Ackbar

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

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


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

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


Avalon

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

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

They got the message. Find your way off the planet. Pestilus sent back, but at that moment, the sky of Avalon flooded with Republic ATT's. Reinforcements had arrived. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqPOlRsnQ3s)

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

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

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

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

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

*********

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

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

*********

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

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

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

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

*********

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

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

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

*********

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

Ackbar

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

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

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



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

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

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

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


Avalon

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ackbar

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

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


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

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

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


Avalon

"Hold on as best you can,"

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

Katarn

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

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

"Yes sir!"

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

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

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

**********

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

**********

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

"Do not try anything Republic vessel."

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

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

"Target lock aquired Captain."



Avalon

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

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


Ackbar

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

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

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

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

**********

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

"So I'm dead?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Reach out to her."

"And may the Force be with you."

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

Ackbar

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

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

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

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



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

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

The security officers nodded and immediatly ran for the lift.


Avalon

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

Alriana, can you hear me?

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

Yes Tavaryn...I can hear you.

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

**********

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

**********

Yes Tavaryn...I can hear you.

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

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

*********

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

*********

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

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

"Comupter is configuring the jump now."

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

Ackbar

"What do you have in mind?"

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



Ackbar Bridge

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

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

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


Avalon

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

Ackbar

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

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

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

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

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


Ackbar Bridge

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


Avalon

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

**********

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

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

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

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

Ackbar

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

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




"I suggest you talk."

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



Avalon

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

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

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

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

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

**********

Who are you working for?

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

**********

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

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

I can almost reach you too.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

Ackbar Bridge


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

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

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



Ackbar

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

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

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

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



Avalon

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You were."

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

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

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

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

Ackbar


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

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


Ackbar

"A name. Give me a name."

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

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


Avalon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

Ackbar Bridge

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

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


Ackbar

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

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


Avalon

"What do you wish to hear moi chroi?"

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ackbar

"Jedi Jun-la to Admiral Belina, we have the prisoner. You want us to proceed to the interrogation room?"

Belina looked up from a console that she was working on. "Bring him to the bridge, and extend my apologies to Xeran. Based on what I saw he is not a part of what happened earlier."

"Starting in on weapons systems. Any security clearances that may be a problem?"

"There shouldn't be. I believe I unlocked the weapons earlier so they should still be open. While your at it check the navigation systems as well."



Avalon

"Remember what I told you what moi chroi meant? It is another way and my way of saying that...that I love you,"

Alriana was slightly shocked when she felt Tavaryn's lips press against hers but she quickly found herself returning the kiss even as a bright light began filled the area.

"Um...are you alright moi chroi?"

Alriana slowly opened her eyes and saw that her lips were pressed against Tavaryn's. she smiled down at Tavaryn even as she slowly pulled her lips off of his.

"I am." She said quietly. Tavaryn...She sent through their link. I think I love you too. She thought as a feeling of pure joy spread through her body and into the link.

"There shouldn't be. I believe I unlocked the weapons earlier so they should still be open. While your at it check the navigation systems as well."

"Will do," and Andros began running the basics. He checked the main computer and it was more than halfway done with the scans. He reported, "Main computer 60% scanned. Nothing out of the ordinary so far."

The basics finished on the weapons, he started the more heavy duty programs on it while moving on to navigation. Something caught his eye and he said, "Admiral, I think I may have found something. Not sure what it is."

**********

"Bring him to the bridge, and extend my apologies to Xeran. Based on what I saw he is not a part of what happened earlier."

"Copy that," Jun-la replied. She then directed the other security to form a perimeter. She took a hold of the Twi'lek and said, "You're coming with me. Xeran you cover. If he tries something, you can break an arm."

It was very un-Jedi like but they had no time for formalities. She directed the prisoner to head towards the lift to get to the bridge. They were almost to the bridge when the turbo lift suddenly stopped. Jun-la punched the button to get it to move but nothing happened. She looked at Xeran and then commed, "Bridge, is something wrong with teh turbolifts?"

**********

"I am."

Tavaryn replied just as quietly, "Thank the Force."

I think I love you too.

When he heard her thoughts he looked at her and smiled and felt her joy. All that time he felt fearful of what her answer would be and could only guess at how she felt because of his hesitation. Now he felt freedom, relief and joy of his own. He let his own feelings of joy flow into the link. He sent, You are moi chroi. My heart.

Ryu then bellowed, having sensed its master was awake. Tavaryn gave a chuckle and said something to the wyvern and it responded by moving aside and letting Pradhes get through. Tavaryn then said, "You're going to have to tell me how you managed to get Ryu to let you past her. I can only imagine the ruckus she caused."

**********

Murasaki had watched the whole thing and smiled. She said to Pradhes, "I guess this means you can get through now."

At that moment, Haruka jumped to his feet. He was glad the Shinigami was all right. He sent vis his comm, "Haruka to Katarn, the battle here is finished. Status on the escaping vessel?"

Ackbar

"Admiral, I think I may have found something. Not sure what it is."

"Let me take a look at it." Belina said as she walked over to where Andros was. She narrowed her eyes as she saw what it was. "That doesn't belong there. Do whatever it takes to get rid of it."

She was about to head back to the console she was working on when a message came through.

"Bridge, is something wrong with teh turbolifts?"

Belina looked over the at the turbolifts and nearly lost it when she saw that the lights above the turbolift were flashing red.

She looked over at Koral. "Koral! Get a repair team on the turbolifts! I want them back online as soon as possible!"

"Yes Admiral." Koral said as he ran off the bridge with a few engineers.

What next? Belina thought.



Xeran was watching the twi'lek carefully but he was making no sudden moves. "I think we're going to be stuck here for awhile." He said calmly.



Avalon

You are moi chroi. My heart.

As you are mine. She sent back.

"You're going to have to tell me how you managed to get Ryu to let you past her. I can only imagine the ruckus she caused."

"Oh...I think when she recognized me she didn't have a problem." Alriana said as she got to her feet.

Katarn

"Haruka to Katarn, the battle here is finished. Status on the escaping vessel?"

"They managed to take out our tractor beam. We're planning to launch fighters after the escaping vessel."

"That doesn't belong there. Do whatever it takes to get rid of it."

Andros gave a nod wisely saying nothing of the complications that could arise from removing an unfamiliar virus. Heavy artillery I guess. He pulled a cord out of his bag and attached it to the pad that was attached to the computer console. He began entering sequences and muttered, "Come on." It would be slow going.

It seemed to work but then his pad beeped and he checked it. His eyes opened and without intending to, he let out a curse, "Sithspit!"

**********

Kage was amused at the attempt that the Republic ship was trying to capture his ship. He grinned maliciously. He pressed a button and the hatch opened, leaving something floating in space.

"Coordinates are set," Aiden replied.

"Punch it."

The familiar streaks of hyperspace appeared and the ship disappeared. They were heading back to his master to report on the attack.

**********

"They managed to take out our tractor beam. We're planning to launch fighters after the escaping vessel."

Haruka listened and replied, "Be careful. I recognized the ship designs. Avalonian so expect something unexpected. Haruka out."

He then walked over to where Pradhes was with Murasaki and said, "Well Doc, I guess you got your work cut out for you."

**********

"Oh...I think when she recognized me she didn't have a problem." Alriana said as she got to her feet.

Tavaryn managed a chuckle and tried to sit up. He winced slightly at the pain in his shoulder and his chest. He managed to prop himself on his elbows and his left arm nearly gave away. "I hope Pradhes is good at pulling out metal. Piece of it is stuck in my shoulder, deep."

He looked at Alriana and smiled. "I'm guessing Belina will let us have a vacation now," as he gently took her broken arm and began encouraging the bones to heal.

Ackbar

"Sithspit!"

Belina who was still working on her console looked up sharply as she heard Andros. "What is it? What's going on?"


Katarn

"Sir. The enemy ship managed to jump to hyperspace. It...looks like they left something behind though. Sensors can't get a clear reading on it."

The captain of the Katarn thought for a moment. "Send a probe out and find out whatever you can about it. For all we know it could be some sort of bomb."

"Be careful. I recognized the ship designs. Avalonian so expect something unexpected. Haruka out."

"The enemy ship has managed to escape. They left something floating in space though. We're sending out a probe to examine it."

Avalon

"I'm guessing Belina will let us have a vacation now,"

Alriana smiled at Tavaryn. "With the condition that the Ackbar is in now, I think that the Admiral will have everyone working on repairing the ship before she gives us a vacation. Still...I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask."

"What is it? What's going on?"

Andros was tapping furiously when Belina asked what was going on. He replied, "Virus detection but it's a tough bastard. It's an adaptive virus in weapons system. Trying to isolate it."

**********

Jun-la sighed and looked up. The service hatch was not locked so she reached up and fiddled the latch opened. "Well there's more than one way out of here."

Once she had it open, she jumped up to land on top of the lift. She looked around the lift and spotted something. She called to Xeran, "Xeran, how long until the repair crew gets here?"

**********

"With the condition that the Ackbar is in now, I think that the Admiral will have everyone working on repairing the ship before she gives us a vacation. Still...I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask."

Tavaryn returned the smile with one of his own as he managed to lean himself against Ryu's foot. "Well Belina won't have much trouble getting help from Avalon. Especially Selene."

The wyvern crooned almost like a mother would for her young. He laughed as he hugged his left arm close to his body. "Ryu you spoil me," he told the wyvern good naturedly. After getting to a better position, he took Alriana's arm again and continued to work on healing the bones. He was almost finished when he had to right himself.

Now he was finishing the job using his sentou ability at healing. A breeze played with his hair as he concentrated. He focused on the repairs being as pain free as possible. "Tell me if you feel any pain moi chroi," he muttered gently.

Ackbar

"Virus detection but it's a tough bastard. It's an adaptive virus in weapons system. Trying to isolate it."

Belina ran over to where Andros was and looked over at the console. "Keep it away from life support at all costs." Belina thought for a moment. "If we can't get it I think we should be prepared to shut down the computer."



"Xeran, how long until the repair crew gets here?"

Xeran kept his eyes on the Twi'lek and his hand on his blaster. "I'm not sure. Right now there's a lot of damage so it could be awhile. Why? Is something wrong?"



Avalon

"Well Belina won't have much trouble getting help from Avalon. Especially Selene."

"That's good to hear." Alriana said with a smile on her face. "Hopefully that means I won't have to pull double duty shifts while the repairs are made."

"Tell me if you feel any pain moi chroi,"

"Don't worry, I'm sure I won't feel any." She said.

"I'm not sure. Right now there's a lot of damage so it could be awhile. Why? Is something wrong?"

Jun-la could sense the worry in Xeran's voice. She did her best to sound cheerful and optimistic. She replied, "Nothing serious at the moment though I think I may have found the cause of our lift malfunction." She took the device and put her upper half through the door in the roof and held out the device. "From the looks of it someone has been playing electrician with the ship's systems."

She then looked at the Twi'lek, "You know what this is?"

**********

"If we can't get it I think we should be prepared to shut down the computer."

Andros was tapping but he managed to say, "From the looks of this, it is specific programming. However it has no idea what to do with the fractal encryption that I set up. That's the only thing that is keeping the virus out of the main system which has life support and other vitals. That should allow me to whip up a counter virus or something. countermeasures are holding for now while I work on it."

**********

"Don't worry, I'm sure I won't feel any."

Tavaryn gave Alriana a wry look. Broken bones hurt like hell even if you used healing trances. However though he decided to not let her feel the pain so he continued to work even though it was sapping his reserves in strength. He could feel sweat form on his brow as he replied, "I think Belina would give you time off. You've done alot for the Ackbar even when you had Alpha Team helping."

"Just hold still and let me work here!. Lenatha insisted, taking out the various tools she would need to remove the shrapnel from Tavaryn. This wasn't going to be pleasant for either of them.

"Tiye, is there any chance the beam weapons on our ATT's will be able to pierce the neck armour on those walkers?" Iyav asked, quickly assessing the state of the battle in his head, trying to find anything that could give the Republic an advantage.

Tiye gazed at the remaining walkers that were being taken out by the rogue walker and the artillery from the Avalonians. She replied, "There is a possibility that it will work. If you and Komad could finished off the rest, then we can get down to business of finding those responsible. I say go for it. Good luck Iyav."

**********

Tavaryn gave a wry smile at Lenatha. He replied, "I suppose I am one of your worst patients Lenatha."

Ackbar

"You know what this is?"

The twi'lek didn't say anything but tried to move away from Xeran as he pulled a knife out of his boot and slowly advanced on the suddenly nervous Twi'lek.

"I would highly suggest that you let the lady know what you did. Or would you like to tell me?"

The Twi'lek looked at Xeran and then at Jun-la and then slowly pointed at Jun-la. Xeran smiled. "Good choice."

The Twi'lek muttered something under his breath. "It was a back-up plan. In the event that the violent human managed to get away and escape to the lifts we could stop him from escaping and track him down. There are no more traps or anything left. This was the last one."




"From the looks of this, it is specific programming. However it has no idea what to do with the fractal encryption that I set up. That's the only thing that is keeping the virus out of the main system which has life support and other vitals. That should allow me to whip up a counter virus or something. countermeasures are holding for now while I work on it."

Belina smiled at Andros. "Excellent job Andros. I'll be sure to make a note to inform Jun-La of your actions. Without you that virus would have probably already gotten into the other systems."



Avalon

"I think Belina would give you time off. You've done alot for the Ackbar even when you had Alpha Team helping."

"You might be right," Alriana said as she winced as she felt a series of pains in her wrist. "I guess I can ask her once we get back aboard the Ackbar." She looked over at Tavaryn and saw the sweat on his brow. "Why don't you take a break Tavaryn? I'm sure that the medical bay on the Ackbar can take care of the rest."

"Excellent job Andros. I'll be sure to make a note to inform Jun-La of your actions. Without you that virus would have probably already gotten into the other systems."

Andros smiled slightly as he continued to look at his datapad. He replied, "My master knows quite a bit. She had me practice when she discovered I liked tinkering with computer systems."

He continued to try to diagnose the adaptive virus. He forwned slightly as he examined what he had while he created a separate protect file to develop his countermeasure. The virus was wreaking havoc on the navigation and weaopns systems and he informed the admiral, "Admiral, I'm going to isolate the weapons and navigation. That's where the virus is wreaking havoc. It may take awhile."

**********

"It was a back-up plan. In the event that the violent human managed to get away and escape to the lifts we could stop him from escaping and track him down. There are no more traps or anything left. This was the last one."

Jun-la examined the device that she managed to dismantle. It was a good thing she put the emergency locks on before dislodging it. It was an ingenous device she thought and Andros would have some fun playing around with it. She looked down at the Twi'lek and asked, "Are you sure that it was the last trap? To me it seems that your Chiss companion may have done somethig else to the ship. Better you tell me know before interrogation with the Admiral."

**********

"Why don't you take a break Tavaryn? I'm sure that the medical bay on the Ackbar can take care of the rest."

Tavaryn paused, aware that he must look a sight. Dirt and his smudged war paint, probably a mess. He had did quite a bit and he could admit that he was exhausted. Probably a good thing since Lenatha was about ready to dig the shrapnel out of his shoulder. He held Alriana's wrist and turned it gently in his hands. The basics had been done so it would heal straight. He gave a slight nod and replied, "For you I will. The basics have been finished so you can have minimal movement."

Gently he lifted her wrist and gave a kiss on her hand before releasing it. "I'm out of practice with healing but you should do fine now moi chroi." He then said to Lenatha, "I'm ready when you are Doc."

Ackbar

"Admiral, I'm going to isolate the weapons and navigation. That's where the virus is wreaking havoc. It may take awhile."

"Do whatever you need to do to get rid of that virus. For all we know more enemy ships could be approaching this system. And even with the Katarn in the system I don't want to take any chances."




"Are you sure that it was the last trap? To me it seems that your Chiss companion may have done somethig else to the ship. Better you tell me know before interrogation with the Admiral."

Xeran tossed his knife up in the air and caught it by the blade as he looked at the Twi'lek. The Twi'lek gulped nervously but didn't say anything. Xeran threw his knife up in the air again and this time caught it by the hilt.

"This was the last trap that I know of. If he did set anymore then I know nothing of them. Please...call the violent human off."



Avalon

"I'm out of practice with healing but you should do fine now moi chroi."

"Thank you Tavaryn...I think it would be a good idea if you visited the medical bay aboard the Ackbar once we're done down here."

"Do whatever you need to do to get rid of that virus. For all we know more enemy ships could be approaching this system. And even with the Katarn in the system I don't want to take any chances."

Andros nodded hiding the annoyance well. Computer systems were not something that were easily fixed with the push of a button. It took time, care, and the right touch. His master always said that they Ebon Hawk liked him better than Matton because he understood her. He smiled at the thought as he went to work scanning the virus and working up a diagnostic. He managed to reply quietly, "Don't forget there is the Avalonian fleet as well Admiral."

Meanwhile the Mandalorian repair crew that had been left behind made their way to the stuck turbolift. Devin the crew leader tapped on the door. With no response, he pried it open, wedging in blocks to keep the doors from closing in. He poked his head in and looked up and then down.

When he saw the familiar presence of a Jedi on top of the car, he grinned and shouted, "Need a little help Jedi?"

**********

"This was the last trap that I know of. If he did set anymore then I know nothing of them. Please...call the violent human off."

Jun-la was ready to believe the frightened Twi'lek. There was no reason to lie unless it was to save his own skin but the chap was scared. Still it would be best to not let her guard down. She said, "Xeran quit scaring the prisoner. I doubt the cleaning crews will want to clean up an unneccesary messes after this."

She would have said more but a shout caught her attention. Looking up, she spotted the familiar armor of the Mandalorians and grinned widely. She shouted back, "If you can get the lifts working that would be a help." She then commed Belina, "Jun-la to bridge, work crew is here. We should be up there in no time."

**********

Kage was pleased that things went according to the master's plan. They were now at the rendezvous point to be picked up. He activated the comm and said, "Darth Kage to Lord Pestilus. We have arrived and awaiting further orders."

**********

"Thank you Tavaryn...I think it would be a good idea if you visited the medical bay aboard the Ackbar once we're done down here."

Tavaryn had a look that was cross between meekness and mischief when Alriana spoke. It changed to one that could be equated to a child's pleading face but there was a gentle smile about it. He replied rather quiet, "If it's all the same, with the Admiral's permission, I would rather stay here for awhile. If needed, I can hop the next shuttle to the Ackbar...and I would like it if you would stay too."

It was more of a need to just stay in one place longer than a day or two for Tavaryn. He had other reasons as well. One he had been reminded of when Murasaki punched him earlier. He looked at Alriana wondering what she would say.

Ackbar

"Don't forget there is the Avalonian fleet as well Admiral."

Belina mentally slapped herself. She had forgotten all about the fleet of ships that protected Avalon. "Sorry about that." She muttered so that only Andros could hear. "Is there a possibility that we might need to wipe the system clean to get the virus?"

"Jun-la to bridge, work crew is here. We should be up there in no time."

"Good to know." Belina responded as she contined studying the work Andros was doing. "I think your going to be impressed with what Andros is doing up here."



"Xeran quit scaring the prisoner. I doubt the cleaning crews will want to clean up an unneccesary messes after this."

Xeran smiled darkly at the Twi'lek and then put his knife away. "Consider yourself lucky that it's not just you and me in here Twi'lek."



Avalon

"If it's all the same, with the Admiral's permission, I would rather stay here for awhile. If needed, I can hop the next shuttle to the Ackbar...and I would like it if you would stay too."

Alriana thought only for a moment before responding. "I think I'm going to stick around here for awhile," she said with a smile. "I don't know...maybe look around for a bit...but I will need a guide." She said looking at Tavaryn.

"Is there a possibility that we might need to wipe the system clean to get the virus?"

Andros glanced at the work he had already completed before looking up at the Admiral and replied, "That is a last resort. Wiping the system means restoring the computer back to the last known save state. From the lookes of things that may include the modifications made before Setna."

Andros did a complete lookover of the diagnostic of the virus that was currently running around in navigation and weapons. The main computer which controlled the important stuff like life support was going strong and well protected by his encryptions. He then added, "Besides I think I have the basic structure of the virus down and now I am adding bells and whistles to my counter virus. I know it sounds wierd that I am using a virus to attack a virus but think of it like a sentient body fighting off infection."

**********

"Consider yourself lucky that it's not just you and me in here Twi'lek."

Jun-la gave a tolerant eye roll to noone in particular. Xeran was good at his job as a soldier but intimidation could only work so far. She said, "Well we do have my security team wedged in there too."

One of the security guards gave a chuckle as they dabbed the sweat from their brows at intervals. Jun-la took a moment to wipe the sweat from her brow, aware that it was warm because of the systems needing to be shut down.

"I think your going to be impressed with what Andros is doing up here."

She replied, "I've no doubts that he has done well. I knew he would be able to make the most of getting the Ackbar up and running."

She stood up and looked up at the Manadalorian workcrew checking the systems and making any necessary repairs. She called up, "How much longer you intend to keep us in a sauna?"

Devin grinned even though his face couldn't be seen and replied, "Though you Jedi were known for your patience."

"Not this Jedi," Jun-la replied in good humor. "Seriously though, did removing the device leave any problems on the lifts?"

"None I can see. Better get back in the car and remove the e-brake. We're gonna give it a try."

"Copy that," Jun-la replied and jumped into the car, light on her feet. She put the device in her belt and told everyone to be ready. She released the e-brake and power came on. The car began to move until it stopped right where Devin and his crew were. Stepping out, Jun-la commed, "Admiral, lifts are working. We're on our way."

**********

"I think I'm going to stick around here for awhile," she said with a smile. "I don't know...maybe look around for a bit...but I will need a guide."

Tavaryn gave a smile. It was all he could do while Lenatha was working on him. He then said, "I'd be glad to help with that. I'll..." He gave a slight hiss and a grunt before continuing, "I'll send a request to Belina."

Andorra, shaking free again, walked over to her new bride. "Is everything all right?" she asked. "More importantly, is there anything I can do to help?" Her pulse then quickened.

Avalon

Lenatha had just finished applying the anaesthetic to Tavaryn when Andorra asked about helping, "Get a roll of gauze ready for when the shrapnel's out of him. We don't have the power to cauterise the wound safely." She explained.

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

Kalla nodded in agreement, following Tonatius to the wyvern. They'd still need to give it their all, even if the battle was nearly won.

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

"Gunships, target the necks of those walkers; the beam weapons should be strong enough to pierce the armour in that area." Komad instructed the Guardsmen operating the ATT's.

Oblivion

What I need you to do now is of a different nature, Lord Kage. I need you to infiltrate the Republic Senate, manipulate the Senate into trusting the Undying Sith Empire, and shift the blame for the attack on Avalon onto the New Empire. Pestilus sent back.

"Right." Andorra saluted Lenatha crisply and went to find the gauze. When she did, she returned to the Twi'lek, wincing slightly at the sight of Tavaryn's bloody wound. She stood poised to offer more assistance if needed, trying to reassure him with her eyes.

Ackbar

"Besides I think I have the basic structure of the virus down and now I am adding bells and whistles to my counter virus. I know it sounds wierd that I am using a virus to attack a virus but think of it like a sentient body fighting off infection."

"As long as your counter virus doesn't cause any trouble I think we'll be set." Belina said as she tapped a few controls to bring up Andros's progress on another screen.

"Admiral, lifts are working. We're on our way."

"As soon as you arrive I want you to begin interrogation of the prisoner. I'm a bit busy so you can have first crack at him. I should be able to join you as soon as the virus is gone."



Avalon

"I'll send a request to Belina."

"I think that with all the fighting we've both seen and with the Ackbar still under repair she'll let us take a break." Alriana said after thinking for a moment. "Besides...As a security officer I don't think that it will be necessary for me to be aboard during repairs."

Ackbar

"As long as your counter virus doesn't cause any trouble I think we'll be set."

Andros gave a slight smile and a chuckle that was barely audible. "It won't Admiral."

He made a few adjustments to his prototype. It had been awhile since he had to create something like a virus but he was grateful that his master was not so strict in his pursuing this line of activity. He glanced at the screen that was monitoring the virus' activity on the weapons and navigation system and saw that the virus was well contained and doing nothing else. Tapping on his pad he finished the specs he wanted. Now it was time to put it to the test. "Counter virus ready Admiral."

"As soon as you arrive I want you to begin interrogation of the prisoner. I'm a bit busy so you can have first crack at him. I should be able to join you as soon as the virus is gone."

Jun-la listened and replied, "Copy that Admiral. Andros should be able to whip up something. Over and out."

She then turned to the security team and the prisoner. "Well Xeran, let's proceed to the bridge debriefing room."

She then spoke to the prisoner, "We will ask you our questions again but more formally. It will give you a chance to tell us anything you may have forgotten to mention. Do you understand?"

Kage's Ship

What I need you to do now is of a different nature, Lord Kage. I need you to infiltrate the Republic Senate, manipulate the Senate into trusting the Undying Sith Empire, and shift the blame for the attack on Avalon onto the New Empire.

Kage nodded and replied, It will be done milord. Will there be others in this mission? He then set the coordinates for Coruscant. It had been a long time since he had been to the center of the Republic. There were old...OLD friends that he wanted to see again. Oh he may have sensed a few on Avalon but there was one, maybe two that he would enjoy seeing again and gauging their reaction.

The expression on his face was seen by Aiden who was glad to be rid of Avalon. A plus was this Sith Lord may be the way to getting back at Onashi. He asked, "What are your thoughts master?"

Kage looked at the young Avalonian who accompanied him. He would prove a useful pawn and a willing adversary to those who dared to challenge Lord Pestilus. He replied, "We are heading for Coruscant. Set the coordinates."

"Yes master."

Avalon

Taryn along with Lady Governor Starlighter followed Andorra to where Lenatha was preparing to do a field surgery on Tavaryn. Not to far behind were Tonatius and Kalla who were helping to mop up the remnants of the Sith forces.

Taryn thought the governor was taking the sight of her younger brother quite well given that he looked extremely pale though it was hard to tell under the war paint and there was quite a bit of blood spilt but she was a trooper. She had her attention devoted to the wyvern and was petting it.

Thinking that he should make himself useful decided to go and join his twin and Kalla. He raced over with his blade drawn and promptly took down a Sith that was trying to perform a sneak attack on his brother and Kalla. He said, "Need to watch that flank Jedi. Otherwise you would have been somebody's war story."

Tonatius gave a half hearted glare at his twin while he moved closer to cover her opened flank. He whispered, "I guessing you're glad that Lady Jun-la made us practice paired fighting for so long."

**********

"Besides...As a security officer I don't think that it will be necessary for me to be aboard during repairs."

Tavaryn gave a grimace as the anaesthetic was being applied. He then gave a smile and replied, "Protocol moi chroi. You know she's big on protocol, even in battle."

He gave a slight chuckle at a memory from a mission he did with his team and Belina berated him on something saying that he needed to obey protocol and that was what he signed up for. Looking at Alriana he then added, "Fond memory."

He was surprised to see his elder sister there and she was talking to Ryu. Then again Ryu always knew a mother and responded in kind to them. Single women were another story and Alriana was the only one she had let through at first. His eyes then came to rest on his sister's adopted daughter. She looked a little nervous and said to her in soothing tones, "It's alright Andorra. I've had worse. Remember the fun on Geonosis?" It was teasing even though his memory of it was rather different. He smiled to reassure her.

His attention then diverted back to Lenatha. "Ready when you are," he said quietly.

**********

Tiye watched as Komad directed the Republic guardsmen to finish the job. She was impressed with the damage wrought on the enemy and the preciseness of the hits. She said, "Impressive Master Jedi. This day will most certainly be ours."

*********

Haruka received the reply and was disappointed that the ship got away. He replied, "Negative on the fighters. By the time you get them launched, we would've lost the trail. Send word to Admiral Belina that the battle down here is nearly over. Casualties are minimal, heavy to the enemy."

Ackbar

"Counter virus ready Admiral."

Belina smiled. "I really hope this works, otherwise I'll have to throw you in the brig." She said in a joking tone.


"We will ask you our questions again but more formally. It will give you a chance to tell us anything you may have forgotten to mention. Do you understand?"

The prisoner looked over at Xeran and then back at Jun-la. "I understand. But there is nothing else to speak of. Of that I am sure."

"For some reason I highly doubt that." Xeran muttered so that only Jun-la could hear.



Avalon

"Protocol moi chroi. You know she's big on protocol, even in battle."

Alriana sighed. "I guess. But I do still plan on talking to her once we get back up to the ship. I have to report a few things I've seen down here that worry me."


"Negative on the fighters. By the time you get them launched, we would've lost the trail. Send word to Admiral Belina that the battle down here is nearly over. Casualties are minimal, heavy to the enemy."

The captain of the Katarn nodded once and then turned to the communications officer. "Open a channel to the Ackbar and inform Admiral Belina that that battle is nearly won down here. Enemy losses are quite high."

"I guess. But I do still plan on talking to her once we get back up to the ship. I have to report a few things I've seen down here that worry me."

Glad that the conversation was taking his mind off the pain, Tavaryn listened to Alriana. When he heard those words though, for a brief moment, he thought she was saying something akin to the fact that she didn't like the place that had been home more or less. He knew that was not what she was saying though. It just felt that way. He replied, "What troubles you about this place?"

Ackbar

"I really hope this works, otherwise I'll have to throw you in the brig."

Andros knew the Admiral was joking but he understood her concern. The Ackbar was the pride of the Republic Fleet, a symbol. He replied, "It'll do its best."

He released his program into the weapons and navigation systems and proceeded to watch via his pad. A beeping sound indicated a transmission. He checked to make sure the firewalls were secure before informing the Admiral, "Admiral, a transmission. It's the Katarn."

**********

["For some reason I highly doubt that."

Jun-la gave a slight pinch on Xeran's arm. It was the same disciplinary pinch she used on Andros sometimes if he spoke out of turn. She then said out loud, "That may be. Come." She then motioned to the security team to follow her in escorting the prisoner to the designated interrogation room that Belina had ordered.

Once there, she directed the security team to take positions. To Xeran she motioned for him to stand in a back corner. She thought it a good idea to put some distance between him and the prisoner. She had the prisoner sit in a chair and then commed, "Starlighter to Bridge, we're here in the interrogation room."

"Now that you mention it, yeah, even if I did resent it a little at the time." Kalla commented, cutting down another enemy soldier as he lunged at her. "Don't you find it odd that they've got the power to jam communications across the whole system and take out a Republic Star Destroyer with relative ease, and yet they attack the ground with AT-AT's? Those walkers have to be over a century old."

"This may sting a bit." Lenatha warned Tavaryn, and began to slowly and carefully pull out the chunk of shrapnel. It was a good thing she was used to the sight of blood; this wasn't going to be pretty.

Do you think it is a coincidence that so much of the Senate has lost faith in the Jedi? Pestilus explained. Simply taking control of the Senate would prove impossible, but that is not my plan. You just need to persuade enough of the other Senators to trust us as allies against the New Empire.

Avalon

"What troubles you about this place?"

Alriana looked at the battlefield and lowered her voice so only Tavaryn could hear her. "It has to do with the battle. I just found some aspects of the battle somewhat suspicious."



Ackbar

"Admiral, a transmission. It's the Katarn."

Belina walked over to a console next to Andros that had a video monitor and smiled as the captain of the Katarn showed up on the screen.

"Admiral, I am pleased to report that we recived a transmission from my security officer on Avalon. He reports that the battle is nearly won and that enemy losses are quite high."

"Excellent news captain." She said. "As of now we're dealing with a computer virus problem, it shouldn't take long before it's taken care of."




Xeran muttered angerly as Jun-la pinched him. He still fully intended to make sure the twi'lek would talk but he didn't want to fight with the jedi...not yet anyway.

He took his position at the back of the room and smiled at the Twi'lek as he sat down.

"Starlighter to Bridge, we're here in the interrogation room."

Belina responded instantly. "Excellent. Get whatever you can out of him and then let me know what he knows. Belina out."