Joran

Chapter 8 Kastays City, 2306 hours Cerra sat on a crate in the derelict factory that the LAAT she had come in on was hidden. Around her milled her squad, the ones that weren't on guard duty anyway, adjusting their weapons and talking amongst themselves. In front of Cerra was the box that contained the artifact she was supposed to secure. She hadn't had the courage to open it while her master wasn't there. When she had taken the box back in the Historical Academy, a wave washed over her that nearly took her off her feet. She couldn't help but feel that something unsettling was in that box. Calm down, she told herself, You're just being paranoid. It's a box for goodness sake! She began reaching for the box, intending to open it, but pulled back thinking better of it. Though, it may still be a good idea to wait for Master Vonar before opening it. Leaning back Cerra let her thoughts wander. It had been some time since her master had gone off on his own part of the mission;he should have been back by now. Cerra walked over to sergeant Kad and asked, ”œAny word yet?”

Chapter 7 Kastays City, 2035 hours Darkness and an oppressive stench filled the sewers under the Separatist command building. Joran had to keep one of the long sleeves of his Jedi robe up to his face to keep from gagging. Every tunnel they went down from the moment they entered the sewer system was over flowing with all manner of trash and waste one could imagine. The clones didn't seem to mind too much though, and they wouldn't, since their armor came equipped with air filters that got rid of the smell. When this mission is over, I'll have to burn these robes, Joran thought to himself, and I am going to have to get some equipment in case I have to do something this disgusting again. Moving closer to Aytan who was a few paces in front of him Joran asked, ”œHave we reached the entry point yet? I don't think I can stand much more of this blasted tunnel.”

Chapter 6 Kastays City, 1910 hours ”œI don't like it,”

Part 2: Positioning the Pieces Chapter 5 Aaris III, Kastays City, 1612 Hours The going was slow for Joran and his troops as they moved through the streets Kastays. Droid patrols were everywhere, and they were on high alert. The preliminary bombardment the 127th had dealt the city was only aimed at military targets, but as always not all of their Intel was accurate. The Separatist command building loomed in the distance as one of the handful of buildings not damaged. It was a distinct feature of the city; most buildings were of grey stone, only about 4 stories high. The command building though was at least 100 stories, and completely metal. Joran stopped and stared at it for a moment, wondering how the Seps thought that looked inconspicuous on this planet. It didn't matter though; all he had to do was blow it up. The orbital bombardment had helped in one sense, it got the droid battalion guarding the building broken up and into the city preparing for what they thought would be a long siege. Shield generators of the type they had would take months to break down with conventional means. Joran and his squad moved down a side street from one of the main boulevards, snaking their way through the debris taking the fastest, and safest, route to their objective. The heat was oppressive though. Joran, the only one not in a suit of climate controlled armor, was already sweating. He never liked hot places, and jungle planets were always hot. Perhaps that means I was born on a world where it was cold most of the time, he mused to himself. Kastays City itself was the only speck of civilization for miles, surrounded by thick jungle on all sides. Escape from the city by anything other than starship would be tenuous at best. Aytan was taking point as the column of soldiers made their way down the streets; he had refused to let Joran go first for fear he would be taken down by a sniper. It was a good thing too, because only after a half hour of walking, they nearly turned straight into a droid patrol. The patrol was 50 meters down the street and at the sight of Aytan's blue streaked ARC trooper armor opened fire. Joran's team took cover where they could, but unfortunately for them the right side of the street they were fighting on was an empty lot. The clones took cover wherever they could, some lying prone on the ground with only a half meter high pile of debris between them and the droids. Joran leapt behind the wall of what was left of a building that had been hit in the orbital bombardment. Aytan was there with him, leaning out from the wall and firing a few shots from his DC-15 rifle intermittently. Turning to Joran he yelled more than said, ”œWe can't retreat sir. If we do the Seps will know we're here and our mission will be busted. The patrol must be destroyed.”

Chapter 4 Aaris III Space 1402 Hours ”œWell, Dac was right. This place is just a rock in the middle of nowhere”

Author's Note God this section took forever. I kept re-writing it trying to figure out the specifics but now its at a place I am happy with. Next chapter will be up in less time hopefully -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 Hyperspace, En-route to Kathol Sector aboard Relentless, Flagship of the 127th fleet 1023 hours The buzzing of a comlink awoke Joran from his meditation, snapping his eyes open with the sudden disturbance of noise. Standing up from the mat he was sitting on he moved to the table and opened the link. ”œGeneral Vonar sir?”

That's true I suppose. I was going off the Republic Commando style for names. Thought it would be easier to refer to them by some sort of name rather than, "Hey, you there!"

Authors Note: First off, wow. I was not expecting so much positive feedback on my first fic, on the first chapter even. Thank you all, I shall try to use the comments you've given me to make my writing and story the best I can. This chapter is mostly setup so it wont be as fast paced as the first. Chapter 2 Courscant, Jedi Temple 0930 Hours ”œMaster Windu will not be pleased,”

Is that a bad thing? I don't really know why but I have always been into the one eye thing. Maybe I'll do something with it in the next story.

Author's Note This is my first real attempt at fanfic so I am still trying to work out stylistic tidbits as well as my overall writing ability so please bear with me. --------------------------------------------------- The Black Planet Crisis Part 1: Bright Lights In a Hall of Mirrors Chapter 1 Courscant Entertainment District 0107 Hours Blaring lights and pounding music surrounded Joran as he ran through the crowded streets of Courscant's bustling entertainment district. Neon signs bathed the walkway in every shade of colored light one might imagine. Ahead screams and yells of outrage filled the air as the man Joran was chasing pushed his way through the throng of people. For Joran however, people parted and made room for him to move by as he shouted ”œMove!”

Joran was progressing in his training, at least he thought he was. He was now able, after several tries, to keep the piece of scrap metal he had been training with pinned against the wall in a place where it would normally fall down. He had learned to use continual pressure. Using the pressure in two different directions however was another story. Every time he tried to levitate the metal in mid-air it would wobble for a moment and then smack against one of the walls as the force on one side became enough to overpower the force on the rest. I must need to use a lighter touch. Just enough for what I need. Placing the metal on the open floor, Joran moved the piece into the air, slowly, and then applied downward pressure to stop it. It began to move from side to side then. After a few moments of intense concentration Joran was able to keep it in generally the same area, bouncing it off of the different force pushes. I suppose now I need to learn to keep it still...

His master left with all speed toward the starfighter bay leaving Joran alone with Holden. The young one was scampering about playing with random things he found along the ground. Joran sat down on the cold ice placing his rifle to the side. He was not worried about the young one getting hold of it since it was keyed only to fire to his DNA pattern; far more complex than a standard safety switch. Turning to his training, Joran looked at the piece of scrap metal he had launched against the wall using the force. Slowly re-entering his semi-meditative state Joran once again sought out the currents of the Force. They were appearing to him more quickly now, as his training progressed, and found the challenge of controlling them invigorating. Attempting to do as he had previously done with the metal except this time moving it toward himself instead of away was a small challenge in itself. After several minutes of focusing the metal flew from its spot and smacked Joran on the knee rather hard. Holden giggled at the sight but was soon back to his playing. I am moving it, but this is far from control... Ahh oh well. Just need more practice.

My master thinks I am a good learner... SCORE! Joran thought over the request for a moment and felt he could handle it. He was the oldest sibling to his own brother and sister so he knew a thing or two about watching young ones. Watching one that would most likely have some connection to the force would however be a unique experience though. "Of course I can take care of your son during your mission. The training you set me is simple enough that I can both do it as well as look after your son. I have a younger brother and sister so I am well versed in watching the young."

Let it flow through me. Thats it! I have been focusing too much on the external and not enough on the internal. All things flow through the force, why should I be any exception? You'd think I would have realized this earlier... Joran repositioned himself into a kneeling stance on the floor. The ice was numbing his knees, but he didn't care. Right now, the only things that existed were him, his master, the force, and the metal. It took a bit ti reattain the state he was in before his master's comment, but found it immensely easier the second time. Focusing again, Joran looked not only for the flow of the metal's force, but for his own as well. After a few moments he found it and could, in a sense, see the two currents. Molding them with his mind, the two currents became one, almost an extension of himself. Raising his arm up and his hand vertically flat, Joran thought only one thing... move. The piece of metal jumped suddenly, striking the wall opposite Joran. It only happened for a moment, and once the scrap had hit, it bounced aimlessly back to the ground.

Placing the piece of metal back on the ground, Joran attempted the next step his master had given him. He could more clearly see the currents of the force now, but manipulating them was another matter. For about 15 minutes Joran tried every mental technique he could think of to try and move the metal. All were failures. Becoming slightly frustrated, Joran closed his eyes and tried again. Focusing his thoughts, he slowly removed all that was around him, until it was just him, the piece of metal, and the flow of the force. He kept himself in this mental state for a few moments just to make sure that he at least had a firm footing there. OK, one more time...