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

[Alkonium]

As the three remaining infected approached, they were all gunned down from behind by Iyav. "We need to get out of here now. There's only five minutes left until the cannons go off." He told the group as he and Komad led them into the hangar and the two ships.

 

As the Silver Eagle took off, the New Imperial presence became clear, as Iyav pointed out the Star Destroyer. "We need you to destroy your ship now." Komad told Atora. "We're jumping to hyperspace the moment that's done."

 

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

 

"We'll have to lock him up." Kalla suggested. "Interrogating him may be useless, but if we let him go, he'll just try again."

 

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

 

"Technically speaking, they're not, and damage to either panel seals the door. Fortunately, I've got the security clearance to override that." Kol explained, putting his eye up to a retinal scanner on the other wall panel. As the door opened, Kol called out, "Surrender now, assassin. You're outnumbered and disarmed."

 

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

 

Reyvan's holographic image appeared on Lenatha's console. "This is Jedi Master Reyvan Skyrider. What can I do you for you, Doctor Pradhes?"

[Master_Archon]

"Big mistake," Vector heard Kalla say, diverting her form to Soresu, the defensive stance. His blood-based will perception had told him of her hidden intentions the first time shed held her blade in the fake Niman stance, but his own momentum had been his doom, as he'd ended up being unable to defend from the simplistic attack that the 19 year old girl deployed, his own lightsaber being severed around a third of the way down from the emitter. He stood, literally inches away from her face, as he'd been halted at that point; he stood passively, hands at his sides, looking at the part of his father's former pikesaber lying on the ground, his mind suppressing any emotional uprising so as to avoid having the neural-nodes activating on him to suppress any of his own individuality from surfacing.

 

"I gathered that you were trying to kill me, but why?" She then asked, this time more aggressively than her previous inquiry.

 

His head lifted, staring straight into her face, he motioned ever-so-slightly with his hand, his lightsaber's fallen piece lifting swiftly into his fingers.

 

"Weak form, new to the style, confident practitioners of Soresu wouldn't hide behind a Niman stance. She knew her abilities in her newfound skill wouldn't hold up against the skills of an aged and experienced assassin. Very clever of her. She would make a good...." He paused, his analytical drone of a speech, which had seemed as if he were talking like she wasn't there, when in fact, she was right in front of his face. In many ways he had been complimenting her performance, even if he were speaking as if she wasn't there, but at the last he had stopped before saying any more....Or too much.

 

"He wouldn't tell us Kalla. More likely he would rather be dead as the cliche goes," Tonatious spouted off, taking an aggressive stance on the 'assumed' defenseless target.

 

"No, I, would rather live," he actually said to Tonatious with a slight twitch in his face as he did so.

 

"You don't remember him, do you?" Kalla asked Tonatious. "What's a hermit from Jatalra doing here trying to kill me?" She then asked Vector, who simply stared down at the shorter figure, bravely holding her stance in front of him, as he, like a stone, stood towering over her, impassively, stoically, taking long, deep-slow breaths, he chest expanding out, nearly meeting her own.

 

"You, him, Jun-la, Iyav, Andorra, Reyvan, and any others deemed affiliated with: ultimately, Komad, your father," Vector called names off the top of his head, indicating that the attempt on Kalla's life was apart of a much larger scope, based around her dad, which included Tonatious, and Lady Jun-la too, meaning at any time he could have turned his attention away from her and ended the lives of any of the other two in the area.

 

"I remember. Can't turn the back but it doesn't mean that there is an inkling of respect," Tonatius responded to Kalla's question.

 

"Respect for what? A boy barely a year older than half my age? You don't deserve respect until you've grown a bit, boy...Matured some too," Vector responded, his words implicated by his own thoughts, but as autonomous as all the others he'd spoken before. Vector simply looked at Tonatious as he glared like an upset child at him, for reasons Vector, honestly, could care less about, if he even knew about them.

 

"We'll have to lock him up," Kalla suggested. "Interrogating him may be useless, but if we let him go, he'll just try again."

 

"Attempts to capture me will spur me to defend myself, despite my own desires. Interrogation is impossible as I am tortured as we speak. Letting me go may buy you some time, but ultimately, someone will die, by my hands. I can't flee, unless I intend to continue the task of killing you all after doing so. I can't give up, lest I be forced to strike. I can't kill myself, and I cannot stand by and allow another to do so, even if I intend to let them. My only acceptable committable action is to stand, and to speak," he listed like a robot in response to Kalla's words, even if she'd been speaking to Tonatious.

 

"Surrender now, assassin. You're outnumbered and disarmed," came the voice of someone else from behind, as the doors that he'd jammed had finally come open, releasing the ones within.

 

Vector continued to speak to Kalla, ignoring their words, "Make your next move a wise one, if you seek to preserve my life as well as the lives of your comrades. If you simply don't care about my life, then strike at me, but be warned, I am never us defenseless as I seem." With these words he reached up, lowering the hood of the robes he'd been wearing, finally revealing his face, cryptic and distorted by a toothed mask, his eyes completely covered by grey metallic flaps, flaked-golden cords hanging from his eyes/flaps in a manner that would be disturbing for the unprepared. The coup-de-grace were the old faded ruby colored Sith tattoos marked along his forehead, and upper cranium, a strange cord-line running the vertical length of his head from the mask; small ovular discs connected, and spaced out along the length of the cord-line, as it met, and connected into a cerebral implant outlet/port at the back of his head.

 

((The ovular discs are the neural-nodes that suppress his intentions and will.))

[JediMaster12]

Tonatius raised his brow in amusement. The assassin misunderstood what he had said. He replied, "A pity knowledge can be elusive even to instinct."

 

At that moment, when Master Skywalker sprung the door, Jun-la strode in purposely, no weapon in hand. She stood firm and resolute and repeated the master's words, "Surrender now. You value your life and you take any means to stay alive. Take a chance offered."

 

Her lightsaber hung limply on her belt and her blade was firmly held in her sash. She made no move to retrieve them but stood there wide open to attack. Tonatius thought it foolish but he knew better than to doubt Lady Jun-la. She was setting up for something and he conveyed his thoughts by a slight nod to Kalla.

[Cyborg Ninja]

Kurt followed Komad and felt a bit of relief when they reached the ship. Rather than sit down he stood up like he usually did. He wasn't sure exactly why he did that, but it made him feel better.

 

Wrath was thrown off by Andorra's question. He thought about it for a minute before nodding his head.

 

"Yes I've heard of such a thing, but what has brought this question up?"

[Alkonium]

"You say you're being tortured as we speak? Then let me make you an offer. Surrender, and we'll help put an end to it. Masters who torture you, or targets who want to help you, which will it be?" Kalla asked, taking an alternative approach to dealing with Vector.

[Chevron 7 locke]

"We need you to destroy your ship now."

 

Atora interfaced with his ship through his helmet's computer and quickly initiated the self-destruct on his ship.

 

Self destruct initiated. Ten second countdown engaged. Ten...nine...eight...seven...six.

 

Atora turned to Komad as the countdown started and looked around the ship before looking at Komad again.

 

"I need to speak with Admiral Belina now. It is of vital importance that she learn of what happened on the Cygnus. And too be fair, I was on the ship a bit longer then you were."

 

Four...three...two...one.

 

 

 

 

Death's head

 

"Sir! A small ship has just left the Cygnus's starboard hanger!"

 

"Tractor beam! Now!"

 

The officer in charge of the tractor beam nodded once and then shook his head in disappointment. "We can't get a lock on it sir. Something is disrupting the loc- Wait...Sir! One of the ships in the port hanger has engaged it's self-destruct! We need to get out of here immediatly."

 

The Death's head turned and began to move away from the Cygnus at it's fastest sub-light speed as the Nav officer began to plot a hyperspace route back to the fleet.

[Alkonium]

"Very well." Komad replied, patching the Silver Eagle's FTL comm into the Republic fleet. "This is Jedi Master Komad Kaltas. We have managed to rescue the surviving crew of the Cygnus and determine the cause of its disappearance. Operative Dourden is forwarding the ship's logs and his report to you as we speak. Also, one of the mercs you hired to investigate was forced to destroy his ship, and he wishes to speak with you immediately." Komad told Admiral Belina.

[JediMaster12]

Tavaryn had followed the boy following a hunch. In the end, it proved right for teh boy Haruka had been amubushed at his ship and taken hostage. Tavaryn knew he had to act quickly and jumped own to ground level. He stumbled across the boy's droid which had been disabled. Feeling pity for it, he quickly did some rapid repairs to get it operational and beckoned it to follow him.

 

Haruka was annoyed mostly with himself. He had allowed himself to be captured by an enemy. That they had ambushed him figured little into his reasoning. He was also pissed that they had damaged Two-y by hitting with a shot and kicking it out of sight. He glared at his captors as they tried getting a signal to their employer. He then felt a slight burning and wriggled his fingers. They touched metal and he realized that it was Two-y cutting through the ropes.

 

The enemy never saw it coming as Tavaryn jumped down on the pair and began beating them up with his fists. One was dispatched easily enough and, once Haruka was free, was tied up. The leader apparent was a huge fellow and came at Tavaryn weilding a vibroaxe. Even in the dark rain, Tavaryn could see that it was a Togorian. The only Togorians he had heard of were the ones his mother had fought when she was just a girl and accompanying a Jedi Master to Bandomeer along with his father. This guy was looking for blood but they needed to find out information from him.

 

Tavaryn assumed an attack position holding his fists up. The Togorian thought it was amusing that a puny human was going to try and fight him without a weapon. It was going to be an easy fight as he lunged at his opponent. Tavaryn was ready though and with a spring in his muscles, he sidestepped the Togorian and landed a quick and hard three punch combination.

 

The Togorian was clearly affected but he was also the more angry. He tried again and Tavaryn repeated his move. At the end, he said, "You place too much stock in your power. You are slow."

 

The Togorian roared and gave a running charged. Tavaryn stepped back and did an arm motion to gather power. When the Togorian collided with him, Tavaryn blocked the striked and forced his power into three strikes that ended in a punch that sent the Togorian flying back, scattering a pile of crates and sliding him in front of Alriana's view. Tavaryn was walking forward. He knew that Alriana would defend herself if the Togorian tried an attack on her. He also knew that she would disable him so they could get the information they needed.

 

The Togorian had that in mind when he saw Alriana. He noticed that she was wearing the robes of a Jedi but that didn't stop him. In fact, she looked more like a scared padawan than anything. Staggering to his feet he readied his vibroaxe and took a swing at the Jedi.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"Admiral. Incoming message on all frequencies. Rerouting transmission to your location."

 

"This is Jedi Master Komad Kaltas. We have managed to rescue the surviving crew of the Cygnus and determine the cause of its disappearance. Operative Dourden is forwarding the ship's logs and his report to you as we speak. Also, one of the mercs you hired to investigate was forced to destroy his ship, and he wishes to speak with you immediately."

 

Admiral Belina looked up from the console she was working on and motioned Garja to stand up from the console that he was repairing.

 

The console sparked once and then went dark. The admiral sighed and then motioned for Garja to move over so she could access all the logs and the communication from Komad.

 

"Reroute transmission to Communications console 368-B." She ordered and then she smiled as the logs and other information appeared on her screen. The smile quickly vanished as she read through them.

 

"This...This can't be right. Garja. Come take a look at this. Look at the reports consisting of what happened to the crew."

 

Garja looked over it and his face began to turn pale. "This disease...it looks like something out of a horror holo. Are you sure this is accuarate?"

 

"I am forced to believe that this is the truth. I want the Ackbar up and running by the end of the week. Everyone is going to work double shifts so we can get this ship up and running."

 

Oh right. The merc. He's probably still waiting on the channel.

 

"This is Admiral Belina. May I ask your name?"

 

"Atora Zen. I intercepted a distress call from the Cygnus about a day before the Jedi and his friends found the Cygnus". Atora replied over the comn channel.

 

Atora Zen...that name sounds so familiar...

 

"Aren't you one of the mercs who we have a contract with? Your supposed to investigate all distress calls and assist any republic ships in combat, correct?"

 

"Yes Admiral. I need to speak with you once we return to the Republic fleet. And it needs to be away from the Jedi and his friends. I have information that you need to made aware of, and I don't want to risk anyone intercepting the comn channel."

 

"Agreeded. Komad, Iyav. I'll debrief you after I'm done with Atora. Good work you two, rest assured you've both earned my gratitude and the gratitude of the entire republic fleet for finding the Cygnus.

 

 

 

 

 

Nar Shadda

 

Alriana qucikly moved out of the way of the vibro-axe and then re-ignited her lightsaber and then force-pushed her new opponet back away from her.

 

"We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way. You can either surrender or I can make this very painful and then you'll have no chance but to surrender. your choice."

[JediMaster12]

"Not a chance Jeedai," the Togorian deliberately extended the word showing his contempt.

 

Tavaryn at the time had gotten to a reasonable distance and said, "She is right. It's your choice." He had his left hand on the sheath of his blade. He was ready to striek if necessary.

 

The Togorian roared and charged at Alriana, determined to get her.

[Shana]

"This is Jedi Master Reyvan Skyrider. What can I do you for you, Doctor Pradhes?"

 

Lenatha didn't expect to see Wrath all of a sudden but then turned when she heard the voice of Reyvan.

 

"Thank the force, Master Reyvan, I called you so late because of Andorra. She had a vision and we need to contact Master Komad Kaltas and Iyav as quickly as possible. Is there anyway we can patch through to them?", Lenatha asked and then motioned Andorra to move closer to the holoprojector. "Andorra, tell Reyvan everything".

[Tysyacha]

Blurting out her story about the nightmare, Andorra talked faster than a Toydarian at a used (read: stolen) parts sale on Tatooine. "Whatever you do, don't let anyone or anything get near the piloting controls," she stammered. "Just trust me. Escape with whomever you can and then get out of there."

[Ping]

Kerlos got into his ship as Komad, Iyav, and the others did, too. He called out to Atora.

 

"Hey, I owe you one. Maybe I'll help you out next time I get the chance."

 

Kerlos activated the Star Chaser's engines, and then blasted forward into space. He saw Komad and Iyav's ships slow down, so Kerlos slowed down his ship, too. He opened the comm channel and was about to speak until he heard the both of them were being spoken to by a Republic admiral.

 

"So, guys," Kerlos said over the comm. "Do we go on that ship now, or what?"

[Alkonium]

"According to our reports, they've already escaped, and destroyed the Cygnus with a makeshift auto-destruct. Anyone or anything still on board would have been incinerated." Reyvan explained. "Also, based on their report, we believe Doctor Pradhes would be able to help us with investigating the last known planet the Cygnus touched down on: Geonosis."

 

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

 

"Yes, we're to rendezvous with the Republic fleet. The Silver Eagle just doesn't have the facilities to help these people, not with the trauma they've been through." Komad explained as Iyav punched the coordinates into the navicomputer and made the jump into hyperspace.

[Shana]

Lenatha made a sigh of relief as Reyvan said they destroyed the Cygnus.

 

"Did Master Kaltas procure any samples of the infected victims? An expedition to Geonosis sounds good. I'll have my medical equipment moved to wherever you need me to be", Lenatha said and looked back at Andorra. "We now have a chance to look at all of this up close".

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Yes, we're to rendezvous with the Republic fleet. The Silver Eagle just doesn't have the facilities to help these people, not with the trauma they've been through."

 

Atora looked up from one of the computers he was checking and then looked up at Komad. "You know Jedi, I can't help but question this disease. I checked your computer and there haven't been any outbreaks on Geonosis so far. That either makes it a very specific disease or possibly some sort of new Bio-weapon."

 

 

 

 

"Not a chance Jeedai,"

 

Alriana sighed heavily. She really didn't want to cut off one of his arms but the Togorian wasn't leaving her much choice. And she was guessing he couldn't use the vibro-axe if he was missing a hand.

 

She force jumped over his head and then brought her lightsaber around and held it directly next to his hand. All it would take to sever the hand was a twitch.

 

"Last chance." She said quietly. "Surrender, and you won't be harmed."

[Alkonium]

"Unfortunately no, and any examination of a dead victim by the crew proved fruitless. Our only hope is that you can find a sample on Geonosis. If you did, would you be able to come up with a counter-measure?" Reyvan inquired.

 

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

 

"Either way, we should find some answers there. All evidence seems to suggest that the crew got infected there." Komad explained.

 

"Are you sure your daughter can handle whatever's out there?" Iyav asked.

 

"She won't be alone, and she can talk her way out of any situation she can't fight her way out of." Komad replied.

[Tysyacha]

"So soon?" Andorra thought for a moment, and then she giggled. "Just kidding! After being stuck in a coma for who knows how long, and then under the ever-watchful eye of the Kenobi Medical Facility psychiatrists, I'm ready for a new adventure. Of course, unless it's one that involves me becoming Sith again."

 

She shuddered. "Never will I walk that dangerous path, Virul or no Virul."

[Alkonium]

"If you're certain you're in good enough condition, we could use your help as well, Andorra." Reyvan added. "We will contact you when we are ready."

[Cyborg Ninja]

Wrath couldn't help but let out a laugh. Geonosis wasn't exactly his favorite planet in his opinion. In fact it was probably one of his most hated planets. He shook his head slightly at how excited Andorra was to go somewhere but he couldn't blame her.

 

"Great Geonosis, my favorite planet," he said sarcastically to Andorra. "Well both have my protection as well as anything else I can assist you with Doctor," he added in to the two of them.

[Shana]

"Unfortunately no, and any examination of a dead victim by the crew proved fruitless. Our only hope is that you can find a sample on Geonosis. If you did, would you be able to come up with a counter-measure?"

 

"Just get me a team of scientists and you'll get the counter-measure for sure", Lenatha said and smiled at Andorra as she seemed so eager to get back into action, after all she had been in coma for a long time.

 

"We will contact you when we are ready."

 

"We will await your call", Lenatha said.

[JediMaster12]

Tavaryn beat the Togorian to the punch by whipping his hat off his head and throwing it with deadly precision. It wasn't enough to chop off a limb but the force of the blow hit the knees and sent the Togorian stumbling forward but he had enough balance to continue a strike at Alriana. He was laughing at Tavaryn's pathetic attempt.

 

Tavaryn reached out for his hat as it returned to him. It was up to Alriana. He was too far away to strike out with his sword but with a deft movement, he grabbed his other weapon, and tossed it at Alriana, relying on her use of the Force to get it. He shouted, "Alriana here."

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Alriana here."

 

Alriana moved out of the way of her charging advasary and then used to the force to guide the lightsaber to her hand.

 

"I gave you one last chance to surrender. You ignored that opportunity and now must pay the price."

 

She ran directly at the Togorian and then focused in on the Togorian's left hand.

 

All I need to do is sever the hand.

 

She jumped up into the air and then came down directly behind the Togorian and then turned around and brought her lightsaber down in a slashing motion.

[JediMaster12]

((Chev, the weapon he tossed was a lightsaber. ))

 

Tavaryn continued to sprint with his hand on the hilt of his blade. He was ready to bring it out at a moment's notice. After his hat returned to him, he had slapped it back on and began to sprint to Alriana's aide. His boots made a pattering sound that sounded like reeds beating the ground. He leaned forward as if to make himself run faster.

 

The Togorian anticipated the move and countered with a block with his axe while at the same time moved to strike with a fist. He said, "Jeedai, I have face before. Mostly those from a long time ago and far away."

[Chevron 7 locke]

((Woops sorry. I thought it was some sort of blade.))

 

Alriana force jumped back as the Togorian tried to hit her with his fist. Her anger was begining to get the better of her.

 

"I'm getting sick of you." She growled "I offer you multiple chances to surrender and you refuse. I should have never even offered you the chance to surrender."

 

She ignited the lightsaber that Tavaryn had thrown her and ran at the Togorian, this time she wasn't going for his hand. This time she was going for his torso.