The Galaxy Chronicle: Episode IV

Sai'nu · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject:

Sewn in the mind...

Darkness. It was always deafening this Darkness. A warm trickle made her flinch. It was hard to breath but she could feel her chest working to bring in air.

Clank...

"Damn them...," Sai muttered in the dark.

Clank...

Their hands seemed to meet even through the bacta tanks and Sai's rage built even more, "Damn them both!"

Clank!

Sai' awoke to the rubble and chaos the thermal detonator had caused. As her vision focused she saw the blood trickling from her wounds. She heaved at the small bits and pieces on her and looked to the Sai'nu's mother. She was lifeless which meant no way to find out where Viem'Chal was headed. Quickly she looked back to the Gateway.

"You fool," Sai' smirked at Antagesti's corpse, "You couldn't even do that right!"

As Sai' prepared to head in to the Gateway two shadows appeared. Her wounded lekku coiled as the forms took shape and she sneared.

Vreese's expression was blank as the lightsaber hummed on and headed toward Sai'. Dasumi examined the room quickly then looked to Sai' with determination as her knuckles cracked. Vreese's lightsaber pointed at Sai' as the two came within foot steps of each other.

Sai' cackled, "You can't kill me."

"Maybe the Force owes me this one," Vreese looked serious as she added,"Besides I don't think you know the rules about clones. Of things unnatural to the Force."

The hum of the lightsaber grew louder as the green-blue glow illuminated the room. Finally Sai' played the bargaining chip, "No, you can't kill me because if you ever want to see your dear brother and sister again you'll have to let me live."

Clank...

The hands of the two lovers drifted back and forth suspended in the bacta tanks clanking against the glass ever trying to grab each other...
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:25 am Post subject:

New Promises…

Rook frowned at the controls of the Arakyd transport. It was an old model transport originally designed to be a corporate answer to independent cargo haulers for the probot droid corporation. Rook hated it with a passion. He slammed his fist down on the hyperdrive panel as he grumbled into his headset, “Tombstone, buddy, this damn thing is on the fritz again. Go ahead and pull the hyperdrive motivator again. It’s either bad or this poor excuse of a computer has cross wiring about the bearings on the hyperspace compass.”

A low grumble let Rook know his partner wasn’t enjoying the first week aboard these tugs. The comm chatter between the twenty some odd transports had been immense. He was still dumbfounded over Antagesti’s decision to destroy the gateway herself before they took off. That only compounded the problem solving that needed done as they prepared for a blind jump out of what had been called the Chal system. They could no longer see the planet visually or on sensors but something big had happened shortly after they evacuated. Why didn’t anything ever go smoothly?

There was a tug at his sleeve and he looked down and couldn’t help but smile. The kid was the spitting image of his parents. The very soft face and amber eyes looked up at him making Rook just smile more, “What’s up, kiddo?”

“Tell me again, Sir,” the kid paused as he hopped up in the co-pilot seat, “where are we going?”

“I’ve got a promise to keep to old friends, kiddo.” Rook smiled then whacked a panel to make a faulty warning light go off. “Well, just as soon as we fix these tugs. I can’t believe your clan had these for so long and never maintained them.”

“Grandma said you’d get them in shape, Sir.” The kid smiled and let his bluish-pink head tails shift excitedly. He then pointed at the communications system. “That’s the hyperspace transponder, isn’t it?”

Rook nodded, “Sure is, kiddo. You’re picking up fast. Your mom and dad would be proud. Now if only it were reliable. Well, reliable and we could safely use it.”

“What do you mean Mister Rook, Sir?” The kid was a wonder and far too polite for Rook’s tastes.

“Well, kiddo, at best the hyperspace transponder only produces weak signals so their neither always reliable nor very effective. Sort of an emergency tool you have to have just to make sure your gear works regardless. Understand?” Rook grinned even though the kid was shaking his head “No” to it. Rook sighed, “Maybe in a few years you will. Regardless we don’t dare use it. We’ve got to keep your clan safe and hide Viem’Chal just like we promised your Grandma.”

At the mention of it the kid dug out the dented metal container and book again. Rook hadn’t even bothered to look in the container yet but the clanking assured anyone around that there was something inside it. Tombstone was running a diagnostics check through the data screen on Rook’s pilot board as the kid began reading and examining the container again. He sure was curious.

“Is this small thing really that important, Mister Rook, Sir?” The kid looked over and shook the box a little with his ear close to it.

Rook arched an eyebrow and tried to forget the past two years as he tried to offer the kid a comforting smile, “Real enough to fight for, Kid. Just like your mom and pop did for you.”

“I wish I’d known them.” The kid hopped down and gave Rook one more questioning look. “Do you keep your promises, Mister Rook, Sir?”

Rook shook his head at the boy, “I sure do, Kiddo. And as soon as we get somewhere safe I promise I’ll tell you all about your parents.”

Rook thought, “If we ever get these tugs running…”
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:23 am Post subject:

The message and entourage…

Xyryn watched as the contact slinked out of the room. Her eyes then locked down to the object on the table. This was the message that was supposed to get to Temple. Her lekku coiled somewhat in anticipation; this whole thing was playing out like a mystery. She wondered what The Goddess had in store as she flipped on the projector. Behind her Xen’ya watched as well.

A hologram of Vreese formed. For a moment her eyes seemed to dart back and forth as if trying to figure out where to start. Finally she bowed and began, “If you are watching this then I have a bundle of bad news.”

Xyryn frowned. Bad news was always, well, bad.

“I am afraid I have the unfortunate task of informing you of Batak and Isleh’s demise. A few of us tried to attempt a rescue but we suffered great loss in that attempt,” Vreese paused again visibly shaken. “I would have sent message of this when it happened but I really couldn’t bring myself to do it. It gets worse too.”

As Xyryn sank back into her chair she wondered if it was possible to frown any more. Her lekku flexed and coiled in response to that.

“I can only say that an object important to the Temple is at stake. Viem’Chal, as it was called by the first Temple founders, is in danger.” Vreese’s eyes seemed to meet Xyryn’s, “its powers can not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. I’m entrusting this message to Roun in the hopes he makes it to Nocturnus. Encrypted you’ll find a set of navi-coordinates where, with luck, you can meet us.”

Vreese bowed and the recording ended.

It was still a mystery. Viem’Chal wasn’t anything she’d ever heard of in her studies.

With a sure step Cymrych entered the room and nodded at her. His research had turned up a little more information and he was eager to share the news. He however immediately noticed the looks of sorrow on the two twi’lek’s faces. “Something wrong, Kiva?”

Xyryn slid the holo projector toward Cymrych, “It would appear we’ve lost two of our own. Batak and Isleh have perished in an escape attempt from Dathomir. Now Vreese has taken off to ensure Viem’Chal doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. I’d presume Dasumi is with her. An encryption of where to meet them is supposed to be in that device.”

Cymrych let it sink in though the soldier in him triumphed over sorrow, “I see, well, I have a little good news. It seems Viem’Chal was brought to Ryloth early in its civilized history. While the Old Republic was still going strong a Jedi Master took a leave of absence apparently to get rid of something posing an unforeseen threat to the Republic. That Jedi wound up on your home world but there was never any record of him leaving.”

Xen’ya quipped, “I reckon that don’t be solvin’ much, really.”

Cymrych grinned with the information still fresh in his head, “Oh, but it gets better. After years on Ryloth he mysteriously returned to the Council pleading that they move from Coruscant. He was sure something bad was going to happen in the coming decades and he offered the Republic a chance to preserve itself with new found power.”

Xyryn puzzled as the Commissioner glanced at his datapad and back up at the two of them. He seemed very confident about his source material, “Indeed, I studied it while on Rori and Viem’Chal pops up only one time as a word or object of power in the Ossusian tongue. I took the liberty of looking into the departed Admiral Grieves files as well when I noticed a certain link between the Sai’nus and him popping up on an Imperial database.”

Xyryn slowly nodded, “That would mean whatever our Sister is after; she believes it to be tangible and our Rodian friend has realized it’s real enough for people to kill for?”

“That’d be my guess, Kiva.” Cymrych fiddled with the datapad for a moment then nodded as he examined the holoprojector, “I don’t know about you but I can feel the walls closing in around Nocturnus right now. How about I see what my people can make of this encryption and we’ll round up our friendly neighborhood freighter pilot for a little adventure? I'll just take a little while to round up some gear from Rori before we go as well.”

Was this The Goddess whisking her away? Xyryn glanced over at Xen’ya who only shrugged and nodded. Slowly her lekku straightened as she stood, “Yes, Commissioner, we seem to have little to go on. Hopefully this mynock chase will become clearer once we find Vreese.”

All that would be left now was for Cymrych to extract the navi-coordinates and to hitch a ride with a freighter pilot, most likely Cryil, and they’d be off. Their small fellowship would have to be enough.
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:31 am Post subject:

An interesting turn of events...

The ISD Reclaimer shook violently as The Heart of Viem exploded. The internal gravitation systems were still trying to compensate as the blast rippled toward the bridge. Jalen tried to reach out with the Force but could only shield his eyes till it was over. Red emergency lights kicked in and Jalen blurted out, "Were our people still on board? Did they..."

"Negative, Sir." One of the scanning crew called up from a crew pit. There was a slight pause then the crewman added, "We don't know if they were on board or still on the other side, Sir."

It was unfortunate. But there was nothing they could do here now. Vreese was on her own. As he stiffened Jalen gave the only order he could, "Begin calculations for a jump to Home Base. I think it is safe to say the Empire's scout and patrol ships in this system have already picked up that blast. Make any repairs we need to en route."

"Aye, aye, Sir." The crew was doing what they were trained for and Jalen was thankful for that. But as he looked out the viewport on the bridge he couldn't help but wonder about the fate of his friends...

* * *

"A what!?!" Vreese blurted out at Sai's malicious smile.

As Sai' coughed she outstretched her arm towards Vreese's dead mother, "We had the same idea. She wanted to keep people out. I wanted to keep people in."

Vreese tried to calm herself but it wasn't working. Her lekku furled and she just let go of Sai' so that she flopped back down on the ground. Dasumi meanwhile had examined most of the casualties in the room and found that at least one of the Kika'Vati guards had survived with injuries.

"That means we're trapped here..," Vreese unclipped her lightsaber and tapped it on the ring of the gateway. She finally turned and looked at Sai' square in the eyes again. "You said my brother and sister were alive?"

Sai' struggled to prop herself up on her elbows. Slowly she nodded, "It would appear your precious Viem'Chal is in the hands of that bafoon and his walking meat grinder now. First order of business is stay alive. So, if you'll spare me I'll take you to your brother and sister. If you can find us a way off this planet."

Vreese narrowed her eyes, "There is no Love in you, Thing. Except for your own existance it would seem. I doubt we can teach you of the importance of the value of Life beyond your own. And I'm sure not going to be your mother. So, just thank your lucky stars The Goddess has given you a reason to Live. If this is a trap."

Sai' coughed and laughed. "Your terribly noble till your faced with Evil aren't you? Then it's kill it. Oh, how I know Grieves would've loved this. Forced to help something you hate to get something you want. It is far too touching."

However long it lasted this was going to be a long journey Vreese decided...
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:07 pm Post subject:

The kid's parents...

The convoy of freighters hung like a pack of huurtons while Rook worked at a systems station. These freighters were more trouble than they were worth. That was saying something since he had, in fact, not sunk one credit into them. He did wonder if he was ever going to see his ship again though. At least he had a chipper helper for the moment.

“Mister Rook, Sir,” the Sai’nu kid chuckled wiggling her lekku. “That should go there and not where you’re trying to make it fit. See the little markings on the end!”

Rook cursed. The kid was right. He’d been up for so long he wasn’t paying attention to the details. With a magnetic clank the part slipped in the right place and another hyper drive system was almost fixed. He smiled and turned to the kid, “Keep that up and I’ll let you do all the work around here while I nap.”

The kid smirked and shot off for about the hundredth time, “Can I hear about my folks now, Mister Rook?”

He huffed off the labor of the past few hours and leaned back into the curved wall of the archway. Scratching at the stubble of whiskers on his face he nodded at the kid and itched at the phantom eye behind his patch. “Sure, kid. I guess I can tell you a little more about them. What would you like to know?”

“Well, what did they do? Were they scallywags like you,” the girl questioned most enthusiastically.

Rook chuckled and shook his head, “No, not like me. Well, maybe your mother a little bit. But for the most part they were just good people that tried to do what they thought was right.”

The girl cocked her head unsure of the statement, “Tried? So the Goddess didn’t tell them?”

Rook wasn’t sure if the conversation had been a good idea or not as he felt his head begin to pound. “Kid, as far as I’ve seen no one talks to a Goddess or any kind of Deity period directly. I think they just had to go with what felt right of their beliefs.” Hopefully that would tide the kid over.

“Grandma said we were trying to make people realize we were all brothers and sisters. That the faces guided us to that.” Again the kid looked so sure of herself. Had the same assurances in her facial features he remembered Batak having when he’d say, “Trust me.”

“Well, yeah, kid. That’s what they knew. What their little family grew up on from what I gathered.” Rook noticed the kid was still toting around that little box. “The problem is no matter where you go, kid, there you are. Sometimes you find the role you’re trying to find doesn’t exist and you should just stick to what you know. Keep it simple. Others always feel a need to change things thinking it’s all for the better good. But they don’t consider what they’ve done to the traditions when they do.”

The kid nodded her head at least seemingly knowing what Rook was talking about so he rambled on, “Your parents were good because they never tried to change what they were. A lot of people do that you see. Or they don’t like how something else is so they object to it.”

“So, they fought changes to the Temple,” the girl questioned tilting her head just so as her mother might have done.

“Well, it was always a battle though they desired peace kid. At least I think.” Rook had to pause a bit to remember. “I think they moved off of Tatooine at one point to get away from the Empire. This was before your parents were together. Zeal I think the town was. Like they usually do the Empire got wind of something dealing with the Rebellion and totally blew away the Temple. So, they tried to go somewhere more neutral. Things never seemed to work out how it was suppose to. Your parents seemed to permeate adventure, kid. I think that’s why they had a lot of friends.”

The girl looked confused still, “So, why did things go so badly for them in the end Mister Rook?”

Rook huffed again trying to think. “Well, kid, I think because like many of us in this galaxy we just don’t know when to leave some things well enough alone. Chase asteroids and sooner or later one of them is going to catch you if you follow my meaning. See, if I had left well enough alone I’d still be enjoying a very cushy job in the Roche Asteroid Field working for the Verpine.”

The girl pouted all of a sudden and Rook questioned, “What now, kid?”

“Well, I think I can understand that they just tried to make do and survive. But what did they do, Mister Rook?” The girl persisted.

“Well, for the most part they were fighters I think. Those Kika’whatcha ma call thems. Your dad tried to teach me about inner strength one time by becoming one with the deck plate.” Rook chuckled at the memory. “Your mother was a little more political or subterfuge like in manor. The result was The Goddess, if you view it that way, always had people making sure she had to look over her back. Your father usually had the headache of dealing with what followed.”

Rook remembered something and took out a little leather bound black book. “Read this book, Kid. Your dad gave that to me and I’ll bet he’d love for you to learn a bit more about The Goddess. Kika’whatcha ma call thems, The three Faces, and all of that good stuff. Who knows. You just might find what you’re looking for in there.”

“Thanks Mister Rook,” the girl hopped down off of a crate and scampered off. Rook figured it was about Tombstone’s turn to get pestered by her and chuckled.
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject:

Finding their way...

Vreese tugged at the harness that secured Sai' to her back. Dasumi gave a slight nod then took point as they left the gateway room. While Vreese could sense nothing from the clone of herself she still had the tug in the back of her mind that given an opportunity to strike Sai' would not hesitate to do so.

"Perhaps this is what Master Ve-tal meant when he said we always have to carry ourselves," Vreese thought.

Her voice taunting Sai' marveled, "So, is it that I know your dear family still lives keeping me alive or is it your pathetic sense of honor?"

Vreese's lekku curled just a bit in frustration but she calmed herself breathing outward letting the Force put her at peace. "As much as I wouldn't regret your death, construct, I am bound by not only the rules of The Force as you well know; but I am also expected to follow a certain code of The Goddess."

Sai' almost choked on laughter and spat out, "Oh, yes. I forgot. We're all just one big happy family."

"I don't know where clones fit into that. Your a type of life, yes. But your unnatural life at that. Not too different from a droid." Vreese smirked to herself as they continued on their walk to what they assumed was a landing field just at the lip of the cavern. That should be just enough to irritate the clone Sai'.

"I'm far better than you," Sai' spat. "Perfection is constructed not bred my genetic donor."

Vreese cringed slightly at that. It was true to an extent. A clone could be made more efficient. Perfect? That was in eye of the beholder.

"You do have one unique opportunity," Vreese hesitated and hated calling the construct by name, "Sai'."

Vreese felt the side of Sai's head bump into the back of her's as she jerked around. Clearly that remark had sparked her interest, "Oh, and what might that be?"

"You already know the tenants of The Faces. And you know of our clan connection to The Force. Of the first Gifted to help save our race from destruction." Vreese paused, "I'm just regretful that Grieves would use my DNA to make something so full of malice. Incapable of choosing her own path as The Goddess gives us."

That seemed to take her off guard again. A cold but meek reply nonetheless came, "I can do what I want."

"Can you now?" Vreese puzzled. "Can you love as with the face of the Mother? Unconditionally offer comfort, honesty, and protection to all of Her children; your brothers and sisters of the galaxy? Can you accept family?"

There was no answer to that one so Vreese continued as they marched onward to the cavern lip.

"I suspect you would be an excellent follower of the face of The Teacher though." Vreese felt another side jerk as though Sai' either didn't want to hear it or was hanging closer on her words. "You demonstrate much patience and I suppose you do have your own messed up view of honor. But you would have to learn that guidance flows two ways. Not just for your benefit. You would have to respect your enemies."

A quiet huff from her back.

"I'd talk about the face of The Lover but I know you wouldn't understand anything about that." Vreese smiled at the bait.

A snort and cackle from Sai', "You mean that sexist let's make Love not War crap?"

"I thought you might say that." Vreese curled her lekku and readjusted the harness as they continued on. "No, the joy of togetherness isn't about sex. What it is about is opening your heart to become closer to your brothers and sisters of the galaxy. Intimacy is but one possibility and one reserved for those in Love. The love spoken of here is one shared with family and strangers."

Vreese could feel Dasumi look over and smile to her. They were strong because they were together and Vreese suspected both of them were wondering if Sai' could understand that.

To Vreese's surprise Sai' began talking. She wasn't sure if it was to her and Dasumi or just recalling a burried lekku memory. Was it just genetics talking; or was there something in there trying to break free?

"The Goddess is always our mother. The mother may hold our hand; but will one day let go. She loves us as she would have us love our brothers and sisters." Sai' said it as if questioning it. And, just for a moment, Vreese could hear herself saying it.

The trio didn't say much more on their trek to the cavern lip but all felt a little less burdened the rest of the way. And that was a start...
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

Tombstone's turn...

Tombstone groaned and his tail twitched as the child went on and on about the book she was reading. Forcing a regulator back in place the giant Barabel looked back over his shoulder. “Do you notss ever get tireds?”

The child’s face lifted and lekku flattened, “I’m not bothering you Mister Tombstone; am I?”

Tombstone tried to remember if he had ever been this vibrant as a youth and decided better than to scold the child. He shook his head, “No. Howeverss, being groomed a warrior fromss birth makess for short talkss.”

The child’s face grew into a wide grin and his eyes grew even bigger as amber suns as he exclaimed, “You’re a Kika’Vati!!!”

Tombstone scratched at his head. Not this talk again. It was going to take at least two more weeks repairing all of the freighters and the girl was growing to be a… distraction.

“I amss a Barabel. Warrior and expert bountyss hunter. I am lifess debted to Rook because of your father. I amss not a Kika’Vati.” Tombstone felt something inside. What was it? As the child appeared to sink back at him rattling out the same thing again Tombstone felt it must be an emotion he really wasn’t use to that he felt in reaction to the child.

He kneeled down and gripped the girl on her shoulders. “I amss sorry, child. But there iss much workss to be done ifss we are to survive.”

The girl gripped her book to her chest. “Survival of the self means survival of the Temple. Is this a test, Mister Tombstone?”

Tombstone grinned. “Every dayss bring more tests, child. Perhapss if you helpss me with the regulators I will let you tellss me about these Kika’Vati. You would makess your parents proud.”

With a pat on the head the girl hopped down off a crate and picked up Tombstone’s repair kit. Perhaps she wouldn’t be too troublesome afterall. Besides, it was fun watching Rook always off to the side annoyed that Tombstone would not be annoyed.

“Bloody nerves of plasti-steel...” Rook was mumbling low enough that Tombstone knew he wasn’t suppose to hear him.
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

Remember...

The stormtroopers responded with a slight nod at the officer and dismissed themselves back to the barracks. The aging man walked into the medical bay and took a seat on a cold steel bench facing two bacta tanks. The blue glow reflected eearily off his skeletal frame as he mused at the subjects in them.

"It would seem things are coming full circle again, you two. If only there had been more time, eh," the aging man furrowed his eyebrow in question as if they would answer. He let out a short sigh and gave them a lop sided grin with a twinkle in his eye, "I still remember the threats, abductions, and bombings. Maybe you should've wound up here in that last one, eh? I think that was what the wifey there thought of it at one point wasn't it, old friends?"

The very room seemed to vibrate and a ghostly anguish filled the man's ears but he just sat there smiling. "No, not yet. I just want them to remember this moment. The day their lives were turned to a more useful distructive power."

As the man left the room the lovers hands clanked against the tanks again trying to find each other. Their fists balled as if squeezing each other.

"No boundaries can separate us, Love. Not even this Darkness. Let us remember Her now and the Love that has always guided us..."

"Together..."

A small crack began to form at the base of each bacta tank giving some hope of later escape as the lovers drew more from this. This was their rememberance day. The Goddess had held this amongst her sacred teachings. Love grows stronger the more you remember what brought souls together.

In the darkness a smile pursed the lips of the two lovers.

"Together!"
_________________

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject:

A tremor in the Force…

Rook had been watching Tombstone and the Sai’nu kid bond for well over a week now. It was surprising that someone so prone to violence in Tombstone’s profession was getting along so well. However, Rook had noticed that the kid got the harder work. Mostly stuff Tombstone didn’t like doing but knew the kid was capable of. She was a surprising little squirt.

Rook had to remind himself that there was a job to do and quickly turned his attention back to the comset. This trip, where ever it was leading, was getting more and more cramped by the day. “Yes, yes, I know about that. Let’s get freighters four and seven doubled up with freighters ten and twelve and we’ll go from there.”

Despite all their work this little fleet had been slowly dwindling. It would’ve been a lot easier if the planet they’d left had been near a Nav bouy. If they had to spend more than two months more out here before spotting another system it wasn’t going to be a pretty end.

Suddenly there was a shriek from behind. Rook swung around his chair to see Tombstone standing perplexed over the Sai’nu child. “She grabss head and collapsessss,” Tombstone flickered his tail back and forth nervously.

* * *

“Well now, isn’t that interesting,” began Sai’ with just a hint of malice in her voice, “the great terror of Tatooine has fallen.”

Dasumi tried not to be agitated but did narrow her eyes at the Sai’ clone. It was odd though. They’d made a trek into the Viem’Chal city to look for clues after securing a freighter. Everything had been fine right up until they reached the apex of the city’s central temple. It’s pyramid form strangely seemed to look natural with the many curvatures inside the massive cavern. While Vreese was going through some scrolls of the High Kiva Antagnesti there had been a shriek and they’d found her collapsed.

“You know, we could leave now, you and I.” Sai’ was doing everything she could to break the apparent progress that had been made of her ‘recovery’ by the trio just a few days prior.

Dasumi’s lekku curled and she managed a soft smile at the clone. “Good for me that Vreese made sure only her and I have the access codes to the last ship then. I’m not leaving her.”

Sai’ grimaced, “We can’t even be sure what happened. Look at her. She’s catatonic from the looks of it.”

Dasumi felt a tingle from Vreese. It was clear she was still staying connected with her despite whatever had happened moments ago. “No, she’s alive. You know she is Gifted having most of her memories. I suspect she felt something strongly as there seems to be no traps here.”

For Vreese this was a puzzle piece blurring into place…

* * *

“Yes, Moff Evnoran. The decoy worked. I believe the rogue agent is taken care of now. We should not hear from her nor the suspected Jedi again.” SK- Five Zero One nodded into the display at the Moff.

“Good, and is the tracking beacon secure?” Moff Evnoran rubbed his head while sipping some Corellian herbal tea.

“Yes, Sir. We will have the location of the ISD Reclaimer’s port within the week we believe.”

The stormtrooper commander had always been one of Evnoran’s best. He rewarded excellence well. In this case he knew exactly what the trooper wanted, “Very well then. You have clearance to execute the remaining Order 66 on her Captain and bring home the Empire’s ship at all costs.”

“Yes, Sir.” SK- Five Zero One saluted and the comfeed faded.

Moff Evnoran rubbed his head again. These black outs were getting worse. Hopefully after he could successfully report the return of some major Imperial property and extermination of a few more Jedi he could step down gracefully from this position and return to Coruscant. There was a saying in Palpatine’s Empire, ‘Those who prove their worth have fewer reasons to watch their back.’

Moff Evnoran just hoped that was true.

* * *

A faint buzzing expanded in the darkness.

Tiny molecules excited growing hotter and hotter with the friction.

And as a spark began to fill the darkness with a faint blue hue the tremor began to focus.

“We are alive…”
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I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.

Sai'nu · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:07 am Post subject:

Vreese’s head ached from the force of the tremor. Slowly as she came though her eyes focused on the fuzzy image of Dasumi’s concerned face. They squeezed each other’s hands and Vreese tried to give her a confident nod. Vreese winced a little as she curled a lekku and sat up.

“I’ll be alright. I’ve never felt anything like that before, Love.” Vreese rubbed her forehead and shook it a couple times trying to help clear her thoughts. The blank presence of Sai’ became all too familiar to her now. The piercing yellow eyes of the clone seemed rather disappointed to see her awake. Vreese only smirked, “Afraid I wasn’t coming back?”

Sai’ sneered momentarily as she leaned back against a wall. Her lekku were curled and writhing like a serpent. Finally she nodded, “Well, I was hoping I would be spared any of your Goddess’ will guide me talk. It seems your Life mate has no qualms in sharing your fate though.”

As Vreese got to her feet with Dasumi’s help she only needed look into Dasumi’s eyes to confirm that Sai’ had at least tried to leave the fallen behind. Vreese couldn’t blame her though since there was a time she’d have thought the same way. But Tatooine’s harsh environment had also carved a warrior out of her. That dark path was a part of her even if she no longer resembled Sai’s character.

“It was a tremor. Very odd though. As if a powerful presence of someone very close to me were trying to scream across the Universe. It may be that someone is in dire danger.” Vreese let out a soft sigh letting her nerves relax. The tremor had hit her full force where ever or what ever had caused it.

Sai’ smirked and with her increasingly annoying mocking voice spat out, “Gee, and you don’t think we’re in dire trouble here? Or maybe you think that gift of the Goddess’ branched from the Force is going to magically help us out of here to rescue the galaxy’s less fortunate?”

Dasumi shot Sai’ the first dirty look Vreese could remember in a long time. This wasn’t the time though. Vreese grabbed the scrolls and tomes she’d been looking at before the tremor then looked at the two. With a wry smile she waved the two to follow her, “Well, we’ve got work to do. I’ve got a strong feeling whatever is happening we’ll be doing good for the galaxy through the guidance of The Force and The Goddess.”

As they made their way back to the last freighter Sai’ made sure to pocket an object left on the desk Vreese had gotten the writings off of. Unbeknownst to her she was still receiving commands from unknown forces herself…
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I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. ---Bilbo Baggins.