Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part VIII: Wrath of the Empire

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"Well you are the supreme commander of the Republic fleet. You've engaged in major battles that have decided the major course of the galaxy. It seems more like a know the enemy ploy. However that code thing bothers me."

 

Belina shook her head. "I don't know...I just have a feeling that their is some other reason...I just can't put my finger on it. As for the code...I honestly don't know what that is. I'll send a message to coruscant when we get the chance to see what its for."

 

 

"She does wish to speak with you. Are you extending cooperation?"

 

Xeran nodded. "Yes I am. I need to know what it was that he downloaded. In addition, I would rather not have Admiral Belina think that I was the cause of the trouble.

 

 

Avalon

 

"Unless we do a rescue mission. From the looks of things, the battle is almost won."

 

Alriana struggled to her feet. "My pain means nothing right now, right now we have to get to Tavaryn. I can sense the amount of pain that hes in right now."

[Alkonium]

They got the message. Find your way off the planet. Pestilus sent back, but at that moment, the sky of Avalon flooded with Republic ATT's. Reinforcements had arrived.

 

Despite that, the remaining AT-AT's had become aware of the walker that had been commandeered by the Echelon 5 operatives, and opened fire. They were outnumbered and outgunned, with no chance of escape.

 

"Damn. Those were two of our best operatives." Jareth commented. "Time for the rest of us to make a discrete exit." They then activated their stealth field generators, and cleared out.

[JediMaster12]

I'll send a message to coruscant when we get the chance to see what its for.

 

Andros nodded, "Oh by the way, I was able to restore primary power for the main computer and boost the ampage. So it should be running top speed through the connectors I already replaced. I'm just keping it a minimal power so they don't short as I replace others." He went back into the panel he was working on and began removing and replacing again.

 

Meanwhile Jun-la was looking at Xeran, as if trying to read him but she was doing none of the sort. She said, "Then please stand where the security team can see you." She pulled out her comm and said, "Admiral, I have Xeran and he wishes to talk. Is there a room I bring him?"

 

*********

 

"My pain means nothing right now, right now we have to get to Tavaryn. I can sense the amount of pain that hes in right now."

 

Murasaki nodded. "Alright Master Jedi just let Healer Lenatha bind your arm sufficiently. You won't do him any good if you jump down passed out." She smiled reassuringly.

 

*********

 

Tavaryn was ragged as he stood next to his staff. In one hand his sword was gripped tightly and in the other, was the knife dagger that his enemy had thrown before escaping. He looked around and saw that the enemy was in retreat in some places while in others, they attacked. There were still a few AT AT walkers that needed to be taken out.

 

Using what strength he had and the Force he called for Ryu. The wyvern responded with a bellow before taking off, leaving Murasaki and Alriana behind. It landed by Tavaryn and he gave tha beast a pat before clambering on. The knife he tucked into a sheath in his boot and sheathed his sword on his back. He yeanked his staff out of the groound and encouraged the wyvern to fly.

 

He spotted one that was still firing on the fortress. He pulled a grenade out of a pouch and directed the wyvern to head towards it. He jumped up so he was ready to spring. As soon as he was near, he leapt off and threw the grenade through the viewport. He was going fast enough to run along the side and spring back onto the wyvern. The landing hurt and agitated both wounds but his left shoulder ached terribly and the pieced was still embedded.

 

He wrapped his wrist on the grip and contiued taking out troops and those that surrendered, he handed them off to Komad and Tiye. With the loss of blood, Tavaryn blacked out and fell forward on the wyvern's neck. The wyvern bellowed and began a descent where it landed near a bunch of wrecked transports and AT ATs. The wyvern bellowed and made a protective huddle near a fallen AT AT.

 

*********

 

Tiye had finished rounding up the last batch of prisoners and was loading them onto the transport. She said to Komad, "This battle seems more like a distraction. Or it's a sign of something worse."

 

The bellow of the wyvern caught her attention. She saw the beast on the ground. No rider was present. Tiye was puzzled. She commed a signal and said, "You might need a medic team out a ways."

 

Murasaki's voice came through, "I know. Inose and the Twi'lek healer are on it."

 

*********

 

Message received milord and I have acquired another potential. One with a particular kind of hatred. Kage replied as his ship took off from the surface. Since his vessel was like other Avalonian vessels, he transmitted a clearance code and took off.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"Oh by the way, I was able to restore primary power for the main computer and boost the ampage. So it should be running top speed through the connectors I already replaced. I'm just keping it a minimal power so they don't short as I replace others."

 

Belina had to admit that she was suprised. The Ackbar's computer had been giving them trouble since Geonosis. She was greatly impressed that he had been able to up the ampage.

 

"I don't suppose that you would be willing to take a job here on the Ackbar?" Belina said in a joking tone. "The computer has been giving us trouble for awhile."

 

 

 

"Then please stand where the security team can see you."

 

"As you wish." Xeran said as he moved into the very center of the group of security officers. He didn't want any trouble.

 

"Admiral, I have Xeran and he wishes to talk. Is there a room I bring him?"

 

Belina paused for a moment before responding. "Bring him to the briefing room on deck 2 and make sure you and at least two security officers with him at all times."

 

 

Avalon

 

Alriana's eyes widened when she felt Tavaryn black out. She could tell that he was still alive, she would have known if he had died due to their link with each other.

 

"I think I'll pass on the healing for now." Alriana said as she began to gather the force around her to give her the strength to get up on her feet. "Right now Tavaryn is in trouble...and I will be there for him the way he was there for me."

[JediMaster12]

I don't suppose that you would be willing to take a job here on the Ackbar?" Belina said in a joking tone. "The computer has been giving us trouble for awhile."

 

Andros chuckled. "A tempting offer but I still have much to learn being a Jedi. My computer skills are something that only Master Jun-la encourages." It was a blanket statement that covered the fact that Jun-la encouraged him to practice slicing into terminals and the like, the beginnings of a scoundrel.

 

He finished connecting the last connector and tapped into his pad. He ordered the computer to slowly build up charge to maximum power. He watched the levels and checked the connectors as the charge went up to full power. He waited for a few moments and said, "Main computer is online, Admiral and at full power."

 

**********

 

Bring him to the briefing room on deck 2 and make sure you and at least two security officers with him at all times."

 

"Roger." Jun-la then put away her comm and said to Xeran, "Come with us to the briefing room on deck 2." She then motioned for the security officers with her to lead and watch the prisoner. She walked side by side with Xeran, not showing any worry taht he might try something though her guard was not let down.

 

**********

 

"Right now Tavaryn is in trouble...and I will be there for him the way he was there for me."

 

Murasaki peered at the determination the Jedi had. She was impressed and willing to go along despite any objections the healers may have. She nodded and replied, "Alright."

 

Since the wyvern had disappeared off in the distance, it would be pointless to try and call it. She whistled for her stallion which appeared at a hard gallop and looked like it barely broke a sweat. She patted the animal on its neck and stroked the nose to show appreciation. She said, "Since the wyvern is not an option, we'll have to ride over there."

 

She swung herself up and gave an arm out for Alriana to hop on. To Lenatha she said, "You might want to saddle up too. We'll need your help."

 

To Alriana, she said, "Hold on as best you can," and urged the stallion forward.

 

**********

 

Haruka had been in battle before but a full scale army battle was an interesting and new experience. They managed to capture some of the enemy which would prove useful to the Republic later. What impressed him the most was his friend the Shinigami and his riding the wyvern.

 

He had heard stories about the creature and wondered how his friend had managed to tame one. Now that the battle was winding down, he could make out the wyvern huddled on the ground. He also saw a ship take off and judging by the look, it was one of the enemy. He commed, "Haruka to Katarn, enemy vessel taking off the planet."

 

He then ran towards the wyvern. Upon arrival, the wyvern bellowed at him and tried to skewer him with its wings. He could make out Tavaryn lying there but the beast wouldn't let people near him.

 

**********

 

He saw black but then he opened his eyes. He was in the place he always went to in his dreams and when he came home. The waterfall was cool and flowing and the grass looked soft and green. Heck he could feel it cause he was lying in it. He felt calm but he was aware of a niggling feeling that he was supposed to be somewhere else.

 

Sitting up, he looked around. She wasn't there. She always was when he had this dream. He then remembered. He had been in a battle. He jumped to his feet but nothing happened. Where the hell am I?

[Alkonium]

"You saw what they did to the Enterprise. With that sort of power, they could have levelled the whole planet, but they didn't. And the capital ships wouldn't have abandoned the ground troops if this was an invasion." Komad surmised. "It's most likely a show of force. They're trying to scare us, and I have no doubt that for some, it's working."

 

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

 

"I'm on my way." Lenatha replied, mounting the nearest katarn, and following the party out.

[Tysyacha]

Andorra Evenstar suddenly heard, in the depths of her mind, a voice:

 

Surely you know you cannot win. The Sith are simply far too powerful.

 

The young Avalonian almost jumped out of her skin. "What in space? Who--?"

 

You know who I am, young one. I am a ghost come back to haunt you.

 

"Darth Virul?" She slapped both of her hands over her mouth. "He's dead!"

 

Don't be a fool. Of COURSE he's dead, although I still live, dear child.

 

"You do not. Get out of my head, whoever you are, or I'll force you to!"

 

How? You lack that power, except in your sublustrum state, which you have not experienced ever since before you were possessed by Virul.

 

"I'll go into it again. Not now, but later."

 

Mocking laughter. If you don't use an ability, you lose it. Completely...

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"Main computer is online, Admiral and at full power."

 

Belina grinned. This was the best news she had had in quite awhile. "Good work. Now you can tell your friends that the Supreme commander of the Republic fleet owes you one."

 

 

"Come with us to the briefing room on deck 2."

 

Xeran nodded and began moving forward. His senses were alert enough that he could tell that someone was following them. The footsteps behind them matched his exactly and they were stopping whenever he stopped.

 

"Jedi." He whispered quietly. "I think that someone may be following us. Be ready."

 

 

Avalon

 

"Hold on as best you can,"

 

Alriana almost was thrown off the stallion went forward but used the force to keep her balance on the stallion. "You don't have to worry about me., I can handle myself."

 

Katarn

 

"Haruka to Katarn, enemy vessel taking off the planet."

 

The tactical officer aboard the Katarn acknowledged the order and then looked towards the captain. "Get it with the tractor beam. That ship must not be allowed to escape and if you can't get it with the tractor destroy it at all costs." the captain said.

 

"Yes sir!"

[JediMaster12]

Kage was looking out the viewport while the computer configured the coordinates. He remembered his pretty, the one that the Jedi called Andorra, and decided that it would be fun to torture her. He sent I see you have changed my pretty. Do you miss what we had?

 

"Republic ship has tracked us," Aiden replied. He liked the one who allowed him to come. There was something about him that called to him and compelled him to join, turning his back on everything that he knew.

 

Kage looked at the scanner lazily. "Hmm. Republics always trying to get what they can't have." He then directed the ship to move in a pattern to avoid the tractor beam. He sent to the Republic ship, "Do not try anything Republic vessel."

 

**********

 

Governor Starlighter noticed her daughter trembling and asked, "What is wrong daughter? What do you hear?"

 

**********

 

"You don't have to worry about me., I can handle myself."

 

"I can tell," Murasaki replied wryly as she urged her stallion forward. She pulled up short of the wyvern who was bellowing at them and using the razor sharp barbs on the near tip of the wing to try to skewer anyone who came too close.

 

She dismounted and helped Alriana down while keeping her eye on the beast. She noticed another Republic, an Avalonian who was trying to get near the beast. She could make out an unconcious Tavaryn sheltered by the massive body. She said to Alriana, "Do you have any ideas? I don't want to try any mind tricks and make it angry. It's protecting him."

 

**********

 

"It's most likely a show of force. They're trying to scare us, and I have no doubt that for some, it's working."

 

Tiye nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Some of the ones that have not been tested and the young are in fear. The older ones are angry and want revenge." She glanced at the ruins and the bloodied plains. "Hard times have befallen us all."

 

She gave a hard boot to one of the prisoners to get into the containment vehicle. "Tell me, what do you think we should do with the prisoners? What does the Republic do?"

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Do not try anything Republic vessel."

 

The captain of the Katarn listened to the message and shook his head. The Katarn was one of the most powerful ships in the fleet and it was crewed by experienced people. Doubtless the enemy ship had some sort of ace up it's sleeve but it was still his duty to try and stop it.

 

"Keep trying to get it with the tractor beam and load torpedoe launchers. Someone get a targeting lock on that ship!"

 

"Target lock aquired Captain."

 

 

 

Avalon

 

"Do you have any ideas? I don't want to try any mind tricks and make it angry. It's protecting him."

 

Alriana stepped foward towards the beast. "I think I might have an idea." She said quietly as she walked towards the Wyvern and projected an aura of calm and peace through the air as she walked towards it. "I hope you remember me friend," she said gently to the Wyvern. "I was helping Tavaryn with his battle with the sith earlier."

 

 

Ackbar

 

Xeran saw a quick flash of movement out of the corner of his eyes and instantly pulled a blaster pistol out of one of the escorting troops and shot it off, just as a blaster bolt nearly hit him, missing him by only a few inches.

 

In the time that it took for the blaster bolt to hit the wall Xeran was able to figure out three things. His attacker was a twi'lek judging by the shaow on the wall next to him, the blaster was set on kill judging by the hole in the wall and it appeared his attacker was very foolish to attempt to kill him when he was surrounded by a jedi and republic troops.

 

He fired off the blaster again and nearly hit his attacker.

[JediMaster12]

Jun-la's reaction was equally fast as Xeran. She saw the blaster nearly miss the prisoner and looked in the direction of the shot. She could make out the faint silhouette of Twi'lek and called out, "Freeze intruder. By order of the Republic fleet, you are under arrest." She directed the security officers to fan out and prepare to take the enemy prisoner.

 

**********

 

Andros had finished replacing the panel on the main computer and had opened up secondary systems to work on that. He was working on security and what he saw on his datapad had him open his eyes wide. He brought it up on the main screen and said, "Admiral, looks like we might have another intruder on board. He just attack the security detail escorting Xeran." He froze the frame in the coner so Belina could look at it.

 

**********

 

"I hope you remember me friend. I was helping Tavaryn with his battle with the sith earlier."

 

The wyvern bellowed out a roar and lowered its head to look at Alriana. The body was angled protectively over Tavaryn. It looked at Alriana in the eye and stared. At one point it roared right in her face.

 

Murasaki watched with interest. The wyvern was asserting territory while ascertaining if the Jedi was a threat or not. She had seen straif cats and other creatures perform in similar situations and in really it was the animal that decided.

 

The wyvern must've liked what it saw in Alriana. When she didn't move, the wyvern moved slightly to allow the her in.

 

Haruka also had been watching and was impressed. He wondered if now that the Jedi managed to calm the wyvern down, Doc Pradhes could get through. He sat down on the ground to indicate a non threat and waited.

 

**********

 

It was pleasant in this place where he went to in his dreams. At one point he came across a young woman walking with a man. He recognized the woman and walked up to her. "Mother?"

 

The woman looked at him and smiled along with the man who seemed suprised at first. The woman then frowned and said, "You aren't supposed to be here Tavaryn."

 

Tavaryn looked annoyed and replied, "Tell me about it."

 

"She is right," the man replied, "You are not supposed to be here. It is not your time."

 

Tavaryn shrugged his shoulders in annoyance. "Time for what? This place is where I come to in my dreams. Only thing is you two aren't there. So what gives?"

 

"Tavaryn," the woman replied, "You are in the place between realms. In short you are where people go when it's their time to leave and beome one with the Force."

 

"So I'm dead?"

 

"No, my son," the man replied, "Your body is still very much alive but your essence, your soul is here. You will remain alive in this state for a short time but then your body dies and you will die."

 

Tavaryn nodded understanding now what happened. It was the equivalent of a coma. Some people woke up, some didn't. "So how do I get back?"

 

The woman who was his mother smiled sadly and replied, "It is different for everyone. You have to have a reason to go back. Those that don't have a reason move forward."

 

It was on the tip of his tongue to retort about her leaving him and his siblings behind but he said nothing. In the end, he realized, his parents did what they thought was right. He couldn't be angry with them. Right now though he had to figure out how to go back. He replied, "So I have to find something to go back to?"

 

The man who was unmistakeably his father looked at him with a curious expression as Tavaryn made a similar expression back at him. "I would have thought that you would've had that one figured out already."

 

Tavaryn said nothing but the expression on his face indicated that his father was right. He did have one thing, one person to go back to and blushed. "Is it enough that I feel that strongly?"

 

"Once a wise old man said that love itself will save you, not condemn you," his mother replied.

 

Tavaryn smiled for he knew that expression quite well. "Thank you."

 

"Reach out to her."

 

"And may the Force be with you."

 

Tavaryn watched as his parents left in teh direction that they had came, leaving him alone. He looked around and saw that it was beautiful but in the end it was nothing compared to being with her. He went to the large boulder near the pool of water and sat on it. He focused and thought that he could hear Ryu bellowing. He called out, Alriana, can you hear me?

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"Freeze intruder. By order of the Republic fleet, you are under arrest."

 

The twi'lek said nothing as he fired off more blaster bolts at Xeran and the security team. He was dodging the blaster bolts that were being fired at him easily.

 

Xeran fired off his blaster again and again as he attempted to take out the twi'lek.

 

"Jedi!" he shouted out. "Do you think you can slow him down abit. Enough so that we can actually shoot him?"

 

 

 

"Admiral, looks like we might have another intruder on board. He just attack the security detail escorting Xeran."

 

Belina swore violently as she looked at the three security officers on the bridge. "Get down there and give Xeran and the Jedi a hand!"

 

The security officers nodded and immediatly ran for the lift.

 

 

Avalon

 

Alriana looked up at the Wyvern and didn't move even when it roared in her face. She did smile though when the Wyvern allowed her to pass. She then sat down next to Tavaryn's body and tried to calm herself. On the inside she was feeling anger and frustration but she was still attempting to keep an aura of peace and tranquility around her as to not upset the Wyvern.

 

Alriana, can you hear me?

 

She looked down at Tavaryn's body in suprise and then smiled. He was alive.

 

Yes Tavaryn...I can hear you.

[JediMaster12]

Jun-la deflected the blaster shots that were sent her way. She looked at Xeran and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

 

**********

 

Andros was viewing the security footage of the intruder who was dodging blaster shots as well as a Jedi. He scanned the list of secondary systems but it was lengthy at best. He had an ida to slow down teh intruder but it was a risk. He asked, "Admiral, is life support and the ventilation on primary or secondary systems? I have an idea and it does put our people at risk but it should allow my master and any others with high tolerance to capture the intruder."

 

**********

 

Yes Tavaryn...I can hear you.

 

Tavaryn felt relief that he could be heard. If what his parents said was true then there was the risk that he could be stuck there. He couldn't break the connection now. He concentrated hard, I need your help. I need you to be a guide back to the world of the living.

 

Tavaryn furrowed his brow as his head ached from the concentration. It had already started.

 

*********

 

Murasaki watched as Lenatha arrived and said, "Lenatha, wait a moment. I'm afraid that my experience with a wyvern is limited and it only tolerates Jedi Alriana's presence. for the moment."

 

*********

 

"They have tractor beam lock on us," Aiden replied.

 

"Seems that they are not willing to listen," Kage muttered and keyed in a command. The response was a disruptor beam to render the tractor beam useless. "How much longer on coordinates?"

 

"Comupter is configuring the jump now."

 

"Good." Kage looked out the viewport. "I would hate to waste a specialty item of mine on one of themost powerful ships in the Republic fleet."

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"What do you have in mind?"

 

"I think I can disable him if you can slow him down just a little bit. Once he's been slowed down it should be easy for me to stop him."

 

 

 

Ackbar Bridge

 

"Admiral, is life support and the ventilation on primary or secondary systems? I have an idea and it does put our people at risk but it should allow my master and any others with high tolerance to capture the intruder."

 

Belina shook her head. "With all the battles this ship has seen recently we have code-locked all the primary systems on this ship in case a boarding party were to capture the bridge."

 

She ran over to a console. "I'm going to unlock the life support system so be ready with the ventilation system."

 

 

Avalon

 

I need your help. I need you to be a guide back to the world of the living

 

How do I do that? Alriana sent back anxiously. Should I just keep speaking with you or is there something else I must do?

[JediMaster12]

Jun-la rolled her eyes slightly. How in the name of the first council am I to do that? There were a million and one ways to slow down an opponent. She looked down the corridor at the fiting intruder and back at the security team returning fire. She sighed and nodded and pointed at her eyes to indicate that they should watch.

 

Taking a deep breath, she ignited her lightsaber and charged forward suddenly using the Force to augment her speed and instincts, hoping to startle the Twi'lek.

 

**********

 

"I'm going to unlock the life support system so be ready with the ventilation system."

 

Andros nodded. "I'm going to lower the air pressure and reduce air flow. Hopefully it will make the intruder slow down enough for a lucky shot or make him pass out."

 

He began tapping into ventilation. He and his master had practiced the Jedi breathing technique. His master could hold it for days. He could do it for a few hours. May the Force be with you master.

 

**********

 

How do I do that? Should I just keep speaking with you or is there something else I must do?

 

Tavaryn was puzzled himself and he could hear her anxiety. How was he to get back? If anything she occupied a special place in his heart and thought it would be simple. He looked around and felt a little feverish. Great. I may have accelerated everything.

 

He took a deep breath and sent, Be calm moi chroi. I don't know exactly except to reach with your mind, heart and soul. That's my thought. Hurry though. The longer I am here, the further I am away from you. I trust you, moi chroi.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

Xeran watched the attacker carefully as the Jedi rushed him and grinned as the Twi'lek paused for a moment. A moment was all that Xeran needed as he raised his blaster and shot the attacker's blaster right out of his hand. The Twi'lek shouted out in pain as the blaster was knocked from his hand. Xeran aimed his second shot at the Twi'lek's leg and fired, knocking the Twi'lek to his knees.

 

"And thats the way it's done." He said as he walked over to the Twi'lek and lifted him to his feet.

 

"Who are you working for?" He asked calmly. The Twi'lek said nothing.

 

Xeran brought his fist down on the Twi'lek's arm and held it so that if he made another move he would be able to break it.

 

"I will ask you again. Who are you working for?"

 

 

Ackbar Bridge

 

Belina took a quick look at a monitor and watched as the Twi'lek went down when Xeran shot him. "It looks like your master and Xeran managed to stop the Twi'lek." She said to Andros. "Do you think we should still lower the air pressure just in case there are more of them?"

 

 

Avalon

 

Be calm moi chroi. I don't know exactly except to reach with your mind, heart and soul. That's my thought. Hurry though. The longer I am here, the further I am away from you. I trust you, moi chroi.

 

Don't worry...she sent back. Together you and I will get through this.

 

Alriana bowed her head against Tavaryn's and reached out, trying to find him through the force so that she could bring him back.

[JediMaster12]

"Do you think we should still lower the air pressure just in case there are more of them?"

 

Andros stopped playing with the air pressure controls and studied the security footage. His master may have done what is considered reckless by most Jedi but then again she was not a traditional Jedi and neither was he. He replied, "I'll have it on standby just in case. I can pull up security footage and maybe Koral or someone can focus on that while I look at systems access."

 

**********

 

Jun-la knew that her sudden movement had startled the Twi'lek and bought enough time for Xeran to fire at the intruder. She began to rummage through and pat down the Twi'lek looking for contraband or any other weapons. She said, "I suggest you talk."

 

**********

 

Don't worry...Together you and I will get through this.

 

Tavaryn smiled as he heard her. He looked around and noticed that something was off about the place. The area started getting darker and he felt a sudden chill. It was then he saw a memory of his. the stormtroopers were attacking a haven for the Jedi. How they found them, he never could figure out. He was hiding with the other children in one of the outcroppings, hidden from the enemy view. He saw them killing and he saw his mother fighting them.

 

Tavaryn shook his head. The years of terror were something he never spoke of. The feeling of fear that accompanied the memories were debilitating if he didn't control them. He felt his face flush with a slight fever. Scare tatctic to get me to move forward.

 

Still feeling feverish, he focused on going back, trying to sense Alriana's presence. Breathing in even tones, it was then he sensed her. He called out, I can sense you here moi chroi. I am trying to reach out to you.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

"I'll have it on standby just in case. I can pull up security footage and maybe Koral or someone can focus on that while I look at systems access."

 

"Good idea. I'm going to dispatch another security team as well to escort Xeran and his guards to the bridge. Right now I think they'll be safer on the bridge then anywhere else on the ship."

 

 

 

 

"I suggest you talk."

 

The Twi'lek looked nervously at Xeran and then at Jun-la before making a sudden movement to try and get out of Xeran's hold. Xeran immediatly caught on to what the twi'lek was doing and slammed him against the wall. "I was not joking about breaking your arm. Try something like that again and I will break your arm. Now...tell me: Who are you working for?"

 

 

 

Avalon

 

I can sense you here moi chroi. I am trying to reach out to you.

 

Alriana could sense Tavaryn getting closer and closer to her the more they spoke. I can feel you Tavaryn...your getting closer...I feel almost like I can reach you.

 

She reached out through their link and sought out Tavaryn's presence. She felt like she could almost reach him.

[JediMaster12]

"Good idea. I'm going to dispatch another security team as well to escort Xeran and his guards to the bridge. Right now I think they'll be safer on the bridge then anywhere else on the ship."

 

Andros nodded and went to work pulling up the security system and moving it to a viewscreen. He set it so that it could track the movements of the security team. "Pulled it up Admiral. Looking at system access. Can you give me an idea what are typical access downloads and the like such as orders, etc.? It can help in the elimination process."

 

**********

 

Who are you working for?

 

Jun-la gave the Twi'lek a hard look as Xeran continued his questioning. Out of habit, she pulled out a short dagger that was sheathed on her belt and began to play with it by flipping it in her palm. She had practice with many kinds of blades so it was second nature to pplay practice with them. She said, "Answer the question and the Republic might show some leniency."

 

**********

 

I can feel you Tavaryn...your getting closer...I feel almost like I can reach you.

 

Tavaryn felt uplifted. the more she spoke to him, the closer he felt to going back. However his steps were being dogged by bad memories that were being pitted against him to persuade him to move forward.

 

I can almost reach you too.

 

He then felt something heavy on his shoulder and he looked to see a figure in shadow. It looked like him but it was different. The only word to describe it was dark. It grinned maliciously at him and asked, "Going somewhere?"

 

Tavaryn stood up quickly to face himself and retorted, "Yeah. I'm going home."

 

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," the figure waved his finger. "And what is home to us? We've been wandering the galaxy for years. There was never a place where we belonged. Only in the shadows."

 

Tavaryn felt that this apparition of himself was relaying the doubts he once had in his mind, back when he was a wanderer and working with Kyle Katarn. They were old ones. He replied, "I gave up the shadows."

 

"Ah yes, we became Republic dogs and for what? To impress a girl? Heck we've always tried to remain in the shadows. After all our mother's name gets us places"

 

Tavaryn clenched his jaw. He didn't know if he was going crazy arguing with himself or what. "There are things worth fighting for."

 

"I'd expect us to say something like that," the doppleganger replied. He then smirked. "Ah I see someone is trying to reach us. Would she come join us if we called to her?"

 

"Don't you dare!" Tavaryn lunged at the doppleganger and grabbed him in a powerful grip and the two proceeded to wrestle. I can sense you coming moi chroi but beware. I am not alone.

 

**********

 

Tonatius was able to breathe after the battle now that the warriors were taking prisoners. He spotted the wyvern and said, "Probably a good idea to see of they need help over there." He sheathed his blade and looked at Kalla to see if she would come.

 

Taryn said, "I'm going to check on Cousin." He took off in the general direction where he last saw Andorra. He spotted her with her mother looking frazzled and asked, "Cousin you alright?"

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar Bridge

 

 

"Pulled it up Admiral. Looking at system access. Can you give me an idea what are typical access downloads and the like such as orders, etc.? It can help in the elimination process."

 

Belina was just about to respond when the console in front of her flashed and then went dead on her. Two more consoles flashed.

 

"Andros! Somethings happening with the computers. Shut them down now before whatevers happening with them hits the other consoles!"

 

 

 

Ackbar

 

"Answer the question and the Republic might show some leniency."

 

The Twi'lek looked nervously at Xeran and then looked to Jun-la. "Get him away from me and I will speak. I do not trust him."

 

Xeran grinned at the Twi'lek who flinched at the sight of Xeran's smile. "Very well, but rest assured that if you try anything...anything at all...I'll break both your arms instead of just the one."

 

The Twi'lek sighed in relief as Xeran moved away from him. "The Empire...The Empire hired me to simply protect the chiss. That is all I know. I was simply to make sure that anything that could connect him to the empire was dealt with."

 

 

 

Avalon

 

I can sense you coming moi chroi but beware. I am not alone.

 

Alriana was about to ask what it was Tavaryn meant but she instantly understood what it was he was saying when she got closer. She could see Tavaryn and he was fighting...himself it looked like.

 

Hold on Tavaryn...I'm almost there. I can help you fight him.

[JediMaster12]

Andros didn't need to be told twice. He keyed in the correct sequences to shut down the systems and entered in a series of keystrokes that were too fast to be seen. "Systems shut down and I managed to isolate the main computer with a fractal encryption code complete with firewalls. An extra lock on the door."

 

He then began scrolling through the data that his pad had picked up the moment the alarms went off. He asked, "Was there a report of a virus being downloaded?"

 

**********

 

"The Empire...The Empire hired me to simply protect the chiss. That is all I know. I was simply to make sure that anything that could connect him to the empire was dealt with."

 

Jun-la still played with her knife but was concentrating on detecting any subterfuge. She refused to invade the mind of another unless necessary. She prompted, "A name. Give me a name."

 

**********

 

Hold on Tavaryn...I'm almost there. I can help you fight him.

 

The doppleganger smiled and said, "She calls to us and is spoiling for a fight. Maybe that's why we like her so much."

 

Tavaryn was growing more exhausted by the second yet he was not going to let himself bring about anyone else's ruin. He spat back, "You stay away from her. I'm warning you..."

 

"You're warning us? That is the most humorous thing we ever heard," the doppleeganger replied as he gave a hard shove to force Tavaryn back. He began to circle Tavaryn with a taunting grin. "You still think we are something bad that must be kept away. We are you and you are us." The doppleganger pointed to emphasize the point.

 

"I figured that out," Tavaryn replied panting. "Thing is you are two people molded into one."

 

"I knew we were a genius at some point," the doppleganger replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Now the healing can begin."

 

Tavaryn rolled his eyes. While they had been grappling, managed to figure out that this doppleganger had two persons. The manner in which the doppleganger spoke was the clue. "It can if you give me back what is mine."

 

"That's the real sticking point," the doppleganger replied, "We are you and you are us."

 

"Not if I kill a part of us," Tavayn replied quietly, "And that would be the dominant one of you."

 

The doppleganger looked a little confused at Tavaryn's words but it understood the meaning. "You mean you would leave a part of us here just to go back to the world of the living? There is nothing there but death, illness, lies, deceit."

 

Tavaryn then felt her closer than ever. He turned to glance at her and he could make her out. He smiled at the shape Alriana created gently and then looked back at the doppleganger and said, "There is also love."

 

It was at that moment the doppleganger was engulfed in light and when it receded, where there was one, there was two. It was rather cliched to find one that was dark and one that was light but it emphasized the dual personalities of the original. The lighter one growled, "What have you done? Now we can't move forward."

 

The darker one looked at the lighter one and said, "That's the idea. He," he nodded at Tavaryn, "knows that there are things that must be dealt with here. He buried me for too long with you through no fault of his own."

 

The light one growled, "Oh really? And I am supposed to be happy that he let me out during our merc days?"

 

"You were."

 

Tavaryn was feeling like he was going crazy. He was talking to himself and talking...to himself? He had enough and shouted, "ALRIGHT, alright. Look I get it that we are all one and the same." He pointed to the darker one, "You are the base from which my powers emerge. My sentou..."

 

"Which also has your secret ability which supplements your healing," the darker one added with a smile. "So glad I am that you see me again."

 

Tavaryn nodded. He reached out and touched the shoulder of the darker one and it disappeared in a fog that enveloped him. When it was gone, he looked at the lighter one and said, "You are my darker half from the days when I spied, scouted, killed...a merc in every sense of the word."

 

"Yes, yes and you buried me instead of accepting me. You still have a problem of embracing things." The lighter doppleganger looked and could see Alriana. He grinned maliciously and said, "I'll make you a deal. You tell your guide exactly what you think and feel about her and I'll go back to being buried." He then looked at Alriana, "You really want to find out what we think Jedi?"

[Chevron 7 locke]

Ackbar

 

 

"Was there a report of a virus being downloaded?"

 

Belina turned toward one of the working consoles and saw that the security team was nearly to the bridge. She narrowed her eyes. "I have a feeling that it was either that Twi'lek or possibly the chiss that escaped earlier. One of them must have planted the virus. Can you get rid of it?"

 

 

Ackbar

 

"A name. Give me a name."

 

The Twi'lek put on a defiant face which instantly went away and was replaced by a look of terror as Xeran took a step towards him.

 

"T-The name was Ravirn, or something close to that. That is all I know. I do not know what his mission was."

 

 

Avalon

 

"You really want to find out what we think Jedi?"

 

Alriana was suprised when she saw two Tavaryns but she tried to get past that fact. This wasn't the real world and she had to be ready since anything could happen here.

 

She pulled the lightsaber off of her belt and pressed the activation button only to find that her lightsaber wasn't working. of course it wouldn't work, this wasn't the real world.

 

"As a matter of fact...yes I would. I won't abandon Tavaryn to you and if listening to what he really thinks gets rid of you then I will gladly listen."

[JediMaster12]

"I have a feeling that it was either that Twi'lek or possibly the chiss that escaped earlier. One of them must have planted the virus. Can you get rid of it?"

 

Andros scanned his readings. "If it is a virus, I can run the basic diagnostics to identify and then remove it. If it is something else, then that's when I get my hands dirty." He began uploading the diagnostic programs first running the main computer. "Main computer doesn't have anything indicating a virus but I'll do a more thorough diagnostic Admiral. I would hate to have to my pride and joy if it is something more complex."

 

((What did you have in mind in terms of a virus?))

 

**********

 

"T-The name was Ravirn, or something close to that. That is all I know. I do not know what his mission was."

 

Jun-la didn't sense and deception in his words but she had to be sure. "You saying this out of fear or is it all you truly know?"

 

**********

 

"As a matter of fact...yes I would. I won't abandon Tavaryn to you and if listening to what he really thinks gets rid of you then I will gladly listen."

 

The light doppleganger grinned and replied, "You must not have heard that we are one and the same though we will indulge you." To Tavaryn he said, "Well tell her how we feel."

 

Tavaryn hated the position his own self had put him in. He always had trouble discussing feelings and thoughts. He said to Alriana quietly, "What do you wish to hear moi chroi?"

[Chevron 7 locke]

((Just something that messes with the navigation system and the weapons.))

 

Ackbar Bridge

 

"Main computer doesn't have anything indicating a virus but I'll do a more thorough diagnostic Admiral. I would hate to have to my pride and joy if it is something more complex."

 

"I trust that you'll be able to find it." Belina said with a smile. "We just need to think of the best place to upload a virus and scan it."

 

 

Ackbar

 

"You saying this out of fear or is it all you truly know?"

 

The Twi'lek looked over at Xeran who smiled at him and then he turned back to Jun-la. "I swear, that is all that I know. Now please...Take me away from the violent human."

 

 

Avalon

 

"What do you wish to hear moi chroi?"

 

Alriana looked down. "I...I just want to know what you really feel about me Tavaryn...I want to hear what you really think of me. I swear to you Tavaryn...I won't think less of you whatever you say."

[JediMaster12]

"I swear, that is all that I know. Now please...Take me away from the violent human."

 

Jun-la stopped playing with her blade as she scannned the Twi'lek's face. She said to Xeran, "I don't sense any deception from him at the moment." She fished out her comm and called, "Jedi Jun-la to Admiral Belina, we have the prisoner. You want us to proceed to the interrogation room?"

 

**********

 

"I trust that you'll be able to find it." Belina said with a smile. "We just need to think of the best place to upload a virus and scan it."

 

Andros ran the program that would do a complete diagnostic of all known types of viruses for the main computer including specs for ones that may be unknown. It was going to take awhile so he decided to start in on scans of the systems. He started with the more mundane systems to rule them out and prevent sleeper viruses from cropping up.

 

"Minor systems are clean," he said. "Starting in on weapons systems. Any security clearances that may be a problem?"

 

**********

 

"I...I just want to know what you really feel about me Tavaryn...I want to hear what you really think of me. I swear to you Tavaryn...I won't think less of you whatever you say."

 

Tavaryn heard the words and trusted them but he wasn't sure how to say it and he was never comfortable with revealling his feelings anyway. The light doppleganger grinned and said, "Torturous isn't it? Then we would know since we perfected it."

 

Tavaryn glared at the doppleganger. He hated that part of himself. It was a past influenced by the terror and anger he felt towards the Empire as well as his resentment of abandonment. It led to things he wasn't proud of but they were a part of him now. The past can hurt but you can run from it or learn from it.

 

He looked at Alriana who was waiting for an answer and back at his doppleganger. He understood what he had to do. Taking a breath, he said, "You enjoy torturing with emotions because we did that and we justified it by saying that it was for the greater good. Now I regret a lot of things we did and like a coward I ran from it by burying it." Tavaryn then walked up to his double and placed both hands on the shoulders, "You are me and I am you. Parts of a whole but I forgive you."

 

The doppleganger clearly did not expect that answer but it did the trick. The doppleganger started to fade. Tavaryn turned towards Alriana and walked up to her. He said, "When I first met you moi chroi, I thought you were the answers to who I was, my family. When you took off after you were unfrozen, I saw someone who needed a friend and I saw how selfish my motives were. I recognized a hurting person like me. I thought that by helping you to heal, I could heal myself but..."

 

The doppleganger continued to fade. It was stunned that Tavaryn was actually speaking. Tavaryn took a breath and continued, "...but something happened. Ever since I met you, you've always been in my thoughts and along the line I developed feelings for you. I am never comfortable revealing them but I think Geonosis was like the key that opened the lock and you know what happened there.

 

"Remember what I told you what moi chroi meant? It is another way and my way of saying that...that I love you," and before any other thought could pop into his head, he kissed Alriana on the lips, letting her feel what he felt.

 

The doppleganger faded and the world began to shine in bright light. Tavaryn opened his eyes to find himself on his back. Alriana's forehead was touching his and he was kissing her. He then became aware of the pain in his shoulder and across his chest. He said the first thing that came into his head, "Um...are you alright moi chroi?"