Short, just how I like it. I was thinking you weren't writing this anymore. Good as always.

Nope still am. LIFE just gets in the way and I have ideas for a story that I have been RPing in my mind for awhile. Working on Chapter 7

Well, I'm glad to have the story continue. Love the Jolee reference. :)

Well it is connected to that and I have always thought Jolee was on the right page. Glad you liked it.

Chapter 7: Acceptance and Reinforcement
The next morning I didn’t say anything to anyone. Instead I kept my thoughts to myself as I ate my morning meal and proceeded to tell Revan about the Lord of the Tribes. I hoped that protocol wouldn’t be strictly followed for I sensed that what would occur would require urgency. I also thought about the second Jedi that had arrived. I had already concluded that it was not whom Revan had loved but someone else who had walked her same path. What disturbed me the most was that somehow the Judge would return to wreak havoc on our beautiful worlds. His companion had me perplexed and I resolved to ask Petronius.

I accompanied Revan to the Council of Lords since today was the day they were in session. Kapu followed at a pace behind, almost as if to leave me to my thoughts. We did not say much except to talk about the people here. At the meeting indaba we were instructed to wait outside for the council was under deliberation for the seasonal hunting grounds. I was not invited because I was not a lord though I would give help every now and then. More often I was called as a, for lack of a better term, a referee in disputes that usually involved boundaries and breaches in agreements.

While we were outdoors, Revan asked me how I knew where to look for her. I gave credit to Kapu by saying, “He showed me,” and pointed at him.

I could tell she thought it absurd but I guess she remembered that nothing happens by coincidence. She replied, “The Force guided you to him.”

“In a manner of speaking. Our people, mostly the tribes, believe that the animals are connected to everything; that they have specific powers and qualities about them. I grew up learning it but trained in the Jedi way so I am caught between two worlds,” and I smiled.

She thought about it when we were summoned by the Council of Lords. I went first, knowing the protocol of such addresses and I felt it necessary to act as a buffer so the council wouldn’t feel the need to question too hard. We stood in the middle of the chamber which vaguely reminded me of the High Jedi Council on Coruscant. The only difference was that there was a semblance of some chaos yet it was very proper and deliberate. I hardly felt the serenity that I felt when facing the masters. Lord Trystan, as the head of the council, spoke, “Who is this that has come here?”

Before I could speak, she spoke, “I am the Jedi Revan and I come from the Republic.”

“The Republic has not been heard from for four years. Why have you come, Jedi?”

“I came because my ship was damaged. I was seeking an ancient evil that I remembered setting free. I have spent these four years seeking it out and trying to fight it.”

“There is only one evil that has plagued us since time began. No one has set it free,” the lord of the Hamas tribe interjected.

Before it could get out of hand, I replied, “She does not know of our customs or struggles. She does not know of their power. She has come as a friend, in peace.”

“Judge that we will for these are dark times ahead,” Lord Trystan said.

I knew that he was keeping the proceedings that way but he was prepared to trust my judgments. The other lords were willing too but like always, protocol must be maintained. I merely nodded and Revan did the same.

We left the council to do what they do in session. I spent the day showing Revan the village of the Zherron tribe. She was most curious at the way how we lived, not really like that on Coruscant. Kapu stayed with us while we walked around the village. Looking back at it, I think she was happier than she had been when I first saw her. Just being around people again and someone who could use the Force seemed to relax her and made her more willing to talk about people she knew and what she did before coming here. I was more interested in what had happened since I had last been there.

We had rounded a bend near where the village calligrapher lived when we heard an alarm cry out. Since it was in my language, I had to translate for Revan. The Straif cats had attacked the village. Straif cats were huge predatory cats that were extremely territorial and extremely dangerous. Normally they hunted local wildlife but ever since the new queen took over the group, they have been attacking tribesmen and killing them for food. I realized that it was that time of year again and that was why the Council of Lords had convened. It was the presentation of the children.

I think Revan sensed my agitation and worry and asked if she could help. We didn’t have long to wait in finding them for they came charging through the village snapping at the fleeing women. The men grabbed their swords, spears and bows and went to drive them off. The cats had come to try to steal one of our children, the preferred treat of the queen. I noticed that only three of the group was bringing the men to fight. I motioned to Revan to follow me and I climbed the trees to the thick branches. From our view I pointed to the nursery where the rest of the group, except the queen, was gathered. I pondered at where she may have been, not forgetting that she was unusually clever. One of them was heading for the door while the others surrounded the hut.

A ways we could both see where a branch hung low enough to get onto the roof. Revan had the idea to get through the roof and relayed it by pointing it out to me. Catching her intention, I led the way through the trees as quietly as we could both muster. The huge brute that had approached the door was growling and trying to bash down the door. The wood was strong but not indefinitely so we hurried to get to the roof. I went first, carefully pushing the thatch aside to create a large enough opening to slip through. I dropped down to find at least twenty children huddled in the middle with their teacher keeping them clustered and telling them to keep quiet. She looked relieved that I had dropped in followed by Revan sticking her head down.

I explained in whispers that we would help them get out through the roof. The teacher handed me the smaller ones, which in turn I handed in turn to Revan. I then had the teacher get out so she could steady them on the branches. The pounding on the door was getting louder as I handed children up faster. I was down to the last one named Caelos when I heard the door crack. Quickly I grabbed Caelos and jumped with him onto the roof just as the door broke open. We were quiet as the cat came in growling, looking for something that was obviously gone. I had placed Caelos onto the branch and motioned him to keep going. It was going well until the branch we were both on snapped and broke, sending us to the ground.

The noise distracted the cats and they turned to the sound and found us on the ground. I had lost my saber as it had fallen a distance away. Caelos was crying and I could sense that he had broken his leg. I positioned myself in front of him and had my hands out, ready to fight with my bare hands. At that moment, Kapu jumped out and snarled at them. The cats growled back and lunged only to be stopped by Revan. She waved her yellow lightsaber in a swinging motion, prepared to strike. I had caught sight of my lightsaber and used the Force to summon it just as the cats lunged to attack.

It was difficult keeping the cats away as they had thick hides of fur and our lightsabers did nothing more than singe it. It wasn’t until I swung at the weak spot at the base of their neck that I decapitated one. Revan was swinging at the cats continuing to singe their fur until she placed a well-placed strike into the shoulder. The cats were becoming more enraged and began to screech. Since they were screeching, their attacks were harder. It was at that moment that I got hit by a huge paw and sent flying into the hut we had escaped from, making it collapsed.

I didn’t know what had happened after that but I was able to piece it together from Caelos and Revan. Revan and Kapu held off the cats quite effectively after I had been sent flying and wounded them to a point where they were whimpering with pain. Still determined to get her meal, she sent her wounded back to the forest and decided to take on Revan herself. From what I heard, Revan made the queen so angry that she grew careless in her attack allowing Revan to decapitate the queen. It was after that happened that I was able to emerge from the crushed hut a little stunned but very much alive.

After Revan decapitated the queen, the village began to erupt with cheers. Apparently, Eуmeros, Lord Trystan’s eldest son had seen what Revan did and sounded the cheer. Revan, not understanding what it meant asked me, “What does it mean?”

I simply answered, “Well, you have just killed the queen of the group. They shouldn’t bother us no more.”

I walked to where Caelos was and went over his leg to determine the location of the break and to make sure he was all right. Aside from the broken leg and some scratches, he was alive and unharmed. Eуmeros was cheering and saying that the Heart of the Guardian had brought the one who set us free. I couldn’t tell Revan exactly what it meant for I didn’t want to embarrass her.

Seeing Caelos to Petronius for some healing, Lord Trystan congratulated us but I directed the attention to Revan. I guess seeing that an outsider stopping to help one of their own softened the other lords as well. We were told to be at the meeting indaba within the hour to hear our testimony and pass judgment. I realized that they were going to be willing to listen to what Revan had to say.

An hour later we were standing in front of the Lord of Lords. Lord Trystan was speaking, “While we pride ourselves on acceptance, times have been troubled lately. In light of our recent arrival and latest attack we have come to see that our previous position has been wrong. Master Jedi, we extend our greatest thanks for your aid and welcome you as a sister of the Zherron tribe.”

I was surprised at the verdict. In all my years I had never heard of an outsider becoming one of the Avalonian people. Of course many years later it would happen again. Revan was the first but not the last to receive this honor. I watched with a slight smile as Lord Trystan placed a teardrop pendant containing an aqua blue stone, her lifestone, around her neck. Stepping back, Lord Trystan continued, “We are aware that there is a disturbance that could affect us all. Can you tell us what this is?”

“It is an ancient evil known as the True Sith. I am afraid that I caused this to happen when I fought in the Mandalorian wars. I came here to the Unknown Regions to fight this threat. I realize that the magnitude may be greater than I imagined,” Revan responded.

“How do you propose we handle this?”

I had long known of the tensions between the people of the cities and the tribes. It was one of those things that had been in existence since I was a boy, even older. I knew that the only way to survive this was to band together. I knew that the proposal of such an idea was radical in of itself. This was centuries of hatred and I was about to ask them to let go of it in a matter of hours. I decided to take the risk and I replied, “We band together with the cities. Only together can we have the strength to fight against this enemy.”

I did not mention the fact that I had the thought to send for the Republic as well. For some reason, other than the compelling dream, I had the distinct feeling that the Republic would play a part in this fight. I waited while I could literally hear a gasp coming from the Council of Lords. I could tell that they must have thought that I had gone crazy. Lord Trystan called order and looked at me strangely. Seeing that I was being serious, he responded, “What you propose is radical if not impossible. However, we will consider it and let you know in the morning.”

That was our cue to leave. Revan and I didn’t discuss what had happened until we were outside council chambers and heading to my home. Kapu followed a distance behind us stopping so often to sniff at foliage. I don’t remember all of our discussion except that I distinctly remembered that Revan said that I may have said the right thing during the session. I was thinking that the idea would fly and that representatives would be sent to beseech the Lord Governor of the system. I could sense it through the Force that this was first in a chain of events that could change the relationship between the people of this system and the relationship of this system with the Republic for years to come.

Trystan from the Ebon Hawk Crew is in it. A great Chapter. I think Revan doesn't understand about these traditions.

Of course but this Trystan is different from the other. Children are often named after heros and leaders. The one from the RP is from Belos.
Revan doesn't know because she just met these people.

Trystan from the Ebon Hawk Crew is in it. A great Chapter. I think Revan doesn't understand about these traditions.

It takes time to learn a culture even within a country. When we moved from the North to the Deep South for a year a few years back, it took me several months just to adapt to all the 'please' and 'thank you's they said after absolutely everything--it's not done nearly as often in the North (and I wish it was, actually, so I continue that tradition here back in the North--I'd rather be overly polite than rude). I'm sure I was viewed as rude simply because I was not used to that part of the culture.
So, I wouldn't expect a stranger to understand the nuances of a culture, especially one as complex as the one JM12 has built, which I love, btw. All the little details are great.

Thanks Jae and yours is going well too. Chapter 8 is in the works and I am going to post the next chapter of Broken Wounds Heal soon. Stay tuned. :D

Chapter 8: Delegation and Arrivals
The morning was pleasant and clear. I felt fine considering it was the first time in a while that I had a good night’s worth of sleep. It was a silent ride along the trail towards the capital city Tyan-yu, where the Lord Governor of the whole system lived. Revan was with me on one of the gentlest draigons I had selected since it would take the better part of a day to get to the city. Michaela stayed behind claiming that she had work to do with the children and check on Caelos. In actuality she went to a gathering of the Bushida Handmaidens though of course I was unaware of this at the time.

As we were riding towards the city, Revan asked me questions on the customs and mannerisms of the people of Avalon. I tried to tell her everything I knew about conduct and the like when involving diplomatic procedures and whatnot. I had finished explaining diplomacy here when Revan spoke, “The people of the village think very highly of you. They respect you and your judgment and it’s not because you are a Jedi. I think one of the women called you Kirabaros.”

I inwardly cringed at hearing the name given to me by the People. I was a bit annoyed that they had mentioned it in front of Revan. I wasn’t sure how to explain why they called me that and not by my given name. After all, how could I make someone understand that many of these people suffered through hatreds that did not equal to anything seen in the Republic except for the Mandalorian wars though I had no part in those events. I thought carefully how to speak and I responded to Revan, “That is true.”

“Why? Is it because you did something for them?”

“Yes and no.”

I guessed Revan could sense my reluctance and my awkwardness at answering. She broke the ice about it by saying, “I was once called a leader of my tribe. A Jawa called me that.”

I chuckled because I thought it funny. I had never met a real Jawa but I have seen holos of them and heard of them from Master Tergis from his younger days. I decided to be a bit more open, “Kirabaros was a name given to me because I exhibited the qualities of the folk hero when I helped the tribes form a peace.”

“That makes sense. You have a generosity that you are ashamed to admit to because you feel that it is prideful. I like that. It reminds me of him.”

The ‘him’ was the one she left behind. I didn’t want to press her. I had decided that when she was ready to tell me she would do so when she was ready. Instead she composed herself rather well and asked my about the city Tyan-yu.

I had been to the city a few times but never really interacted with the governor. I admitted, “It is beautiful. It has its good parts and its bad parts. The palace where the governor lives is one of the more grander buildings. Sometimes the people call it the Imperial city though I think that doesn’t seem befitting.”

“It makes it sound like it was the capital of an Empire. What does the name Tyan-yu mean?”

“It means ‘leftover spirit.’ It was because the city that existed before it was destroyed in one of the wars against a bitter enemy. Some of the buildings were left and they were used to rebuild the city, hence the leftover spirit.”

Revan looked surprised but she gave a small oh. It was a piece of naming language logic as it was with many of the names. The wars that occurred so long ago destroyed the former grandeur of the cities so many of them were named as leftovers of their former glory. It would take time but Revan would eventually come to understand my people. She would even settle here as well with the one she left behind but that’s getting ahead of myself. She began to finger the life pendant, which was an interesting shade of blue green. She asked me, “Why the pendant?”

“Well, those that belong to a tribe receive such a pendant at birth and they vary in color depending on what the loremaster sees in their future. The shape indicates what tribe. The Zherron tribe accepted you for your courage and selfless act of rescuing Caelos. The tribes never really expect outsiders to help. This is due to centuries of distrust.”

“What of yours?”

“Mine is well I don’t have one because well, it’s a complicated story.”

“Is it the fact that you are a Jedi?”

“Partially,” I didn’t say any more, so Revan stopped asking. How could I tell her that I didn’t have a pendant because when I was born, it was considered wrong to marry someone from the cities. My mother was of a farmer clan but she was a member of the warrior tribes. My father came from the cities. They weren’t accepted so they moved to Mikkado where they lived until they died. I found this out when I somehow found my old playmate Tundarai a few years ago. He told me the story after I had gotten snubbed deliberately by a tribesman for not wearing a pendant and I was called a traitor. Revan must have sensed my reluctance to share so she stopped and instead continued to ask about the city. They were questions I was relieved to answer.


Tyan-yu was like a welcoming beacon when we arrived in the late afternoon, early evening. It was too late in the day to bother the governor and it would never do to insist upon barging in. I made inquiry at the gates to the palace and the guard said that the governor would be willing to listen. This came as a shock considering that the hour was the tea hour and most people would want to not deal with matters of business. Revan was surprised herself considering that she saw my shock.

Our draigons were taken and put in the stables and we were led into the palace. We were left at a massive door that was a lush shade of red. We waited until a voice from beyond the door called to us, “Enter please.”

I led the way into the room. It turned out to be a chamber that resembled a study. There were books all over the place and a large desk covered with papers. I knew the governor had a reputation for being a scholarly type and that he didn’t look the part of a governor but this chamber didn’t verify a stuffy scholar. The governor was standing at the balcony. This one in particular looked over the vast gardens behind the palace. It was an interesting picture just looking at the governor looking out.

The Lord Governor Heros Lightrunner was probably my height but he looked like a small little man. It didn’t help that he was often seen hunched over a book but a closer look revealed that he possessed a calming quality that demanded attention. It was a quality that allowed him to stand up to the overly demanding members of the council when in session. He was a quiet man that preferred to examine things closely and would often come up with the strangest conclusions but they were truth. Many suspected that he was once a Jedi or at least was a Force Adept and we found exactly who was that day.

He had turned when we entered and watched us approach. His first words threw me off and I think it did Revan, “Hmm, I expected a delegation of tribesmen, not Jedi. I suppose you came to tell me something involving the fate of our worlds?”

“How did you know we were Jedi?” Revan asked while I was still trying to form words.

“Your stance, your walk and I can feel what you call the Force around you,” was the reply.

“Are, are you a Jedi?” Revan continued her line of questioning.

“Was and yet it never leaves you completely. Still I am surprised that Lord Trystan sent a pair of Jedi to discuss negotiations about uniting.”

Finally regaining my voice I said, “The logic being that it was my suggestion, Lord Governor.”

“I expected as much from Kirabaros. Still perhaps you or maybe your friend here can explain about the shadows that cloud our worlds?”

Ignoring the mentioning of Kirabaros I looked at Revan and nodded at her to speak. She began, “I have been following a great evil that I had been chasing for the last four years. It was something I did during the Mandalorian wars. I came back to fight it.”

Governor Heros looked at me as if to confirm her story. He didn’t say anything but instead crossed to his desk. He picked up a datapad and said, “This evil may have united with our centuries old enemy. Tell me, have you heard of the Rashikians?”

Revan shook her head but I answered, “Yes, they were once our people but they grew too greedy and desired to dominate. We drove them out and they have been waging war since to try and take over Avalon and her sister planets.”

“Yes but in the ten years, they have not bothered us. I think they were waiting for their chance to strike. Either that or it is something that has not been seen since the days of Kirabaros, your namesake,” Governor Heros pointed at me before continuing, “One thing for certain is that we need to unite on way or another with the tribes.”

“The problem is trying to put aside differences,” I voiced rather quietly. I was all too well aware that hatreds were hard to die. It took three years just for the tribes to start getting along but that didn’t mean there still wasn’t some distrust. The old feelings of apprehension and dread came into my mind of when I first started getting the tribes to talk together.

Revan seemed to sense my apprehension and spoke accordingly, “That may be a problem but if we come as Jedi, guardians of peace and justice, they would be willing to listen. The tribes seem to respect you a lot Jedi Credo maybe the same could be done with the congress here in the cities.”

“That may work,” Governor Heros replied, “However I must not put forth this motion or it will be seen as a motive on my part. Perhaps you young Jedi could convince the governors while Kirabaros brings the Council of Lords to consent. Lord Trystan could then come and present his case. I know this sounds too much time but this is the option I see right now.”

“I understand governor,” I responded, “but when we left, the Council of Lords wanted us to see if the city people would be willing to cooperate. They are willing right now and understand the threat that is coming.”

“Yes,” the governor murmured. I suspected that he was thinking of something. He pondered over what I had said in his mind for quite some time. It was so quiet that a pin could drop and you could hear it clink on the floor. Finally he spoke, “Then we must come to a conclave at the Four Points.”

“What is that?” Revan asked.

“Conclave is something that hasn’t occurred in over a millennia. It is where all the rulers get together in the sacred place of our forebears to decide our fate. The Lord Governor and the Lord of Lords preside and keep order,” I responded. Master Tergis had me learn everything about my people. I began to suspect that he might have seen what the future held for me when he first met me as a little boy scared and frightened. Maybe it was the turn of events that would eventually lead Avalon and her sister planets to become part of the Republic.

I was thinking this when Governor Heros agreed to hold conclave. I would go to Lord Trystan and deliver the message. I was getting ready to go when one of the guards burst in saying in rapid Avalonian that he and several others had captured a strange sentient trying to steal a speeder or a ship. Revan was confused since she didn’t know a word of the language but followed my lead as I followed the governor down to the main audience chamber where a human man was struggling against two armed guards, Bushido guards, the best there was.

With a buckling of his body he made a move that sent the two guards flying and withdrew a lightsaber. I noticed that Revan had recognized him and made a move to go to him but I held her back with a motion of my hand. I walked up to the sentient and asked him to put away his lightsaber saying that it was a misunderstanding. He must have been distrustful and held up his blade. I think he may have noticed mine and wasn’t sure as how to react. I just kept my gaze steady and looked at him and didn’t move. It may have seemed like moments until he finally put away his lightsaber and said, “I am looking for Revan if she is here. I came here to help her fight this war that is coming.”

Revan couldn’t contain herself at the sight of an old friend and said, “Darius? I thought you were dead or in exile.”

The exchange that happened revealed that Darius was the Exile that had followed Revan’s path after reestablishing his connection to the Force. I realized that this human was the one in my dreams. It seemed that the more people we met, I met, the more I saw of the war that was to come. I kept this to myself as the misunderstandings were cleared up. My only concern was that this was something that was going to get extremely unpleasant and a matter of life and death.

Darius is a good name for the Exile. I never have any good names. The game I'm playing on TSL at the moment, my LSF Exile is called Serra Zilla. Is that alright?

Anyway good Chapter.

Names for the PC: whatever rocks your boat. Mine are not very original. One time I used Rowan Darklighter and another I did Adrianne Solo. So you can see how original I am :lol:
I am glad you liked the chapter. It was actually much longer than my other ones. A new one on Broken Wounds is up too.

The battle looms closer.... I like the suspense building.

Of course. The whole second book is about the rise. Glad you like it.

Chapter 9: Conclave
It wasn’t difficult to assemble the leaders for conclave. In fact most of the people seemed to know that it was going to happen before it was announced. I attributed it to the strange osmosis that occurs; it was like news went where no signals went to such as the remote pockets of land. I vaguely remembered Zoran once telling me that if the People concentrated hard enough, they could cause what they were thinking to happen. I of course kept these thoughts to myself as I was sure that both parties were well aware of this phenomenon. I was more concerned for Naomi since she is the first woman to attend conclave.

I was also thinking of the events that transpired to the point where I met the Exile Darius. I knew better than to think that it was anything but the Force at work. I had been under the instruction of Tergis and Cronus and the masters at Coruscant to know that nothing could compare with the mystery of the Force. I do admit that I was shocked when I learned from Darius that the masters I had known were all gone. The fact I couldn’t sense it through the Force made me feel ashamed. I was especially sad to hear that Masters Kavar and Vash were dead. They made me feel more welcome when I came to Coruscant. Vrook, I felt guilty that I had no sympathy. He had always irked me in my form, my technique, that I was too headstrong, the usual things he seemed to say with all the padawans.

I was a willing guide to acquaint Darius with the Zherron tribe since they were closer to the Four Points. Kapu stayed by me the entire time as if watching the Exile and Revan trying to discern what they were going to do. He also kept looking to the east as if something was supposed to come over the hills. I made a mental note of it and kept it at the back of my mind as I introduced Darius to Michaela. She used the grace she learned as the privileged daughter of the Durais family. We sat around the table waiting for the hour when Revan and I would go to conclave. Darius brought us up to date on the state of the Republic. I especially noticed it when Revan had a tear in her eye when Darius said that Carth Onasi was waiting for her.

Upon hearing that name, I vaguely remembered hearing of that pilot. There was no end to the stories on how he was one of the Republic’s best pilots and that he has seen quite a bit of combat. I also remembered that he lost his wife on Telos when former Admiral Saul Karath bombed the planet. I put two and two together and figured out that Revan and Carth must have met and fell in love. She remembered something terrible she had done and went on her own to try and stop it and she left him behind. Judging from the sentence, I guessed that Carth had never gave up hope on her return, as if he knew that she was still alive. I said nothing but pushed a cup of tea towards the both of them. Revan would later come to know that I had subtle ways of reassurance as well as Darius.

Kapu let out a howl to signify that the moon had risen high in the sky. It was something that all wolves did. Revan and I made ready to leave. I motioned for Darius to follow but he opted to stay with Michaela. I thought he deserved to be present but I guess he thought that some of the guards were a little sore at what he did to them earlier. I thought later that it was a good thing that he didn’t come but that comes much later and I am getting ahead of myself.


Conclave is considered one of the most sacred events surrounding the history of Avalon. It is said that when conclave occurs, no one can insult another person and that proper respect must be shown at all times, at least that’s how the historical documents put it. It was a monumental event because their had not been a formal conclave for the last thousand years. Sure meetings and councils occurred but conclave is different. It is the agreement of all and everyone agrees to uphold. What happens here in a way becomes law. It was a sight to see as Revan and I were going to be a part of it.

The Four Points was a natural wonder in of itself. The megaliths were arranged into four points each facing the four directions of the wind. Smaller stone slabs were set in between these megaliths to create a ring of stone. Within the ring were stone seats where the major leaders would be sitting. Outside were similar seats but in bench form for the advisors and special speakers who would be speaking. In the very center of all this was the fire pit that was being tended to by two of Lord Trystan’s warriors, one which was Eуmeros. Revan and I moved to the benches outside the ring of megaliths. Kapu had come with us and had seated himself next to me in a spot where I could scratch his ears absentmindedly.

We didn’t have long to wait as the advisors of the five governors were filing in and taking their seats. Followed by them were the governors and Lord Trystan and Naomi. Naomi looked out of place being that she was the only woman at this conclave and I felt a little worried that she may be intimidated but I reminded myself that she was tougher than she looked. We all stood and waited until the leaders sat in their seats. As soon as the leaders sat, old Petronius came into the center and said in the archaic version of our language, “Now that we are here by the grace of the gods, we begin conclave.”

As he was saying this, I wondered how old Petronius really was. It is true that our people could live for millennia and not age as quickly. We can die like normal sentients with weapons and the like so we were not immortal or anything like that. I was thinking of asking Petronius about his linguistic skills when I noticed how alert Revan was looking as she watched the proceedings. I calmed her by telling her that the leaders would end up doing most of the talking.

For the first hour or so, each leader was introducing themselves. Each spoke in their own native dialect in order to announce the diversity of the people present. Kapu ended up stretching out and lying down. I remembered sitting there and starting to feel numb from sitting in the same spot. I actually felt more comfortable kneeling in a meditative position; I was not a sitting person. Sitting there I almost lost track of the time. It was Petronius’ voice that brought me out of my stupor with his announcing Governor Heros.

Even though he was a small man, he looked as if he were tall in the manner that he stood. He stood and approached near the center so as to be heard. He spoke in his firm and gentle voice, “Friends, I have called this conclave to discuss a threat that could affect us all as members of this system. This threat stems from an ancient evil and from an enemy that has waged war against us for millennia. I come to call and ask you fellow members of this council to unite against this threat.”

He was speaking in Avalonian, as was tradition of conclave. I ended up translating what he said to Revan so she could follow what was going on. When Governor Heros was finished with his request, Governor Galidran of Andorra stood up and asked, “Governor Heros, as much as we respect you for governing our system, I have to ask, do you have proof of this?”

“I have here two Jedi,” and Governor Hero motioned to us. That was our cue to stand and I made a small motion to Revan who stood up with me. Governor Heros continued, “One is Kirabaros and with him is a Jedi from the Republic who has been chasing this threat, following it to try to end it.”

Governor Galidran responded, “I trust you judgment when it concerns Kirabaros but who is this Jedi that is a stranger amongst us?”

“She is the adopted sister of the Zherron tribe,” Lord Trystan responded without standing. He just continued to sit almost with a bored expression. He was never one for pomp and circumstance but he valued tradition and custom and did his best to uphold them. Everyone was silent as if waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t, Governor Galidran continued, “And what does this sister of the Zherron tribe know of this evil.”

I was getting angry and it showed because I couldn’t translate at the moment. I knew that Galidran was a tough nut to crack. He reminded me a lot of Master Vrook for he was never satisfied with anything and was always criticizing actions one way or another. I remember when I went to Andorra to speak to him about potential trade arrangements with the Avalon tribes. He criticized my attire and said something along the lines that I never thought of the big picture, that I rushed into things without thinking of the consequences. Needless to say I was never anxious to be in a conversation with him after that.

I almost lost the gist of the conversation when Naomi broke in with her gentle voice, “The Jedi are honorable. If they have something to say to us then let them say it and then we can decide what to do.”

“Then let them speak,” Heros replied.

The others nodded and Galidran sat down still looking like the sour grape he was. I gave a slight tug on Revan’s robe sleeve and we both stood up. I could tell that Revan was nervous so I led the way to the center of the circle. Once there I introduced Revan and myself and allowed Revan to speak. I knew that she didn’t speak our language but I was confident that she could tell everything that needed to be said. To be honest, I was impressed with her linguistic abilities. She went into a detailed description of her journey here in the Unknown Regions chasing an unknown evil, which she revealed to be the True Sith. She told of herself and what she did during the Mandalorian wars and the Jedi Civil War. I noticed that she left out certain things that were sensitive and private, like her relationship to Carth. She later told me that she felt as if the council was looking right through her and watching her as if she would do something. She even told of meeting with the Rashikians once, something she hadn’t spoken of before.

When she finished, we stood there and waited. We must have waited for at least fifteen minutes until Naomi asked, “And what do you suggest we do?”

I answered in the same manner as I did in front of the Council of Lords, “Stand together and if necessary, appeal to the Republic. What happens here could affect the whole galaxy.”

“Absurd,” Galidran responded, “the tribes and the cities have been at war for centuries. There is no way they could change their feelings in a short amount of time.”

“And what of the Republic,” Governor Druga of Aztlan cut in, “they have not been around ever since the Great Divide. Why should we ask them for aid when they have never offered?”

“My lords,” I tried to calm everyone, “we are being threatened as a whole. No one tribe is being threatened but all of us. From what Jedi Revan has told us it threatens the galaxy as a whole. There is more at stake than petty feuds.”

“And I suppose you are the ones who want to lead us?” Druga asked, raising his voice.

“Unless you want to and lead us into disaster,” Galidran started to shout.

In an instant, everyone was shouting trying to be heard over the other. Each of the delegate’s advisors were standing and trying to shout their opinions. It was a kerfuffle and I saw that it was going to go downhill. I saw Petronius trying to keep order in concordance of conclave. It seemed as if bad tensions would leave with this meeting until the noise was broken by a single voice that seemed to overshadow the others, “Stop the fighting!”

Everyone turned to see where it had come from. Two dozen pairs of eyes, including mine, looked at the one person who had spoken, Revan. She repeated, “Stop this fighting. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. We are supposed to be here to come up with a plan to meet this threat…”

“A threat that you brought here,” Druga sated.

“No a threat that has lived in this region of space as long as you claimed it,” she retorted, “You complain of each other’s differences when you should be putting them aside. You are the chosen leaders of your groups. You were chosen because you are believed to be wise enough to communicate with each other effectively and peaceably. Why can’t you stop this bickering? It is pointless!”

I noticed that the delegates had become silent. I myself was rather taken aback by the silence. It was broken when Druga spoke, “You are right. I am ashamed that I let my pettiness take the better of me. As governor of Aztlan, I pledge my duty and available troops to the aid of our system Avalon and if necessary, to the Republic.”

One by one the other governors and Naomi agreed. Heros asked then in the traditional manner if all agreed to unite. When they said yes, Petronius spoke again, “By order of this conclave, we as people of the Avalonian system pledge to each other our lives and honor. So let it be written, so let it be done.”

Conclave had been concluded just as the morning star began to rise above the hills. The sight was beautiful but I was expressing my amazement at Revan’s boldness. We were discussing how it was she who got everyone to agree and walking back to the village and Kapu was following us from behind. All of a sudden a large explosion sounded near by sending the soil flying. Everyone was starting to scream and run as more explosions were ripping through the sky. I looked up and could make out a single ship firing at the surface of Avalon. I remember pushing Revan to run towards the village so as to get to safety when a large explosion sounded near us, powerful enough to send us flying. The last thing I remember was seeing black.

Good Chapter. Why wasn't Zez-Kai Ell mentioned?

Wow, you really have an ability to create cultures and worlds and really make them come to life. This is a very well written fic. Will you please review mine when you have the oppurtunity. It's called the Galactic Scream. Thank you.

Thank you. Pottsie I didn't mention Zez Kai-Ell because well you'll see :D
Currently I am working on a chapter that will require me to do a bit of explaining and well, you'll find out. Sith at Peace thank you for your comments. A lot of this culture I have had to act out to myself and play certain characters so I can get a feel. A plus was that I read up on certain modern cultures for ideas. So you guys can see I am very eccentric. Stay tuned for another chapter soon ;)

Chapter 10: Mobilization
I was told I was out for two days and within two weeks the Rashikians had taken over the western provinces, killing all who resisted and claiming that their leader was coming. I remember waking up in the hospital to find my wife gazing at me with a concerned look in her eyes. My head felt like someone had sat on it and my body felt that it had been through a trash compactor. My concern was for Michaela and the People. I tried to ask but was told to rest because I had received a nasty smack to the head. Seeing that I wasn’t going to get any answers, I was going to resort to other means of getting information. I sent for Revan.

Revan appeared looking primed for battle but rather tired. I asked for the status on the People. When she revealed that the western provinces were taken and the other planets were under siege, I nearly got out of bed only to be met by sharp blows of pain. I was actually lucky to suffer some bruises and abrasions, not to mention a bump on the head, but I was annoyed that it was enough for me to gasp in pain. Controlling my pain and using the Jedi healing techniques, I managed to subdue the pain to a dull to be able to sit up at the edge. I asked, “Anyone else been hit?”

“When they attacked, they killed some of the advisors to the delegates. Some of the tribal lords were killed and Eуmeros went missing after the explosion. Lord Trystan has been looking for him but no trace of him has been found. Jacen, what are we going to do?”

I could tell that she was scared. I guessed she thought that this was her fault some how but I wasn’t going to let her feel that way. I also started feeling her emotions as if I were her, emotions that were not my own. I brushed this aside as I replied, “We will uphold what was made law at conclave. We will fight this enemy.” I looked at her and said, “This is my home and I must defend it.”

“You sound like I did when I went to fight the Mandalorian wars,” Revan interrupted sadly and I felt it. The pain and the sorrow entered and a sharp coldness went down my spine. It must have looked like I was in pain when I doubled over a bit but I said I was fine. Looking at her I could see right away that she was afraid that she might become what she once was.

Realizing this I tried to be gentler on my reasoning, “You are right. I just realized something though. I saw it when I saw them fire upon us. The same thing that caused the Mandalorians to wage war is doing the same thing here but something else is backing it.”

I began to explain about how I saw the shadow in my dreams. I explained my thoughts to her and she listened. I could tell that she was debating on whether or not to wage war again. As she was sitting there deciding I realized that something needed to be done in order not only to help my people but the Republic as the Exile had done before joining us here. Gently and firmly I added, “And it is time to rebuild the Jedi here.”

Revan left with that statement in her mind and I was left to spend a painless night asleep but dreaming once again the dream that had been haunting me ever since Revan arrived.


Two days later I was allowed to leave the medbay where I had been taken but I wasn’t feeling myself. There were times that I would feel emotions that were not my own and they often came at the strangest of times. I was annoyed but kept it hidden. I had a job to do and Revan and Darius agreed to help me. I set out to find them in the camp that the Zherron had set up a ground staging area in the grassy knoll outside Tyan-yu. There was talk of a battle but the time in the medbay gave me time to think that this was a precursor to something big. Revan was right, this was something that would be the biggest showdown of light versus dark and yet it involved something that was never finished on Mikkado. That I was sure of.

I found Revan, Darius and Michaela talking with Lord Trystan in the largest of the tents. They were discussing on tactics to reinforce along the river closest to the Taitai tribe south of the city. Revan was saying that the weakest point was the bend but it was better to reinforce the whole river. Michaela agreed with her which surprised me since she was never one to fight. I think the attack made her realize what was at stake. I entered the tent quietly but she noticed me. She stood up and hugged me deeply which I returned with equal affection. She brushed my two stray locks and stroked my hair and looked at my face. She said in a sad and joking voice, “That scar above your left eye looks good. You’re still my J.C.,” and she smiled.

“It is good to see you Jacen,” Revan said.

“I agree. You gave everyone a scare when you got that nasty bump on the head,” Darius added.

“I admit that I still have a headache from the bump but I’m all the better for it,” I replied. I didn’t say anything about the plethora of emotions that were not my own that were invading my mind on occasion. Later my not telling anyone would have profound effects on the ones I loved and the ones I called proudly my friends. Feeling uncomfortable going on I asked, “About the river defense, how many do we have ready?”

Taking my cue, Lord Trystan replied, “It’s not the number, it’s the mobilization. The armies are in disarray as to whom to obey. The other governors have returned to their planets to mobilize their fleets and armies but they are clueless as how to mobilize.”

“Simple,” I replied.

I think Revan and Darius knew what I was going to say but both couldn’t help but ask, “How?”

“We call up the Jedi. The Bushida warriors,” was my answer.

“What Jedi? They all left at the end of the last war on Mikkado,” Trystan replied.

“I thought about it while I was in the medbay. They are the only ones with sufficient numbers to lead the troops. They are not considered Jedi by the Republic but they have the training of the Jedi,” I replied.

Trystan let out an ‘oh’ sound. He knew what I was talking about. The Bushida were the warrior equivalent of the Jedi Weaponsmasters but they were well rounded in their skills. Considered the best, they used to guard the system itself but with the distrust of the Jedi and what not, they isolated themselves except for the few that personally guarded the governors at their palaces. I had no idea how many of them were there but it was a helluva lot more than the Jedi of the order in the Republic. It had been that way for over a thousand years. The academy here on Avalon was high in the mountain passes, difficult to get there by ship. In fact damn near impossible. I was thinking about this and almost didn’t hear what Trystan said, “The journey is long and dangerous. Would they be willing to help?”

“They will not ignore the call. It is a matter of honor…Bushida,” I ended in a whisper. I was getting tired having just having gotten out of the medbay but I knew that in order to lead the troops we needed the ones that were trained this way. I didn’t think myself was worthy to lead an army and I said this in my subtle way, “Besides I don’t think they would refuse to hear any reasons to join if they were presented by warriors like Revan and Darius.”

The stunned silence was unnerving for a padawan but I maintained my serious look. I think they were surprised that I didn’t mention myself in the delegation that could go to the head academy. The fact of the matter is that I don’t consider myself worthy. Sitting in front of me were two people that saved the Republic and the galaxy and what have I done? Just mostly forced disagreeing parties together and let them decide. I guess I thought of myself as a nobody or something. Later Revan would tell me that it was a noble quality but a weakness that the Rashikians would be willing to exploit. More likely it stemmed from my childhood years at boarding school about how ugly the kids used to make me feel. I didn’t say anything except, “Will you think about it?”

I felt stupid but I sensed that I needed to leave. Their emotions were starting to bug me and were hurting my head. I stood outside the tent and breathed in the night air. All of a sudden a new wave of emotions hit my senses. I turned to my left and saw a small group, a family huddled around a fire. The emotions were so deep I felt as if I were one of them, refugees. I just stood looking at them for a few moments and one of them caught my eye, a teenaged boy. My eyes opened when I recognized who it was, little Caelos!

I went to their fire. He greeted me with a hug which surprised me. I wasn’t used to having children hug me and it always caught me off guard. In two weeks he matured from the little boy that Revan rescued. He had the makings of a great man and a Jedi. I wondered why the Bushida had not identified him yet. It occurred to me that there were probably many that they hadn’t identified. I tucked these thoughts to myself as I listened to Caelos’ tale of how his family had been run out of their vacation home by the Rashikians in the west and the murder of his father. I listened. I didn’t realize that he had sat next to me and leaned against me. My heart opened to him. I remember thinking that he was just a kid thrust into manhood by war. It made me realize that if I ever had any children, I would want them to grow up in a world without war. In a way, it gave me a purpose besides defending my home. I also felt out of place because I couldn’t distinguish which were my own feelings and which were his own.

I stayed there the entire night. It did nothing for my head which was still reeling from the emotions. The morning was beautiful. I had never seen anything like it before. There was an array of colors that encircled the camp that mixed in with the sun and morning mist. Michaela found me wandering the fields just looking at the pretty colors. When she touched my shoulders I said, “Look at it. The colors are amazing though I don’t know why there are dark shadows over there.”

She looked at me as if something were wrong. She responded, “Lord Trystan wants to see you and Revan and Darius.”

I was wondering why she looked at me that way but I followed her to the main tent or rather to the outside where Trystan had gathered the tribal leaders that were there and the Lord Governor. He was speaking to the People in their language and they were listening. When he saw me approach, he broke back into Basic announcing, “And here are the ones who will lead the group to summon the warriors that live in our mighty mountains: Kirabaros and Jedi Revan and Darius!”

I raised my left brow and it was noticeable because of my scar. I was magnanimous about it and just waved my hand in acknowledgement. The People were cheering and I could feel the collective cheer. It was like an electric shock that ran down my spine as I listened to the cheers. When it died down the People took their time to disperse. I watched a bit and then distracted myself by looking at the colors again. Trystan tugged at my arm and directed me away to talk. When we were a safe distance away he spoke straight to the point, “Kirabaros, your comments disturbed me. Not about the idea of seeking our lost brothers but what you implied of yourself. You of all people have done much for our people, your people.”

“What have I done to deserve anything? The last daring thing I did was teach an illegal school…”

“That sparked the movement for freedom and equality, the like which hadn’t been seen in years. Don’t sell yourself short. You have a path that differs from your fellow Jedi. I can see it even though I do not understand your Force.”

I couldn’t think of anything to say in response to that. Lord Trystan was not one to navel gaze as Petronius once called it yet it touched me. For years I held everyone at an arm’s length away except for my wife. It was then it hit me; I would be leaving her behind for the first time since we were married. Lord Trystan nodded as if he knew what I was thinking. I left to find her. She was with Nayana and Naomi at the small fork cleaning out the laundry. I approached and respectfully greeted Nayana and Naomi who nodded while saying, “Michaela was right. The scar suits you. Makes you more manly than the pretty boy you were two weeks ago.”

Michaela was smiling and blushing. She asked, “Why are you here and not preparing for tomorrow? I need time to get your pack ready.”

Making a slight cough but Nayana and Naomi ignored it. I was slightly annoyed but I didn’t have the backbone to back it up. I instead replied, “Well, I was wondering if you would like to spend the day with me?”

I caught a whiff of sadness from her and realized I made the mistake of reminding her that I was leaving her. She passed it off rather quickly by saying, “Not today I have work but tonight is fine.”

Apparently that was all the answer I would get. Before I knew it, I delved deep into her emotions. I felt her love, and something else that was buried. I couldn’t put my finger on it because she started burying it deep and began to shut me out. I was broken out of it when Revan came over the hill with Darius calling to me to make final plans. I looked at Michaela who looked at me with a smile and sent me on my way. I did not see the look of concern on her face nor the looks of concern on the faces of the others.


That day ended in tiredness but I was determined to be with my wife. When I entered the tent that was ours she was already sleeping on the pallet we shared, or at least I thought that she was. I sat next to her and began to stroke her cheek. She responded by turning over and looking at me. Seeing my look of affection, she smiled. I leaned forward and kissed her on her lips. She reached with her free hand and caressed my hair and kissed me back. That night, well…let’s just say that we reestablished our love for each other

Good Chapter as always. Is it just me, or is Revan a bit depressed?

Just wait and see :D

Chapter 11: The Long Journey
There were no huge farewells the next morning as the three of us had left early. Three draigons were somehow located in all the chaos, including my especial pet Lagos whom I raised myself and they were loaded with our packs for things we would need to get through the passes. I admit I was oblivious to everything except Michaela as she gave me a goodbye kiss that I think was daring for her modest self; right full on the lips. She held my head for quite a bit until I almost fell of my draigon. I was becoming increasingly aware of a pang of guilt that was not my own. It was a very feminine guilt and it disturbed me. I broke the kiss and whispered, “I’ll be careful.”

She whispered, “Don’t get any more scars. The one you have is manly enough,” and she stroked my cheek before backing away. She mouthed, ‘I love you.’

I smiled and chirruped for Lagos to get moving. Revan and Darius followed silently behind. Not a word was spoken as the three of us, and Kapu, headed for the Shin-tao Mountains, the entrance to the mountain road that would take us to the academy. The feminine guilt was being mingled with some masculine guilt as we went along and it was beginning to annoy me. I didn’t know what was happening to me and I was too stubborn to seek help from Petronius, who miraculously survived the initial bombardment with his home in tact. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought the bump to my head had something to do with it. My thoughts were interrupted when Darius sent through the Force that we were being followed.

Revan confirmed it with her own feelings. I responded out loud and said, “Over there. There’s a red weaver, the most melodious of the birds. Funny thing is that they are sharp hunters but primarily scavengers. If you follow it, you usually find a kill that they can scent for up to miles.”

They took the hint and maneuvered their draigons to find the someone or something following us. I stopped Lagos by the Hamas Ford and dismounted. I went by the Judan tree and took a look around. I heard the snap and hid behind some bushes. I removed my lightsaber and waited until my quarry was in my sights. I took a jump and tackled the figure, my lightsaber falling to the ground. We tussled as Revan and Darius came up panting. I managed to pull the hood back to reveal the head of Caelos?

“I followed you because I wanted to help,” Caelos said.

I stood up and helped him up. I was going to say no and that it was too dangerous but Revan got there first. “Why do you want to help?” she asked.

“I want to take back what belongs to my family and defend my home,” he said trying to nurse a cut that he had received on his forearm when I tackled him.

“Do you realize that where we are going is dangerous?” Revan continued.

“Or that your family may be missing you,” Darius added.

I didn’t say anything. Rather I was snapped down memory lane by Caelos’ emotions. It reminded me of something I had forgotten. The will to help, the need to help, it was driving me mad in my mind. I was struggling to differentiate between my feelings and his. Damn the emotional charge of the young! I think Revan must have sensed it or she saw me give a faraway look like I wasn’t listening for she somehow brought me back by asking, “Jacen, what do you think?”

I didn’t reveal my confusion and instead concentrated on Caelos trying to ignore his emotions and being firm, “Caelos, you should be at home.”

“I want to go with you Kirabaros. I want to help. Besides, my family moved in with my father’s family and I had to leave. The eldest boy clause.”

I knew that was a cover up. I knew that Caelos was close to his father but his father’s family wasn’t. I sensed it had to do with Caelos’ abilities. Revan and Darius were quiet as I turned to look at the mountains. I knew that even though Caelos was considered a man by tribal standards, war was not a time to be on your own. I knew I was going to be questioned later but I thought to hell with it. I turned towards Caelos and said, “Where we are going is a long journey and it is dangerous. If you come, will you listen to us and whatever we tell you?”

“Yes,” Caelos nodded. I think he was scared that I stared at him in that manner but I was being dead serious. Revan and Darius were sending waves of disapproval but I could sense amusement behind Revan, more like a memory. For an instant, a young girl, a blue Twi’lek flashed through my mind and she was being defiant in some way but it was funny. I barely could suppress a grin but managed to keep my stern look. I motioned for everyone to follow me and we headed towards our draigons. I mounted Lagos and reached down and pulled Caelos behind me. I looked at Revan and Darius and said, “You wouldn’t understand,” and gave Lagos the go to run and we headed up the trail.


The shadows were dancing like the devils from the fall festival held on the third night of the last lunar month. My eyes kept scanning the pass for any signs of bandits or rogue warriors that killed for pleasure. Caelos had fallen asleep, his head resting on my back, his breaths steadily and constantly keeping my back warm. Ever since we picked up Caelos, Revan and Darius hadn’t really spoken to me. I think they questioned my judgment or something. It didn’t occur to me that they had both noticed my spacing out and my constant insistence on seeing colors of every kind.

Darius broke the silence by asking, “Why do you insist that you are nothing special?”

It caught me off guard so I answered rather lamely, “Well…I do nothing worth all the attention.”

“Blast it! I heard what the tribes say about you. I learned from a Petronius that you are always the first to stave off disaster and your wife told me how you defied the laws of Mikkado to give the tribes an equal opportunity,” Darius responded. I could see where this was going; at least I thought I did. He continued, “What you did and what you are doing is for the benefit of your people. You are trying to unite peoples that have fought against each other for centuries under one banner. Who was it that suggested we even look for these special Jedi?”

I said nothing. I was actually dumbfounded by what he was saying. True I believed in justice and peace. Tergis taught me the Jedi Code first thing when he took me in. Then again how could I bare my soul about the events that led me to my way of thinking? Darius was still talking, “Against our judgment, you took in Caelos. You give of yourself as if you were candy. These warriors that you speak of in me, I never met him or rather I left that part of me behind. I had no choice but to take it up again when I returned to the Republic. To this day, my choices haunt me.”

“They haunt me too even though I don’t remember all of them,” Revan said softly. For some damn reason, her emotions kept invading my thoughts. It was almost as if we could share similar thoughts or rather emotions. Later this would save me in my greatest challenge during this war. I didn’t dwell on it for long and decided that this was better a time than any to tell about me. I began slowly, “You are more than I could be because you fought for what you believed in. I never really did that. It was the People that fought for what they wanted, equality.”

I held up my hand to stop Darius from talking. I had to say it now, “I don’t consider myself something because I was never told I was.”

“How can that be?” Revan asked softly. For some reason she was interested and I was curious as to why.

I responded, “I was orphaned at seven but before that, I…well…was the unwanted member in school.” I started to find it easier to talk because they were listening. They wanted to know why. I continued, “I was in a boarding school that was ran by the Argonons, the ones who oppressed the tribes. I was not one of them and they hated me. The boys subjected me to tortures that were childish now but painful emotionally and physically…” and my voice dropped. Lagos stopped to get water from the spring. The others followed. It was obvious that I wasn’t going to talk anymore.

I could feel Caelos stir but it was only to adjust himself to continue sleeping. I couldn’t blame him. He must have been following us for hours before we found him. After Lagos was satisfied, we continued on. I was anxious to reach the Tonshau Gate, the halfway point to the academy. Kapu looked tired but was stubborn, or loyal, I couldn’t decide which. He followed behind the three of us to keep a sharp eye. It was quiet; at least I thought it was. I was too busy listening to the surroundings for I had picked up a strange presence that was not friendly and yet felt familiar.


Camp was not much talkative either. Revan and Darius spent their time talking about times they shared. Caelos was sleeping near the fire. I had wandered to the lookout and sat there looking at the sky. Even though we were in the mountains, the stars were bright. I gazed at them remembering what Tergis told me about the stars being a beacon. It may not always be clear but it was there. I continued to sit there and gaze at the stars. All of a sudden, I was somewhere else…

The plains of Dantooine were grassy and peaceful. The Jedi enclave was a gentle edifice against an even gentler setting. I could see Jedi walking along the paths heading in for the night. I caught a glimpse of a couple by the bridge that ran across the river. I edged closer to take a look. I saw a man in a rather odd orange jacket standing next to a familiar shape. I just stood there and watched. I had a rather stupid grin or a smile on my face.

The scene changed back to my old nightmares but it was again different. The township was again on fire but Revan, Darius, Michaela and dozens of others that I had not met were staring at me. Then entered a hooded figure and next to him was, who was it? The next thing I knew, I was seeing carnage and blood and fire. All were dead. All were dead…

I woke up with a start to a gentle hand touching me. I looked up and stared into the dark brown eyes of Revan. Her long hair in a single braid fell over her shoulder and she had a look of concern on her face. The fire had long since gone out leaving the scene in darkness. I couldn’t get past the fact that it was she who came. I raised myself up from where I had fallen asleep and sat up. I asked, “What are you doing?”

“You were thrashing in your sleep. I thought I could help. I used to have these things. I still do,” was her reply.

That not being the answer that I wanted and being slightly cranky I repeated myself, “That’s not what I meant. What are you doing here? Why did you come here?”

I instantly regretted what I said for I felt sadness, a separation. It was getting on my last nerve and I started shouting, “Stop it will you! I feel the same way but do you have to make your point?!”

It was then I received a sharp pain to my shoulder and I fell over and off the rock. I landed with a hard thud on the ground. Twelve shadows came out brandishing their deadly swords. I grabbed my lightsaber and switched it on, its brilliant orange blazing in the night. Darius and Revan drew theirs showing a silver and yellow. I turned on the second blade to reveal my saber staff. I ignored my own pain and Force Jumped to get to Caelos who was scared. I grabbed him and flung him up onto a ledge. I narrowly missed the thrust one of the thugs had on me and his blade raked my ribs drawing blood.

Revan and Darius had paired up to watch each other’s back, a smart thing considering that these guys were not your average warrior. I caught a whiff of the language as one of them taunted me. It was the cursed branch of Avalonian, one only uttered by the foolish and those that followed the way of the darkness. I shouted that they were Rashikians and to watch it.

It seemed forever until we managed to drive them off. Kapu had managed to pummel a few with his spring attacks. At one point I was hit on my sore shoulder and I fell bringing my saber up to block the strike. The Rashikian struggled to bring my blade down to my throat and cursed at me in his language. I was getting angry and with a huge surge of the Force I sent them all flying. It was enough for they didn’t attack again and left us alone. I rolled onto my side and tried to staunch the bleeding on my side. I called out, “Everyone all right?”

Hearing confirmation of everyone, I stood up slowly grabbing my side. I tried to hold in the pain. The next thing I knew I was hearing a voice through the Force, Don’t hide it. Let me help you. In the darkness, I felt a small and slender hand on my side. I felt the effects of Force Healing. Aloud Revan said, “That should be enough to stop the bleeding but I’d be careful if I were you.”

I was sore but I nodded gratefully. Caelos crawled down from his ledge saying nothing. I think he realized what he was getting into and didn’t want to hear an ‘I told you so’ lecture. There was nothing really to be done for my robes so I left them alone. We decided to keep moving so we loaded up our draigons and took off. I wasn’t anxious to get going but I wanted to make sure that Caelos was safe and I sucked in my pain throughout the ride.

The nighttime journey was uneventful as the Rashikians didn’t show up. I thought it could be that we were getting closer to the academy. There was no time to dwell on it for the pain in my side was intense I felt like falling off. Revan had done enough so I wouldn’t go through shock but the pain and the soreness in my shoulder was still there and it was killing me, or was it her? I couldn’t tell for emotions were starting to run wild again as a fog came across us. Day was coming and the morning mist was coming in swirling around. Caelos must have been amusing himself by making it swirl around in circles. I didn’t notice as I was trying to control the torrent of emotions. It cleared as we crossed a bridge to reveal a temple like structure. We had arrived.

Great stuff JM12! You are a very talented writer. :) I am a Cena fan BTW. Keep up the great work.

Good Chapter.

Now that I've caught up on all my other projects, I've been able to catch up here, too. You've been busy! :)

As always, enjoyable reading. I love seeing all the little cultural details in addition to all the big ones.
The only thing I found distracting was when you dropped into more informal/slang speech, like 'these guys' instead of 'these men' or 'these people'. That's just because I view Jacen as a more formal kind of man, but ymmv.
I found the Conclave details interesting and can certainly feel Jacen's reticence at accepting his role in his world. Seeing him work through the insecurity is fascinating.

Chapter 12: The Academy
I had a wave of nostalgic emotion, not of my own before falling off Lagos. I awoke to a gentle calm that I hadn’t felt in months. I sat up to find myself in a room that vaguely reminded me of my old room when Tergis trained me on Mikkado. I looked to find Revan reading a book. No one else was around. I was so uncomfortable that I wanted to bolt right then and there. I didn’t feel any feelings for her. It was more or less someone trying to be kind and I didn’t know how to take it.

She must have sensed my feelings for she put the book down and said, “Don’t worry. I made a promise to watch out for you. Besides, I have a love and I…miss him.”

I didn’t like seeing her cry so I tried to comfort her when I saw her tears fall and I felt I was being stupid. I replied, “Thank you. I…um…am sorry of what I said. I was just well…”

“You were compensating for a power that was manifesting itself at an inopportune moment,” a voice from the door sounded.

I turned to see someone who would be a mentor and a friend. He introduced himself as Tulre Halfraven and a leading master of the council of the academy. I had my left eyebrow cocked as if waiting for an explanation while at the same time I asked, “What power?”

Tulre just smiled and looked at me and came closer. He wore robes similar to that of the Jedi but they differed in certain ways. He answered my question, “One I hadn’t see in years.” Then seeing the confused look on my face, he explained, “This power manifests itself in emotions. It is extremely rare and even rarer when someone exhibits it to a degree such as you do.”

Still not convinced I asked, “What do you mean?”

“Surely you have noticed it: the colors you see but no one else can’t. You feel emotions not your own and for some reason, you formed an emotional attachment to one of your companions.”

I looked at Tulre with a look that said simply, ‘what?’ Tulre didn’t say anything as if giving me time to think. Everything he said was as if he had seen what I had seen and experienced. I looked at him and asked, “How…”

“Do I know? Once long ago a Jedi Knight came to these halls asking for my help. He claimed that he had a padawan that had a unique ability that had so far not shown significant degree but he believed that it may manifest to something more powerful. I came to a small academy on Mikkado where I met an eight year old boy who impressed me with his ability to guess what a person was feeling and taking that as if it were his own. The Jedi was a man called Tergis and his padawan was a boy called Jacen whom he affectionately called J.C.”

I searched my memory but I couldn’t recall seeing him. “I…I…”

“Don’t remember. I preferred it that way when I placed the mental blocks on you. It is not your fault that the bump to the head caused this.”

I was grateful but something was nagging at me. I asked, “What makes this different from Jedi ability?”

He chuckled slightly but seemed sad. He replied, “It is a Jedi ability but it is localized here in our system. Jedi sense emotions but you tend to act them out and they are often blurred between others and your own.” Seeing I was not convinced as I pulled on a tunic and sat on the edge of the bed to listen some more, he continued, “It is the belief of many of the older masters, including me, that this place is where the Force began. It is said that the planets themselves were created by the Force for those who needed refuge. Of course being that we are sentients, there is no avoiding potential conflicts as they occur in other parts of the galaxy. This academy is one of five that train students in the ways of the Jedi but also in the ancient combat traditions and honor codes of our people.”

“Then how did the Jedi form in the Republic?” the question came from Revan.

I glanced at her and saw that she had a lively interest in this. I thought that maybe it had to do with the evil that she was chasing. Surprisingly I answered, “Possibly to find other Force sensitive and establish more academies. It could have been possible that they lost the ability to find this place.” Sounded like nonsense but I couldn’t figure out any other way to account for the fact that some people knew where Avalon was and others didn’t, especially our own people. Then it occurred to me and I asked Revan, “How did you find this place?”

She seemed taken aback and she seemed to think hard about it. She replied, “I don’t know. What I remember of being Darth Revan, I never remembered this system nor ever heard of it. After I was redeemed, I kept getting this image of this planet in my head and a set of hyperspace coordinates. After that I found you and Michaela, this planet.”

Tulre said nothing but I could sense that he was thinking of something. Instead he said, “Well I suppose you’ll be hungry. Your other companions are fine. When you are ready you can speak to the council. The mess is down the hall and on your left. There is some attire for you in that footlocker there in the corner,” and he turned and left.


It was a lot to take in about what I had learned of myself and the place that I called home. I glanced about the halls as I walked through them eating a piece of fruit and Revan following or rather walking beside me. I never noticed how small she was nor how pretty. She was slender with dark hair that came down in a long braid. Her Jedi robes reminded me of Tergis’; they were dark, pristine and not a piece out of place. I guess she noticed me looking at her for she said, “You are just as bad as Carth.”

Embarrassed I said, “Well I…my mind was too preoccupied to notice a good warrior.”

“Please. If you were any more obvious, your eyeballs would be falling out by now,” she said smiling. Then on a serious note she asked, “I hope you don’t sense any of my emotions.”

“No. In fact I think Tulre did something so I can’t feel them like I did.” Then stopping and looking her in the eye I saw her memories of her and her pilot. I brushed it aside and said, “I meant what I said. I am sorry about what I said that night. I miss my love too. I could sense the regret that you had when you left him behind.” I saw the tears starting to brim and I wanted to give her a hug or something. Instead I said, “Hey Pretty Girl don’t start. I’m trying to be understanding here.”

She smiled and started to chuckle. Where did the heck did that come from? I thought to myself. She responded. “Thanks. You have sense of humor there. Too bad I don’t have a name for you unless I can call you Kirabaros.” With that, she gave me a quick peck on the cheek and turned to walk down the hall. She turned and said, “By the way. I think the council is ready to see us.”


“Well that didn’t take long did it?” Darius said over an evening meal, “Though I do wonder why it took them two months to tell us anything.”

“I think they knew we’d be coming to ask for help,” I replied. Caelos wasn’t with us. He had been taken in by the academy and they wanted him to get to know the others better. I had smiled when I learned that. What was even better was the fact that Tulre had begun showing me how to control my ability these past two months. It came so easily and yet it worried me that it might not be so easy under stress. I think that was one of the reasons they kept us and the other being that they needed to alert the other Jedi. I said nothing about my thoughts to anyone but for some reason Revan asked me about it.

“Possibly,” Revan replied, “they are difficult to sense in their intentions. Besides maybe they know something we don’t.” It was directed mainly at me and I could tell when she gave me a piercing stare with her pretty brown eyes.

I was pinching the bridge of my nose trying to stifle a yawn. I excused myself and walked out to walk the balcony. I was unaware that I was being followed until I heard a voice that said, “The new robes suit you.”

“Thanks. I just needed to be alone for awhile.”

Revan approached and put her petite hand on my shoulder, “For some reason you can’t hide everything from me. You are worried about your ability, your dreams, and this war. It eats you alive.”

True that was what I was feeling. I turned to face her and met her dark brown eyes and said, “My nightmares have just begun. This is something far worse than the Mandalorian wars or any other war. It is out for revenge on me.”

“How do you know?”

“I felt a familiar presence. It’s come for me and I fear that it may be my fault if my home is destroyed because of me. Sooner or later, I have to face it.”

“Not alone. You can’t stand against a whole army by yourself,” she was confused.

“Not an army. One person.” I sounded like a broken holovid or something but it made sense to me. The nauseous feelings and the memories from my childhood, it made sense. My past was catching up to me.

Understandingly Revan gripped my shoulders, looked into my eyes and said, “I know that feeling. I thought I had to fight alone too. Carth didn’t want to hear any of it either and that was why I left without telling him and I have regretted every single day. I see now that this is bigger than anything I thought possible. You showed me that and Darius did too when he came when he did. Only together can we succeed.” She then released me and stood back. She then said softly, “But I see that you need time to think,” and she turned and walked away.

I was astounded by what she said to me. It was as if she knew me better than I did myself at times but then I realized that I was exactly how she was, at least when it came to shouldering burdens. She was trying to stop me before it was too late and to not leave behind the best things in life. Even though I couldn’t feel anything at the moment, I could tell that her voice was full of regret. I wanted to do something for her but I needed to think. I took a glimpse at the stars and closed my eyes.

I recalled some of the lessons that Tergis taught me long ago. Everything needs cooperation like sun and rain. So different and yet by working together they create harmony and life. I continued to listen to the winds and didn’t notice that Tulre had come up from behind until he placed a hand on my shoulder. He said, “Tergis was right. You do have great talent.”

“He said that about anyone who needed encouragement,” I replied.

“True but he saw something in you. By the way, the little lady you were traveling with had a sad look on her face.”

“Regret. Regret about leaving him behind.”

“And what are you going to do to deal with the emotions when you leave this place and have to take care on your own?”

I stared at the landscape intently and didn’t say anything at first. Tulre was waiting for an answer so I said, “I won’t.” I turned to look at Tergis. I repeated myself, “I won’t have to because I am going to Republic space. I will some how put the Republic on alert about this threat.”

“Or are you doing this for her?”

“Both. I realized that after conclave, councils are ineffective. I mean the formality of it. We can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”

“Yes but if you rush into this, you could become her.”

“I won’t.”

“Why not?”

“I won’t because I love her.”

“You love her?”

“Yes, as a sister and a friend.” I looked at Tulre. I asked humbly, “Will you help me?”

He led me down the hall towards the hangar bay. Kapu followed us after spending his time running through the grounds. Once in the hangar bay, Tulre pointed to a sleek fighter ship being attended to by a strange little astromech that bleeped when he saw us. He looked like he was once top of the line but it looked like he had taken some damage. Tulre said, “That’s T3-M4. Our scouts found him wandering around the Manago Forest. Where he’s from, I have no idea.”

“Can he fly in a fighter?”

The droid beeped an affirmation and then made softer beeps as Kapu went up and started sniffing. Tulre replied, “Does that answer your question? Now this ship is different from Republic classes so I doubt that you may be greeted as a friendly.”

“That’s good. As long as it can fly and fight if necessary.”

“If you do this, remember that home can not be easily found.”

I nodded my thanks and left to grab what was left of my stuff. I stopped to check on Darius and Revan who were sound asleep. I gave a quick peck on Revan’s cheek and whispered softly, “I’ll be back. Just hold the line.” I didn’t know why I said it but I felt it was necessary.


The fighter was ready to go when I got back and T3 was ready to go. Kapu looked sad that he couldn’t go but Tulre opened a compartment for him and he climbed in. He looked at me and said, “May the Force be with you.”

I nodded and lifted off heading for Republic space. I did not know what I would find there but I hoped I would at least find him.

Good Chapter as always.

Chapter 13: The Diaries of the Jedi
The following are journal entries that I have recovered from that time after I left the Avalon system. Actually some were recovered and others were given to me to tell this tale.

-Revan-

We had found the academy after being attacked by the enemy. Jacen collapsed after we arrived from being in pain and was out for a day or two. I sat waiting for him to wake up and thought about the comments he shouted at me before. It was as if he knew what I was feeling or something. It had to take a master of the academy to explain why.

The grounds were quite beautiful, much like what I remembered at Dantooine. I stayed with Jacen for reasons that I could guess at. It wasn’t as if I had feelings for him, well I did but not the kind that I still hold for my Carth. I miss him so; the way he used to hold me at night, the kisses. I realize that my feelings must have been driving him crazy though he is too much of a gentleman to say so, except for that night he had that nightmare. Then that attack, he leaped into battle as if it were an old friend and the fact that he had suffered through that rake to the ribs. He is extraordinary and I can see why Michaela loves him and why she asked me to watch out for him.

These last two months have been settling and made me realize that I wasn’t alone. At least I could point that out to Jacen. When we were talking, he seemed more at peace. I guess that work that Master Tulre did with him helped. We joked a bit and I think he was embarrassed when he called me ‘Pretty Girl.’ I admit at that moment I was reminded of Carth when he used to tease me and call me his pet names. I also felt a strange attachment, as if we were family or something. I guess it had to do with the emotional bond that he formed after that incident after conclave. That night, he sounded desperate or something, kind of like how I used to have my dreams and wouldn’t tell Carth about them. I had been chasing those dreams and nightmares for four years and end up meeting someone at the end of the road. Truth be told, I came upon a person who is starting down this same path I came down. I wanted to tell him straight out but there are some things one must find out for themselves…


-Darius-

I admit I was impressed with the academy but I was more peeved with Jacen. He never takes claim for anything unless it is disaster but prefers to sit back and let others take the credit. It makes me so damned ashamed in that he is so selfless and so caring. He took in the boy Caelos against the possibility of danger and now the boy is being trained. He gives out kindness as if it were candy. I hope to be able to understand how his people think.

I admit that I was rather annoyed that Revan seemed to have feelings for him but I was mistaken. They seem to be alike in many ways that it is disturbing. I don’t know why he doesn’t trust us because he never goes into much detail about his past. Then again I never told my friends much either. Not even her. Did she ever go back to Katarr or did she stay with the others? It was only a few months ago that we were aboard the Ravager trying to destroy her former master and save Telos. I still think of her and it seemed that Jacen seemed to know but he never said anything. Tomorrow we’ll be heading out with VERY large contingent of Jedi Knights. Jacen was right. There were more Jedi than what I had known before my exile.

-Revan-

Looked for Jacen but he was not here. His bed wasn’t even slept in. I touched my cheek and had a sudden flash of him pecking my cheek and saying something like, “Hold the line.” I don’t what that means but I feel as if I let Michaela down. Worse I feel that he has started down the same route I had as I remembered our conversation last night. Kapu was not there either and I assumed that he went with his master. Wherever Jacen is surely Kapu will be there.

We started out after having breakfast and headed back. We had just received a transmission that the Rashikians were again attacking and trying to lay siege to Tyan-yu. I knew right away that was bad but something wasn’t right. The line was holding almost as if it were a distraction of some sort. I don’t like this. Maybe what Jacen said is right.

We were able to arrive just in time to drive away the Rashikians. They were the same thugs that had attacked us on the way to the academy. I noticed that our new Jedi friends fought like they did, with equal power and strength but I could sense the use of the Force as well. The battle was rather short and we won but our forces were exhausted. The men were huddled around the campfires tired and almost dispirited as I walked by to Michaela’s tent to tell her.

She took the news of Jacen’s departure fairly well but I sensed a change in her or maybe it was there before and I didn’t notice. I wouldn’t doubt it if she were trying to hide something from everyone. Also it was obvious that she was extremely emotional and I wondered if that was how Carth felt when I left without saying anything four years ago. Does he forgive me? I almost started to cry myself and apologize but she just put a finger to her lips. I remained quiet as she motioned for me to follow her to the herder queen’s tent. There she told me something that brought out a different side of me. I hope that Jacen will come back soon. He so needs to hear this.

That must be the shortest Chapter you've ever wrote. Good though.

The diaries are always short because they are certain points in time. :D
Glad you liked it though.

As always I'm enjoying the reading.
I got lost momentarily when you switched to 2 months later at the academy--I put a few asterisks in when I'm doing a scene or time break so that people know I'm moving on to something else (which I think is the convention but I'm not 100% sure).
The relationship between JC and Revan was interesting--I was beginning to wonder about those 2, you know.
Of course, now I have to hear Michaela's news, though I have my suspicions. :)

Of course. Wait and see. ;)

Chapter 14: Old Wounds and Memories
Republic space. I never thought I would see the sights again. Telos was just ahead with Citadel Station hovering above it. I sat back in my seat and just gazed at the planet as we approached. T3 beeped to bring me out of my reverie. I answered, “You know where to land?”

Beepbooop

“Alright then guide the ship in,” I replied.

T3 was a resourceful little guy and he seemed to know where to go. If I didn’t know any better he had been there before. I had no idea what to expect so I pulled my hood over. It didn’t look like traditional Jedi robes so I thought that I might be able to get away with it. I ejected T3 and opened the cargo hold for Kapu and got out of the fighter. I decided to leave my lightsaber in the fighter to prevent any unnecessary unpleasantness. We left the hangar bay and headed for the shuttle to take us to the entertainment module.

The cantina was loud and full of people. I left T3 and Kapu outside since I didn’t know how people would react to a wolf and a droid inside a cantina. I left my hood up for I wanted to be left alone while I conducted my search. I passed the pazaak tables and watched a bit as the players played for high stakes. I passed these guys and headed straight for the bar. I stood at the counter and ordered a gentle alcohol drink. I stood there and just sipped my drink when a young punk came up and asked, “You wanna buy some spice sticks?”

I used my Jedi mind trick, “You don’t want to sell me spice sticks.”

Almost mechanically he replied, “I don’t wanna sell ya spice sticks.”

“You want to go home and think about your life.”

“I wanna go home and think about my life,” and he took off. I smiled and continued to sip my drink. I could sense through the drunkenness that many people came here to drown out their sorrows and pain. A typical thing I guess. Getting drunk always seemed to stop the pain even if it was only temporary.

I was minding my business when a female Twi’lek tapped my shoulder and asked in a seductive voice, “Hey handsome. What’s a fellow like you doin’ in a place like this all alone?”

“Just mindin’ my business,” I replied. I could smell powerful alcohol on her and I didn’t want to get into any entanglements.

Apparently she wasn’t satisfied with my answer and she leaned in close. She made her lips turn into a pout and said, “Come on handsome. Surely we could have a little fun?” and she placed her arms around my neck.

I took her hands and was trying to unclasp them from my neck when I received a rude shove from my left. We both tripped and she fell and I gripped the counter to keep from falling over. I heard a gruff voice say, “Talkin’ to my girl?”

I straightened my hood and looked to find a rather angry and slightly drunk human staring at me and holding a blaster pointed at me. I stood up slowly and tried to calm him down, “I was just having a drink here and I told her I didn’t want company.”

“Did ya? It looked like you wanted something,” and he poked his blaster at my middle.

“Sir, you don’t want to do that.” A crowd had started to form around us and I had the unpleasant feeling that this was not going to go down well. I silently wanted to curse myself for leaving my lightsaber behind but I was convinced that it was for the best. From what I had learned from Darius, Jedi were not very welcome at this point. I forced my self to remain calm and maintained my strong posture. The Twi’lek woman who had fallen had stood up and had moved away slightly.

The bully grabbed her by the arm and pulled her viciously to him. He sneered at me and said, “Don’t do what? You afraid to get a little down and dirty?” He again jabbed the weapon at me.

Maintaining my calm, I spoke, “Sir, I don’t want to cause a problem. This incident is not worth the effort. Let me get you another drink,” and I made a motion to summon the bartender. What happened next probably was somewhat for the best.

The human then grabbed me and threw me across the room and into a table. He aimed his blaster at me. I made a charge to disarm him using the hand-to-hand maneuvers that Cronus taught me in addition to lightsaber forms. Once I managed to wrench the blaster away from his hand, I was greeted with a punch across the face that sent me to the floor. The angry human jumped on top of me and began to punch me wherever he could make a contact. I blocked most of his blows but he managed to get a few in.

We managed to get to our feet and he pushed me away. Somehow he managed grab a hold of a few bottles and began to throw them at me. I managed to duck and my hood came off in the process. He then grabbed something heavier, a chair and ran at me swinging. I tried ducking but he gave me a good clout at my ribs. I then grabbed it and flung it away but he gave me another good punch. I fell and landed on the ground. He jumped on me and tried to strangle me.

At that moment, the authorities came in and began trying to break it up. At that instant, Kapu came running in, as always to my rescue and gave the guy a huge bite on his rear. The drunk stood up and tried to make a swipe, but Kapu growled at him and bared his teeth. The TSF pointed their guns at us and told us to stand down and that we were being arrested for disturbing the peace. I was still on the ground trying to get up while my ribs burned like fire. I guessed that they may have been broken but I guess that was nothing compared to my face, which was starting to welt where he hit me.

The lieutenant of the TSF told the both of us to put our hands up. Kapu was growling. I said softly, “Kahae, washte washte,” and he calmed down and laid down. He still gave a low growl in his throat. I winced slightly as I raised my hands and indicated that I had nothing in my hands. One of the officers slapped some cuffs on my wrists and led us both out. Kapu submitted to a collar and followed. As we were leaving, I noticed T3 hiding and waiting to follow. I had no idea what was going to happen. I thought to my self, Great. Your first day here and already you are going to prison.


“You will stay here until we can sort out the mess in the cantina,” the lieutenant known as Dol Grenn said to us as he activated the force cages. A chain in the wall restrained Kapu and I could tell he didn’t like it. He laid down with his head on his forepaws and just gazed at the door. I winced as I sat on the ground of my cell and replaced my hood on my head. I noticed a small cut on the top of my wrist, which I healed quietly using Force Heal. I painfully drew my knees up and wrapped my arms around my legs and placed my head down on my knees.

The drunk was mad and was saying, “Grrr. When I get out of here I’m gonna rip your head off.”

I ignored him and just closed my eyes to try and sleep my pain off. As I dozed I began to hear whispers through the Force. Mostly they were lessons that Tergis taught me growing up. They were more of a comfort as I sat there in that position for what seemed like hours than staring at the wall. Gradually the pain dulled to a bearable level but it was still there. I didn’t say anything about it. In fact I remained silent the entire time.

It must have been a whole day or something when Lieutenant Grenn came back in the room. Kapu lifted his head but didn’t move. I just raised my head and placed my chin on my knees so I could hear what he had to say. He deactivated my cage and said, “Due to the security recordings that we recovered we discovered that you did not throw the first punch nor start the fight. Therefore, you are to be released and placed under house arrest until you can be summoned to the Telosian government council and your identity confirmed.”

I just looked at the lieutenant and motioned my head towards Kapu. He apparently caught my meaning and replied, “Yes, he will be released too but he is to be kept tethered at all times. If you just come with me, we will get your paperwork sorted out.”

I slowly lifted myself to a standing position. I must have winced from my ribs for the lieutenant said, “Why don’t we do that later and get you to the medbay.”

I never made it to where he was standing. I woke up on a bed hearing a voice talk to the lieutenant. It was more of a scolding as to why I wasn’t given any medical treatment sooner. It gave me a headache and I think my moaning distracted them. I sat up only to be restrained and told that I needed to be examined. I resisted because I was getting tired of being manhandled and touched. I voiced out, “Just leave me alone. I want to leave.”

“Calm down there,” the doctor said.

I jumped to my feet and made way for the door. I turned to the lieutenant and said, “Just show me where to go so I can get this mess over with.”

Seeing that I was that insistent, the lieutenant summoned one of his officers and instructed them to take me to the apartment. I didn’t see the officer in the shadows watching me nor did I sense his emotions for I was thoroughly annoyed. Kapu was waiting outside the apartment along with T3. How he managed to find me, I had no idea. I got the feeling that this little droid was capable of a lot of things. The officer left me alone in the apartment with my companions.

The apartment was simply furnished, almost as if it were a rest point. Along the wall was a communicator for the most part being silent. I ran my fingers along the furniture and the communicator. I got a sudden vision of Darius, a fool and an old woman resting in here. I realized that Darius must have come here and stayed here before. I removed my hand from the surface of the comm and moved towards the window. I slowly sat in the same position as I had in the cell and fell asleep and hoped that this would be over soon. Kapu nestled next to me and T3 took position near the comm and all was quiet.


“Hmm. I thought you’d be a little more older up close and personal,” a gruff voice sounded.

I woke up and looked up to see an old bald man with kind eyes and a gray-white beard standing and staring down at me. I cocked my left eyebrow but didn’t say anything. I could sense that he meant no harm and apparently Kapu didn’t either for he was still snoozing by me. I didn’t move but gazed into those eyes that looked as if he were judging me. When I didn’t say anything he said, “I see you are not a talkative thing judging by how still you are. Heck a tach would have eaten you by now. Maybe it will make you a willing listener. I never thought I’d see the day when a Jedi would get himself involved in a bar fight. Yes, yes I know you are a Jedi. You send it out like a viper kinrath tail gland.”

An amused grin spread across my face as I listened to him. I had a sudden flash of this same old man five years earlier telling someone that he was old and allowed to be enigmatic. I guess it annoyed him slightly for he said, “So now I am amusing to you. You’re just as bad as someone I knew,” and his voice drifted. I removed my grin and sat up straighter to show that I was willing to listen. He continued, “I don’t know why you are here or where you came from but I am guessing that is not happy news.”

The old man talked some more but I was getting drowsy. I guess he could see that for he muttered, “Inconsiderate little…” I feel back asleep. I don’t know if it was a dream or something but I do remember feeling exhausted and I just couldn’t take the rambling anymore. So I slept, for how long? I don’t know but I do remember waking up or something.

A fool was approaching an old woman. He said, “Explain something to me.”

“I do not have the years required nor the desire to entertain you.”

“He’s a Jedi right? I thought they were supposed to be tough, capable.”

“Yes and what are they without the Force? Take the greatest Jedi Knight and strip away the Force. They rely on it depend on it more than they know. Watch as one tries to hold a blaster or a lightsaber and you see nothing more than a man, a woman or a child”

“But to lose so much…”

“He has been gone from war for quite some time. It is conflict that strengthens us and isolation that erodes us. Add that he turned away from war, did everything to forget it and the last piece clicks into place. But we have spoken enough of this and we do a great disservice to him by not speaking of it when he is present.”

The image faded and I heard a noise and a voice…


Lt. Grenn had entered just as I opened my eyes. I stood slowly allowing my stiff muscles to stretch. I adjusted my hood as he said, “We have further investigated and you are not to be charged. You are free to leave when you wish. Your ship is waiting in the hangar and will be released as soon as you fill out the paperwork.”

I gave no response and he didn’t expect any so he turned and left. I stifled a slight yawn and tied a rope to Kapu’s collar, courtesy of the TSF. T3 warbled that he was ready to go. We left the apartment and headed to the TSF headquarters to pick up my ship. For some reason I wanted to get off that planet, mainly because of that dream/vision I had. The other was that there was a constant haze of uneasiness throughout the station. It looked and felt thick.

This must be about the Exile. I liked that time you used the line from AotC. Can't wait for more.

Oh yeah. Jacen finds out quite a bit. Will post the next chapter soon.

Heh, Jolee showing up here....Is he going to join the group, too?

Just wait and see. :D

If he is, there would be more humour. If anyone has total writing domination over him, it's Jae.

^
:lol:
Pottsie, you're funny. Total writing domination. :D

Jolee's his own man, and I have no doubt that lots of people have fun things for him to say. :D

Chapter 15: Diaries of the Jedi Part II
Some more journal entries that I had been able to recover. These were all in regard to my ‘imprisonment.’

-Revan-
It has been a month since Jacen had left and the war is going poorly for us. We have had as many as six battles but they have left our forces drained and in despair. We were lucky that there were no space battles yet. I can’t imagine the fact of facing another bombardment like the one that rained down on us after conclave nor do I look forward to the prospect of fighting as I did during the Mandalorian Wars and the war against Malak.

The battles themselves perplex me to some degree, actually a great deal. Every time we have engaged the Rashikians, they attack, fighting fiercely as if with the intent to conquer but then they pull back but not without inflicting heavy casualties to our troops. Looking at these battles in hindsight, I think this is a deliberate attempt to weaken us for a final battle. I can’t help but wonder if Jacen was right about what he said before he left, that it was coming for him, whatever it was. I asked Master Tulre what he meant by it but the master just shook his head and said that there are some things that never truly leave us. That they were always one step behind us and if we didn’t confront them, they would come after us. This I cannot understand and yet I do. I there are some things that I remember doing when I was a Sith Lord that haunt me still but I can’t imagine them physically hunting me. It is disturbing…

During our last battle, Darius was wounded but not too bad. Naomi has a remarkable skill at healing as well as those from the other tribes. Darius will have a slight scar on his shoulder but other than that he will be fine. Others were not so lucky. Not a day goes by when I walk past the tents that I heard the soft songs of death coming from the people. How they still manage to sing the soul to the netherworld in a time like this is beyond rational thought. I personally think that it is a great strength within. Then again, they have been fighting for years before I came and they know what to expect, death. I know this must be hard on Darius considering that he too had changed but since Malachor V. This war will change all of us. Even if we do defeat the great evil, it will still come. If one thing that I learned from Tulre it was that everything needs to be in balance. You can’t have one without the other. Funny how the Jedi on Dantooine and Coruscant viewed things in a similar fashion.


Today was another drill for the soldiers and a day of meditating for the Jedi. It was annoying to do but the warriors place a great emphasis on being prepared and ready to fight. Huh, just like Canderous and my bloodthirsty droid. I wonder how they are faring considering that Darius had left them behind along with the Ebon Hawk. That ship has so many memories in it now. A cruel thought entered my head as to what would happen if Jacen should set foot in that ship but I chastised myself. That was not a kind thing but I thought it slightly amusing when he was angry or did something funny because he couldn’t distinguish the difference. It made him less reserved and more open. Golly he was just as bad as Carth when I first tried to open up with him. Just the mere thought of our fights then can make me mad and laugh.

Michaela is doing fine. She has been working hard for the past month helping when she can and caring for the wounded. I get the feeling that she would rather be out there fighting alongside the men but she took it with such grace. I often had to scold her along with Nayana and Naomi about watching what she was doing and to take it easy. It makes me wonder if I was ever that bad with Carth. I don’t know but I grow more worried not just for Michaela but for the others who couldn’t fight. They were the most vulnerable and I wonder how we would be ever able to protect them.


-Jolee-
I could sense the boy right before I even met him. He was like a beacon crying out through the Force and yet such a strange beacon. Hmm, I don’t know if he is too clever or too dumb especially the way he got into that bar fight. I shouldn’t be too hard on the boy. At least he’s got a backbone when standing up to a challenge.

When I first met him, he looked like a brown covered lump huddled by the wall with his pet beside him. At first I thought the thing was going to bite me but all it did was just acknowledge my presence, much like the inattentive youth sitting on the ground. When I finally managed to get him to wake up he looked at me with a set of green eyes with flecks of gold dancing near the pupils. I admit that I was stunned by the look of them. He never removed his hood but I could see a faint scar on his left eyebrow that was noticeable when he cocked it at me. He was brown haired with two stray locks. I wanted to chuckle a bit as that reminded me of Carth. Bah, enough with the sentiments. I had enough when he told us that she had left.

I just talked to him trying to draw some sort of response from the boy but he remained silent. Personally I thought he would be a mouthy little thing like she was when I first met her. He just gazed at me with them eyes. He didn’t even flinch when I mentioned that I knew he was a Jedi though he did have the nerve to chuckle at me. I could see that he knew something; it was in his eyes. For a minute I thought that I saw his thoughts or a vision, bah. What do I know? More likely it was something that I was hoping for. Anyway, I could tell he was not a Jedi in the traditional sense of the word and I made a mention note to mention it to Carth. At least I won’t go half senile about this.

When I saw that he was getting sleepy and yawning at me, I wrapped it up. I spent a good twenty minutes talking to him and he yawns at me! Funny thing was he didn’t even move from his position. He had his knees drawn up and his arms wrapped around them and his head on his knees. That would have my old limbs cry out for a stretch. Young people. I sighed and left his apartment, making sure that the guards didn’t remember me. I went directly to Carth and told him what I found out. I could tell that he would have barged in and done and interrogation but I was more cautious. I told the sonny to hold on and just watch him. Somehow I had a feeling that he was here for a reason and I wanted to be certain of it.

After speaking to Carth I went to the docks. I had a feeling that the lad would have wanted to leave as soon as he could. Who could blame him? I will say this though, when I saw him fight in the cantina, he was really something. I had never seen such a good fight, except for maybe Canderous. Hehe. Now I have a good memory of the brute even though I never saw eye to eye with him.

Good Chapter or Diary enteries. No Exile enteries. Then again, that was done in the previous Chapter. Jolee is just as funny as in Jae's Fanfic. I doubt I could really make him funny.

I quote Jolee here by saying, "Bah enough of my ramblings, I can't wait for the next Chapter."

When I read through the diary endings, I realized that sometimes the characters sound a little too much alike. You caught Jolee's speech mannerisms pretty well and I could tell it was him. Jacen, Darius, and Revan should sound different from each other, and right now I feel like they all sound a little too much like Jacen, if that makes any sense whatsoever. I don't think you'll have to do much to achieve that, however--slightly different speech mannerisms maybe? Slightly different vocabulary? Wish I had an intelligent suggestion for you on that. I have to go research that one myself, because now it's going to drive me nuts til I can learn just what the correct literary term is.

I had fun reading Jolee's little comments. :)

Thanks Jae. We'll see what I can do. I try to think about it. I guess what I was tryin get at was that they all seem to understand one another and yet they don't. Let's see what else pops up.

Chapter 16: Meetings and Distrust
As soon as I was able, I took off and decided to head for NarShadaa. I don’t know why but I had remembered that Darius mentioned NarShadaa when he had arrived. I figured that might be a good place to refuel and get some provisions considering that it is the smuggler’s moon. T3 warbled that it would be a good place. I think the little guy knew something that I didn’t about this place.

When we approached the smuggler’s moon, T3 beeped in excitement. He had located a landing pad with a ship and was telling me to set down there. I saw that there was plenty of room for the both of us so I brought the fighter down. I was perfectly willing to let T3 call a few shots here in the Outer Rim since I hadn’t been here in years. I landed without so much as a hitch and released the hatch for Kapu and T3. I stood up and jumped out. This time I was going to play it smart and take my lightsaber.

I had just locked the cockpit and started walking towards the main part of the sector when I was stopped by a, “Hey you!”

I turned to see a dark haired man that I instantly recognized as the fool in my dream on Telos. He was wearing grey Jedi robes and was holding a hydrospanner as if he were trying to make repairs. I was going to say something when a droid came out wielding a huge blaster and said, “Query: Is there someone that needs to be killed Fool Meatbag?”

When I heard the word ‘meatbag’ I busted out with a laugh that clearly started to annoy the dark haired fool. T3 bleeped from behind me and the droid with the blaster stood down not without saying, “Statement: The Handsome Meatbag is a friend. Apparently a friend of the Master.”

I didn’t miss the ‘handsome’ part and thought that this psycho droid had a sense of humor but just how much was something that I would find out later. I was still chuckling when the dark haired man said, “All right stop. What in space are you doing with that T3 unit? Who are you?”

I knew better than to tease but I couldn’t resist, “I found him. He led me to a fool and a psycho droid.”

“Statement: The Handsome Meatbag has a sense of humor. An admirable quality. Much like my Master,” and the thing sighed.

“Thank you,” I said with a mock serious look. Then being gentle I answered his question, “I’m Jacen Credo and the wolf is Kapu. As to the T3 unit, he came with my ship. What’s it to you?”

“Well I’m Atton. Atton Rand and I have been trying to fix this bucket of bolts ever since Darius left. Now that you brought our T3 unit back, we can get this rust bucket space worthy and burn sky.”

T3 began to shrilly beep. Apparently he didn’t want to leave me, or something. Half of the beeps were protest and others were cussing that had me shocked. I stopped it by saying, “Alright T3. You’re not going anywhere. I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Hey something wrong?” a voice sounded from the ramp.

“Statement: An altercation was about to happen between the Fool Meatbag and the Handsome Meatbag though sadly it did not get bloody.”

“Stay out of it Mira.”

“Ya know Atton if you were a little more nicer someone would dump you out of an airlock,” the woman, Mira replied.

I could see that this could be an awkward situation so I tried to calm everyone down by saying, “Look I don’t want any trouble. My T3 unit…”

“Your T3 unit? That’s our T3 unit,” the dark haired man known as Atton interrupted.

I responded, “My T3 unit indicated that this was the landing pad to land on. If I intruded on your space, then I’ll move my ship elsewhere. Either that or I could probably help you fix the ship and earn my spot.”

“No dice,” Atton said. Apparently he was trying to square me up and see what I was going to do. Damn Darius. You never told me how tender hooked your friends were.

Mira by now had made her way down the ramp of the freighter looking at me. She was rather petite but I could tell that looks could be deceiving. She was well built and physically fit as if she may have been a warrior or a bounty hunter or something. Her orange red hair was like the crystals used for the unique lightsabers and her eyes and interesting shade of brown. She interrupted my thoughts when she said, “Well one thing is for certain, HK knows a good man when he sees one.” She then looked at me as if to size me up. She then asked, “Just what are you doing here, Handsome?”

To be honest I was rather taken aback by the coming on by various women. I didn’t want to get into another mess like on Telos so I just backed away slowly as if I wanted to bolt. When I was what a sure safe distance away, I said, “I am looking for someone. Maybe you can help?”

“Sure but why did you move away? Afraid I’m gonna jab ya with a Bothan stunner?” Mira asked a bit playfully. I could tell then that she used her beauty to capture her targets. It was actually quite amusing.

Atton was actually impatient and tried to make a move for T3. Needless to say, Kapu broke the ice by giving a lunge that had Atton fall backwards and into a can of grease that he had been working with. Kapu was still growling and barking. Apparently he thought that little droid was his and he aimed to defend it. Mira was laughing at Atton covered in grease and T3 was beeping doing what I think was laughing as well. While they were laughing, they didn’t notice the shadows creeping up on us. The presence was familiar, like what happened on the mountain trail.

I think I startled them when I made a huge Force Jump, igniting my lightsaber in the process and started swinging at the air. When I struck one of our attackers on the arm, he reappeared. I recognized him as a Rashikian and proceeded to make the other four appear. By the time this occurred, Atton and Mira had their lightsabers out and were swinging them at their attackers. The stench of burnt flesh and grease penetrated my nose like a bad stink of Bantha poodoo. This group was a lot tougher to beat as they dodged our strikes and laid down powerful ones of their own. I remember growing tired as I locked my blade with the Rashikian’s sword. With were both pressing hard against each other and our blades were crossed at an angle allowing us to look at each other’s face.

The Rashikian gave a menacing, evil smile and said in the corrupted language, “He was right. You are strong. You have fear, anger, hate and yet you don’t use them. They are buried deep.” Then in Avalonian he said, “You don’t think you can defeat us and what is to come,” and with a hard shove he pushed me back onto the ground. With a flip, I jumped up and twirled my double bladed saber and got into position. He was amused that I was persistent and came at me swinging hard. I played it smart and he played into my hands. With deft twists, I had cut the arm off wielding the sword and he fell to the ground. I stood there looking at him and shut my blade off and kneeled to look him in the eye.

By this time, Atton, Mira, and to some extent the psycho killer droid managed to down the other three. I think Kapu helped for he was growling but whimpering at some point. They joined me as I was kneeling next to the Rashikian. I demanded that he tell me who was the he and why was he following me in Avalonian. All he did was laugh and say in Basic, “No matter where you run it will find you. We are everywhere; we are watching you. He is watching you,” and he injected himself with a poison I didn’t see and he died.

I stood up slowly and looked at the body. All that came out of my mouth was, “They are here.”


The common room of the Ebon Hawk, as the stock freighter was called, was a little cozy in that ship way. I was sitting at the table with Kapu at my feet. His shoulder was stitched up and on the mend, nothing serious. T3 was going about making repairs. I was actually thinking about what the Rashikian had said. It couldn’t be true. Could they have infiltrated the Republic without them knowing? Why are they showing themselves now? Why?

“I told you he’s mental,” Atton was saying. I broke out of my reverie to hear him say, “Mental.”

“Shut up Atton. He probably knows what that thing was and what it was saying,” Mira was saying.

I turned to see the two of them arguing. I rolled my eyes and stood up. Softly I said, “Yes I do know. He is from where I am from.”

“Really. Why should we even trust you? After all you talk like them, you stole our T3 unit…”

“He knows where Darius is,” a sultry voice sounded. A woman with a veil over her eyes approached us. She came right up to me and turned her head to look at my face. She spoke again, “He knows where he is and,” she touched my cheek, “he knows that the enemy is here.”

There was actually a dumbfounded silence from everyone. I was slightly mesmerized by this woman dressed in dark magenta clothing and her veil was something of a mystery. I had closed my eyes when she touched my cheek and I reached out with my senses. I then saw her as she was. I opened my eyes and saw that I was getting a strange look from everyone. I just said, “What? I never met a Miraluka before nor did I meet someone attached to Darius.”

Apparently that broke the ice and I answered questions as to the whereabouts of Darius and what not. They seemed sad that I couldn’t just give them the coordinates to my home. I couldn’t because a matter needed to get settled and the sooner that I found Carth or whoever was in charge of the fleet, the better. I made apologies and explained that I had to warn the Republic with Atton snickering at me. I started to head to my fighter and T3 started to beep sadly. I could tell that he was torn between staying and going. I swear the little droid had more of an attachment issue than me. I told him he could stay and I couldn’t help but make the snide comment at Atton, “At least you’ll get the Hawk working better than the fool.”

“Statement: I have the desire to travel with the Handsome Meatbag. If he knows where the Exile Meatbag has gone then he surely knows where my Master has gone as well.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. The last thing I wanted was a psycho killer machine following me and threatening to shoot everything that moved. I said, “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

“Yeah and maybe when your done playing politics you can come back and fight like a real Jedi,” Atton said, “or at least tell us where to go.”

“Go with the Force,” the Miraluka said, “we will wait until you give the word.”

I merely nodded and opened the hatch for Kapu who settled in. I jumped in the cockpit and sat pinching the bridge of my nose and sighing relief. Man Darius. Where did you pick up this crew?

I took off not noticing that they were watching me leave or that the same balding, wrinkly Jedi that I listened to on Telos approached them.

**************************************************
I had fun figuring out HK's dialogue considering his bloody and violent nature. I tried to convey the characters that I mentioned as best that I could.

Nice to see Atton and the others. Good Chapter as always and it's nice to see J.C. again. Will we see Revan, Jolee and the Exile again?

Just wait and see. Patience for the Jedi it is time to eat as well. :lol:

... And sleep... :lol:

Chapter 17: Lights and Sights
I admit that I was glad to get away from them especially Mira and the Miraluka. It was disturbing that Mira hit on me and I didn’t end up in a bar fight and it was even more disturbing when the Miraluka touched me as if she were trying to see my soul. I was reluctant to leave T3 behind but I figured that if the Hawk was in better shape, they could meet up with Darius later.

I wasn’t stupid and I made it to Coruscant without any problems, except for the demanding of an ID signature. I had a sheer second of terror that they might fire upon me because the fighter’s ID signature was not in any of the databanks. I forced myself to remain calm and I sent it. My fears were unfounded as I was allowed to land on a docking platform, at least that is what I thought it was. I was feeling sleepy from the long travel and envied Kapu. At least he got to sleep during the long flight to Coruscant.

I was so sleepy I wasn’t paying attention to what kind of platform it was or where it was. I just let Kapu out and let myself out but failed to put my hood on. I just stood and gazed at the lights and sights. I had nearly forgotten. A funny feeling came to mind but I heard that psycho droid’s voice in my head as he said, “Very pretty.” I shrugged my shoulders overcome with tiredness and tried to stifle a yawn. Damn, that psycho droid grows on you, in a way.

I was leaning against the fighter and watching the sun go down. Kapu had circled the fighter twice and then laid down to watch as well. He hardly limped which was a good sign, as that little slash didn’t cause too much damage. I glanced down and made sure that he was fine and then continued to watch the sunset. I began to doze off leaning against the fighter and feeling the warm sun on my face. I must have been exhausted for I did not sense nor see someone come up behind me.

“Hey. What are you doing here?” a little voice was saying.

I felt a push on my left shoulder. Someone was trying to wake me up. I reluctantly surrendered my slumber and slowly opened my eyes. My eyes didn’t focus properly but I got a hint of a blue face and a kid-like expression. For some reason I blurted out, “Mission do you have any idea what time it is?”

My eyes focused and I instantly recognized the blue Twi’lek that I had a brief image of when I was on the trail to the academy. She looked frightened at me but she drew a modified blaster and pointed it at me. Her voice came firm, “Look, I don’t know how you know my name but I am not gonna ask ya this again, what are you doing here?”

I gazed around and realized that I was on a private landing pad. I thought to
myself, Why did they tell me to land here? Why did I call her Mission? I just looked at the young Twi’lek woman and looked even more at the blaster she was holding, pointed now directly at my head. I slowly raised my hands and spoke as calmly as I could, “Look, I was told to land here. I didn’t know that this belonged to someone.”

“Who are you?”

“Jacen. Jacen Cirrus.” Slowly I moved my robe aside to reveal my lightsaber hanging from my belt. “See. I’m a Jedi.”

She lowered her weapon and asked, “Then why aren’t ya at the Temple? They got a new council there, trying to rebuild.”

“I have been away for quite a time.”

I guess Mission seemed to trust me for she holstered her blasters. I lowered my hands. She said, “Yeah. Probably been hidin’ huh? I mean…”

“Well…I have been near the Outer Rim for awhile…and beyond that,” I said. Something told me that this little Twi’lek was special, at least to Revan, almost like sisters. I smiled at the thought for that fit the Revan that I had met when she crash-landed on my world.

“Did you see Revan?” The question shocked me.

“What?”

“Well, if you went beyond the Outer Rim, then maybe you might have seen Revan. She left a little over four years ago and didn’t say why. At least she could have left a note or something,” and Mission’s voice trailed off a bit.

“She didn’t say anything?”

“No. It was hard especially for Carth. I bet it was even worse for her. They fancied each other.”

It wasn’t how I would put it considering I had a front row seat foray into her feelings about three months ago. Still I could see that this was hard on the kid and I was tired of keeping secrets. So I gently said, “Yeah I know. I met her and she’s fine. Sad but fine.”

Her little face looked at me with a shocked expression. She could barely string her words together, “You… know? Where is she?”

I could see that in spite of her tough faзade, she was still just a kid. I saw some tears brimming to her eyes and in a reaction I reached out to hug her. I whispered softly, “She’s alive on my homeworld. Possibly close to twelve parsecs from Rakata Prime.”

The little Twi’lek looked at me and gave a strange look. She stepped back and studied my face as if she were trying to believe it. I didn’t have to read her thoughts to see that she could hardly believe that there was another planet besides the one she crash-landed on five years ago. It must have been about two minutes before she asked, “Why are you here?”

Personally I was amazed at how people could think one thing but keep attention focused on business. Then again, Avalonians did a lot of double talk and multiple meanings when keeping secrets. I replied with a question, “Would you believe me if I said that I came to stop a great evil that has already infiltrated the Outer Rim?”

“I wouldn’t have a hard time believing that sonny. I was wondering when you’d finally work up a nerve to talk,” a voice came to my left.

I turned to see the wrinkled old man that I had seen on Telos looking at me. Behind him were two others, Jedi. One looked like a cat and the other was a human. I began to get an uncomfortable feeling that they might gain up on me. I started to back away slowly and pressed my back against my ship. I couldn’t sense anything from the old man but the two Jedi behind him had a plethora of emotions that flooded my senses and caused apprehensions.

I guess Jolee noticed that for he said, “Calm down sonny. We’re not going to attack you. I wouldn’t considering how well you fought those creatures on NarShadaa. Heh, just like when I used to fight only against smugglers and the like.”

I merely kept a wide-eyed expression looking at them. I was still pressing my back into the ship. I briefly closed my eyes and sifted through my thoughts. I opened my eyes and looked at the three of them. I slowly started to speak, “Look if I landed here on your landing pad, it is a mistake. I’ll move it and everything can just blow over.”

“Hey, don’t leave,” Mission said, “Jolee’s too old to be fighting a young guy like you. Besides I think they’d want to hear what you have to say.” She gave me a reassuring smile. I guess she trusted me, or something.

I stayed there but was less pressed against the fighter as I started to relax. Four pairs of eyes were looking at me. Kapu by this time had woken up and surveyed the scene. His pronounced judgment was that they were not a threat so I relaxed. I asked, “What would you like to know?”

They asked me questions about Revan and if I knew where she was and the like. I told the truth of how we met and what was going on my homeworld. When I got to the part of my suspicion that the creatures that Jolee saw me fight had already invaded Republic space in the Outer Rim, they became quiet. I knew that they didn’t want to fight another war, the Republic was trying to heal. I did say that it could have been that they are trying to draw the Republic into fighting and that I could be wrong about everything. Jolee, who had been the deepest of listeners said, “No, you are not. You came here for a reason and your basis is a solid one. They are here to conquer.”

“That is why I came to Coruscant to talk to whoever is in charge of the Fleet. This may be the beginning of a long war I’ll admit that but I get the feeling that it will be closer to my home,” I said. “So, if you could direct me to the right place, I’ll just go there…”

“Sonny, don’t tell us these things and expect us to just accept them. We are Jedi, or at least I was. It is the duty of the Jedi to protect the galaxy. We’ll come with you and I suspect your ‘friends’ on NarShadaa will too. Besides you don’t need to go anywhere. The person you need to talk to lives here,” and with a deft motion, the old man shooed Mission and the other two out to leave me there on the platform.

I watched them leave and then turning around to gaze at the lights. Night had fallen and it was a sight to see. A voice then sounded behind me, “Beautiful isn’t it. Not like Telos however.”

I spun around to face…

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

Three hours later I had finished telling my tale and my true reasons for coming here. Carth’s face didn’t try hard to hide the tears that were threatening to fall. He was so relieved that Revan was alive and his emotions were overpowering mine. I had let down the blocks that Tulre had been teaching me. I guess I felt that if I absorbed his pain, it would become less. I could feel the same feelings that Revan felt and I understood better why she was full of regret. I admit I had the crude thoughts of the young since he was graying slightly at the temples but just looking at him, it made sense.

When Carth controlled himself he smiled and said, “Well I guess the only thing to do is to give help.”

“I know we are not members of the Republic but…” I started.

“I know and I saw in the records that the Jedi helped your world on numerous occasions and you did the same,” Carth replied when the comm beeped. He left to go answer it and I went to stare out the windows. I could see memories dancing in my mind, mostly of kisses and love phrases. I shook my head and started walking towards where Carth had left. I was about to pass a room when I heard a conversation going on between Carth and one of his officers.

“Admiral, one of our convoys has just been ambushed near Tatooine and we are taking heavy losses.”

“Can you get an ID on the attackers?”

“No sir, the ships are nothing like what we have encountered before. They don’t even register as Sith ships.”

“Do what you can captain, I’ll send reinforcements. Admiral Onasi out.”

I had slipped away so he wouldn’t find me there. I guess he figured that I knew for he said after coming out of the room, “Well, I guess the enemy is here. Let’s go.”

Good Chapter. It was nice to see Mission again. Bring on more KOTOR or TSL Party Members.

Chapter 18: Confrontations and Plans
Three months after meeting Admiral Onasi and we are still stuck here in the Outer Rim fighting the Rashikians. They were quite tactical in their maneuvers and they drove the battles hard. Right now the fleet is massing near Yavin IV for another round and I despair. It seemed as if we were getting nowhere with this battles. True we have pushed the Rashikians back further away from Republic space but they are stubborn as a mynock when attached to power cables and it is frustrating. I also miss my wife and my home, well I just wanted to be wherever she was and I was not alone there.

Carth and I became good friends though I probably wouldn’t say the best of friends. Maybe it was brought on by a slight bit of jealousy when I admitted that Revan kissed me and I her. He did get over it when I explained that it was simply etiquette for my people and he was more agreeable after that. He held me a bit at arms length until I saved his butt from being blasted into space dust. He made it up to me by putting me in charge of red group. At least I had T3 back.

It was a reunion and yet a standoff when the Ebon Hawk joined us after we arrived at Tatooine. It took all the diplomatic skills in my arsenal to prevent Atton and Carth from getting into a kerfuffle. I could have done without HK spouting out statements such as, “Statement: The Republic Meatbag will surely beat the Fool Meatbag,” and, “Statement: Handsome Meatbag please let me enjoy the potential for hostilities.” That last comment had Carth laughing at me and me pinching the bridge of my nose and shaking my head.

T3 was a happy little droid after ‘dancing’ around Carth and then me. I still think he has attachment issues. Right away he wanted to be my astromech in my fighter. The Miraluka, whom I learned was called Visas Marr had gone to her home Katarr and back and she was there. In fact, everyone was there that had some connection to Revan or Darius. Mission was a stubborn kid and insisted on coming even though the parent in Carth told her it was too dangerous. I sided with her after making her promise to follow all orders to the letter. I guess we were just one big happy family, well almost.


Truth be told I was highly agitated and I ruled it out that it was nobody else’s feelings but my own. I was agitated that the Rashikians were toying with us, like they had the upper edge. For the past few weeks I had been toying with an idea that may have profound effects but it would push the Rashikians back to Avalon space and we could round them up. I also toyed with the possibility that it was exactly what they wanted. I guess I was becoming paranoid over the whole thing. I could see what Revan meant when she once told me that Carth was paranoid when she first met him and why she made the comment that I was just like him. It didn’t help that I never admitted to anyone what that Rashikian had told me when we fought on NarShadaa.

I guess Jolee must have sensed my agitation and he tried to get me to talk about it. When I didn’t, he called me an ‘ungrateful whippersnapper’ and a bunch of other things. I responded that I just didn’t feel ready to talk yet. After that it seemed like everyone tried to get me to talk about what was bothering me. The only ones who didn’t were the droids, Visas and Carth being that I guess that they had an idea of my feelings at one point and were content to leave me alone. At one point I exploded at everyone telling them to mind their own business and that I was turning in. I felt bad but my blood was up and I was getting a headache that threatened to split my head in two. I decided that a shower would help.

I sat on my bunk in my quarters and looked out the window for the longest time. The stars were hypnotizing as they held my gaze and a calm washed over me. I felt bad that I had shouted at everyone. I couldn’t brush them aside as I went to sleep.

There they were in a ring, like the dueling circles. Blast I hated that sport. I stood in the center and opposite was a hooded figure and next to him was…not Tvark. I was confused as the hooded figure lowered his hood to reveal Eуmeros but he had turned to the dark side. He gave me a menacing smile and announced that this was the moment I had been waiting for.

Then it was mystery man and I locked close in battle. He laughed at me as I defended myself and attempted to strike him down. He said, “Schutta, you seriously cannot hope to win. Release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.”

I gave a hard punch that connected and sent him flying. Eуmeros raised his lightsaber at me and said, “The Sith creates the Blood King,” and he swung.

I sat up feeling the sweat pour down my chest as I breathed heavily. I was slightly disoriented and looked around. I had knocked the lamp off the stand it was on when I punched in my sleep. I got off my bunk and put my tunic shirt on and tied it securely. Kapu was still asleep when I was semi presentable to walk down the ship’s halls though I was only dressed in my sleeping pants and my tunic. I left my quarters and wandered down the halls of the ship, heading towards the mess hall, well at least to the kitchens.

No one was there when I arrived and I had the fortune to not meet anyone in the halls, as I didn’t want to talk to anyone. There was a limited selection of non-alcoholic so I settled for Dantooine milk. Personally I prefer kataran milk but it was the best around. I heated it and sat at one of the tables nursing it. I rested my head on my right hand and used my left to stir the heated milk rather absent minded. I spent the time not being there. It was a rather old technique of disengaging the mind from the present and seeking out a place where you and your bondmate can meet. Tergis taught it to me but I had never used it until after he died. Mostly it was a childish attempt to find him and I never did ‘hear’ him. I did manage to go to a spot that I always had felt safe, Tergis’ gardens at the old enclave on Mikkado.

I was just sitting there at the table lost in my secure place when none other than Jolee joined me. He must have been talking to me for five minutes before my mind actually returned to where I was for he was again muttering about ‘inattentive youth.’ Seeing that he was there I immediately apologized, “Sorry, Jolee. I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Huh, the way you were staring I thought you saw me. But all I could get out of you was your inattentive self,” and he sat down with his own mug of warmed milk.

“Nah, not inattentive Jolee. I was well…somewhere else,” I replied rather lamely.

“I could see that. Where?”

“The gardens where I grew up with. My master, Master Tergis planted it in between his Jedi duties and I helped. I could actually smell the flowers and hear the clear water and see the footpaths.”

“I knew Tergis. Good Jedi. Tough fighter though you probably couldn’t judge that by the way he encouraged diplomacy. I kind of knew that you knew him by the way you were trying to keep Atton and Carth from fighting.”

I smiled. For some reason Jolee was easy to talk with even if he was blunt in his comments. I took a sip of my milk and continued to listen to Jolee as he continued, “I especially liked that part where that assassin trash can called you a Handsome Meatbag.”

I snorted in my milk. Jolee noticed and chuckled with me. I made a mental note to ‘fix’ HK when I had the chance. Kidding aside, I sobered immediately and sighed. I guess I should tell someone. I sighed again and said, “I had a nightmare.”

“Not the first I think,” was the reply.

I smiled sheepishly, “No. I have been having nightmares for the last year and six months. Always the same and yet so different.” I went into detail on the variations of the same dream. Jolee just sat and listened with a slight frown on his brow. I had never really gone into detail concerning my dreams except to old Petronius so I gave consideration to Jolee. When I finished, Jolee just fingered his beard in silence. Both of our milk was forgotten as we sat there. Finally Jolee said, “So this is why you are here and yet not the entire reason. Are you afraid?”

I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid, for my family, my friends and my home. I admitted to what the Rashikian had said to me and was quiet after that. I noticed someone else was coming in. Before giving Jolee a chance to speak, I picked up my mug of milk and left to go back to my quarters. No way did I want to reveal that I had been ruled and was still ruled then by fear and hate. I was raised on it and yet I couldn’t use it against anyone. I brushed by none other than Carth rather abruptly and I went back to my quarters and finished my milk. I buried myself on my bunk and tried to sleep though it wasn’t easy.


The next morning I was shuffling through the hangar making adjustments to my fighter. Kapu was just dozing having become adjusted to the mundane life in space. I suspect he was bored. If there were womprats running around, it would have alleviated his boredom. Instead he just dozed and ate the bare minimum. T3 was helping me so I didn’t have to talk much in Basic except to issue an order. For the most part, I was singing softly the old tribal songs of the medicine healers. I was actually singing the song of Kirabaros when Jolee came in saying, “You have a fine voice. Better than mine at that age for I sounded, and still do, sound like an angry mynock.”

I didn’t respond except to acknowledge his presence and I continued singing. I was still feeling uncomfortable about last night and not ready to talk. Looking back I think Tergis never addressed this issue because he didn’t quite know how. I never held it against him because saw the same cruelties throughout the galaxy much later. Just that I was becoming so transparent to others, especially Jedi, was disturbing. I feared that if I were to face head on a Rashikian or Eуmeros they would use it against me. When I finished singing I turned and asked, “Something you need Jolee?”

“Just seeing if you needed a friend. I understand that you are uncomfortable sharing your thoughts.”

“It’s not that Jolee. I think I am losing it. I used to be able to hide my feelings and myself but now I am becoming transparent, like a ghost.” Then looking at him in the eye, I said, “I am afraid. Afraid that I made a mistake in coming here. Afraid that this transparency could be used against my friends and my family. I had known since I left that this threat is directed against me and I fear it dragged Revan into it because she touched once the power of the dark side.” I turned away to look at the stars through the open door. “She is strong but she can’t do this, be involved. I should have never asked her to stay.”

“If you know Revan as you claim, you would know that she is stubborn, more so than you,” Jolee responded. “It seems that your past and the dark side have formed an alliance. The ‘true Sith’ may be influencing these Rashikians and those that have been corrupted and because they were once part of your people, they feel it too.”

Jolee’s words made sense. I had heard enough of the Sith Lords lore to know of the power they once possessed. It wasn’t impossible for them to take hold. If they took Avalon, the balance of the Force would for ages be tipped in favor of the dark side. I shuddered at the thought and I think Jolee did too. How could I do anything? I was a nobody.

Almost as if he heard my thoughts, Jolee said through the Force, You are somebody. You have to look past what everyone sees.

I closed my eyes and thought back to my initial training with Tergis. For a moment I thought I felt the breeze of the plains on my cheeks. It was talking to me. Not a word was spoken as I stood there listening to it. I then slowly opened my eyes and turned to face Jolee. I said, “You are right and I know how,” and walked away feeling more assured and calm than I had in a long time.


I found Carth and explained how I knew how to find the Rashikians and how to drive them back. He gave me a raised eyebrow but I returned the look with my own. I had never felt this bold before and to be honest, it felt good not to be afraid constantly. Carth was hesitant to let me go ahead with the plan, which called for heavy covert operations and need to know basis and the fact that I would require the use of an old friend that really irked Carth to the bone.

After what seemed like hours of reasoning, I finally won him over with the stipulation that red squad would be back up. I nodded agreement and said nothing. It was risky but it the only way I could see to make the Rashikians play by Republic rules. I headed for the hangar bay to my fighter. T3 was ready to go and beeping in his spot. Kapu stepped into his cargo space and settled in. After a slight roll of my eyes and settling in the cockpit, I gave the call, “Red Squad confirm liftoff and attack plan alpha.”

“Red squad confirm.”

“See you at Duxn,” and we headed off into space.