Dark Tides

[Jatt13]

great chapters, guys! idiots of the sith, that's a classic...

 

keep it up!

[darthfergie]

can you really think of Artoo NOT being a phsyco maniac? And naturally it just progressed a bit from there...

[NamelessSith]

Oooh! Oooh! What about the Commander of the Galactic Ham Ham Starfleet?! SOMEBODY'S gotta put in a sidestory bout that! Just tell me the rules and I'll go with the flow.

 

Yeah, Artoo is a psychomaniac, alright! But, who loves ya, buddy?!

[Havoc Stryphe]

Chapter Sixteen: Promises Made

 

Havoc quickly turned around, “The hell you are!”

 

“Havoc!”, Tie warned him off.

 

Leon quickly rose in his defense, “You need me! You said yourself, you lost several pilots, you don’t have your home base anymore, I’ve already been a Dark Eye. What more could you ask for!”

 

Havoc was quick to answer, “How ‘bout someone who has nothing to lose!”

 

Tie nodded his head in agreement, “You have a family now. We can’t let you throw yourself into our fight. Besides, I need someone who in a firefight, isn’t thinking of a wife or kids, just thinking of the Dark Eyes, the only family they have.”

 

“But I…”

 

Tie cut the man short, “We appreciate everything you’ve done, but you already been in one deadly fight because of us. I’m sorry Leon, I can’t let you risk your life for us. Go home to your wife.”

 

Havoc was going to add to that, but Tie motioned him to keep quiet. Leon could only stare in disbelief at being rejected, but then quickly regained his composure, “Very well, I’ll make sure your ship is in tip-top shape and your men are given everything they need.”

 

The men stared for a second, knowing what each other thought, and then silently parted there on the street, going their different ways.

 

After a few moments of silence, Havoc spoke up, “Thanks for taking care of that for me, I don’t know if I could have handled living with him again.

 

Tie abruptly stopped and turned to the old mechanic, “Look, let’s get one thing straight. I didn’t do that for you, I did it for Leon. He’s got too much to lose. He’s got a good life and good wife. He shouldn’t be so eager to throw it all away!”

 

Havoc was not used to being lectured by Tie, and this sudden outburst caught the mechanic off guard. Havoc was going to reply, but thought better of it, and simply nodded his head in agreement. The men turned and returned to the task of getting back to the ship. Just before the two men reached the docking bay where the Raven Star was being repaired, Havoc finally spoke, “Tie, you make it sound like you’re sure we’re not going to survive this.”

 

Tie slowly turned to his old friend and their eyes met, and for a moment Havoc noticed that Tie suddenly seemed tired and very small, worn from the burden he had carried all these years. Neither spoke, and after a few moments, Tie turned away and walked down the corridor towards the Raven Star leaving Havoc to ponder his friends mind.

 

Before turning in for the night, Tie informed the rest of the Dark Eyes of what had happened earlier that day, and told them to be on the alert, placing guards at the docking bay entrances. The good news, he said, was they’d be on their way first thing in the morning, and can hopefully place the Crimson Blades behind them.

 

But as the Dark Eyes turned in for the night, there were several who found sleep difficult. One such individual was Tie Guy, who decided to take a walk to clear his thoughts. As he walked his mind wandered to his childhood, those years of growing up in the orphanage on Corellia. Tie smiled to himself as he remembered how much he had learned in that orphanage. He had learned to fight, steal, swindle, bluff…everything a man needed to get by in the galaxy. So why, then, did he feel something was missing? Why, now, was the loss of his pilots weighing so heavily on him? Why did he tell Leon to go home to his wife?

 

As Tie pondered those questions and more, he suddenly became aware of where his feet had taken him. He glanced at the sign that read “Infirmary” , and suddenly felt compelled to check on their Jedi friend who started this whole journey.

 

As he walked through the doors he was startled to hear a voice and was suddenly reminded that droids don’t sleep, “Is there something I can do for you, Sir”

 

Tie smiled and replied, “No, that’s quite alright, Gee-Bee-Com. I just thought I’d check on our Jedi patient.”

 

“Oh sir, I think you’ll find there is little change. He is still unconscious and only stirs from time to time.” The droid was all business when it came to his patients.

 

“Yes, well, I thought I just see it with my own eyes.”, replied Tie as he made his way towards the bed where the unconscious Jedi lay.

 

Gee-Bee-Com just shook his head muttering something about “human behavior” and made his way across the room towards the other beds to check on some of the wounded from the Crimson Blade attack earlier in the week.

 

As Tie stared at the man who laid motionless in the bed, he was suddenly made aware of his exhaustion, and he sat at the end of the bed. At that very moment, Tie’s questions suddenly seemed all the more vexing and frustrating. They repeated over and over in his mind, so much that they rung in his ears. His thoughts again strayed to his childhood, but this time he was all alone. He saw little boy standing in what looked like a city, but engulfed in flames, and the boy was crying, surrounded by rubble and fire, but no one seemed to hear him. Tie was powerless to help and could only look on. He struggled to place the vision, but had no recollection of such an event. Was this his past? If so this memory was new, or at the very least forgotten and buried deep in his mind beneath the pain and strife of growing up alone, without a family, without love. And just as Tie seemed to start to remember, the vision was gone, and he was left sitting next to the Jedi, in the infirmary. What was going on? Why was he having these visions? And was it him in the vision or somebody else? But the only answer Tie heard was the sound of the electronic monitoring devices beeping throughout the infirmary. Too tired to move, Tie remained at the Jedi’s side, haunted by the vision of the crying boy.

 

Else where on the Raven Star, someone else was also having a hard time finding sleep. Havoc had somehow found his way to the Raven Star’s docking bay, and was now tinkering with the J-Type fighters docked there. The silence was only broken by the sound of metal clanking or the occasional cussing of the old engineer. After one such outburst, Havoc was startled to hear a voice.

 

“I’d figure I’d find you here, tinkering on something”

 

Havoc was so caught off guard that he jumped and by doing so hit his head on the Fighters hull, cursing to himself, he turned to face the voice, as he held his head.

 

“Same old Havoc, you haven’t changed a bit!”, the voice laughed.

 

“STTCT?”, The Engineer’s voice suddenly didn’t sound so gruff.

 

“Yeah, it’s me? Long time no see, eh?”, the woman replied.

 

“Yeah, but you’re as beautiful as ever?”, Havoc managed to stumble out.

 

Yeah, well, life’s been good to me.”, the woman replied, “What about you? How has life treated you?

 

Havoc was suddenly reminded of who he was talking to and what had transpired all those years ago, and the gruffness returned, “What do you think?! You left me two weeks before we were to be married! You never even contacted me!” Havoc’s gaze fell downward, “I’ve just drifted through life since that day.”

 

STTCT stared a moment before speaking, “I’m sorry Havoc. Leon and I had fallen in love and I meant to say something, but I just couldn’t and I put it off day by day.”, She could see Havoc squirming, but she continued on, “The next thing I knew, it was two weeks before the wedding and I just couldn’t do it, so Leon and I took off. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

 

“Well, it’s a little late for apologies, don’t you think?”, Havoc replied matter of factly, “So is that the only reason you’re here, to apologize?”

 

STTCT shook her head, “Not the only reason.”, she seemed hesitant to continue, “Havoc, I need to ask a favor.”

 

At that Havoc nearly dropped his tools, “What? You want to ask me a favor? I haven’t seen you in nearly ten years since you ran off with one of my friends, and now you’re going to show up out of nowhere and ask me for a favor! You haven’t changed a bit either, just as unbelievable!”

 

“Just hear me out, will you?”, Havoc reluctantly nodded and STTCT went on, “Leon wants to go with you guys tomorrow, he feels he owes it to you and Tie. He left you guys and the Dark Eyes high and dry, and he wants to repay his debt.”

 

Havoc interrupted the woman, “Look, you’re talking to the wrong guy, you need to talk to Tie about that…”

 

It was STTCT’s turn to interrupt Havoc, “You just leave that up to me, but want I from you is this: I want you to watch out for him and make sure he comes back to me in one piece.”

 

Havoc couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “You want me to what!?”

 

“Please, Havoc, even though he’d argue it until he’s blue in the face, he’s not the pilot or blaster-slinger he used to be. Too many years behind a desk doing honest work. I want you to keep an eye on him, for me.”, STTCT stepped closer to Havoc and grabbed his hand, “Please, I’m begging you!”

 

“But why me? You have to know I hate him!”, Havoc asked incredulously.

 

STTCT raised her eyes and met his, “Because I know you still love me!”

 

There was a moment of awkward silence, and then Havoc pulled away from the woman, turned to the fighter and began to work again on the battered craft.

 

STTCT didn’t know what to make of it, “Havoc?”

 

There was no reply

 

STTCT cast her eyes down and admitted defeat, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I guess I understand.”

 

STTCT slowly turned and started out of the docking bay. She slowly took step by step in silence, until she came to the docking bar doors, where she was abruptly stopped.

 

“Let’s just get one thing straight, I’m doing this for you, not him!”, came Havoc’s voice from behind her.

 

STTCT quickly turned and hugged the engineer, smiling as she did, “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

 

As the two separated from the embrace and STTCT turned to leave, Havoc stopped her one more time, “There’s just one more question I need to know the answer to.”

 

STTCT turned around, “What’s that?

 

“How’d you get past our guards?” Havoc asked curious to know the answer.

 

“I’m still pretty good with a blaster myself!”, her eyes twinkled, “Of course I wouldn’t want to be them when the stun wears off!”

 

They both smiled as their eyes met, and held each others gaze for just a second, before she turned and left without a word. But in that second, Havoc’s life seemed to take on new meaning, and the old mechanic whistled to himself as he continued his work on the Dark Eye’s fighters.

[Darth Homer]

wow.....very well done, Havoc!

[Havoc Stryphe]

Thank You, Homer. It was really fun to write that chapter!

 

 

Here is the link to the updated Star Wars: Dark Tides story in Microsoft Word Document format (.doc)

 

CLICK HERE!

 

Were up to 46 pages of pure story! HooHaa!!!

 

Here's a Character Update: (I hope I don't forget anyone!)

 

Dark Eyes:

Tie Guy - Leader

Havoc - Head Engineer/Mechanic

Rogue Nine - Pilot/Captain - Raven Star

Compa Mighty - Communications officer/technician

Kylilin - Ace Fighter Pilot

Silenthunter - Ace Fighter Pilot

NL Ackbar - Rookie Pilot

Jediduo - Rookie Pilot

Paragon Leon - Former Dark Eye turned straight - Dark Eye again

Heavyarms - pilot - deceased

Captain Drake - pilot - deceased

 

Young David's Casino:

Young David - Owner and proprieter

Wraith 8 - aide

Dash Rendar - Chief of Security

 

Sith:

Lord Viper - Self proclaimed Sith Emperor

Darth Homer

Darth Fergie

Artoo

Thrawn

Darth Groovy

Darth Rommel

 

Unaffiliated:

Redwing - Smuggler/mercenary - pilot/captain - Red Rabbit

Krkode - co-pilot/first mate with Redwing

Chase Windu - Freelance spacer/smuggler - pilot/captain - Pringled Can

STTCT - Wife of Leon - former Dark Eye

 

Crimson Blades:

hannibalscipio - leader - cyborg

Jatt13 - son of hannibalscipio - Former double agent - Deceased

 

Jedi:

Unknown Jedi in Coma with Dark Eyes

Boba Rhett

[Rogue Nine]

What exactly does Compa do again, Havoc?

[Havoc Stryphe]

Originally posted by Rogue Nine

What exactly does Compa do again, Havoc?

 

He Sit's there and looks pretty!

 

 

 

 

He's in there as a homage to a great charter member of the GB.com forums, who has unfortunately gone his seperate way.

[Rogue Nine]

He's got an interesting title.

[Havoc Stryphe]

Originally posted by Rogue Nine

He's got an interesting title.

 

Well...then....ummm......*edit*

 

*ahem* I should have known it was a spelling correction!

 

[Rogue Nine]

You know me.

 

Besides, it was funny.

[Tie Guy]

Excellent Chapter, Havoc!

 

Anyways, i'll try to get another chapter up tonight, but tommorrow for sure.

 

Oh, and it may be a part Dark Eye/ part Sith chapter, not sure yet.

 

 

BTW, Dash isn't a jedi i don't think, wasn't he YD's security lead?

[darthfergie]

Hey. Is YD gonna write the next chapter or shall I continue on with my battle?

 

(BTW, I'd like to expand it to a three parter. thx.)

 

[edit]I've finished my next part of the battle...just waiting for the go-ahead.[/edit]

[Silenthunter]

Great chapter Havoc You still remember my PM, right? *nudges Havoc*

[Jatt13]

AAAAHHHH!! NOOOO! A SECRET! AND I'M NOT INCLUDED! ANYway, nice job, guys. can't wait to see more.

[DashRendar]

Originally posted by Tie Guy

BTW, Dash isn't a jedi i don't think, wasn't he YD's security lead?

 

Yes I AM! How DARE you forget?

 

But if Rhett has a place for him I have another Favorite Player that he may use.....

[Tie Guy]

just post, Ferg. YD can post his when he is finished.

 

I need you to post yours first though to avoid character conflicts....

[darthfergie]

Chapter 17: The Battle of Ninistral (Part 1)

 

“Darth Fergie, We have detected an unknown group of ships headed towards the fleet at very high speeds.” Reported Nameless Sith.

 

“Ah, our victims have come to meet their doom.”

 

“Sir, we now have confirmation. It is 2 squadrons of fighters. Looks like a two separate bunches. The first are J-95s. The second bunch is made up of some new bombers from the look of things…Sir! Incoming Message!”

 

*Crackle* “Enemy fleet. Withdraw from this sector or be destroyed.”

 

“Eets, I have been expecting you. Now you have found me and the DOOM that I carry with me!”

 

“Sir, He’s attacking us! He’s actually attacking us! We have 4 frigates and 2 cruisers and 6 squadrons yet he still comes on the offensive!”

 

“Now Eets…You are mine…Order the fleet into attack position. I will destroy this scourge of a Jawa if it is the last thing I DO!”

 

*As the fleet closes in on the Jedi squadrons it releases it’s hoards of fighters including Red Squadron, or Omega Squadron as it was so called before the war required more and more pilots*

 

“SIR! ENEMY FLEETS COMING OUT OF HYPERSPACE AT 270 DEGREES AND 210 DEGREES! RIGHT BEHIND US!”

 

An enslaved Mon Calamari at one of the stations yelled out, “It’s A Trap!”

 

“Abandon the attack against Eets. I want Red and Terror squadrons to harass his group while the other four shift their efforts to the enemy fleets!”

 

*Meanwhile the battle with Eets’ squadron is insanely tense. The supporting bombers were taking causalities, but Eets’ Elites breezed through the Sith squadrons without losses. The Terror squadron was in total disarray in the midst of the attack and the Red Squadron was falling apart at the seams. A cry was heard in the middle of it all…*

 

“From da halls of Exar Kun, to the shores of Tatoinne, we will fight our cultic battles on the moons and on the earths…”

 

“KEEP THIS LINE CLEAR!” shouted Darth Groovy.

 

“Roger, Roger.”

 

“Red 5, can you see the bogey on my tail?!”

 

“Yes I can see it.”

 

“…Well?”

 

“Well what?”

 

“ARE YOU GONNA GET THIS GUY OFF MY TAIL OR NOT?!?!” shouted Thrawn.

 

“Sir, yes sir, oh yes sirree.”

 

*Three seconds later the bogey blew up in a ball of flame. *

 

“Goodness gracious, great balls of Fire!”

 

“Sometimes I wonder which universe he gets these ideas from.” Sighed Thrawn.

 

*Red 5 was quickly spinning back and forth impossibly fast in and out of various dogfights, constantly in battle. This tactic usually ends up in the pilot dieing a horrible death from behind, but since Chuckles can not be killed by conventional weapons it has given Artoo a great strength in devilish maneuvers like the one that got Eets line up, targeted, and hit.*

 

“Sir, we’ve analyzed their attack pattern and there IS a weakness. Shall I prepare your shuttle?”

 

“What? In our moment of triumph? I think not.”

 

“Darth Fergie! Red Squadron has downed Eets! He is EV. The fleets are moving in on his location sir. They will pick him up, but he is out of the battle and has diverted some of his fleet’s attention away from us.”

 

“Good…tell the Night Saber and Which Squadron to push for him and delay their recovery efforts. Also get Terror squadron back on the fronts. As soon as they have reformed they will screen Task Force 2’s slashing maneuver.”

 

“What about Red Squadron sir?”

 

“Tell them to screen us. We will be making a piercing maneuver soon enough. But we will wait till our slash gets deep into the side of the Jedi fleet. And then we will cut them to shreds.”

 

“Yes Sir. You’re the boss and all…but…”

 

“…but what?”

 

“Oh nothing. No need to bring it up…”

 

“WHAT? I demand you to tell me now or I will be feasting upon your eyes tonight.”

 

“Put that way sir…I was thinking that we could swiftly maneuver 3 frigates and 1 of our cruisers to attack the force picking up Eets with a screening force of 1 frigate and a cruiser with 4 squadrons of fighters. The main attack on Eets will only need two squadrons to screen, but they will need to be good. When Eets is crushed, then the rest of the fleet will shrivel up and die like a body without a head.”

 

“All of our good squadrons are tied up in dogfights already! The only squadrons not engaged right now are…oh no…your not suggesting…Terror and Red squadrons? Oh well. I think we can make due with those two…maybe…”

 

“Alright boys we’ve ordered to screen the advance of a main attack. Along with Terror squadron we’re gonna spearhead it. Are you ready to show the Jedi who can play mind tricks on whom?!”

 

“YEAH!” chorused the Red Squadron.

 

“Red Squadron on three! 1...2…3…RED SQUADRON! WOOOHOOO!” shouted Artoo.

[Tie Guy]

Fergie you are KILLING me! This is definately not how i needed the Sith to be portrayed for my part of the story. They are just crazy goons who've seen the original trilogy way to many times.

 

Seriously though, DO NOT include trilogy and modern day references and quotes! This is a serious story, but you are making the most deadly and serious enemy a bunch of clowns, please stop. Or at least don't include them in absolutely everything you do about the Sith. We need the whole Sith picture, remember, and that includes Darth Homer and the others too. Really he is the more important of the bunch.

 

Oh, and try not to tell the entire story with dialogue. Description and details are your friends. Oh, and you don't have to put astericks around the actions, this is literature, not a post on the forums.

 

Again, though, story-wise its good.

[Artoo]

I have two things to say seeing as there are 2 chapters.

 

#1 - Holy Cow Havoc Stryphe, that was one sweet action chapter. Are you sure you didn't minor in creative writing? In between you and Tie weve got one awesom story going.

 

#2 - ehehehehehehe. Well written fergie. Now then, if we can get these 2 parallel stories to intertwine somehow. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

 

from da halls of Exaar Kun...

[Eets]

Originally posted by Tie Guy

Fergie you are KILLING me! This is definately not how i needed the Sith to be portrayed for my part of the story. They are just crazy goons who've seen the original trilogy way to many times.

 

Seriously though, DO NOT include trilogy and modern day references and quotes! This is a serious story, but you are making the most deadly and serious enemy a bunch of clowns, please stop. Or at least don't include them in absolutely everything you do about the Sith. We need the whole Sith picture, remember, and that includes Darth Homer and the others too. Really he is the more important of the bunch.

 

Oh, and try not to tell the entire story with dialogue. Description and details are your friends. Oh, and you don't have to put astericks around the actions, this is literature, not a post on the forums.

 

Again, though, story-wise its good.

 

I'm with him... The humor just doesn't fit in this story..

 

And I'm left a bit confused... was I shot, or what?

[Havoc Stryphe]

Sorry Ferg, but I have to agree. It seems really out of place to have the anachronisms and silly banter and homages to the original trilogy.

 

But I also agree that your story is fine, it just lacks descriptive details and is too dialogue heavy. It is quite simple to remedy, though.

 

I understand a character being a bit psycho, or off kilter, but that should not excuse the houston, we have a problem's and the like. Please consider the context of your chapters. I promise you this much, the next story we do will be a Star Wars Forum parody, so that your comedy can shine!

 

And Artoo, I write screenplays and short stories as a hobby, but I never minored in creative writing or anything. I took some classes in creative writing {two to be exact!) I just have an overactive imagination!

[darthfergie]

Ah pooie. I too write stories in my spare time now (nothing really great...never seem to finish them if you know what I mean). Although many of them are humorous. Ah well...my style, my fault. I still like it. I may make my own story about the wonderful Red Squadron sometime just for kicks. I can do seriousness...it's just it's a struggle, especially on a forum! On an English report/essay it's so easy to do. My school and forum persona are somewhat different. I was going to make it serious, but I got hit with this idea first. Ah well...

 

I was also thinking of making them slaves...but Artoo needed to be a crazed Sith. Well not really crazed. Lets just say his brain is like an Antenna and it picks up signals from all over, sometimes even other countries...Artoo's brains picks up ALL sorts of things from everywhere.

 

BTW, the astricks and things...I was doing those in the theme of all our past stories. We've used those quite normally throughout those. It seemed natural to use it here.

 

If you want to take out the chapters I do understand and no hard feelings at all. I JUST WON'T READ DARK TIDES ANYMORE!!!

[Tie Guy]

Chapter 18: Above the Trees

 

Leon walked to a nearby dresser, stopping just short in a reflective gaze. Ancient memories flooded into his mind, filling his head with images from long ago, when he was a Dark Eye, a mercenary. Just one day earlier he had been willing, even eager, to fly off with the Dark Eyes, but he wasn’t so sure. One look into his wife’s beautiful eyes and his resolve wavered. He had to wonder if what Tie Guy said was true, whether he had too much to lose. No! He shouted mentally, I don’t have to lose anything. STTCT will be safe here and that is all that matters. Tie Guy needs me now, and I can’t turn my back on him. I must see him through to the end. He sighed and picked up his blaster off the top of the dresser. Checking the charge, he placed it firmly into his holster. There was no turning back now.

 

He walked slowly over to his bed where his wife still laid. “Don’t worry,” he said gently, “I’ll come back to you…I promise.” He bent over and kissed her lightly on the cheek. With that he turned and walked out the door, closing it quietly but firmly behind him.

 

 

 

Havoc strode onto the bridge in the middle of the start-up sequence. He saw Tie and Leon standing up in the middle of the bridge, typical command position. For the first time in a long while he didn’t scowl at the mere thought of Leon, he just smiled not at Leon as much as STTCT, and continued on his path. He reached his two companions just in time to hear Compa confirm an exit vector and Rogue 9 power up the massive engines. Havoc took a moment to reflect on the familiar sounds, absorbing their energy and relaxing himself. They seemed to be running even smoother than ever, it seemed Leon had kept his end of the bargain. As he approached the two men turned to greet him. “Tie, Leon.” He acknowledged.

 

“Havoc, good to see ya.” Tie replied cheerfully, “Where ya been?”

 

“I was just tightening some things up on those fighters. Speaking of which,” he turned to Leon, “I gotta hand it to you; your boys really did a nice job. She’s purring like a bantha cub.”

 

“Thanks,” was all Leon could manage, a downtrodden look visible on his face, though he was trying to hide it. He turned to Tie. “So, where we heading?”

 

Tie looked towards Havoc, seeking some advice. “I thought we’d head to Filaar, regroup, and then head somewhere to get some information. Sound good?”

 

“Yeah, we definitely should head back to Filaar and check on everyone; I sure hope everyone from Dark Eye 1 got there.”

 

“Yeah….” Tie trailed off, thinking of his men but also pondering the mystery of the Sith. He needed solid information on them, and on this Jedi he carried. He needed to talk to YD.

 

“Sir.” Rogue 9 interrupted his moment of contemplation, “What is our destination?”

 

Tie snapped out of his daze and refocused his thought. “Set a course for Filaar.” Rogue 9 complied and he entered the jumps into the navicomputer. Moments later the ship elongated as it made its mad rush to hyperspace, leaving the space it occupied cold and empty.

 

Suddenly four daggers pierced stars as they exited hyperspace around Iphgin. Three black fighters and one massive star cruiser formed deadly silhouettes against the spotted blue planet. “We have traced the Dark Eyes here.” Came a deep and menacing voice. “Proceed.”

 

 

 

As the star lines condensed into white sparkling stars Tie help his breath. Their base on Filaar was supposed to be known only to Dark Eyes, but in this day and age there was no guarantee. However, when the ship finally converted to real space Tie saw nothing. There were no flashing lights of ensuing dogfight, no explosions or debris, not even friendly craft in the area. The entire world seemed at peace.

 

Filaar base hovered above in the third planet in an unnamed system. The name Filaar itself was merely a code. Tie didn’t know if Republic surveyors had simply passed over the system or they had just found it insignificant, but they hadn’t even bothered giving it name, just a number in some massive catalog. The planet itself was covered in dense forests filled with gigantic trees, and for all the Dark Eyes knew the entire planet was one huge swamp. Beneath the towering canopy was an endless world of waist-deep water, sprouting with the mysterious trees. There was no land to be found and no sentient being lived there, only an incredible variety of birds that made their nests in the treetops and several kinds of small fish.

 

The Dark Eyes made their base not in the trees, but the heavens. In the starry shadow of the planet floated an immense orbital station, rivaling even Dark Eye 1. The Dark Eyes had long had a secret base here, one kept out of sight and mind of all but the Dark Eyes. While Dark Eye 1 might have been the face of the organization, this was its heart. All recruits, supplies, craft, and funds came through this base, second hand, of course; no one but a Dark Eye had ever actually seen the place.

 

“Sir, we are entering orbit now, we will be at the base in approximately five minutes.” Rogue 9 reported.

 

“Good,” Tie replied, “carry on.” He smiled; it had been too long time since he had last visited. He only wished it could be under better circumstances.

 

 

 

Almost exactly five minutes later the landing skids of the ship touched lightly down in the immense landing bay of Filaar base. The repuslorlifts whined to a halt and the boarding land lowered with a hiss. Havoc, Leon, and Tie were the first to exit, coming down the ramp with some excitement. This was to be the first real rest they had in what seemed like forever. As they reached the bottom of the ramp they saw a tall and slender man waiting to greet them. They all smiled as they shook his hand and embraced him one by one. “Leon!” He exclaimed in surprise, “Its good to see you again!”

 

“It’s good to be back, Zero…. it’s good to be back.” ZeroXscape was, for all intents and purposes, the administrator of the Dark Eyes. He handled most of the behind the scenes work and organization of the group; he’s the one that made all of it possible. Tie and Zero had gone back almost as far as he and Havoc had. Leon had also known Zero well prior to the formation of the dark Eyes, though under what circumstances Tie did not know.

 

“I’ve got a lot of things to tell you guys about and I sure want to here your story, why don’t you come into the lounge and we can chat.” Zero said, leading the three men back into the officer portions of the station.

 

In the lounge the four old friends took a seat in large, comfortable chairs positioned around a low table. “Drinks?” Zero asked the three, motioning to a man behind a bar in the corner.

 

Tie and Havoc simply shrugged. “Something hard.” Leon added. Zero nodded to the man who set to work preparing the drinks.

 

“So, tell me about what happened.” Zero started, his tone almost as if he already knew. Tie told Zero everything there was to tell about the recent past’s events. Occasionally Leon or Havoc would interject a comment or objection, but they mostly just listened and nodded.

 

When Tie had finished the story Havoc spoke up. “So, Zero, it’s your turn. What did you have to tell us?”

 

“Well,” he started, “I think it can wait till morning. You guys have been through a lot recently, why don’t you get some sleep?” No one could disagree. The four stood and started to walk out of the room.

 

Tie stopped Zero just short of the door. “Zero, I need you to do something for me. I can’t explain why I’m telling you this now, but I have to ask you. I need a new pilot for the Raven Star. We lost Drake in a fight, and I wanted to make Rogue 9 the new lead. Can you do that?”

 

Zero smiled. With Tie’s tone and words and all he had thought it was something really serious. “Sure, boss, I’ll get right on it.” He headed off down the white corridor, leaving Tie standing there alone.

 

 

 

Havoc woke up in a cold sweat. His pleasant dream of the past had turned sharply into a horrific nightmare. He panted as he grasped for what he had just seen. Fear permeated his body, running down his bones and sending an icy chill through his spine. As his breathing slowed and his pounding heart grew silent, he thought he heard the faint sound of the alarms in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe your up YD. I can't wait to see what happens with Redwing and Chase.

[Havoc Stryphe]

Great Chapter Tie! The Dark Eyes regroup, but will it be enough to fend of the coming storm?

 

 

 

Alright YD, your turn. Let's see what Redwing does with Chase!