Tatooine

[Scorp Jedi Knight]

Something was veyr troubling, so troubling that Scorp decided to check the holonet message. The holonet message he knew was meant only for Jedi recievers.

 

Hmm what could this be all about anyway. No matter, itg is time to go then. Just as well I think I may be partly cooked after bing on this planet so long.

 

He looked at his padawan, yep he would have to take her. WHo knows what awaited yet, from th elooks of it is was either a regrouping or a gathering, which meant either an attack had happened and he had missed it... Or they were about to attack and he was going to be in on it. Either way he wasn't sure if he liked either idea.

 

"Padawan, it is time for us to go, we must travel a ways for the Jedi order needs us. Loyalty is what is called for here. Jedi can exist in this universe because the Force exists. But the Jedi Order needs more: it requires loyalty. It goes without saying that Jedi should be loyal to one another, and not squabble or fight. More importantly, though, each Jedi should be aware that he must act in accordance with the wishes of his Master, who in turn acts in accordance with the wishes of the Jedi Council. This is not a question of seniority, but rather of understanding the will of the Force, and in this regard, the members of the Jedi Council are the recognized experts.

 

This is why I Jedi are ready to go at a moments notice. This is also one of the points that I live by, one of those same points that I am asking you to define for yourself. Now I am not saying that following some on eblindly is what is expected in this order, however when it all boils down this is something I fall back on when there is no time for controplation."

 

He smiled and motioned for her to come along.

 

"Well we must be going for what ev er we have been summoned for it seems urgent enough to gather all the Jedi in one spot at one time. Naturally we will have to make stops along the way to keep from being followed."

He gradually made his way to the hsip fielding the questions his padawan had for him if any at the time, upon boarding the ship they quickly blasted off into space.

[MSA]

Scorpio laid in the cloning tube, memories flashing through his mind. One was the one he had only a day or so ago about his previous death on Haruun Kal. The blast, the Jedi Temple, his death, It was all just one giant puzzle. The other one of course, was the second blast that killed him, and it happened aboard the Defiant in the space battle above Haruun Kal. Twice now he's died at Haruun Kal, and Scorpio started to think that Haruun Kal was just an unlucky place for him to be.

 

The cloning tube alerted that the cloning process was complete, and disengaged itself, letting the liquid drain. Scorpio blacked out. A few hours later, he awoke in a hospital bed. He slowly got out of the bed, and grabbed a suit of cloths and a few credits he found in a bin nearby. He sat down on the bed, and made a soft sigh as the force started rushing back into his body, and the memories of the previous death flooded his mind. But there was something else, something that Scorpio couldn't quite put his finger on. Whatever it was, it was calling him home.

 

Scorpio quickly made his way out onto the surface of the planet, and realized he was indeed home.

 

"Is this a coincident? This has got to be the force's doing. I was supposed to be cloned on Manaan, so how did i end up here? There's something strange going on here."

 

These thoughts clouded Scorpio's mind as he realized he was on Tatooine. Scorpio connected himself with the force, and felt a sudden pull toward his home out in the dune sea. Feeling this pull, Scorpio headed toward one of the shops here in town. Arriving, he bought a vibroblade, and purchased a speeder. After that, he whipped out of town and off toward the outskirts of the Dune Sea. He was headed home.

 

After a few moments of traveling across the hot sand of Tatooine, Scorpio came upon his home. Right off the bat, Scorpio noticed something was going on. First, the flowers that seemed to always be fresh, had all weathered away. Second, the force was flowing strong around Scorpio's home. And third, something pulled him toward his parent's old room. He slowly crepted around the home, checking to make sure no one was around. Then he slowly moved a few pieces of the house around, using the force and his own will power combined, and cleared a path to his Parent's old room.

 

As he entered the room, a strange, but familiar aura poured from the closet. Curiosity got the best of Scorpio, and he opened the closet door. There, laid in the bottem were a few things of his parents, which he softly pushed to the side, revealing a hidden compartment. He opened it, revealing a locked bin inside, which he pulled out, and went to trying to unlock it. The password was a tough one to break, and so far, Scorpio had failed. Whatever was in it, only someone of the family was supposed to find it. Scorpio tried his name, and failed. Scorpio tried his brother's name, and failed. After a few hours of trying, and entering consant names, he tried his sister's, and it opened. Scorpio was puzzeled by what he saw.

[Celestia]

A recently repainted black Pure Pazaak skimmed across the desert sands on what turned out to be a fruitless mission. She'd heard on the grapevine that Jari had been seen on planet and had gone looking for her old partner in crime. Turned out it hadn't been her Firrerreon friend after all. The woman she had spied on a while back had silver coloured hair and had been with several others dressed in robes. Cel gathered that they'd been Jedi after a while and had continued on with her own search.

 

She'd heard that the Kraken had been involved with something to do with Black Sun though hadn't received a recall from her old boss so hadn't gone. Now as she headed back towards Mos Eisley she spied a familiar red coloured ship in the distance. Grinning she changed course from where she had been going, soon heading to where she saw it land. Maybe... just maybe he had some work for her to do. It had been ages since she'd done something worth while.

[MSA]

What Scorpio saw laying below him in the bin, was 2 sets of custom Jedi robes. One set was made out of black leather, and had the left arm sleevless. The cape included with it had a krayt dragon pendant that held it together onto the robes, and a pair of durasteel tipped combat boots, with a pair of black sunglasses. The other set were of a soft material, were organge, and looked to be the size of of Scorpio's mother. Included in the bin were also a map, and a letter addressed to Scorpio. As Scorpio opened it, tears began to pour from his eyes. The letter was from his parents, and it read......

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dearest Scorpio,

 

If you are reading this, then the worst has happened, and mine and your father's visions has came true. Do not worry, for your corruption is forgiven. You were just a child when that sith of a brother of mine corrupted you, so you did not know what you did.

 

Your father has a plan, and since you are reading this, it seems to have worked. His plan is to whipe your memory using the force, so that you'll follow our path, and find your redemption. I will have a friend from town watch over you after we are gone, and he will send you, when the time comes, to find the Jedi. You've always been strong in the force, and your stubbornest and will power just as equal. You'll make a great Jedi, this i know.

 

Inclosed in this bin are things you and your half sister will need to succeed where we failed. Follow the map to find the tools that will lead your life as Jedi. And yes, Scorpio, i was once a sith. It was your father's stubburness and love that showed me the light, and saved me. You and your sister must succeed, where we have failed. May the force be with you always son. We love you always.

 

Sincerely,

Kate

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"My sister?" Scorpio thought. He looked over toward the graves. "But she's dead." He said to himself, "But she couldn't be if mom and dad foreseen her with me." This brought hope to Scorpio as he grabbed the gear. He quickly placed the black leather robes on him, and laced up the boots. He stood there, looking at himself in the broken mirror that laid against the wall at the foot of where his parent's bed once sat. Heplaced the black sunglasses on his face. For the first time in years, he felt relief. He was forgiven, and that's all that mattered at the moment. He placed the other gear in a bag he found with it, and walked out toward the speeder, stopping once by the graves to kiss his parent's marker's goodbye.

 

He looked at the map, and saw his destination out to the east about 50 clicks. He loaded the speeder, and sped off. He had determination in his heart, and a relief on his mind. For the first time in years, Scorpio felt free. He had a smile on his face, as he sped across the desert. After a few moments, he came into view of his destination. There, straight ahead, laid a Krayt Dragon lair. Scorpio stopped just a few yards from the mouth of the lair, and krept up to the mouth for a look see inside. Inside the lair, about 15 to 20 yards inside laid a Krayt Dragon, approximately 60 to 70 feet from head to tail. Scorpio, reaching out with the force, could feel the creature's heartbeat, thoughts, and every breath. The dragon was definitely alive and breathing.

 

Scorpio looked around, and saw a door at the back of the lair, but couldn't risk sneaky by it, and getting caught in the closed in space. His only choice was to fight it. He quickly walked around out in front of the mouth setting up a few gas mines, as well as a few plasma mines. He then stood at the mouth, and threw in a ion grenade, which angered the beast, and made him come zooming out the lair at Scorpio. Scorpio force jumped backwards away from the mines, and watched as the dragon entered the mind field and droped. The dragon wasn't dead, but knocked unconcious, and the blast will leave a few scars, but it gave him time to quickly enter, only stopping to pick up one or two Krayt dragon pearls laying around, and entered into the door.

 

When he turned around, and saw what was in the small room, which actually turned out to be a small hangar/bunker. It had a few bins with supplies, and a two bins at the back sitting aside from the rest. Also in the bunker, just below a hangar door, sat an old LAF-250 starfighter. Scorpio couldn't believe it. He walked up, examined the starfighter, and made his way toward the 2 seperate bins. He entered his name into one of the bins, and when that didn't work, entered his sisters. It poped open to reveal a gold and chrome plated single hilt lightsaber. Engraved on the lightsaber was "Kate Armegedon", which was Scorpio's mother. The lightsaber was hers.

 

Scorpio then placed Kate's lightsaber onto his hip, and went to unlock the other bin. He placed in his name, and unlocked the bin. It worked this time, and revealed another lightsaber, well, two actually. Both were chrome with leather grips and leather outlines. Scorpio picked them up and stood. He ingited them both, to reveal orange blades, and Scorpio deactivated them. On one hilt, it read "Ragnius Vao", and on the other, it read "Armegedon", and Scorpio noticed they could connect making one duel lightsaber. Scorpio connected them and placed it on his other hip, before walking over to the LAF-250. He hopped in, fired it up, and ran a quick systems check. Although it was way outdated, it was still fully functional, which was a great help. Scorpio unlocked the hangar doors from inside the cockpit, and flew off into hyperspace with two things on his mind. One was to locate his Master, and the other to find his sister.

[Guest]

They say nights in Tatooine were cool. That was an understatement. The strong gusts of relentless wind harassed the campfire to a point where the flames ebbed, clearly losing the battle against the indifferent winds. It must be pathetic”¦ thought Howlrunner, to lose a battle against an element of nature that does not even acknowledge your existence. Ah, such are the ways of life. Be strong or die hard.

 

Deep within the Dune Sea, like a spark of civilization trying to flourish in the desolate barrens, lied the homely Lambda-Class Shuttle Eternal Chains. Alongside it rested four desert camoflauge tents of canvas housing Howlrunner, Lomo, his sordid crew of Zygerian Slavers and of course, their pitiful slaves. Their purpose here was to fight Howlrunner against a rancor in a well-anticipated match at a local Hutt kingpin's lair. Howlrunner knew all about the hardships the two Twi'lek Female servants had to endure. His father made sure that he witnessed the violence that the women were subjected to. He happened to know the pains of being a slave to. For he was one.

 

Well, in a way he was; the stuncuffs and collar indicated his subjugation on the outside. But those who only look on the surface are fools, Howlrunner was much more than a slave. Lomo and his crew failed to realize that after the years they fought him in the inhumane, bloody duels of death against the equally bestial creatures of the Outer-Rim. They failed to realize that slavery was what he wanted. And that Lomo was expendable.

 

Lomo didn't see that, Howlrunner sneered beneath the large howlrunner skull donned on his head. While the fool and a good portion of his crew were harassing the two Twi'leks by the campfire, Howlrunner sat at the edge of the camp, pretending to sleep. It was not unusual for Howlrunner to sleep sitting up, it was simply how he slept. But on this cold bitter night, he did not sleep.

 

No one could tell that though, beneath the menacing howlrunner skull he wore on his savaged visage. The eye sockets of the skull just over his own, leaving his shining emerald green eyes in shadow. A series of jagged scars and the bashed-in chin of his were the only things that weren't covered by the helm of bone. That and the foot long stream of grungy red hair that poured out of the back. The tattered, worn dusty brown rags and loincloth he wore extenuated his appearance as an unthinking beast. The former was a deception but the latter was not. Howlrunner was the epitome of a beast.

 

He waited for the right moment to attack. And that was drawing near. The drunk Lomo and his men were busy fondling the poor Twi'leks. That meant they were distracted. Howlrunner slowly reached for the massive vibrosword that lay in front of him. Almost as tall as him, the strong cortisis weave blade weighed about half his own. Lomo wasn't particularly bright in letting Howlrunner keep the sword close at hand, but Howlrunner concluded that the man thought he could activate those stuncuffs to prevent him from doing anything. Howlrunner let a soft chuckle escape his lips. Poor man he doesn't think things through does he?

 

Leering like a predator at his prey, Howlrunner decided. It was time.

 

Lomo and his men didn't know what happened until it was too late. Like a blur, Howlrunner snatched his blade and leapt towards the camp fire that was naught but several meters away. He swung the blade overhead letting the momentum crash down on one of the six goons that were present. His head was decapitated without resistance against the mighty weapon.

 

The group was still in shock. Howlrunner could see their eyes widen with fear. Another man next to him quickly reached for his vibroblade but never made it. Howlrunner cut him in half with a horizontal swing. Crimson sprayed everywhere covering Howlrunner and his two dismembered victims. Their lifeless corpses slumped helplessly to the ground and beneath his skull, Howlrunner sneered.

 

Everyone else was on the other side of the fire and they all had drawn their vibroblades except for the slaves. They simply held themselves and cried in fear. Lomo frantically searched his leather vest for the corresponding remote for the stuncuffs. The fool must've left it in his tent! Oh pity, why was I stuck with such fools?!

 

The remaining four goons, armored with obsidian colored durasteel dashed at Howlrunner from both sides of the fire; two flanking each side. Their following lunges were too much for Howlrunner to defend against and was overpowered by the onslaught of knives. Searing pain ripped through his body as jagged knife after knife cut through his torso. Pain was merely discomfort to Howlrunner, however, and all it indicated that he was still alive.

 

He countered their onslaught with one of his own. Swinging overhead, underhand, horizontal and vertical, Howlrunner made a frenzied attempt to keep the four at bay. One man was utterly crushed by the force of his blows and crumpled to the ground gasping for air. The gasps were unrewarded for the unfortunate man and soon he went limp.

 

Now it was a standstill, the surviving three glared at the beast. Howlrunner returned their loathsome stare.

 

Behind them was Lomo, wearing only a dark brown leather vest and trousers of the same hue. Surprisingly he did not look absolutely terrified but more pleased with Howlrunner's actions.

 

Jal Kora. He spat with disgust. Howlrunner recoiled slightly at the use of his real name. It sickened him the surname Kora was used as a curse on his homeworld of Zygeria. The Kora family was not liked even a little bit. Lomo paused as to think of his words and continued, I am not quite sure what to do with you now.

 

He the copper taste of blood filled his mouth as he responded, You won't do anything Lomo. You are an ignorant fool and no nothing, that much is evident. That is why you deserve to die.

 

Wasting no time, Howlrunner swing his blade vertically in an underhand attack and sliced one of the goons in half. The agonizing scream that followed was not of his latest victim but of the two survivors. Knowing that close combat was too dangerous for them, they hurled their daggers straight at Howlrunner's exposed body. He could do nothing but try to evade the four flying daggers. And he did. Well for two at least, the other two pierced his chest and the other one shattered his shoulder blade and bounced off. As a result he lost all feeling in his right arm and dropped the massive blade he wielded.

 

Letting out a bestial roar, Howlrunner snatched the dagger from his chest and stabbed one of his opponents directly in the eye. The white pearl burst in an explosion of clear fluid and blood! The opponent dropped to his knees and brought his hands to wear the dagger lay engraved into his eye. Despite his wounds he was not dead, though he wouldn't pose a threat for a while

 

Focusing his attention on the last, Howlrunner lunged like an animal towards his foe and stabbed his left hand into the mans throat and ripped out his esophagus. Like the previous, the man fell to the sand.

 

He stepped over their bodies and advanced on Lomo. He could see that the initial panic return to the man's expression. Sweat drenched his clothes and forehead. It was truly a pathetic sight. All the man wore was a dark brown bantha hide vest and trousers of similar material. He had an old frail build which was unusual for the physically fit Zygerians. Especially for someone his age as well, Lomo was only thirty standard years old. His hair was balding so there was not much left of the bright red hair typical for Zygerians. His wiry moustache and long goatee gave him the look of a merchant, which was fitting for the slaver. In his hands were a pair of obsidian vibroblades turned on and ready to strike. The fear in his eyes sent a sensation through Howlrunner that he only got when he hunted his pray. It was a beautiful feeling.

 

Before you die, I will tell you why. You kid-napped me Lomo for me to be your slave. Anyone could see that I was against it but the truth is I wasn't. All those times you said I needed you whenever you would beat me, they were in fact true. I needed you then to escape that hell hole of a planet. And in during my time, I found my calling. Among the howlrunners. But you never saw past my charade, of me pretending to be a foul beast. I am much more than that Lomo. But you didn't see it. Therefore I conclude that you cannot train me to my full potential. Now I do not need you, you are expendable. Your ship and your credits will belong to me now. That speech took a lot of Howlrunner, but it needed Lomo to understand the truth before he could kill him. The blood loss from his wounds were growing graver by the minute and if he didn't get those wounds treated soon, they would prove to be fatal.

 

The donning of realization came to Lomo and the truth horrified him even more. In a desperate attempt to live, he rushed Howlrunner. Flinging his blades wildly, Lomo attacked Howlrunner. Any fool could see the attack coming from a mile away and Howlrunner backed away out of range as Lomo came closer and closer.

 

Between one of Lomo's attacks, Howlrunner stepped forward and did a hammer kick to his foe's right hand, effectively knocking the blade out of his hand. However, the attack left Howlrunner vulnerable and Lomo counter-striked with a stab to the heart. Luckily, Lomo's aim was off and the vibroblade slid painfilly into his gut instead and was left there. That was what Howlrunner wanted, his opponent was not unarmed and the vibroblade he knocked away had landed on the ground before Lomo. If Lomo was even more stupid than Howlrunner suspected, he would bend down to pick the vibroblade up. Otherwise he would understand the trap he fell into. He didn't bend over but instead began to speak

I will not die so easily, scum. Your father tried the same thing. I knew him and we were friends for a time. ”˜Till he disgraced himself by having you. How could someone even want to bear a child with a slave? You answer me that!

 

My mother”¦ Howlrunner felt the rage build up within his soul, was far better than any Zygerian. You disgust me Lomo. My father disgusts me. Zygeria will know my vengeance one day I vow to you.

 

Then an idea came to him as he glanced at the wounded men still striving to live. He wouldn't kill Lomo outright. He'd give him the chance to live but he had to earn it. He expressed his idea to Lomo, who in response just sneered mockingly.

 

Right”¦like you have my life in your hands anyways.

 

Howlrunner just smiled underneath his bone helmet. This dialogue served as a distraction. Now with Lomo's guard down, Howlrunner unleashed a flurry of fists on Lomo's face. Bruises, dents and scratches as a result from his razor sharp nails marred Lomo's once clean face. In surprise the vile man dropped his other vibroblade. Howlrunner dropped Lomo to the ground and wailed on the man until he started crying like a little baby.

 

Almost vomiting in contempt for the man, Howlrunner left him to die. After stitching up his wounds with a medpac found on the Eternal Chains, Howlrunner left the camp and into the desert. The only remains of this chapter of his life were the dying screams of the slavers. As for the slaves, he freed them. Unshackling the stuncuffs that bound them to the wretched Lomo. Though their terror made them edgy, he could sense their gratitude for what he had done.

 

With the Lomo and the camp behind he head to the nearest town Mos Eisely. Howlrunner knew the Dune Sea was a dangerous place and thought to bring his massive vibrosword with him. Pain still ached throughout his body from the stitched wounds but at least they weren't fatal anymore.

 

He'd come back to grab the Eternal Chains. And maybe by some miracle Lomo and his goons were still alive. If they indeed were, Howlrunner decided that he would let them kill him for it was a stupid idea to keep them alive in the first place but deep down he predicted that the Zygerian slavers won't make it.

 

Howlrunner despised stupidity and made a clear example of that.

 

He found the town after a long, quiet journey across the Dune Sea and after a much shorter search found a cantina. He could hear violent roars and cheers of laughter emanating from the rustic building. Sword on his back, he entered the establishment.

[Maeltalrin]

Finally, after what seemed like many hours, he answerd softly "I'm sorry...I can't. I can't even protect myself yet." He stood up slowly and wiped his face with the towel sitting next to the plate.

 

"But...you're a Jedi. You even have your lightsaber. You have to help me."

 

A smile flashed across his face. "No, I am not. I'm training to become a sith. I just...have had a little bit of a bad experince so far. So...you see...while I want to help I also want to just leave with my full stomach. Thank you very much and I will remember your kindness, at a later point that is."

 

He turned on heel and walked to the door. A moment before the boys mans hand touched the knob, he felt hands wrap around his feet. "Please Talrin...You must help me otherwise they will kill me."

 

The feeling came out of nowhere and so did the power. With his yell came the force. As the first letter of the word formed on his tounge, she flew back and was held to the wall as by invisible shackles. "NO! I do not have to do anything for anyone. Perhaps had you not told me that you were using me I could have helped. You were the first person in my life to actually do something nice."

 

At this point her hands went to her throat and she turned darker, as if her air was cut off.

 

"But no, you had to say something stupid. Why can't people ever do something nice for someone out of pure kindness. That would be way to simple. There always has to be Quid Pro Quo. Well...i'm done being used and I will be the one using people from this point on."

 

At this point she went limp and he realized what he did.

 

Her body lay on the floor, slumped over after falling down.

 

With a tear running down his cheek, he walked out into the morning light and took a long walk.

 

(sorry for how long it was since my last post. I'm finally out of training now and am at my unit. I work normal hours and will be able to make real posts for anyone interested in joining in a story line. Message me and once again sorry.)

[Alora]

The Sundered Heart emerged from hyperspace above the sandy planet of Tattooine. Alora stretched out her senses, locating the one she sought. Pinpointing his location, she took her ship down, landing not far from where he was.

 

Touching his mind, she beckoned him towards her... moving to lean on her landing gear below her ship as she waited for him.

[Maeltalrin]

Stopping dead in his tracks he froze. No way...it can't be... Feeling this presence before and havint to find out for himself he made his way to the feeling. Thoughts raced of how this could be a trap or maybe it was the heat or his guilty conscience.

 

He reached the ship and just stared. His emotions were very mixed. Was she really wanting to continue training him after such a long time. Hadn't she forgotten him or found someone better?

 

With much hesitation he climbed the ramp and boreded the shit.

[Alora]

Alora grinned as he boarded her ship, following him inside. As they reached the living area of the ship, she turned to face him.

 

"Miss me?"

 

She looked him over, finding the young man before her in a confused state.

 

"You're wondering why I didn't come and find you before. I was... delayed. Happens when you become a ghost for a time. It took a while before the cloning process was activated. I had been watching you though my dear."

 

She pointed towards the small corridor that led to the living quarters. An open door indicated the one she had set for him to use. On the bunk was his black collar with red crystal embedded into it and a sith apprentice tunic and robe.

[Maeltalrin]

He stared at her for a while, silent while he thought.

 

"Yes, I had wonderd but someone had told me you were killed. He also said something about you comming back, but only in passing was it mentiond." He walks slowly towards the door to the room but doesn't fully go in. "See...i'm not to sure about this now, it's been a while and i've developed on my own pretty well. I know it wont be like you could do....but...what do I have to gain if I become your little sith slave."

 

He used the force to pull the collar to him and looked it over with a flicker in his eye. He let it fly around his hand a few times before sending back to its resting spot.

 

"And to answer your question about missing you...yes..for the first few months you're all I could think about and I dont know why. I had the worst experience of my life during this time we have been apart. Although learning what I have has had it's rewards, I dont know if i would want to do it again. Be it with or without you. Why do you still want me as an apprentice?"

[Alora]

"Because I promised I'd train you... if you still wanted me to that is?"

 

The young Sith Master smiled at him, looking younger than she had before, because of having been cloned by DNA taken when she'd been eighteen instead of twenty-four.

 

"We'll head to Cardia. If you decide you don't want my training, you can go your own way from there. Otherwise, we shall continue your training. I will warn you that it won't be what you'd expect. It will be hard. I leave it up to you if you wish to continue"

 

She left him to think about it while she headed to the cockpit of her ship. After running through her preflight checks once more, she lifted off, heading back to where she had left her other apprentice, on his hunting task.

[Maeltalrin]

The smile puzzled him. This wasn't the stern Sith Master that had started to train him all that time ago. She was...less...less something. Talrin coudln't quite place it though. Once she left he walked into the room she had laid out for him.

 

He looked through the clothes and found some that fit and changed into them. Wheather or not he accepted her offer he was going to get some kool clothes out of it. Perhaps the day wouldn't be a total loss.

 

He turned the proposal over in his head before the ship lifted off of the ground. He laid on his back on the bed, sending the collar around the room and making it do flips.

 

"Honestly, what could be better then moving anything you want with an unseen force? Perhaps there is more, or just this. Being alone all the time does suck though. Hmmm......Travel alone, stay weak, and always be in a rut. ...Or, travel with a beautiful female, gain power, have anything I want at my fingertips."

 

The collar found it's way around his neck with a simple thought from the "apprentice". He wasn't sure why but he knew before she gave him the choice that no matter what it would come down to this. The best he could do is roll with it for now. If things ever got to bad he could just run.

 

Standing on his feet he slowly looked for the way to the control room. He might as well learn how to fly something like this. It could come in handy later.

 

Once he finally made it to the cock pit he stood behind his master and didn't make a sound. He watched everything she did, studying it intently. He would use her as much as he could and perhaps not have to hurt her...maybe even a friendship would come out of it.

[MSA]

((Whoa, what a coincident.... the last post was on my birthday. Cool ))

 

A small LAF-250 exited hyperspace above Tatooine, housing two Jedi, a Master Nom Anorus and his Padawan learner, Scorpio Armegedon. It was a bright day as usual for the planet of Tatooine, though a swift and pleasant breeze whipped across it's sand. Landing near a familiar burnt home, Scorpio jumped out and stood beside the ship, turning to his Master who was now beside him.

 

"I know Jedi are not supposed to have attachments and are encouraged to live without them," Scorpio said, wondering and hoping Master Nom would agree to his request, "But i do request that my trials take place here in front of my parent's grave. I would like to do this in honor of them as well to allow them to witness it in a way. After all, it was their wishing that made me who i am today, a Jedi."

 

Scorpio face blushed a abnormal red at the request, which could be mistaken as being from the heat if one thought that Scorpio was not from Tatooine, though Nom would know different. The reason young Scorpio had blushed at the request was because of it's unusualness, for not many would ask this, but Scorpio felt it would be his way to show them honor and thanks for instilling his urge to succeed where they had failed.

 

But also, Scorpio felt it would bring him closer to the force and relieve him of what had happen, a new beginning of sorts. The only thing that would remain of his past would be the darkness within him that he would have to one day face, and this would be the only way to do it, or atleast the only way Scorpio knew of. He turned to look over the graves that still stood near his old home, wondering if they would indeed be watching, before turning back to Nom. "So, where do we begin?"

[Nom Anor's avenger]

Nom emerged from his padawan's ship, a smile blatent on his face. Despite the heat that Tatooine could produce, it seemed the breeze countered it beautifully. The Jedi Master accompanied his apprentice to a small area, obviously hidden from obviously view. Nom pondered for a moment as his apprentice asked his request.

 

His thoughts momentarily took him to the surface of Courscant, its sidewalks embelished in destruction. It would take Nom a life time to find his parents there, baried beneath tons of ash and metal. Their grave was dug by Faust when he leveled Coruscant all that time ago. His eyes narrowed slightly as he bid the Force to rid anger seeping into him.

 

A beautiful pillar of light shot into existance as Nom's lightsaber came to life, symbollically granting the young man's request.

 

"This will be you last duel as a padawan. If you live, you shall be a Jed Knight."

 

Nom's words faded into the past as he charged his apprentic for the last time.

[MSA]

"If i should live?" Scorpio thought to himself as Nom charged, wondering what he had gotten himself into this time. Scorpio half expected this duel, though he had no idea that it would be a possible death scenerio. But Scorpio knew Nom was doing this for his own good, and surely he wouldn't kill him. This was, after all, a test to see if Scorpio was indeed ready.

 

As Nom neared, Scorpio brought his arms across his stomach and pulled out both lightsabers, the orange blades snapping to with a errie hiss. The young Apprentice charged at his Master, running across the sands of Tatooine toward the man with such speed and agility, his blades out to his sides, melting the sand and leaving smoke trails behind him as he went. Nearing Nom, Scorpio slung his blades toward Nom, their blade's meeting and clashing in a specatcular show of parks, as Scorpio's blades crossed one another.

 

Scorpio stepped back, using the force in an attempt to shove Nom backwards away from him. It worked, giving the Apprentice the needed time to mount a solid attack. Scorpio charged again, this time pulling the force to him and releasing it underneath his feet to give him a boost as he jumped into a spin. Slinging his right foot around, he aimed for Nom's jaw as he came around and down, but it failed as he simply soared pass his Master, back onto the ground, landing gently onto his feet.

 

Scorpio turned to meet his Master's gaze. He wondered quietly why his Master hadn't shown much an attack as of yet. It was possible that maybe he was wanting to see how Scorpio attacked, giving him the upperhand to push the young Apprentice's limits. But as Scorpio turned back to Nom after looking away just a moment, something catching his eye off in the distance, it appeared to him that Nom may be mounting his attack as well.

 

Scorpio shifted his weight to his left foot, placing the left behind him, his right to his front, readying his defense. Deactivating his lightsaber he held in left hand, he placed it behind his back with his backhand pressed against his kidney area, the blade emitter turned upward. Scorpio reached out to Nom through the force and spoke, his words merely out of friendly competetion.

 

"Come and get you some"

[Nom Anor's avenger]

Nom watched silently as his apprentice sailed over his head. His knees bent just enough to allow the young man passage of the Jedi Master's wavering hair. He brought his hand forward, digging his palm beneath the sand to steady himself. The Jedi Master lifted his head slightly and got fully to his feet. He stood, lightsaber in hand facing his pupil with a curt smile plastered on his face. For, unbenownst to the young man, sat a second lightsaber now being baried beneath the folds of Tatooine's sand.

 

Don't mind if I do, Nom thought, his own expression equally arrogant (in a light side loving Jedish sort of way).

 

In a spectacular vision of acrobatics and somewhat showmanship, Nom hurled himself into the air, letting the currents of the Force carry him to the open sky. The Jedi Master's rather blatent manuver positioned him directly behind his padawan, causing the young man to turn around. He faced a brilliant pillar of green light as Nom's lightsaber flourished into existance. His blade went to work as it spun a web of energy into the air as the Jedi Master weaved attack after attack into the patteren.

 

If felt rather awkward attacking at such a rate. Being an avid user of Form III, Nom was more accustomed to defense, waiting for the perfect moment to lash into the offensive. Yet the desired goal of accessment required a rather blatent change form the norm.

 

As Scorpio matched stirke for strike, meters away, the folds of sand began to twitch as a small metal object started to shake. Nom half pressing his attack further, half concentrating on his other endevor, felt his second lightsaber rise confidently into the air's open arms. He could feel the Force wrap its power around the object, its long tendrils nestling tightly around it. They started to stretch, building a strong amount of potential energy. As if cut by a pair of scissors spawned by the Force, the Jedi Master launched his deadly trap. His crimson blade ignited in mid flight as it flew from its makeshift sling shot. It soared closer and closer to its target with each passing gust of wind...

 

 

Test number one..., Nom thought rather desperately as he delivered a particulary power strike as his trap closed in...

[MSA]

Scorpio's senses went haywire as somthing totally unexpected shot out the sands of Tatooine toward the the apprentice, barely giving Scorpio the time to defend himself properly. He brought his left arm back around, activating the saber that laid in his left hand just seconds before the blade connected, the crimson and orange blades meeting in it's midflight. Scorpio now stood sideways, his right saber facing Nom, his left toward his back at the crimson saber which he had knocked to the ground.

 

"Interesting" Scorpio thought to himself as he mounted another attack toward Nom. Pushing Nom back again with a slight force push, Scorpio pondered back to the first few moments of the duel. It seemed neither Jedi could actually overpower the other's natural instincts, though Nom automatically had the upper hand as he was a Jedi Master. This surprised Scorpio more than it would Nom, though still it should surprise Nom to say the least.

 

As the duel continued, Scorpio found an opening, landing a blow to Nom's back of the left knee and a elbow to Nom's head, surely dazing the Jedi Master, even if just for a few seconds. Scorpio back flipped to a few meters away, sweat dripping from his face onto the saber that laid in his right hand, steam erupting from it like small smoke signals from one indian tribe to another. Scorpio threw his left lightsaber into the air, gripping it with the force, sending it barreling in a clockwise spin toward Nom.

 

But alas, it was simply used as a distraction while Scorpio charged toward Nom, the other orange lightsaber stuck out toward his Master. Scorpio's feet sunk beneath the sands of Tatooine as he ran toward Nom, causing a tad bit more strain on the young Padawan as he neared his Master. The other orange saber struck Nom's green lightsaber, and turned to come back to Scorpio. But as Nom turned back to his Apprentice, to his amazement would find him nearly three feet away as Scorpio spun a kick into his Master's chest.

 

Scorpio stepped back, feeling it was time for one more Lightsaber form, one his Master once instructed him to learn how to control as Nom had no experiance in it. Scorpio grabbed both sabers and connected them at the bottem of each hilt, forming a duel lightsaber. The apprentice dug his feet down under the sand, buckling down for Nom's next attack, the duel saber placed behind him in his right hand. Scorpio simply grinned at Nom, trying to make his Master wonder.

[Nom Anor's avenger]

The boy's good, I'll give him that. Nom's smile never left as he painfully rubbed his aching chin. The Jedi Master had gotten over the gut blow soon enough, yet his padawan's particular romp to the chin seemed to have cracked something. It stung for a moment.

 

Nom sized up his opponent as the man connected both lighstabers, forming a rather imposing staff. Orange beams protruded from each end, fadding into the heated sands of Tatooine rather nicely. Within a moment, Nom's second lightsaber flew to his hand, igniting upon impact. Three colors thrummed softly in the warm heat as the action paused momentarily. It was time to see just how far Scorpio had come with that thing. The Jedi Master himself had never found a liking for the staff, its clunky nature providing quite a difficult task for defense.

 

Scorpio, apparently realizing the same fact rushed on the offensive. Nom tore into his defensive bravado as red and green rushed together to form what seemed like an impenetrable Christmas themed wall. The Jedi Master's form III baracade met considerable force as Scorpio's powerful staff slammed into it on countless occasions. As Nom began to give ground once more, the Force worked within him. It felt as if a mad river system tore through his insides as dams opened and closed, channeling the light side's radiance to where ever it was needed the most.

 

With a blinding flash of light, Nom suddenly duplicated several times. Within mere moments, six Jedi Masters now faced his unwavering apprenice. The Force held heavily in the atmosphere as Nom's illusion fermentated into the air.

 

Words seemed to fill the air as the Force broadcasted them to Scorpio. "Find the right one before its too late." All six Noms wasted no time with taunting as they flung themselves into the middle of the circle. Only one lightsaber out of the bunch could actually hurt Scorpio, yet the impending danger, despite the illusion, was all too real.[/i]

[MSA]

Scorpio charged toward Nom, spinning and slinging the duel lightsaber in a rhythmic dance as he neared his Master. It was true that Scorpio was nowhere near mastering the duel lightsaber form, but he could surely hold his own with it. After all, when he had the time, he had practiced the form over and over again, just as Nom had instructed him to do. It proved that Nom was wise on that very instruction as it came in handy as the staff's blades connected with Nom's.

 

But then something happened, something that Scorpio definitely was not expecting as now before him appeared six of his Master. The confused Scorpio stood there, totally surrounded by the duplicates of his Master, unsure as what he was to do, or even who was the real one. Sweat dripped from Scorpio's brows, the salty water mixing with the tears of his eyes as they flowed into the padawan's eyes, slighly burning as he stood there searching for his real Master.

 

"Find the right one before its too late."

 

As soon as these words were spoken, the six Noms imploded it's circle around the padawan, causing Scorpio to panic slightly, still unsure as to which Nom was the real Nom. But then it struck Scorpio, the padawan slunching down into a crouch, his head nearly inches above the ground, his lightsaber placed behind his back, his grip loosened and it's palm facing upward. Feeling for the force around him, taking in what he needed, he lifted the saber centimeters above his palm, spinning the blades in a circular motion to meet the others.

 

Scorpio knew the fake blades wouldn't strike his own, but Nom's would. Feeling the blades connect the real Nom's lightsaber, his hand gripping the blade as he rose, Scorpio rose to meet his Master's true gaze. Surely Nom would have been surprised by Scorpio's ingenuity, especially because of it's simplicity. The padawan spoke to his Master.

 

"Not a bad trick if i do say so myself, Master. It actually had me going there for a moment."

 

Scorpio words were followed by a slight chuckle and a wink to his Master, but Scorpio soon stepped back into an offensive stance. He charged toward Nom, but this time, he disconnected the blades as he charged, going into a spin, each blade following the other in a slight shadow effect line as they neared Nom.

[Nom Anor's avenger]

So he was coming at Nom with a duel lightsaber form was he? The Jedi Master couldn't openly remember when he had witnessed his padawan attempt such a manuver. Yet if there ever was a time to surprise the Jedi Master, this was certainly it. Four lightsabers crashed as they spun, whirlled, and sizzled through the heated tatooinian atmosphere. Small sparks of impact accompanied this dance as Scorpio contiued to work against Nom's defense. Unfortunately for the young man, duel wielding form three lightsaber combat is what Nom felt most comfortable in doing. He could feel the Force flowing through him, touching his sabers in a way that directed him towards Scorpio's next move. The Force felt like life, its coursing radiance soothing him. He felt like a dying plant who has finally recieved water after decades of desperate waiting.

 

In fact, Nom was enjoying the combat so much, he closed his eyes. He could fell the Force trickle over his vision as supernatural perception took hold of his wavering humanity. The world seemed to explode into realization all over again as each particle of sand took on a whole new form of indivisdualism. If Nom wanted too, and had the time, he could name each one.

 

The rushing impact of lightsaber against lightsaber fueld him as he continued to give ground. He could feel the strain intensify as Scorpio's attacks lost strength with each passing moment. Such was the problem with inexperiance, even the most promising students needed time to build their endurence. The fact that Nom was using form III lightsaber combat did nothing to help. Time for one last trick, Nom thought.

 

It was time to see just how powerful Scorpio was in the Force. For if he survived this next attack, he would attain the rank of Jedi Knight. With a loud and defening yell, fields of pure untarnished light sprang forth from oblivion. The Force carried its destructive effects as its sheering power tore through Scorpio's widened eyes. The attack instantly blinded him, sending his world into a pitch black abyss. The nature of the attack rendered the victom blind only temporarily. It was time to see if Scorpio could fend off an attack when he truly was at a disadvantage.

 

Nom charged full on, using the Force yet again to diminish any sounds he created. He was a silent shadow, creeping up on his prey. Scorpio could no longer see or hear the man, only the Force could save him now.

 

((I want I nice descriptive post here. Have fun with this one.))

[MSA]

Scorpio flinched in pain as the bright light burst forth from nowhere, blinding the Apprentice of all sight. The blackness clouded his vision, and for the longest, his hearing as well, or so he thought. Dropping both lightsabers Scorpio grabbed his face, trying to cover his eyes as they began to tear up from the sudden blast of light.

 

"Hopefully though", he thought, "It's only temporarily."

 

But Scorpio soon found his hearing was still good to go as the soft and sometimes sweet humming emitted from his still struck lightsabers, giving him the chance to reguard himself from attack. But it was strange, not being able to hear the sand crunching under Nom's feet as he moved around, bringing a tad bit of fear into young padawan.

 

But then Scorpio remembered something, something his mother would show his blind miraluka sister.

 

"When facing something unknown like a non force user or droid, where your force sight cannot see" She would say, "Simply feel for them in the wind or through a simple heartbeat."

 

Scorpio knew if this was a test, Nom would dampen his sounds, even his own heartbeat, so that only left one other choice. Scorpio reached out into the force, searching for their connection, the strong force bond between Master and Apprentice. Although it was only a slim chance, if he found it, it would surely give away Nom's position.

 

And surely, there is was, the connection Scorpio had been looking for, though it only showed faintly."There you are, Master" Scorpio said, turning around to face his shocked Master as Nom charged. "I'm afraid your smell gave you away."

 

Scorpio threw out his hand meeting Nom's charge with a semi-powerful force push, giving the Apprentice time to do something stupid. Scorpio simply turned his saber off and clipped them onto his hips. It was time to show Nom he was ready.

 

Scorpio charged, throwing a force push as he charged toward his Master in a frenzy like motion, increasing his speed and endurance as he went. Sand and wind caused a small rooster tail to form behind Scorpio as he ran, the force channeling itself into the padawan's body as he gave out a call to it.

 

And in one final motion, Scorpio threw his most powerful force push yet at Nom, but with a spin of the hand, it soon became a force whirlwind as it surely consumed his Master. It was a move worthy of Knighting.

 

((Hope i gave you a good one man. I was trying to, but i have a friend who's going through some rough times and it's kinda got me down, so yeah, my posting is down as well.))

[Nom Anor's avenger]

Air whipped around the vacant atmophere as its razor sharp Force-given properties ravaging Nom's armorless body. Small gashes of blood formed around him as its crimson shade tainted the sky. Fortunately, these wounds were not deep, allowing the trained Jedi a chance to regain his barrings. The pain coursed through him, nothing serious, but just enough to spark his feelings into action. The Force rushed through him once more, its powerful jaws gripping the whirlwind still swirling around him. The once strenious winds seemed like a relaxing breeze as the powerful Jedi Master released the energy now infusing the air. All was quiet as silence took hold, beating the whirlwind into submission.

 

This all encompassing silence soon shattered however, as a flagrant Jedi Master rushed through the broken plain of Tatooinian sand. Green and red pillars of light soon clashed with orange as lightsabers locked once again. Anorus moved like a whilrwind himself, his blades lighting up the atmosphere like neon lights. Nom brought his green lightsaber into a horizontal slash, aimed for the neck of his apprentice. At the same time however, his crimon blade rushed vertically towards the Orange lightsaber handle now looking to block Nom's initial right handed attack. The three blades made impact at somewhat of an awkward angle, making it quite difficult for Scorpio to keep hold. The result proved true as his lightsaber spiraled out of his hand.

 

Nom made quick work with the other as he proceeded to plant a rather decisive kick in his padawan's stomach. Rather than letting the Jedi regain balence, Nom followed with his left foot, skillfully knocking his other lightsaber out of his hand. Nom stood motionless over his now defenseless apprentice, each starring intently at the other as if their eyes were having a duel of their own.

 

"You fought well Scorpio," Nom said as he visciously planted the butt of his lightsaber into his apprentice's face. Blood spurted everwhere as the boy crumpled to the ground.

 

That was for the whirlwind, Nom thought as a small smile graced his face if only for a moment. It was quickly replaced with a stern face, carved from the stone of intensity. "That was the last hit you took as a Jedi Padawan. You now rise, a Jedi Knight....If you have the strength that is."

[MSA]

"So young..... so angry,....Damn that space rap music!."

 

Scorpio picked himself off the ground, brushing the sand off away from armored robes and whiping the blood that now dripped from his mouth.

 

"Yeah, i happened to research the knight classes awhile back, and i was thinking of becoming a Jedi Sentinel. With all that has happened in both my lightsaber combat skills and the force, it seemed to be leading me down that path."

 

But as Nom began to reply to Scorpio's theroy of what class the force had started him down, a familiar beeping could be heard coming from within the battered and burnt House of Armegedon, T3 & HK both appearing miraculously as Scorpio neared it to investigate. How they had survived Haruun Kal was unbeknownst to the newly appointed Jedi Knight, but surely, here they stood unharmed and on Tatooine.

 

"How did ya'll escape?"

 

"Clarification: During the attack, T3 had us go aboard one of the Black Sun vessels, hidden within one of it's containers. When it landed on Coruscant at their citidel, we managed to sneak out and hitched a ride to Tatooine. We knew you would return here."

 

Scorpio was surprised. He didn't know T3 was capable of that much, or the fact that HK would follow him that far, but the two droids seemed to have done it. Scorpio looked over at Nom, motioning Nom's head toward the two in disbelief. But before another word could be said, T3 began to beep, zip, and whurl in a hystericle mixture of droid speak.

 

"What's up with you little man?"

 

"Beep, boop, zip, beep, whurl, beep, beep"

 

"What did he say, HK?"

 

"Clarification: He said that he has something to show you. During you duel with Master Nom, we over heard his last words before you arose. Something the Masters gave him before that night. He said he was supposed to show it to you after you were knighted. It's why we came here to wait for you."

 

"Well?.... you going to show me T3?"

 

Before another word could be said, T3's front panel dropped, revealing a small holovid. Taking it out, Scorpio placed it upon the sand, activating it. His father appeared and began to speak.

 

"Scorpio, let me to be the first to congradulate you on your Knighting. Now i know some things may be unclear about what happened, and i want to assure you that we knew that day would come. It was only a matter of time before your mother's brother would find us, and punish us for our crimes. You were just an innocent that became involved in it, and we were glad it turned how it did, as you are now a Jedi and have one of the better understandings on how the darkside attacks. It made you a better person because of it, and we are proud to be your parents."

 

His father went silent, turning to nod Scorpio's mother into the holovid beside him. A tear could be seen strolling down the Knight's face, the sight of his mother's face tearing at him inside. But something else within Scorpio could be seen as well, it's aura becoming a bright blue, a inner peace being found in their sight and words.

 

Scorpio had found his redemption that day, and more so, he found his self. And as he stared at the two, realized that the image that he now stood in was the same as his father's, silver hair and all. Only difference was Scorpio had his mother's face. Their use of the force on Scorpio must have had something to with it. Whiping the tear from his face, Scorpio listened even closer as his mother began to speak.

 

"Your father was working on something to go with his armor, a shield of sorts. It's an 12 foot artifical intelligence wing, capable to blocking any attack from saber or blaster, and leave a pretty large mark when it connects with a body. We wish for you to have it, and use it against the Sith, and give them a taste of their own medicine. You will find it on Coruscant at the Jedi temple in your father's room. It'll be in the locker labeled "The Shield of Armegedon" with only you having access to it. You will know the passcode."

 

His mother's tone was harsh as she finished her words, a slight darkness could felt in her words, as she turned for just a second. But then she turned back, her normal side showing.

 

"Ohh, and yes dear Scorpio, you sister is alive. We would have hidden her where you found those armored robes of your father's you now wear, only a lightsided force user would know how access it, so we had someone come afterwards to pick you up as well as your sister. I am sorry it had to happen this way my son, but it all worked out for the best. May the force be with you, and know we'll always love you. And thanks for giving us the honor of watching your duel with Nom for the rank of Jedi Knight. It means more than you know, Nom."

 

It ended, T3 scooping up the holovid and placing it back into his front panel before closing it's hatch behind it. Scorpio was truely in shock after hearing his mother's words, as he had never seen her like that.

 

"What?.... how?...... why?....uhh?"

 

Scorpio plopped down, not knowing what to say, think, or even do, as he lingered into total confusion. Scorpio looked at Nom, as if asking either "Slap me, please" or "where am i?", but that soon disappeared as Scorpio touched into the force, finding what sense he had left and settled his mind. Finally making sense of everything he turned to Nom.

 

"Up for a hunt for this shield?"

[Durose Roshan]

Turning off the engine as the dust settled around them, Victoria slowly exited the vehicle.

 

She turned to Ganelon.

 

"Well, this is it. The coordinates I was given."

 

Victoria glanced around at the old seemingly vacant sand building. Walking up the steps, she knocked twice and then waited.

 

A few seconds later a voice from inside yelled, "Who is it?"

 

Victoria looked down at the words on the napkin.

 

"A friend about a toad."

 

A few seconds later, the door was pulled open and a Weequay greeted them. Moving aside for them to enter, Victoria brushed by the alien as she moved into the vacant waiting room. Following as the Weequay's gesture, Victoria took a seat on the dusty sandy colored wall extrusion that constituted a couch. Meanwhile, the Weequay headed up the stairs.

 

Crossing her legs, Victoria waited.

 

"This should be interesting. I don't think I've been here before. How ya feeling? Those drink's haven't caught up with you yet have they?" Victoria questioned teasingly.

[Ganelon of Seneferia]

Ganelon slumps into a seat on the couch, shaking his head, only now feeling the slightest bit of a buzz. "It takes a lot more than that to do me in," he laughs, surveying his surroundings, his eyes once more belaying a shrewdness that anyone giving him a first glance would not have suspected.

 

"Cozy place," he notes, "Reminds me of the time I had to deal an arms shipment from my old employer on the down and low to the Chancellory of K'irand'E during an insurrection in the system." He gives a faint smile at that, taking the time to brush the sand off his coat and doublet. "Didn't often do jobs like that, but I did enough to pick up a few tricks of the trade, though I still think your boss could teach me a few things." He clutches the side of his head, thinking. "It occurs to me that if the Hutts have run afoul the Imperials on Tatooine, pursuading them to pick up on Coruscant should be relatively easy," he whispers under his breath, his lips scarecly moving. "It's neutral territory at least, should have some more profitable business opportunities, and," he adds with a half smile, "they can avoid this blasted heat."

[Durose Roshan]

Victoria nodded.

 

"Tatooine isn't much my style either. The heat can get unbearable at times."

 

Coming down from above, a man dressed in a black pinstriped suit trotted down the stairs. Followed by two rodians, the man approached Ganelon and Victoria and bowed slightly.

 

His Imperial (British) accent shown through as he spoke, "Greetings to my humble abode. I hear you are looking for a toad."

 

"Yes. We were hoping to locate the Hutts, seeing as their palace has been destroyed."

 

Nodding, the gentlemen begin to pace thoughtfully, "You see. I find that quite interesting. The Hutts you say? What could you possibly want with the Hutts?"

 

"To speak with them, of course. What else would we want with the Hutts?"

 

"I don't know.... maybe to say... KILL THEM!"

 

At his words the man and the two rodians drew their weapons while Victoria reflexively rose to her feet and did the same.

 

"You crazy fool! We have no reason whatsoever to hurt the Hutts. We are Link representatives!"

 

"BAH! This man. He has had dealing with the Empire, has he not? Or do you take us as fools?"

 

Victoria glared worriedly at Ganelon and then back at the armed group.

[Ganelon of Seneferia]

Ganelon doesn't even flinch, instead, he clutches his head. "Now I'm starting to get a headache from the drinks, or maybe just the damn foolishness that's afoot here." He leans back, eyes closed. "A cautious move on your part, but if I were from the Empire, by the time your associate at Mos Eisley directed us here, it would have already been too late." He flashes a short grin, his eyes still closed. He gave them a brief moment to ponder the uncertaintly of this situation, then filled in the silence.

 

"As it is, yes, I have had dealings with the Empire, but it would have been at a time when the likes of Lord Wyhl, or Lord Ordeena also found it lucerative to deal with them for weapons, slaves, and the like. At current, I have not worked with the Empire as a business associate in well over a year or more and given my alien characteristics, working for them is is absurd." With that, his eyes open up, and Ganelon gives a slow stretch, placing his hands behind his back.

 

"At this point, we are both working for neutral intermediaries. Does the Link sound familiar? Your organization purchased a fine bit of office space on Coruscant and we're here to see if you're still interested in moving in, which is looking all the more practical given the situation here on Tatooine." He eyes them carefully now, knowing this was the do or die point. Still talking with his brash and insolent confidence, he continues. "Now, as it is, I can see you're interested in protecting your bosses, so we won't bother asking to speak to them. Just tell them to contact Zara, at the Casino, about their rental space on Coruscant. Also, tell them that even if the rest of the galaxy is being... inhospitiable to them... money talks louder than politics and we're interested in doing business."

 

Rising to his feet, he draws himself up to full height, staring down at the trio. "I do believe we've accomplished our mission, Victoria?" he asks in an urbane, gentile voice, firmly turning away from the gunmen. "We'll leave these gentlemen and be on our way back to Mos Eisley. I think we've both earned another drink before we head back to the casino, Mmm?" With that, he extends an elbow for her, intent on not giving the gun welding trio another look.

[Durose Roshan]

At Ganelon's beginning comments, the thug boss found himself looking around nervously. Motioning for one of the rodians to move over to the door, the rodian looked out before turning back the the man. Shaking his head, he returned the the fancily dressed thug's side.

 

As Ganelon mentioned the Link organization, one of the rodian's whispered into the suited man's ear. He raised an eyebrow as he let Ganelon finish. Ganelon's words caught the thugs by surprise.

 

It also caught Victoria by surprise, too. Unsure whether or not she wanted to lower her gun and take his arm, she found herself hesitating for a few seconds before she finally did. Following him outside, She quickly got into the speeder and started the engine. All the while, the silent criminals watched on without making a move.

 

Once on the road back to his vessel, Victoria addressed Ganelon, "I... I don't know what to say. You definitely shut them up. It was scary for a second there, too. I thought we were going to have to fight our way out of there... You did well. You were really good. I don't know what to say."

 

Victoria laughed a little.

 

"I mean, phew, that was a close one."

 

Turning to Ganelon for a second, Victoria smiled, "I guess there is a thing or two I can learn from you, too. Durose was never one for diplomatic negotiations."

 

Victoria laughed a little to herself.

 

"You mind, though, if I take you up on that drink aboard your ship? This heat is killing me."

[Ganelon of Seneferia]

Ganelon doesn't say anything until they are far away, though from the moment he walked back outside into the blistering Tatooine sun, he permitted himself a very broad, wide smirk.

 

"This," he concludes, "is why I usually prefer a higher class of clientel. They'll probably be a bit more cautious about whom they invite back to their hideout from here on out." He looks ahead, trying unsuccessful to spy the city of Mos Eisley in the distance. "Diplomacy isn't hard in a situation like that. They were afraid because they made mistakes. If you use their fear to create an opening to talk, they'll want to believe you, just so everything will be okay when you shut up and leave." He sits up, letting the wind mop his face and forehead. "We'll need to pick up something at the local market. Due to a few... financial considerations.... I've been forced to run a dry ship."

 

After some short haggling with a street vendor for some alcohol, Ganelon walks back to his ship with the ingredients for a Tatooine sunburn, paying for them with the return desposit for the speeder they rented. Shortly there after, the nobleman's ship takes off into space, leaving him oddly satisfied at being back into the game.

 

((To Space Thread))

[Nom Anor's avenger]

Nom listened silently as the message played. Tear's streamed down his former apprentice's face as thoughts of his parents obviously filled his mind. The Jedi Master said nothing however, knowing full well the ordeal of Scorpio's parets were his own ordeal to complete.

 

Contrary to ancient Jedi beliefs, Nom always felt the desire for human relationshps necesarry in order to truly defend them. How could one sacrifice his life to preserve something he himself had never experience? Could he truly know the pain and hurt one feels when his wife fell victom to a Sith's blade?

 

These questions cycled through Nom's mind his entire life as a Jedi. Only now through the wisdom attained by experiance, came a solution and answer to this question. He smiled as Scorpio, no crying to himself, seemed to understand the very thing Nom defined within himself so long ago.

 

The Jedi Master crossed his arms as the message finished. He addressed the Knight before him, his voice filled with a twinge of excitement.

 

"Lead on Scorp."