And start punching a hole in that blockade so the others can get through!" She shouted as the Ackbar's powerful turbolasers cut through the night and slammed into two frigates, wiping out their shields instantly and punching through their hulls.

 

"Thats two down." Belina smirked. "Only around thirty more to go."

 

 

 

 

 

"What do you know of Geonosis?"

 

"Almost nothing besides the basics. Native species are an insect-like race. They sided against the republic during the clone wars. I know nothing besides that."

[Shana]

Lenatha started to tremble even more when Andorra took her hand. Hearing her words began to calm her. She was finding peace in this one moment. A single tear came down her cheek as she leaned in and kissed her. She could feel as if the world around her had suddenly stopped. As she embraced her with her arms, slowly and gently as they kissed, she was as happy as she could be. So much so that she could just go around jumping with joy. As they pulled apart, she opened her eyes.

 

"Nothing will happen to us, as long as we have each other, we'll be alright. As long as you need me, I'll be there", Lenatha said giving her a big smile, trying to hold her tears in because she was so happy.

[Tysyacha]

Andorra leaned into the kiss, letting Lenatha feel the fresh tears that she herself was trying to hide. After their lips finally parted, she said, "It's all right. We will fight together, and die together if need be. All that matters is that we love one another, and if the vivinecrosis claims either one or both of us, we will at least have this moment of pure bliss that will have redeemed us from perishing truly. If I had denied you, or you me, or if we had kept our feelings hidden, then our love and lives would have been wasted." She squeezed Lenatha's hand. "Come. I sense there's some serious fighting to be done, and Chetyrnadtsat's ready..."

[Shana]

Lenatha smiled brightly at Andorra and walked with her outside the hangar bay back to where they had been before and went passed to the cockpit. She then looked at Kalla and smiled at her, she was still holding hands with Andorra.

 

"How long til we reach Geonosis?", Lenatha asked, she wasn't aware of the blockade of the Imperial forces, but she just wanted to get a notion of how much farther they had to go so she could continue to check the research equipment.

[Alkonium]

(@Chev: Wouldn't Alriana have participated in the Battle of Geonosis?)

 

"I've noticed." Kalla whispered back to Tonatius before noticing Andorra and Lenatha enter the cockpit. "It shouldn't be much longer, maybe a couple of hours, but there's still the New Imperial Fleet to worry about. It'll take some manoeuvring to get around them, so it might be a good idea to buckle in for that." Noticing the two them holding hands, she smiled and added, "I'm happy for both of you."

 

**************************

 

"Then we have no idea what they're getting into down there." Komad commented, finally launching his X-38 out of the hangar. Rogue Squadron would come in handy right about now. He thought. "Do you have our other secret weapon ready, dear?" He asked Iyav.

 

"Absolutely." Iyav sent back, checking the screen to his left. It was his own special modification to the Silver Eagle's weapon systems. The wavelength and frequency of the laser cannon would change after every shot, and their values would be recorded. Once they were at the right combination to bypass the target's shields, he'd lock them in. With all their big guns, the main force of both the Republic and the New Empire never had reason to come up with ideas like that.

[Cyborg Ninja]

Xan looked over at Pestilus and cocked an eyebrow. Had this Sith Lord said what he thought he said? Even though his face was masked he was sure the expression could still be noticed. He then leaned back in his chair and chuckled to himself.

 

"Yeah we'll see about that," he said putting his arms behind his head. "Exactly where do you want me to bring the fun group of Jedi?" he added in.

 

Xan only asked the question because he knew some of those Jedi could move incredibly fast. He was highly acrobatic himself and being force sensitive allowed him to move faster not to mention he had a few tricks up his sleeve. His second reason was to get to know the terrain much better. If he was going to lure a group of Jedi, they were going to need to believe he was running from them and not luring them in. He wasn't worried about them reading his thoughts, he was skilled to mask his true intentions. It was his movement he had to get down. He needed to keep his composure but move because he was in danger.

[JediMaster12]

Tonatius nodded in approval of his cousin. Though she was adopted by Master Starlighter's sister, he was still honorbound to look after her. He said in a voice that only she could hear, "It pleases me that you found your path of happiness." He then smiled to indicate that he was happy for her.

 

Matton hadn't even opened his eyes but said, "Maneuvers aren't a problem with Belina at the helm of the fleet. Besides the coordinates have us come out on the far side of the planet. Records show that was the direction that Jedi Kenobi took just before the Clone Wars. Now can a guy get some sleep?"

 

Jun-la gave a gentle chuckle as she shooed everyone out. She suggested they find other things to do. "You have run of the ship. I am going to the cargo hold. Anyone who wants to join me can."

 

Tonatius watched her leave and looked at Kalla. He said matter of factly, "Practice."

 

**********

 

Tavaryn was not overly pleased at Alriana's response but it was Haruka who said, "Were you in some sort of a vaccumm or something?"

 

Tavaryn said nothing to curb the outburst but looked at Alriana for a moment before sitting at a sensor console and beginning to stare at it. It was one of the ways he settled deep into thought. He was used to having companions who knew something. Hell he and Kyle Katarn along with Jan Ors got into scrapes and out of them again.

 

Katarn was a good friend and loyal in his own way. Actually he found Katarn on Nar Shadaa and helped him out on his quest against Desaann and his reborn. All in his own search for his family, his older brother in particular.

 

Geonosis would be hard. The best place would be to follow the advice of the prisoner. Kenobi's landing site was better than nothing unless they scouted the planet using the ship's cloaking ability. He settled deep in his thoughts to think.

[Chevron 7 locke]

((Not if she was already on a mission and couldn't help out with the attack on Geonosis.))

 

"Were you in some sort of a vaccumm or something?"

 

"No. I was already on a mission when the attack on Geonosis occured. I was never in the same sector during the war or after the war." She answered half-truthfully. The truth was...complicated and she didn't like to think about it. It brought back far too many bad memories.

 

"I'm sorry I can't be of more help. But as I said, I was on another mission."

 

 

 

 

Imperial Pride

 

Beroc snarled at his first officer as a few consoles on the bridge burst into flame and smoke.

 

"Reroute all auxillary power to shields and weapons! Bring the ship around and begin targeting the frigates and cruisers first. They are being used as an anti-fighter barrier now and without them the republic fleet won't be able to take out as many fighters! Power up the modified turbolasers and bring the ship about."

 

The Imperial Pride slowly began to turn around as it fired it's forward turbolasers at any ship in it's path. The heavily powered up tubolasers cut directly through any of the ships in it's path and wiped out at least five ships before they had to recharge.

 

 

 

Ackbar

 

"Admiral!" Garja shouted as he watched the screen. "Look!" Belina turned to look as one of the imperial ships turned around and punched directly through the shields of at least five of her ships before ceasing fire.

 

One hit from those tubolasers was enough to wipe out their shields and punch through their hull. That's not good.

 

The bridge rocked as Belina grabbed onto a console to keep from falling. "Order all fighters and bombers to go after that ship! Disable it's forward turbolasers at all costs!"

[Tysyacha]

"The good doctor has been caring for me so long that I find myself curiously unable to let go of her hand," Andorra announced with a giggle. Then she turned to her new partner. "Lenatha? It might be a good idea for me to get some practice in wielding Chetyrnadtsat' again, as I have not done so in a good long while. If I put a sheath on the blade, would you be willing to spar with me in the cargo hold?" A brief pause. "That is, if it's empty, of course."

[Alkonium]

"Lead them to the labs, including the princess and the doctor. Turn their target into a trap." Darth Pestilus explained. "They will witness the might of the Sith Empire as it rises once more to crush the New Galactic Empire and the Third Galactic Republic!"

 

*************************

 

"Jun-la's practicing in there already, if that's not a problem." Kalla explained, wondering if 'sparring' was just a euphemism. "If it is, there's still the garage and the dormitories. If you'll excuse me, I'll be joining her in the cargo hold."

 

*************************

 

"Understood. Time to give them a taste of their own medicine." Iyav replied, activating the cannon's randomiser and opening fire on the New Imperial Star Destroyer until he could bypass their shields. Then, seeing one of his shots go straight through, he transmitted the readings to the rest of the Republic fleet. "Put your weapons at these settings, and you should be able to even the odds against that Star Destroyer." He explained.

[Shana]

"Lenatha? It might be a good idea for me to get some practice in wielding Chetyrnadtsat' again, as I have not done so in a good long while. If I put a sheath on the blade, would you be willing to spar with me in the cargo hold?"

 

Lenatha looked at Andorra a little embarrased, not because they were a couple now, not because she was holding her hand, but because as skilled as a surgeon that she was, fencing was not really her best ability.

 

"I'll try to keep up, honestly I'm not that good with a sword, I'm better with a blaster. But it can't hurt to practice right?", Lenatha said hoping not to disappoint Andorra of any expectations she might have had about her as a fighter.

[Cyborg Ninja]

Xan looked over at Darth Pestilus and found himself cocking his eyebrow again. He certainly hoped he was included in this destruction or excluded from it and left alone with his money. Either way he'd make sure to keep an eye on Pestilus in case he too got caught in this trap. He turned away and down towards his own feet. He'd have to options in how he would get them to the labs. He could attack the group and then retreat into the labs, or he could mask his true intentions and lead them there peacefully. Option 1 was much more fun but he'd attempt Option 2 and if they didn't believe him then he'd go with the better option. He looked back at Darth Pestilus and smirked.

 

"That shouldn't be too hard for someone like me. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go get ready for our guests," Xan said standing up.

 

--------

 

Silence was a must when in the presence of a higher rank. At least that's what Wrath was told when he was a Sith. Upon hearing of a little sparring match however, he decided to speak up. He looked over at Andorra and gave a slight bow.

 

"If you truly want to get some practice with your weapon again, then perhaps I would be a better sparring partner. No offense to the doctor, but I feel I would be able to give you the practice you require. She can fight with you if you wish, besides I too have not fought in quite some time and could use the warm up," he said with a slight chuckle at the end.

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Put your weapons at these settings, and you should be able to even the odds against that Star Destroyer."

 

Belina and her bridge crew cheered as Iyav's message came over the channel. "Tactical! Hit that star destroyer with everything we've got!"

 

Belina grinned as she watched as one of the turbolaser blasts went directly through the shields of the star destroyer and then her smile vanished as the blasts began hitting the shields again.

 

"Sorry..." she said over the comlink. "It looks like they managed to change the shield frequency again."

 

Her expression turned to one of horror as she watched as three full squadrons of fighters flew out of the hanger bay and went directly after Komad's ship.

 

"Komad. You have at least three squadrons of fighters on your tail. Watch out."

 

 

 

Imperial Pride

 

"Admiral! We have impacts against the hull! That MC-104 cruiser is the source of the blasts!"

 

Beroc turned around and began issuing orders. "Tactical. Dispatch three squadrons of fighters to deal with that little ship that managed to punch through our shields earlier. I want it destroyed now! Bring us about so we're facing the MC-104 and get an identification on it."

 

"It reads as the Ackbar. Admiral Belina's ship."

 

Beroc smiled a grim smile. Killing Belina would prove to be a great victory for the empire.

 

"Are the modified turbolasers recharged yet?"

 

"No sir. They need another minute before they're fully recharged."

 

"Very well. Bring us so that our starboard guns are facing the Ackbar and begin firing as soon as possible."

 

 

Geonosis

 

Atora Zen knew that there was going to be a battle in orbit of Geonosis but he didn't know that it was going to be this...chaotic. Ships were exploding all around him and he was being forced to didge debries and stray tubolaser blasts but he had his orders.

 

Belina had ordered him to go to Geonosis and put a stop to this disease at all costs even if it meant his own life. In return, Admiral Belina would allow him to use the Ackbar as a port that he could dock his ship at whenever he needed repairs or a place to lay low for awhile. Assuming that he lived through this mission.

 

I will live. And my reputation will continue to be spread throughout all known space. I will be the best known bounty hunter in all known space.

 

Atora continued on down toward the planet as he looked for a place to land his ship.

[Tysyacha]

"I have an idea," Andorra announced with a girlish wink and a smile. "Doctor? You can shoot blaster bolts at me, with the blaster set to 'stun', and I will try to deflect them with Chetyrnadtsat'. Wrath? In the meantime, you can duel me in hand-to-hand melee combat. What good am I as a fighter if I can't handle two opponents at the same time? If the vivinecrotic people and creatures gang up on us, I don't want to find myself outnumbered and defenseless. Agreed?" She turned to leave for the training room on the ship.

[JediMaster12]

"Truth is complicated," Tavaryn muttered. "We'll land at the last coordinates the Jedi landed at. We'll make our way there." He then tapped the console to activate the comm, "R4, use the coordinates in your memory banks for Geonosis."

 

Haruka eyed his companions. And I thought I had a lousy past. Out loud he said, "Oookay so you were off on a mission. Must've been important cause it saved you from the purge."

 

**********

 

Jun-la was practicing her hand to hand but it was in a meditative state. The old masters called it kata. She just breathed and followed through with what her master had taught her. She noticed Kalla but made no acknowledgement and she was followed by Tonatius.

 

Tonatius left with a few choice words for his cousin, "Practice makes better but don't rush it." He then followed Kalla into the cargo hold. He noticed Jun-la and he whispered to Kalla, "Kata as the old masters call it. A meditative state of combat. Some forms use a blade, others are hand to hand. A means of centering and becoming one with your weapon of choice."

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Oookay so you were off on a mission. Must've been important cause it saved you from the purge."

 

"No...during the purge I was at the jedi temple. I fought my way through the clones and managed to escape to Geo- Never mind. But I was on Tatooine when The jedi left to Geonosis. I was supposed to go apparently but I recieved the message far to late to be of any good. I was actually busy trying to take down a minor criminal."

 

She sighed deeply.

 

"I can't help but think that if I had gone there I could have made a difference of some sort. But like I said, I didn't get the message in time."

[JediMaster12]

Tavaryn looked up from his musings and turned to face Alriana. He said, "We can't all but help feel that way at some point in our lives. I like to think that things happen for a reason or as the Jedi like to say, the Force wills it. One cannot pretend to understand all intricacies of it."

 

"You know the Handmaidens would say different," Haruka replied.

 

"Actually the Handmaidens serve the will of the Force," Tavaryn corrected. "The Shinigami are guardians and the Bushida warriors are in effect the military." He grinned at the thought of it all. "We all believe in a higher power and each strives to serve as best as they can, even the nonbelievers."

 

"In my experience I'd call it luck," Haruka said before getting up to go explore the ship. They still had some time to kill before reaching the planet Geonosis. Better to go find Two-y and get prepared.

 

When Haruka left, Tavaryn looked at Alriana and said, "The boy is gone now and you can tell me about your escape. If you wish."