NationStates Jolt Archive

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Prologue

The Republic has fallen into darkness once again,
Its only supporters fleeing into the bleakness of the Rim,
The Galactic Empire has been Resurrected,
The Jedi Order has been ravaged,
Its survivors have splintered into factions,
Hunted by anyone and everyone.

Yet, even the Empire is not once it once was,
It is contained, rebuilding and consolidating in the galactic north,
Its opponents in the south desperately brace themselves,
For the onslaught that will eventually come.

There exist those brave souls who still fight the good fight,
There are still rebels who believe in liberty and freedom for all.
But the line between good and evil is blurred even in the South,
Tensions are building almost to a climax.

In this new war it is the innocent and the pawn who are hurt the most,
This is the story of one of those pawns,
Who aspires to become something more, something better.

+ + +

Karideph is called the Coruscant of the Rim, and it is a statement that is not without merit. Karideph’s surface is completely covered by cityscape which rises high into the planets atmosphere. The atmosphere itself is thick with smog and pollution caused by the massive industrialization of the planet, the sun itself is blocked out by the think disgusting smog. Karideph is a planet on decline. Throughout the Galactic Civil War Karideph maintained its independence, its militia was a formidable mix of capital ships and fighters, that was at least until the dark times which followed the second fall of The Republic.

Karideph’s economy deepened greatly on trade into the Coreworlds the very same Coreworlds which have been ravaged by the Empire. Trade had declined greatly and the standard of living in Karideph has regressed considerably. The depression has hit hard, the Militia looks as if it had seen better days and any social support given to the workers of the planet had long since been revoked. This planet was not the only to suffer such consequence, it was something repeated on many other core and rim worlds. With the Galactic depression the rich got richer and the poor only got poorer. It was a shitty world where people had to do shitty things just to put food on the table, the prideful often starved and it was the meek who survived.

Deep below the penthouses of the sky scrapers and sky hooks in which the elite lived, there were billions of people who toiled day in and day out, do jobs their betters would cringe at but they were jobs that needed to be done. Below even these laborers were the slums where people lived in poverty, drug cartels, gangs, rapists, and forced labor where the order of the day in the slums it was a hard life which over a billion people lived in. It was a place where the individual did not mater it was a place where one could lose themselves in the masses.

This is precisely the reason Lance Caller was living in the Slums of Karideph but he did not know why he was living there as far back as he could remember before his parents died and his brother disappeared he had lived in the slums. He labored each day in a scrap yard, it was hard labor. The fruit of Lance’s labor was that his short once scrawny body was now hard with muscle. His hands were covered in rough calluses. If one was to look beneath the heavy think cloths he wore they would notice several long scars results of accidents at work or encounters with the local gangs. On his forehead were tattooed a scrawling tribal mark it reached down the side of his face to his shoulders which it scrawled around completing its pattern. It held only significance to his brother and he, but such tattoos were popular among the youth of Karideph it seemed to be a fad whose meaning was long since forgotten.

When Lance ended his shift he made his way back to his small bleak apartment just as he did every day, only unbeknownst to him this would not be like any other day he had lived in his life. This would be the day everything changed for him…

He always hated the black sludge that fell from the sky, it couldn’t be called rain and it stunk like sewage which Lance figured it probably really was. It would take at least another twenty minutes at this pace to reach his shitty flat in his shitty building in this shitty rain, such inconveniences did not put one in the best of moods. It was then that he heard the screams, apparently someone else wasn’t having a very good day either.

Only this were not the screams of someone being mugged, or roughed up, no they were worst they were the screams of someone about to have something much worst happen to them. Lance did not know why he choose to walk down that dark alley towards the girls pleas for help, lord knows he’s ignored them enough before. Perhaps it that he was a decent man, he may only be a worker in a scrap yard be he still considered himself to be a man not an animal, that he still had some virtue left in his body under all the dirt an grim. Or it could have been that it was raining and he felt like bashing some heads.

He was close enough to see them now, the girl couldn’t be any other then fourteen, she was dressed like a whore hell she probably was one, maybe this was her first night and it just turned out to be something she didn’t expect. But she also looked so young, it didn’t mater that even if his estimate of her age was correct that would only make her two years his junior.

“Hey fellas got mind if I join?” Lance asked the pair of rapists, he saw a pleading looking in the girls eyes begging him for help, realizing it wouldn’t be forthcoming.

“Back off boy before you get hurt.” One of the rough men growled at him.

“Who’s going to hurt me, I can say it ain’t going to be a limp dick like you.” Lance retorted his voice now indicating his ire. His anger was only added to as the man he insulted punched the poor girl in her stomach doubling her over. He quickly pulled up his pants his friend already was putting his brass knuckles over his wrist.

“You picked the wrong day to play the hero boy, suppose it time for some education, Larry here likes to break tough boys like you, he’s always been a little fruity.” Lance did not doubt for a second the perverse thoughts going through Larry’s mind. Larry didn’t have anytime to react as a fist sized rock hit him in the forehead, he fell to the ground blood seeping from the wound that knocked him unconscious.

“Big mistake boy!” the thug said closing with Lance pipe raised ready to strike the boy down. It arc down with anger, the boy raised his forearm taking the blow with a thud, it hurt but not as bad as what he did in return. His left foot snapped out impacting the knee of the thug a sickening crack indicated to all that the joint was now broken . As the thug fell another blow cut across his face ending the skirmish.

Tarrant looked about for the girl but she was already gone. Without so much as a thank you, figures…Lance began to rummage through the thugs pockets stealing any credits they had on them which amounted to a couple hundred, two weeks pay not bad for five minutes of work…Perhaps it was going to be a good day after all.

Of course though Lance was wrong…

He never saw the metal pipe which struck the back of his head, nor the strike to his kidneys that sent him sprawling down the short span of stairs to the cold dirty ground. He did however taste the metallic flavor of his blood which was now pouring out of his tongue that his bit through in his fall.

He didn’t know how to explain but when he found himself in situations like this one his instincts took over and they served him well, his hands moved to his ribs and caught the foot which was about to blunt its attack with his ribs. He twisted the foot quickly and was rewarded for his efforts as he watched one of his burly attackers fall to the deck. He quickly jumped to his feet, living in the slums forced one to have quick reactions, but he did not react in time for the next attack.

He felt his body jerk uncontrollably as he fell back to the deck, the energy of the stun baton over powered his body’s nerves. His body shook again painfully as whoever struck him with the weapon before decided to do it again. He couldn’t move his body paralyzed but he could hear just fine. That did not stop the gang from kicking his body, he felt their impacts, once blow to his face, a cruel blow to his groin, a multitude hit his ribs. Each breath now came painfully.

He felt someone pull his limp head up by his hair. He saw Larry throw his one un-swollen eye.

“Punk, think your in pain now you just wait.” The sadistic bastard continued, “Can I have him boss?” No the words were not good at all.

“Sure thing Larry, just remember when your done don’t live anything someone could use to identify him.” No, those words were worst still.

What happened next was only a fuzzy blur, he heard screams of pain and panic. He heard the discharge of blasters, next thing he knew he was looking up at a hooded figure who stood above him, a white blue light saber in his hands. Lance actually managed a laugh,

“I thought all you people were dead, run afoul of the Sith again…” He managed to croak out through his bloodied mouth.

“Well we would be if we all fought like you…” The hooded figure stated contemptuously.

“Hey man Fuc---” Lance couldn’t finish his insult as his eyes shut, his body now in a deep slumber. The man who saved him picked the large boy up with ease and slung him over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing, he turned and walked back onto the street lost amidst a thousand people.

Sleazy Flat
The Slums
Karideph
Outer Rim

Lance awoke with a start he was quickly sitting upright in his bed. His bed…he looked around quickly noticing that he was in his own flat, how had he gotten he? Was it all a dream, the fight and strange man were they only figments of his imagination. The sudden pain he had in his chest when he breathed in made the events of the past day all to real however. His hands reached to his ribs and he felt the course material of tape was wrapped tightly around them . A strange voice he had heard only once before greeted his ears, it was a low deep voice, it was a rugged voice.

“Welcome back to the land of the living Caller.” Lances hand immediately swept underneath the pillow at the top of his bed searching for the holdout pistol he kept there…were was that damn thing.

“Hold your thanks for me patching you up,” his hands reached out gesturing. “I know I’m not very good at it but at least you wont be pissing blood tonight. Your weapon is over there on the table go ahead and reclaim it I just didn’t want any impetuous actions on your part, Caller.” The young man stood and walked a little unsteadily to the small table where his disassembled pistol was field-stripped. He loved the weapon, it used to be his brothers, but he had left it behind the day he disappeared. It was an old model 23 Enforcer, and it showed its age, but Caller maintained it beautifully. He had only had to use the 10mm slugs it throws once before and to devastating affect. The weapon was an old slug thrower but it still could deal a lot of hurt especially on those who thought there armor impervious…how wrong they were you just had to know where to hit them.

Caller assembled the weapon, loaded it with the magazine lying on the table and charged the weapon. Holding in his hand he flicked off the safety, before he spoke again.

“Why did you help me back there. Nobody on this planet would risk their neck to do such a thing.”

“Why did you help that girl, and don’t give me the hero excuse, none’s hands are clean in this room.” The large man demanded of Lance.

“I don’t like the rain.” He told the man simply.

“I’m going to ask you a question Caller answer truthfully I will know if you are lying, don’t lye to me…What do you know of the Fall of the Republic?” Who was this guy and why was he asking me worthless questions that everyone knew the answer too.

“Bout four years back the Jedi decided to try to take over the Senate and make the Republic a tool for them. They wanted power and the senate resisted. Now the Senate is no more the Jedi have been shattered, in essence they created the thing that they were trying to prevent, another emperor. The Jedi are fools just like anyone else with power, they fear shadows and their fear creates their enemies. There was this one Knight named Hawkins he was a traitor to the Jedi probably mad because they exiled him, but he help murder the Chancellor along with that Masaki character. Then the emperor took power again and here we are living in this world of shit.”

“Well not quite the history I experienced but its close enough I suppose. History is a mosaic Caller, its interweaved bits of falsehoods and truths, but mostly its bullshit unless you actually lived it . Know that it was not the Jedi who betrayed the republic but rather it was the Chancellor, it was all a scam and it cost many good people their lives. Your brother included.”

It was those last words the man said which hit him like a ton of bricks, until this moment his brother wasn’t really dead to him, just missing.

“How did he die?” Lance managed to croak out happy his voice didn’t break.

“Your brother like was a Jedi Knight he died in service to the Republic, I was his mentor, his friend. He discovered a traitor among the ranks of us Jedi a traitor who was turned by Palpatine, she killed him. Now the Jedi are broken as you said we are hunted everywhere we go, I myself have quite a substantial bounty on my head, you are not worth quite as much.”

“M-me what would they want with me?” Lance asked the apparent Jedi.

“The force runs strong in your family Caller, I found you first, but surely the Empire and the Sith are not far behind me, there are not many of us left…”

It was only then that Lance realized that he was a Jedi and his only response was…

“Oh shit…”

Jedi, hunted and exterminated.
Jedi, betrayed by those that need them most.
Jedi, loyal to the Republic.
Jedi, enemies of the Empire.

Sith, conquer the light and flourish.
Sith, persecute those they protect.
Sith, loyal to the Empire.
Sith, enemies of the Republic.

The Galaxy, torn between the two.
The Galaxy, burning in hate and destruction.
The Galaxy is on a precipice.
The Galaxy, is falling……

Imperial Star Destroyer Immobiliser.
Hyperspace ~ En-Route to Karideph.

The sleek and slender design of the Immobiliser cruised through Hyperspace. The warship, dispatched from Coruscant only eight hours prior had been given explicit instructions regarding an outstanding arrest warrant, which, was extremely overdue.

Five days prior the Imperial Sensor network, which was just being established in the south mid-rim, detected a slight radiation anomaly from an unmarked and unregistered shuttle. This, was usually nothing to be concerned with, however, the signal was that of a force crystal, coated with a slight, and almost undetectable radioactive tracer.

The unnamed grunts working in the lower levels of the command chain could only guess as to how this was applied to a Jedi’s force crystal, and that is all they would ever be able to do… guess. The stark reality was that years before the second Imperial revolution, the force caves on Dantooine had been infiltrated and almost all the crystals had been coated with this unique chemical, leaving the Empire with a small, but secure line to track their Jedi foes.

As the Jedi shuttle ploughed forth through Hyperspace, the Empire tracked her, watching and waiting for a suitable time to pounce….

The Immobiliser was an odd ship, in fact it was the only one of its kind in existence. A new prototype warship designed to wreak havoc with Confederacy and rebel forces, that would, if this mission went without a hitch, well on the vessels part anyway, be put into full production later this year.

Standing on the bridge of this unique warship, was of course, Commander Sixty-Six. This, however was not the original clone, no unfortunately he had perished on board the Galaxy Gun in the Dratherian attack. This was indeed a new Sixty-Six, who possessed all of his predecessors unique traits, knowledge, and of course the thirst for the hunt. But though in traditional standing, this clone was somehow different, if only very very slightly. This clone was mystified by death….

“Captain?” An unknown voiced above the commotion of the bridge. “We are approaching the Karideph system, we will arrive at our coordinates in five minutes.” Captain Havel gave a slight nod and then turned to Sixty-Six.

“Commander, prepare your men. We will hold behind the shadow of the fourth moon.”

“Yes Sir, the obedient clone saluted, and left for the shuttle hanger.”

Five minutes later and on schedule the Imperial Star Destroyer arrived within the system, skulking within the shadow of a gas giant.

Launching from the shuttle bay Sixty-Six proceeded towards his target.

“So your saying that since I have the “force” in my blood the people who killed Jason will eventually track me down and murder me as well?” Lance asked the Jedi knight standing in his dark and dank flat.

“Yes, they will not just because of what you are but also because of what Jason did and believed in. Your brother was a true believer in the Republic even when my faith in it weaver he was constantly in its support. They would kill you just because you are his brother.”
“So what should I do? Run or hide?” He asked the Jedi.

“You could but such a tactic would only delay your death, they will eventually find you no matter the course of action you choose. The only aspect of that fate you can change is to be prepared for that day when it comes.”

“One thing my brother always told me was that ‘There is no fate but what we make’ I’m ready for what ever you got for me Jedi so long as it gets me off this planet.”

“Well that certainly sounds enough like Jason for me to accept your apprenticeship.” He tossed a dull metallic cylinder to Lance “It was your brothers light saber, make sure the business end is pointed towards the bad guys before you activate it.” Hawkins voice then changed noticeably become lower more serious. “ I can teach you the ways of the force but only the strength of your character will save you when you face the Sith or the Empire. You must have an absolute ethic of conviction in the way of the Jedi, and remember always that there are worst things then death.”

“Trying to scare me?” Lance asked lightly.

“No, you will do that to yourself Caller. I ask you are you Afraid?”

“No.” Lance replied firmly.

“Good. You will be soon.” Quicker then Lance thought possible the Jedi’s light saber moved from a hidden location inside his robes and entered his waiting hand, with a snap-hiss it activated and the man arced the blade towards Lance’s neck, “Your training begins now!”

“Oh shit” was all he had time to think.

The shuttle cleared the Star Destroyer without a hitch, passing from under the great shadow of the reactor bulb Sixty Six cautiously exited the deflector field.

Before him lay one of the systems Gas giants, nothing unusual with it. Intense storms in the Northern hemisphere, large bombardment from solar erratics, along with intense mining in the troposphere, no doubt initiated in a desperate but useless attempt to employ a beleaguered and floundering population. Pulling back on the control lever the clone commander set the throttle to full and cleared the giants shadow.

Karideph was truly a giant metropolis, enough traffic was going to and from the outer rim system to rival that of Coruscant, well, if these transports were carrying anything but metal ores. Coruscant was slightly up market in it’s imports, well, three quarters of the Galaxies richest did live in there after all.

Ploughing forth outside of the designated transport lines Sixty-Six couldn’t help but get noticed, well, not that an Imperial shuttle was inconspicuous in these parts. The Outer Rim hated Coruscant, they hated the Empire, and even to some extent despised the former Republic, but the terrible truth was, that the Outer Rim needed the Core, just as the Core desired their cheap labour and contracts.

Moving towards the planets upper atmosphere the expected transmission arrived from a rather irate customs officer. “Unknown Transport, you are descending into Karideph territory without established permission cut your engines immediately and prepare to be impounded……..” Sixty-Six smirked.

“Karideph customs officer, this is the Imperial transport CNV1 en-route. You will cease your current actions and prepare to receive me. I will need the corporation of your security forces immediately.”

“Imperial Transport, you will cut your engines and prepare to be impounded I repeat, cut your engines.” Sixty-Six checked the sensor readouts, several fighter craft were approaching on a rapid vector.

“CNV1 to Immobiliser, some assistance please?”

“Rodger commander, we are exiting the planets shadow immediately, please hold for confirmation……. Engine burn initiated, we will be in sensor sight within several seconds sir.”

“Thank you.” Sixty-Six politely replied, then closed the channel without a second thought. Now turning his attentions back to the matter in hand, Sixty-Six decided it was time to be more forceful on the issue. “Officer…..?”

“Yalrel.” The burly man said over the channel.

“I am on immediate orders from the Imperial Emperor himself……” Sixty-Six let the words linger. “I am here regarding certain security issues that may or may not endanger you and your planet, if they are not so quickly resolved. I am here to make sure, that your world, and its populace remains intact, now, it would be ever so kind of you to cooperate, or, we can do it through more conventional means….”

“With your shuttle…HA! CNV1, I am ordering you to cut your engines. If you do not immediately cease your current course, you will be destroyed.”

“No Officer Yalrel, I do believe it is you who will soon be destroyed.” The Immobiliser cleared the Gas giants shadow, and now proceeded in system, it’s new weapons ready, the fighter escorts already launched.

“Now, where was I…. ah yes, Sixty-Six beamed. I am here in searching for one man, and I would be most indebted, if I could have your entire assistance in the matter.” The channel remained blissfully silent. “I assume that’s a yes then.?” The officer nodded in agreement. “Excellent, I knew you would see it my way in the end.” Tapping a few controls Sixty-Six dispatched a small data file. “I’m sending you a data file now. My targets picture and means of identification are all there. Have your security forces begin scanning retinal and passing DNA signatures. I have intelligence that he is somewhere in the eighteenth sector, begin your search there.”

“I will still have to clear this with the govern….”

“Commander…… please, don’t be so coy, we all know that your government will agree, now please, direct me to a landing pad so I may begin my descent.”

“Yes…ehhh, excuse me sir, but you have yet to give me your name and rank?”

“My name, you may refer to me as commander Sixty-Six.”

During the next few hours Imperial and local forces would begin pouring over DNA readings taken from local sensor stands stationed throughout the levels. If the target was here, then he would soon be pin pointed.

It was a short sparring match if it could even be quantified as that. The outcome was predetermined, even when the Republic and the Jedi Order reached its peak before the rise of the Empire Hawkins was reputed to be one of their most able champions, one of the most proficient at eliminating Sith. If he wanted he could have kill Caller in less time then it took the young man to realize he was even under threat. That was not the point however, Hawkins wanted to test his spirit, and he had plenty of that growing up in the environment he did. He knew how to defend himself against the local thugs and toughs but that was not enough. Caller was now a Jedi and that mean professional killers and bounty hunters would be hunting him he need to be able to defend himself against that threat and Hawkins feared he had little time to teach the boy how.

Caller’s green blade quickly came up to block one of Hawkins blows. He stumbled a moment under the impact, the crack of electricity filled the room.

“Are you trying to kill me man! I have no idea how to use this thing!” Caller said falling back.

“Then you better learn, and what better place then here? what better time then now?” Hawkins told him back. He advanced on Caller his blade swinging Caller only just managing to sloppily parry the blows. Caller by this point was breathing rapidly, sweat soaking his body. With only a flick of his wrist Hawkins disarmed Caller his saber flying away, Hawkins’ own white blade stopped only inches from his neck.

“Tell me why you lost.” The Jedi asked simply.

“You’re a Jedi I’m not.” Caller said as the Jedi lower his blade.

“Wrong you are a Jedi just as much as I, you do not need to wear robes or carry a light saber to be a jedI, it a way of life, our actions define who we are. I ask you again why did you lose?”

“You’re do how to use a light saber, your reflexes are quicker, your muscles are stronger that’s why you won.” Caller told the JedI Knight with frustration evident in his voice.

“Do you really think that my physical strength, my reaction time, or skills with light saber forms had anything to do with my victory here? Do you really think that such tangible elements have any effect with the Force? I tell you here and now they do not. A JedI strength comes from his understanding of the Force we each have various aspects of the Force which we are able to manipulate better then others but it is understanding that one can not stop the tide but only flow with it that gives us our strength.” The tone and pace of the speech was not what one would expect of Hawkins who in years past people thought only to be a simple fighter.

“I really have no idea what you just said Budda.” said Caller confused.

“You must not rely learn to not rely on the world as you used to know it. You need to learn how to surrender yourself to the force, to make your body a conduit of its power. It will show you where to attack and when to defend, it is a powerful ally.”

“It controls my actions?” Caller asked the JedI again seeming to begin to understand the basics of the Force.

“To an extent…It is much more a guide for channeling our abilities. Due not become dependent completely on the Force, remember it is a powerful ally but it can not win a battle on its own. Well then if you are recovered, en garde!” Hawkins told the boy as they began to spar again.

It was times like these, when the forces of darkness rise up to the bait. Through the Force, the Dark Lady Nightshade could 'see' that something was up. On an insignificant planet in an insignificant corner of the galaxy, something was about to shine. She mused for a moment, drinking on the life force of a slave she slowly drained away and pulled out a holomap, tracing the disturbance. She could send Chronos, yes. Few gets past the primarch-turned-plaything of the Mistress.

"But this mission is too trivial for one such as you..." She chuckled as he stood stoic by her side. "I believe it's time for the little boys to play the game..."

She summoned her sons through their link in the Force. They were called. They came.

"What is thy bidding, Mother?" Janus kneeled before his mother. Jesse as well, though less enthusiastic.

That one will be trouble... Nightshade frowned at her lesser son. One day, she will have cause to destroy her weaker seed, but now, he is still of use. "A disturbance in the Force lies on the distant planet of Karideph. You will investigate it and if it turns out to be Jedi, assist the Imperial effort in removing the scourge."

"Yes, Mother." Janus nodded. Jesse was quiet but nodded as well. "We'll make you proud."

"I don't doubt that. Now leave my presence." Nightshade slowly swiveled her chair away from her sons, to look out at the nighttime sky.

The young Sith moved swiftly and silently to the personal hangar bay of the Empress' Palace and took a Sith Infiltrator. Jesse took the pilot controls and smoothly sped the Infiltrator out into space and adruptly made the jump to hyperspace for Karideph...

The boy did possess some innate ability at swordplay, already he had given up his cumbersome parries, which wasted much energy. He kept his saber in a low guard now, brining it up to parry the Jedi master’s blows with building proficiency. Yet, he was still relying on his eyes too much, his was reacting with the senses and stimuli which he has relied on for his entire life. Hawkins could fill the Force in the young man, but it was only a flicker of light where it should have been a roaring fire.

“You are learning how to defend yourself with the saber, good.” Hawkins struck again only to be parried from the low guard. “Never use the low guard against an opponent who is larger or faster then your self it will leave you exposed. Instead use the high guard.” Hawkins took his blade in both hands and raised it above his head. “This is called the Stance of the Eagle, because it will allow you to both attack and defend against a more skillful or powerful opponent with ease. Try it now.” Caller assumed the defense and managed to block two of his trainers’ blows only to find Hawkins white blade at his neck in the next moment.

“You failed because you are not using the force. Close your eyes, open your mind to the force, allow it to guide your defense and you will be successful.”

“I understand.”

“No, you don’t. But you will.” The sounds of light sabers striking filled the room once again.

Breaking through the barrier that separates hyperspace and realspace, a small shuttle begins to descend on the planet, a megalopolis like Coruscant, only there was still patches of green and blue here and there. The shuttle moved through the traffic controls like a wraith as people who did spot it, hardly remembered the ship afterwards. Just another small ship heading to the planet, perhaps for business or pleasure.

Sith Apprentices Janus and Jesse soon chose an empty docking bay and landed on it. They disembarked, black clothing ruffling in a breeze. The Dark Side curled around them, and they disappeared into the underworld, beginning the search for the ones they believed was near...Jedi...

“Why? I mean how was the Empire allowed to come to power again, you say it is an evil institution under the control of the Sith, but if it is truly so bad I do not see how the Senate could let it come to power.” Hawkins look at Caller he picked up on the basic skills a Jedi would need to survive with quite quickly. He was now as strong as any fledgling padiwan of the old days would have been.

“History had repeated itself. We Jedi were used as the excuse once again, a limb of the republic best and most easily sacrificed. Palpatine it seems has a longer memory then all of senators, yes I was a senator and one of the current Emperor’s biggest supporters, only I thought him to be friend a man who cared and loved the republic which we served. My friend died long ago and was replaced with Palpatine. He mutilated his own body and blamed it on us. He created a vast army in the republic’s name only to take command of it himself to weld it as his sword, at that point there was no stopping his return to power.”

“But the Jedi are powerful you could have stopped him” Caller pushed on.

“We tried and many better men then me died in the effort. The Republic Center, Coruscant bleed for days…a fierce battle was fought in space between the Emperor’s fleet and forces loyal to the Republic. It swayed back and forth each side at times gaining and losing the advantage. In the end the Empire was victorious at great price, and the supporters of the Republic have fled deep into the Rim. We Jedi are keepers of the peace, protectors of the weak, but we are not an army those of us that resisted were killed in the end, we tried to defend the temple we killed those who would attempt to murder our younglings, we killed them ten and fifteen to one but they were to many. I tell you this as well, people generally will protest the loss of democracy but the Empire does provide them with what they need. Food, medicine, jobs, those are what a man wants out of life and security for his family. Many people would turn a blind eye to the evil dictatorship that is the empire in exchange for those services, but at the cost of their liberty. I wager many in your current situation would have relished it…ignorance is bliss, they say.” the Jedi Master stated sadly.

“There are ways of tracking us JedI, well not myself I can hide my presence from the force but you can not our enemies will know where to find you.” A look of concern shown on the young man’s face. “It is not that bad, even the best hunter could only be sure of the planet you are on or at worst continent on that planet. This world is full of people good and bad, it is the ideal place to hide. I must go get us some supplies and make the necessary arrangements to get us off planet. Pack what you need while I’m away, but only what you need. Give me four hours to return, if I’m not back by then go to this location you will find friends of a sort there.” He handed a piece of paper to Caller with a name and a location. “Commit it to memory…is it?

“Yes” Caller replied then dropped the paper as it disappeared consumed by flame.

“You look worried, don’t be I’m not” The JedI said matter-of-factly.

“Ah but you by reputation master are not known for your foresight…” Caller protested and the older JedI laughed.

“Which is why I am good with a sword. Foresight and clairvoyance is all well and good , and your brother was quite the seer. He predicted everything that was to come, and even then we could not stop it. Marital skills are what will keep you alive Caller. Fight only when it is unavoidable and only for reason you’d be willing to die for. That light saber of yours is a weapon designed to kill. It is the shield of the weak and innocent but it is also the sword that take’s another’s life so that we may live. Do not forget that .” With that final teaching the old JedI Knight was gone, and caller began to gather his things into a ruck sack…it did not take long he did not have much.

The two young Sith moved through the underworld of the city-planet, searching through a Force-lead they picked up. They swiftly jumped roofs, slid through shadows, alerting no one to their presence. They drew nearer and nearer to an area strong in the Force, a very obscure area that even Imperials would miss in their sweeps. But not Force-sensitives.

Soon, the sons of Nightshade arrived at Caller's home...

Coming up on hour two and the Jedi Master still had not returned to Caller's flat. The Jedi did not know what else he should do and the recent sparing had tired him out so he did what any normal person would do in that situation. He laid down on his bed and fell asleep, finally getting some well deserved rest.

"Brother. I sense one occupant. Residue Force aura suggests at least one other occupant was here recently." Jesse said quietly. "Both are Force-sensitives."

Janus nodded. He licked his chops and smiled coldly. "Let us invite ourselves then."

He opened the door and the young brothers entered...

As the sith boys entered the flat the door creaked every so slightly and it knock a couple bottles lazily across the floor. Caller's packed ruck laid where he left it by the front door. The Flat was dark and quiet, they would have been able to see into Caller's room seeing his form under the rough woven blankets of the bed, sleeping soundly.

"Goodbye, little Jedi...Sleep forever..." Janus said coldly as he moved towards the young form sleeping. Jesse was keeping a lookout, letting his older brother take the kill. Janus' blood-red blade sprang to life, and he raised it to bring it down on the Jedi's neck...

The saber cut through the form under the blankets only to reveal deception, there was no body beneath the blanket only a pile of old cloths and a couple pillows to simulate a human form.

A voice was heard from the front door,

"I didn't even need the force to hear you two coming, live in the slums long enough you learn two survive. Seems you want to kill me and that’s not a way to make new friends must be Sith eh?" Caller stood his pistol raised and aimed at the two boys. "I had no quarrel with you but it appears you have one with me, a shame i rather liked this shitty flat." His pistol moved from his target to the stove in the corner of the home, "In places like this we still use gas stoves bud..." Three load retorts and the slug thrower threw its hate at the propane tank by the stove, an explosion threw flames across the space between Caller and the two Sith boys, Caller did not wait to see what happened to them he threw his ruck on his back and ran out the front door as fast as he could.

"Damn you!" Janus growled as he pushed back the flames with the Force. "After him!"

Jesse hid a small smirk as the brothers sped after Caller, quite infuriated that their quarry had escaped. He relishes the fact that one person outsmarted his brother. All is not well in the Nightshade camp...

Caller turned into a dark alleyway the only sign the Sith would have had of his presence would have been a kicked in door to an apartment complex. Caller ran threw the complex, he knew where the address Hawkins gave to him was but he headed in the opposite direction to keep that location secure.

Caller exited a side door and found his way into another ally and ran off into the distance and the crowd, he looked back not seeing his pursuers as he turned into another of a million similar ally ways on the planet. He leaned against the wall and rested. He attempted to catch his breath the run was hard, but he hoped he had lost those two pursuers.

For a few moments it would seem like Caller has lost his pursuers. Then a sudden change in the air occured...

*Crack!* *Crack!*

Displaced air and black smoke revealed the two young Sith's true lineage in the ability they just used...

"You thought you lost us, didn't you?" Janus sneered.

"Surrender. Don't make it worse for you than it already is." Jesse said dully.

Janus snorted disdainfully at his brother's words as the two boys ignited their lightsabers and moved in on either side of Caller to attack...

"Caller was cornered and he knew it, how had they been able to follow him that route should have lost anyone else. Well when your backed into a corner there is nothing else to do but resist with everything you had.

"Geez two on one those seem like some fair odds." Caller retorted as his light saber found its way into his hand and its green blade ignited with a snap-hiss. "This was my brothers blade he was a Jedi as am I, if you want to kill me be about it already." His blade rose above his head in the high guard as Hawkins had taught him. Casting the dark alleyway in the green hue of his saber which intermixed with the red of his opponents.

Janus went high while Jesse struck low for the Jedi. As they are twin brothers, they work well in a fight. Janus was always the one more in the fight. Enjoying it and submitting to the Dark whenever possible. Jesse was more reluctant to follow his mother's dark training, but don't mistake that for weakness either.

Caller's emerald blade came down parrying the high blade first and then the low one only a moment before it would have taken out his knee. He reeled backward quickly putting some distance between him and his confident opponents.

"So what gripe do you have against me? I don’t even know who you are." Caller asked to two boys. He used to watch the holo-vid his brother would take him to see, in those the hero always won his fights but there was a time when it seemed like he would lose and in that time his enemies would gloat. Perhaps these two would and he could gleam some information from that, it seemed like the taller one was a real dickhead he probably say something...

"You are Jedi. That is enough to warrant death around here, in case you have forgotten..." Janus growled as he lashed out with his blade, followed by Jesse, who said nothing.

He kept backpedaling buying some more time.

"Hey I’m no Jedi, only had this here pig sticker for less then a day. From what I've heard the Jedi are the protectors of the weak and innocent. Heard it was a Sith Lord who took down the Senate, but you don't look any Sith lord to me, maybe his bootlicker though.”

Janus growled at the insult and rained furious blows down on his opponent. Jesse moved out of the way of his brother's fury so as not to get injured by accident and simply watched impassively.

Caller parried the Sith’s blows best he could but it was clear he lacked the means to defend himself much longer. Eventually Caller was backed up to a wall with no where else to retreat to trapped like a rat.

Jesse suddenly would have become aware of a tall hulking man behind him, he would not have heard the big man’s approach.

“Don’t see why you Masaki’s teleport everywhere you want to go when one’s feet work well enough and are much more stealthy. It also don’t seem right to be picking on one such Caller here, suppose he deserves it I told him were to be if I didn’t return in four hours but he done run off in the wrong direction. He does need the practice with his saber though clearly.”

"I have heard of you from our Mother..." Jesse said quietly as he realized just who the strong signature behind him belonged to. He whirled his blade around, knowing it'll be connected with one as experienced as the hulking man. "Master Hawkins."

"Hawkins. So, in flushing out the mouse, we reveal the rat." Janus smirked as he smacked Caller with the Force to knock him out. "Our Mother sends her congratulations on living this long."

In a bout of overconfidence, Janus struck out at Hawkins, leaving his brother to sigh and shake his head.

Caller flinched as he felt a brush of the force energy meant to knock him out. He looked to Hawkins whose left hand just finish a movement.

"Just as hateful and easy to anger as Fionia. She could have been a Jedi Knight, but she is thoroughly corrupted now, and you as well." The Sith never got closer then five feet from Hawkins before an invisible force held his body still, unable to move.

"A Master of the Force I am you are far from that, go home and tell your mother her reign will one day end she can not oppress the galaxy forever. The Republic lives as do its Jedi. If she want my head she best send someone better trained next time." Another blast of energy would knocked the boy out as well as any defense he could have erected. Caller looked to Jesse.

"I have always feared that the price of my sins would be paid by the people I love. I had a hand however unwillingly in the creation of what your mother is, there is no apology that can be made for that crime. I lost the man I considered a son to her, and now almost another to her son."

"There is always a choice, no path is predestined or inevitable. I can feel that you are not like your brother yet, do not become a minion of hate, the galaxy has so few good men left it can ill afford to lose another." The boy would have to take that as he would, hopefully it would leave an impression.

With that Caller and the Jedi walked out of the alleyway and back into the crowd disappearing from sight.

Jesse made no move to go after the Jedi, mulling over the words in his head as he picked up his unconscious brother and disappeared into the underworld back to their ship. His mother will punish them both indeed for failing to kill the Jedi they found, but at the same time, whether Hawkins knew it or not at the moment, a seed was planted in the mind and soul of the lesser son. One day, one day he would find a way to be freed of the evil tainting him. One day, he would go on a mission...and never return to the Imperial Palace, even if it means he'll be hunted down like an animal from then on.

One day...

“What the hell was that back their?” Caller asked the older Jedi the last word seemed to come out with some effort.

“Most padiwans would finish a question master it’s a term of respect.” Hawkins growled “Well I see you don’t take after your brother in one respect, he could at least do what was expected of him...well good I never really much cared for rules and regulations you know my name use it. I never really was that good of a master anyways always saw myself as the dashing knight errant.”

“Still haven’t answered the question Hawkins.”

“Those two boys are the offspring of the bitch who killed your brother and now rules most of the known galaxy. I told you people would be looking for your head lucky I showed up when I did.” Hawkins said roughly.

“There was no way they could have tracked me, I moved to quick I checked my back I wasn’t followed.”

“Most likely they never left your flat.” Hawkins said simply.

“How did they follow me then, I had that escape route planned for months, you always learn to have an escape when you live here...” Caller told Hawkins.

“They found you the same way I did, through the force if you concentrate enough one could pick up your location through your thoughts or merely the impression your presence leaves its wake. Ill teach you how to minimize that risk in the future.”

“Well now what? I blew up my home I can’t stay here anymore I have nothing left.” Caller said sounding a little dishearten, it had been his home for four years and now that it was gone he missed it, strange that.

“This planet is as far from the Coreworlds as you can get, but its no safe haven for us. The Empire will come soon for us or rather me I suppose. They will probably blame this planet for harboring Jedi...though they had no idea we were here. We do still have some friends on planet they will have the means to get us off world.”

“I thought you used to be a Senator? Even some big shot war hero a general and some such, where is your fleet?”

“Funny thing about fleets they are needed to fight the war, protect the Free worlds of the galaxy, I left my fleet in good hands I assure you, you and I are incognito, my ship will be leaving the system soon without us.”

“Great...just great.” Caller said as they began to reach the low class habitats of the planet just out of the slums though here the clone troopers of the Empire and the patrolling TIE fighters were much more evident. The planetary government allowed a legion of imperials onto the surface to hunt the Jedi once they became aware of their presence so as to avoid repercussions. In truth Hawkins and the System’s governor knew one another and the planet has for decades supported the rebellion with supplies of foodstuffs as well as weapons. Governor Venetti was a friend of the rebellion but he knew when to allow the imps to do what they want as long as it allowed independence for his planet.

Coruscant, several hours after the boys return

A powerful tornado borne of Empress Nightshade's wrath tosses two young twelve year old boys around and then uses the pressure of the wind to stick them to a wall, where the Empress can lecture them at her leisure.

"I told you two to aid the Imperial forces in hunting down the Jedi, not to try and take them on yourselves!" She scolded her boys as their clothes and hair flew wildly in the gale. "That is what clonetroopers are there for! I did not spend ten trillion credits a year on the Imperial Army just to have you two nearly get yourselves killed by a piece of banthashit like Hawkins!"

"Mother--" Janus tried to explain himself, but his mom won't hear of it. She intensified the hurricane until the boys found it hard to breathe even with the aid of the Force.

"And I thought I taught you better, Janus! Overconfidence was the Emperor's weakness! And it will be yours if you don't learn to swallow your pride and remember your training. At least take a leaf out of your brother's book, if nothing else. Augh!" Disgusted, the Empress threw her twins to the floor where they skidded on the marble and came to a halt. "You two will take two additional training hours out of your schedule under Itachi for a month. Is that understood?"

"Yes'm." The boys muttered dully.

"Now get out of my sight before I decide to use the Void!" Nightshade angrily replied, and the boys ran out of the throne room, not daring to test her patience any further.

Then she turned to Executor Chronos, now a little calmer. "Ready the Executor. It's time I paid the governor of Karideph a little visit...ensure that a blockade is in place to trap the Jedi."

"As you wish, my Lady." Chronos said.

A few minutes later, the Super Star Destroyer Executor moved out of orbit with its personal Death Squadron fleet and made the jump to hyperspace for the city-planet. An Empress scorned is the last thing the governor will see in this mortal coil...

The vessel which bore Hawkins to Karideph left orbit of the planet and made the depart the system it do so in accordance to his orders. Hawkins did not want to implicate the planet in harboring Jedi any more then he already had. He was sure the old dreadnaught hiding in the outer regions of the system would not give credence to the Governor’s declaration of neutrality.

“There appears to be a storm coming Hawkins” Caller told the older Jedi noticing the storm clouds.

“In more ways then one I fear.” Said the Jedi cryptically. “Ah here we are at last.” Hawkins noted. All that was noticeable to Caller was a huge old abandoned warehouse. “Never judge a book by its cover, our ticket off planet is here.” he said joyfully.

“What’s a book.” Caller asked genuinely as he noticed to guards make their presence know as they walked out from behind their carefully concealed positions. “And your friends are pointing guns at us Hawkins.”

“Ah young one didn’t you know a friend is one who has the decency to shot you to your face.” Laughed the Jedi as he approached the sentries.

In a blaze of blueshifted energy, the entire Death Squadron exited hyperspace over Karideph and prepared to enact a punishing blockade of the planet as per orders by the Dark Lady herself.

Soon...very soon, I'll have those wretched Jedi... The Dark Lady growled like a panther.

Inside the nondescript warehouse was a collection of various industrial supplies and other storage devices which were covered by tarps covered in dust. Nothing it seems had been touched, used, or maintenance for years...but as the old adage goes one can not judge a book by its cover. The Two jedi were lead down a hidden staircase which descended for al most two hundred meters under the warehouse. What revealed itself to Caller reminded him of your stereotypical Rebellion base and at one time it may have been just that, not anymore though officially anyway.

Now it was one of the thousands of smuggling bases that funnel vital supplies to the Free Systems, munitions, foodstuffs, recruits, everything vital to keeping the rebellion against the Empire alive. This particular operation was run by Frank C. Pardoe, who was an old and dear friend of Hawkins...or so it appeared to young Caller.

"Well the entire Death Squadron empires in this normally quiet and profitable system, who would have thought they'd be after the Great Jedi Knight Hawkins?" The sarcasm was thick in the smugglers deep baritone. 'What did you do to get her panties in a twist this time? Liberate a planet, destroy one of her fleets?"

Hawkins' laugh answered his question and the smuggler almost did believe his answer for a moment.

"I beat the snot out of her kid, he needed to learn some manners trying to kill me an all."

"Let's just hope she is only after you and not this planet or we all could be in trouble..." The smuggler said glumly.

+ + +

Govenor Venetti was a worried man, since the foundation of the Empire his planet had been able to maintain its independence. The Empire even at its mightest point in history lacked the power to subjugate the outer rim as it did the Coreworlds. In exchange for tributes, taxes, trade benifets and conscripts his planet had been able to maintain its sovereignty. The appearance of such a large force into the system spoke volumes about the new foreign policy of the Empress’. But what had they done wrong, he’s cooperated fully with the Imperial Legion on planet, he supposed she would be telling him soon enough.

“Lisa” He said calling to his secretary over the intercom, “Get me a secure line to the Octagon.” It was going to be a long day.

+ + +

As the Imperial Fleet moved in system the Karideph Defense Fleet assumed a defensive formation a million miles from the planets orbit, the seven star destroyers and five Mon-Cal cruisers arrayed themselves in two lines of six above and below one another.

“Imperial Fleet well met and welcome to the Karideph System, I am Admiral Derrick of the KDF, I present you with Governor Venetti’s compliments on such a fine display of Imperial discipline and martial arms. Being a neutral system in the Galactic conflict I will have asked that your vessels do not approach closer then two million kilometers from the city planet and that the duration of your presence not last longer then 72 standard hours. With those pleasantries out of the way, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit and how may we assist?” The Admiral asked professionally.

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Admiral. The Empress demands an audience with the Governor, immediately." The reply came curtly as a shuttle dropped from the Executor for the planet.

"Imperial Fleet I am authorized to you that the Empress' Shuttle will be allowed to enter the atmosphere of Karideph and is to land at the Governor’s Complex. However I must reassert that the ships of your fleet are not to approach the planet closer then the two million mile mark." The Admiral watched as the shuttle approached the planet. He didn't envy the governor one bit, and he was the one facing down the Executor....

Without another word, the Empress' shuttle landed at the Governor's complex and the red Royal Guards filed out with a dramatic flair, then the Empress walked down with a swift foot. Meanwhile, the Death Squadron moved to 2,000,100 miles just to spite the local navy. If the Empress so ordered, the rule would be moot.

The young woman who was the Governor's aide greeted the Empress alone on the landing pad. Dark clouds blocked out any sign of the sun as a heavy rain began to pour.

"Empress welcome to Karideph" She managed a smile even though her demeanor suggested she wished the Empress was anywhere but this planet. "Your sudden arrival has not allowed us to prepare a proper honor guard for a person of your stature, but if you would follow me I will lead you to the Governor’s conference room."

The young woman who was the Governor's aide greeted the Empress alone on the landing pad. Dark clouds blocked out any sign of the sun as a heavy rain began to pour.
A heavy wind began to blow, shaking trees and forcing the rain down in driving sheets.

"Empress welcome to Karideph" She managed a smile even though her demeanor suggested she wished the Empress was anywhere but this planet. "Your sudden arrival has not allowed us to prepare a proper honor guard for a person of your stature, but if you would follow me I will lead you to the Governor’s conference room."
She merely nodded and walked inside. When she arrived in the conference room, she thought of thirty different ways to kill the bitch for her insolence.

The Conference room was long and narrow with a slender polished wood table running its length. The Governor stood with his hands clasped behind his back staring out of the bank of window which comprised the entire left wall, looking out at the capital city.

His back to her he addressed the Empress.

"Welcome to Karideph Empress, though I’m sure you've heard that greeting enough. What I have not yet heard is the reason for your visit and its purpose. There have been several incidences of late involving Jedi, your own security official will confirm my administration has cooperated fully with the Legion of Imperial Troops deployed on planet to apprehend those...Fugitives. Would you not agree, your eminence?"

"I agree, Governor." She replied quietly. "I'll also have you agree that Karideph is now fully a part of the Empire proper. Is your lieutenant governor available?"

"Empress" He said turning to face her for the first time, his face was grim but resolved. "My planet is neutral in your conflict against the Free Systems, we want no part of the war and value that neutrality. We did not ask or want Jedi to come here but they are being hunting and exterminated I can't blame them for running as far away from your Empire as possible."

"This planet is not part of the Empire, we pay your government tribute and tax, we send you conscripts in exchange for our neutrality. Your government has more enemies then can be counted on both my hands you don’t need to make another here today Empress."

"I see." She seemed disappointed. Outside, thunder crashed and winds increased. "Then you won't mind a permanent garrison on this planet? After all, this is for security reasons."

The clouds overhead began to swirl, directly over a certain part of the city planet that contains a certain school for youngsters that happens to have the governor's younger son attending it. The winds outside the windows of the school were becoming violent and unbearable.

“Empress if you have come to this planet to do harm, to subjugate its people then be about your efforts, I’ve had enough of your threats and intimidation. I have offered a compromise that has worked amicably between my system and your empire for nearly a decade, and now you spurn my offer with your dark hate. Whether this meeting now ends with a compromise or the addition of another enemy to your empire depends on your next decision. Know we here on the Rim do not live in the luxury of the Core, our planets are harsh and independent and you will find we will fight to protect our homes and our beliefs.” The governor finished his speech. He was resolved in the fact that he did the right thing this day not the easy, he prayed that the Empress would understand that but doubted she could…and he drew strength in that his people would stand beside him. Including several others the Empress would not want to meet. If the Empress chose conflict well it wouldn’t be an easy path for her, not at all. He had a withdrawal plan and it would be activated if she choose war. The Governor enjoyed a good game of Sabacc and his face and mind betrayed none of his thoughts if his mind was probed all that would be heard is the counting of cards and random statistics.

A tendril of dark energy crawled upon the Governor's neck as Nightshade seemed to mull it over. "Then let my presence be a lesson to ensure further cooperation from Karideph. But for my cooperation...there is always a price...Good day, Governor." Nightshade released the energy and walked out of the room with her guards. As soon as she was halfway to her ship, she clenched her fist...

and the mesocyclone right about the governor's son's school spawned a powerful tornado that descended right on top of the school in preparation to suck out and kill everyone in the school. Then it would move on, destroying everything in its path.

Lady Nightshade's price is being paid...in full.

For Generations the Rim paid for its independence with tribute and a percentage of its youth, over the years that price had only increased, and now it was to high a man could only be pushed so far before his back was against the wall.

Two marines in full power armor emerged from a back room and stood behind the governor.

“Sir we need to get you out of here while we still can.” The man with a master sergeant’s stripes told the governor.

“Yes of course sergeant, but what about those who can’t run?” He asked not expecting an answer. It was war now, and in war people died and more often then not the majority of the died where not the conflicts instigators.

+ + +
Two VTOLs designed for air superiority not only in the skies of Karideph but also in its congested “streets” now approached the governors mansion. The military forces of Karideph had been mobilized as soon as the Imperials entered the system, and this flight of VTOL’s were responsible for cutting off the Empress’ escape route. An alarm blinked briefly informing the pilots the planetary shields were activated.

They rose briefly above the skyline of the city for the first time exposing themselves to any sensors watching from the imperial shuttle, whose first warning of their presence would have been from the half- dozen missiles launched from their wings…all of which burned quickly intercept the shuttle on the loading dock.

Meanwhile back at the mansion…

Halfway to her shuttle was as far as Nightshade would get, she made a mistake landing on a potentially hostile planet. In her overconfidence she forgot that not even a rancor can survive amidst a hoard of its enemies. She played her hand and what other actions could be expected of a Sith Lord. As the Imperial host entered the corridor which lead to the landing platform they would have found their way blocked by a tall robed figure, his ignited green blade burned with a righteous fury a blade that cried for the blood of the women who murder so many of her former comrades.

“Fiona we meet again, I can’t say it’s a pleasure to see you again.” The Jedi Knight Errant long exiled from the Jedi Council now stood in the way of the Empress and her ticket off the planet. It was at that moment the powerful anti-fighter missiles impacted on their target as the mansion shook violently and the sounds of the explosion were deafening.

Fifteen year old Kale Venetti was hard at work on his math test when the storm began. The wind whistled and rattled the windows, making the kids frustrated as they tried to concentrate over the gale. By the time they finished the test, it was so dark outside that it was almost like nighttime. Almost.

"Man, I wonder how I'm gonna get home." Kale groaned as he looked at the dark clouds. Little did he know that he would never reach home.

The moment the students began to leave, a sudden shaking occurred, scaring all the students, as they feared an earthquake was occuring. But it was no earthquake as they very shortly learned when the windows crashed, forcing them to duck the flying shards and the roof collapsed on the gym and cafeteria, killing the students and teachers there. Immediately afterwards, the suction tore kids and teachers away from classrooms to their dooms or collapsed roofs to crush them into bloody pulps.

Kale grabbed the doorway of the math class as he too was being pulled away and held on with all his might. But it was not enough as his fingers slipped and he found himself swirling around several times before being tossed over the side of the twister. A few seconds later, he was a dead, messy smear on the ground as he fell hundreds of meters onto the middle of a busy street.

The tornado continued to exact death and destruction on the inhabitants of Karideph, leaving thousands dead in its wake, and then turned towards the mansion as if by command.

------

"Fancy seeing you here, Hawkins." Nightshade smiled coldly as she ignited her crimson blade. "I would have believed you left before my fleet got here...And it's Darth Nightshade now. Must I beat that into your thick skull?" She lashed out with shadowy fury.

"You will always be little sweat Fiona Masaki to me girl. As far as my skull is concerned your welcome to try, no one has survived their attempts in the past and you will be no different." Hawkins laughed for a moment,

"You know the funny things about these corridors Sith?" The Jedi asked calling her by the title he held the most contempt for, "They are designed to repel invaders intending to do the governor harm, lets see if its works."

With thar the blast door in front of Hawkins slammed shut, even before it had closed, the dozen anti-personal mines running the entire length of the corridor exploded fiercely shredding any in the corridor into so much goo. It was a tactic that was old as time, murder holes...

The door opened again reveling a corridor filled with smoke debris and the stink of death, though Hawkins was sure that the Empress survived he doubted guards could have been so lucky...

The shuttle was nothing more than a wreck of flaming debris, but it triggered an alert sent to the Executor, whose Admiral immediately ordered the fleet to move forward and open fire upon the enemy ships in anger at the attack on the beloved Empress. Hordes of TIE Avenger fighters were sent out to crush the enemy.

-----

When the hallway exploded, Lady Nightshade had put up a shield to protect herself, but never batted an eye at the bloody chunks of meat that were once her Royal Guards. When the blast door opened, Hawkins was met with a violent offensive of slashes and thrusts as Darth Nightshade sought to kill her enemy, the Jedi Hawkins...