NationStates Jolt Archive

This is a covert thread. Nothing in it will be known to NS at large until the completion of the thread. Abh and CW are the only ones invited. Abh will be during this thread, playing the Colonial Forces at large, Admiral Helena Cain, and her ship the Warstar Ares. Wick and EWT may post, as their members of the Coredian Jedi Council. This takes place two days after the Battle of Konoha, and after the surrender of the Coreworlds to the cylons.


The End of Innocence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEZb5LVByak)

Sickness, death, and war spread to the far reaches of space, to the sons of the rebellion, Konoha. The sky was brown and red, as the fires from the nuclear detonations above, still held their sway. It was truly a wonder the shield over the city had not collapsed, she wondered as she walked down the road, a brown cloak over her head, disguising her face from the metal centurions that passed by her.

She walked down the road, looking at everything around her, it’s beauty, it’s lavishness, just like everything Coredian. Just like everything outside the small city death laid waiting for them. Radiation crept in more and more everyday, as the sun no longer embraced and hugged the sky. In place of Blue or gray, Brown existed. The land was an eternal night. Whatever happened here, was truly evil, yet still so beautiful, she thought to herself as she slowly faded into the background.

The Jedi Academy has seen better days, as she walked up unseen, past the metal centurions guarding the academy. She snuck past them, her seal guarding her from her presence being detected, her natural abilities, protecting her from those that might wish her harm. She had to see Emily, she had to know what occurred.

She walked through the Academy. It was a shell of it’s former self. No life existed here, aside that from the gardens, she felt, as she heard the sound of footsteps. Hera quietly backed up along side of the wall. She slowly covered herself in the illusions of the mind, as an ANBU walked ever closer. What was his reaction what was his thoughts, she asked herself, as she concentrated on him. The answer was simple, he was pissed off. His life he swore to protect Coredia, swore to protect Konoha. A oath he failed at keeping. Now, he waits, as metal machines and their human counterparts run a muck on his planet, his holy of holies, defiling it with their very presence. He was anger...

Hera smiled at him, as he walked past her oblivious of her presence. Hera slowly moved to the side as she continued to walk down the hallway, to the place she needed to go, to Master Rydo’s apartment.

Hera stopped when she came to Master Rydo’s apartment, the place she stayed at so long ago. She struggled to remember the code to enter. Her mind raced trying to remember it, as slowly a few of the numbers began to glow in front of her. Hera gently raised her hand to the keypad and clicked the code. Hiss was all that was heard.

The great door to one of the Coreworlds most powerful masters had been opened. Quietly Hera slipped inside, watching for any sign of movement, for any sign of Emily. The room was dark, it was quiet, as Hera snuck into her chambers. Hera loved moments like this, her adrinline rushed, as she quickly peeked around corners, looking for any sign that anyone was around. No one was. “This is almost too easy.” she thought to herself, as she walked to Emily Rydo’s bedroom.

Hera quickly and quietly opened the door. As she peered in, she could see her former master, sleeping on her bed. Hera smiled.

Slowly she walked up to her, not a sound was made, nothing more than the slight breeze from the door opening. She slowly reached behind her, feeling for the object, trying to grab what she had come here to deliver unto Emily Rydo.

She felt it, as she grabbed the object. Quietly, she placed it next to Emily’s inn table. The small pyramid red shaped holocron, the same holocron Emily gave to her, worth millions of credits sat in the open waiting for the master to reawaken. Hera slowly bent down, looking at the aged, yet loving face of Emily. She had seen so much, been through so much, Hera thought to herself. She was beautiful.

Hera smiled, as she slowly walked out of the room. Hera gently walked out of the room. She reached her hand to the door, and slowly opened it. Hera slowly turned one last time to see her old master. To Hera, she really was the mother she never had. Hera just smiled, knowing she had one more stop. She reached into the force, and vanished herself in a cloak of light, as she left the room, back down the hallway, to the interior Jedi Garden.

Hera smiled as she looked to the trees, one of the last of their king on Konoha. The beautiful flowers, that dispite so much death and destruction, simply blossomed. This was as close to a home as she has ever had. She walked up to one of the trees and reached her hand to it. "Hello again." she spoke to the tree. "It is great to see you again."

Hera then smiled as she started to laugh, "Well next time, tell that robin to ask before moving in." she said smiling to the tree. She reached out to it, touching it's trunk. She smiled for a second, before retracting her hand. "Oh I am so sorry, I forgot you were ticklish." she then spoke to the tree. It was good to be home.

Admiral Cain worked the pain out of her lower back as she sat quietly in her quarters. Reports were sprawled out over a small table detailing mostly routine maintenance checks and the status of the rest of the Colonial fleet. Cain took another gulp of whiskey and moved on to more important reports when a knock came at her door.

"Enter."

The iron handle turned then the door opened as Commander Jack Fisk stepped through the portal. After closing the door behind him, the commander snapped a quick salute.

Cain's eyes drifted up to him for a moment then returned to the reports in front of her. "Enough. Sit down Jack."

The commander grabbed the chair across from the Admiral and plopped down. Cain grabbed the glass that was resting atop the whiskey bottle and poored the commander a drink. Once Jack had taken his drink, Cain eased back into her chair. "Tell me, how is our 'special' guest fairing?"

There was only one guest aboard the Warstar which was well known to practically everyone aboard the ship. Jack took a drink from his glass then set back on the table as the burning in his throat subsided. "She just slipped into unconciousness an hour or so ago. We still haven't learned much other than they look pretty much the same as a human woman and feel the same. All we know at the moment is that she bleeds red and she feels pain."

Cain's eyes darted up over her reports as she bore them into her chief of staff. "She is not human. Don't ever forget that commander and I don't want to catch any of the crew helping her. If I do, they can join her in the brig. The last thing I want on this is a bunch of frakking bleeding hearts."

"Yes sir. Do you want me to have the doctor wake her?"

Cain relaxed for a moment as she considered the question. "No, let her rest. We'll start fresh in a few hours and intensify the questioning. Make her talk. I want to know everything there is to know about her race and every little bit of intelligence she knows. If war comes with the Abh, I want to know everything I can about my enemy."

"Yes sir. You will have every bit of information we can pull from her. Was there anything else?"

Cain flicked a report towards Jack. As it landed, the page slid right to the commander. "It's the names of the men and women I want working as insurgents in Coredian space to eliminate the cylon problem."

Another paper was sent the commander's way. "This is also a list of those I want working as insurgents only these will be handling the Jedi problem. If the Cylons make friends, we will be more than happy to remove them. At least this way they can't resurrect. A day will come commander when the Cylons are now more and humanity is free to expand without fear. If I have to sacrifice a few Coredians for that day to come, then I will do so without even blinking. Are we clear?"

Jack nodded. "Crystal, sir."

Cain smiled and tilted her head to the door. "Good, now get out. I want those teams ready to go ASAP."

Jack stood and snapped a salute. "Right away sir." Satisfied that he was being released, the commander spun around and headed out the door leaving Admiral Cain alone in her room to nurse her glass of whiskey.

Cylon-occupied Konoha

The Garden was one of the few places where Katrina Masaki could find a sense of serenity. She was at the moment, planting new flowers where the old ones were killed by the heavy Raiders landing on thme. It was one of the few places where she could feel at peace, even in the middle of a nasty war. The trees spoke to her in slow, even rumblings. The flowers sang in the sunlight. The grass...hmm. The grass told her of a presence they knew before. A presence named...Hera.

So, she has returned. Excellent. Katrina wiped the dirt-stained sweat from her forehead and continued working, focused on returning the garden to its more beautiful state pre-Cylon. Hera and her will interact all in due time, but until then, she would continue working.

Meanwhile, one Emily Rydo awoke to find a holocron on her bed. She then smiled as she sensed the lingering presence of her short-time student and grabbed her robes. She wanted to look upon her surrogate daughter, she who was most likely now close to Knighthood, if she wasn't already there. She headed out into the gardens in search of her...

=====

Sparta

Highly militarized and fortified, it was one of the more secure areas of Coreworlds, perfect for training the new crop of the military and also providing a staging point for the newly formed Anti-Cylon Liberation Union. So far, the Cylons have yet to move more than Basestars into Coreidan space, so Naruto was stuck with mostly calling old friends and asking them if they would consider joining his group. Many have already sided with him, being the Konohamaru Corps, most of the Konoha Elite (Rock Lee was busy with Caligula and Hyuuga Neji was busy in the Senate, otherwise Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, Kiba, Tenten, Ino, Shino, Shikamaru, and Chouji were all in), and several members of the Old Guard, like his mentor Jiraiya ("Cute robot chicks? I'm in!", "Ero-sennin!"), although Iruka and Kurenai couldn't be reached at this time. Unfortunately, calls to Sunagakure could not get through in time either, so nothing from Gaara or Temari yet.

Also, many of the Genin and Padawans that decided to fight back against the Cylons naturally gravitated around Travis Masaki, who was currently busy with deciding how best to utilize the kids of his age group to disrupt Cylon activities in the nation. Fortunately, though, he has the assistance of Konoha's #1 Prankster Champion (yes, there really is a Prankster Championship.) Uzumaki Naruto. Still, knowledge on the Cylons were rather limited, although it was known that like the Colonials they seemed to favor slugthrower weapons over energy weapons. They would have to learn more. Much more...

The Shape of Things to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZWEPOf2T-E)


Hera slowly breathes in and out, as she lies on the grass. Her hair laid down upon her face, wild unkempt, as she laid on her side. She took another breath, as she stared off into the distance. Peace, serenity, was all she felt here, as the sounds and chaos of the minds of others did not exist here. There was nothing more than her, the simple purity of nature, and peace.

Hera smiled, the peace of the garden, the life she now embraced so far from home, the love that radiated through this place, nothing could impede it, nothing but the dreams. As she laid on the ground, her eyes grew heavier and heavier. Soon the garden faded, into nothingness.

Hera awoke, standing before a large steal bulkhead, the world she left, nothing more than a dream, as she looked around. Hera quickly looked around, as she was surrounded by steel, and neon white fluorescent lights. She was home, she was on a battlestar.

Hera sighed, as she walked closer to the steel door in front of her. Her footsteps echoed down the hall, as she approached. Like a ghost, her arms hanging down, perfectly still, she got closer to the door.

Pain, suffering, was all she felt, as she got closer. She focused on the door as she approached it, noticing four small tiny fingers protruding from the bulkhead. Tears, pain, and terror, was all she could sense as she reached to the heavy door. Hera had to get inside, she had to see what was causing all the pain and suffering. She had to stop it.

She reached her hands to the wheel and began to spin the door, it spun around, until she heard the sound of metal unlocking. She quickly reached her hands up to the door, and pushed it open with all her might.

As the door flung open, Hera looked down, to see a small child, no more than four years old. Her fingers were purple, her tears never ending, the pain and suffering flowed like water down the side of a cliff, to the abyss that surrounded it. Hera screamed in pain, as she looked to her mother, a blond woman in the room.

“How dare you do that, you frakking little shit!” the woman yelled at the four year old girl. “If I ever catch you doing that again, I promise I will break your frakking neck!” the mother of the child yelled at her.

Hera watched, as her hate swelled. She reached down, and felt the cold metal of her lightsaber. She slowly pulled it, unnoticed by anyone... then she was back in the garden.

Her eyes flickered back and forth, as Hera slowly opened her eyes. In front of her, was a pair of boots, brown, like a Jedi’s. She reached her arm to the ground, and propped herself up, slowly pulling herself to a sitting position. “I was wondering when you would show up, it is so good to see you.” Hera replied smiling.

"It is good to see you again, my dear." Emily smiled behind Hera. She sat down cross-legged besides her. "I sense you have grown stronger in the Force. Has Hawkins taught you well?"

Hera looked upon Emily, as she thought, “My God, it is great to see you again.” Instead of verbalizing it, instead she just smiled. “Emily, he has taught me what he knows, and he has taught me well. But I do not know if I am stronger or not, but then again if I did then it might go to my ego.” she said smiling.

In a quick motion, Hera reached out to Emily as she wrapped her arms tightly around the aging Jedi master., “IT is great to see you again.” she said, as a single tear of joy rolled down her left cheek. “Tell me what happened to this place, why are the centurions here, and why is this place so devoid of life, where once it beamed with ancient forests and a vibrance of life?”

It was lucky that the Centurions were far out of earshot outside the Academy for otherwise, Emily or Katrina (she's nearby, still gardening) would have had to use measures to keep them from listening in. "I do not wish to speak against your true mother, but it must be said. I'm afraid that the Cylons have come in vengeace and destroyed our beautiful planet with nuclear arms, just as the Colonies were destroyed by their hands. All that is left are those cities protected by the shields. Then they forced us into a peace against our will, a peace that is no peace as long as the Cylons remain on Coredia. The result are the Centurions you see walking freely and an embassy being built to the south of Konohagekure."

The way she said it, it was clear that even Emily disapproved of the Cylons being around.

War and death surrounded the peace and love of the last refuge of Konoha, yet in the midst of the small island, slowly becoming saturated with radiation sat the cause of it all, the young girl Hera. Tears slid down her face, as she listened to Emily, like small drops of rain, they landed on the green and fertile grass below.

Hera could not speak, as her mind raced back to a vision of the past, one which the Sith Lord who haunted her promised the death of Konoha, if she did not comply with his desires. Konoha, and the death of it’s population, the blockade in orbit by the colonial fleet, and the cylons on the surface, was all her fault.

Hera’s face turned red, as the tears continued. ‘”I did this, she screamed, it is my fault. I should have listened to him. He told me, he told you he would destroy this place if I did not go to meet him. I should never have listened to you Emily, I should never have accepted the death that he promised. I should have gone with him!” she yelled, as the tears continued to stream down her face, and her thin body shook like a small earthquake. “Two billion dead, because I did not go to him!” Hera yelled.

Emily’s heart cried out for her. “No it is not your fault. It never was your fault. It would have happened sooner or later, with or without you being here. Hera, look at me.” Emily replied to the troubled young girl.

Hera stood up, as she quickly turned her back to Master Rydo. Hera reached up to her face, and began to wipe the tears from her eyes, “No, it is my fault. The cylons would never have come here looking for me, the colonies would not be in orbit now blockading your planet, and the nuclear arms of the colonies and the cylons would not have gone against you if it was not for me. You know this is true, you were there, he said it, Konoha would die unless I came to him. You had me ignore that, and now over two billion innocent people are dead. How in the frak can you say it is not my fault?” Hera said, her voice shaking with anger.

Because what the Cylons have done has happened before, and will happen again, so long as we choose to struggle against the Darkness." Emily said calmly. "It is unfortunate that you are caught in the middle, but believe me when I say that this is not your fault. Hera. I tell you the truth when I say that the blame should lie not with you, but with the Cylons, and their masters.”

"It is their masters who have chosen to manipulate you. It is they who have chosen to attack when they could have stayed their hand. Hera, it was never your fault from the beginning and don't ever let yourself fall into that hole." Emily replied, her eyes filled with sorrow.

Her words were calming, however they were uninformed. Hera looked over her shoulder, as long strands of her black hair covered her eye. Through the mask of hair, Hera stared at Emily, “The cylons have no masters. They act on their own, for their own. They are murderers, my mother is a killer of millions. I will not allow her to kill anyone else in the search for me. She will find me, and she will die, one final death.” Hera said coldly

Emily nodded, knowing that Hera would definitely do it and no Jedi platitudes about forgiveness would stop her. "Then I shall give you advice. When you strike, strike true with all your very being, without hatred or despair, without sadness or pity. When the time comes, do what you must do. Do not hesitate. Show mercy to those who show mercy and show justice to those who don't. That is the way of the light."

"For the Light is holy. It is pure. It does not abide the wages of sin." "It is kind, yes, but even kindness must give way to justice." Emily said, almost as if she wanted it to occur.

Hera looked to her master, “So you are angry as well...” as she turned to walk down the hallway, towards the metallurgy laboratory.



Disclaimer: All parts portrayed by Emily Rydo were done by CW, and with his express permission.

"Yes." Emily replied, watching Hera go off to do something or other. Then as she centered herself in the Force, she noticed the dirty presence of Katrina Masaki approaching.

"I think she's going to be interesting." Katrina commented. "I think our plan will bear fruit."

"Perhaps. But only if it's the will of the Force that we do this." Emily replied. "You know that."

Katrina nodded. "Yeah. Go ask Hera about it when you're ready. If she agrees, we'll need the Council's approval before we go ahead with it."

"Very well." Emily nodded. She resumed her meditation and Katrina resumed her gardening.

Two Days Later...

Sparks flew across the room, as they cooled in the air. Some of the glowing metal vanished into the air, as others smashed against the floor. The sparks suddenly broke apart on the floor, into many smaller sparks before finally dying out, giving in to the cool air around them.

Hera stood for two days, fueled by her anger, pounding away on molten metal. She picked up one of the hammers and swung it, smashing against the steel below, pressing the impurities out of it. She raised her hammer again, as in the red glow of the fire, the sweat and dark dirt on her arms could be seen. Her once pink tank top was now covered in black residue. She swung again, as another explosion of sparks streaked to the sky.

Hera slowly reached down and picked up a bottle of water. She held the bottle up high, and squeezed some of the cool refreshing drink into her mouth. That hits the spot she said, as she quickly unscrewed the cap and dumped it on her head. The water was cool, refreshing, a moment of comfort, around the hot temperatures of the furnace.

Hera looked down to the bottle, “Konoha Springs, Bottled Water.” She read the smaller print below it, From the fresh mountain springs of Konoha. Hera sighed, as she could see the beautiful forrest in the background of the picture. “They are not fresh anymore.” she said as she tossed the bottle into the trash can. She slowly walked over to another machine. Hera smiled as she began to pour the hot lave like substance into thirteen containers, thirteen molds. Thirteen identical molds, and one bigger one.

Hera smiled, as she looked at the molten lava, looking away from the door, yet as if she had eyes in the back of her head she could see Emily Rydo entering the room. “Hello Emily.” Hera replied as she came in.

Hera walked back over to the now purified metal. She held her hands over it. She could feel it’s heat, feel it’s scalding temperatures, as she concentrated. As Emily watched, a while light emanated from Hera, surrounding her, the purified metals, and the mold casings. For a moment, the light was brighter than the sun, as it soon vanished.

Hera turned to Emily, “How are you today? I see you are nervous, nervous about a question. Please ask away, I know you are dying to.” Hera said with a smile, her face covered by small streaks of soot.

“Hello, Hera, I see you are working hard.” Emily said wondering how to break the subject to her.

Hera turned to her former master, as she walked closer to her. “I am.” she said with a smile. Hera continued to walk closer to her, as she noticed Emily getting a little close to her lightsabers. Hera gasped as she threw her hands out to Emily, yanking her two lightsabers into her hands. “Please, do not get to close to these, they are not as friendly to others as they are to me.” She said her voice filled with dread for her former master. The lightsabers flew across the room to Hera, like they belonged with her.

Emily replied, with a soft elderly smile, “Sounds like another lightsaber I know,”she said thinking of Travis.

She smiled at them, as she placed them on her belt. “I am sorry Emily, you came here to talk, what were your going to say, and who is Travis?” Hera asked curiously, as Hera slowly pulled another water bottle to her. Hera slowly pulled the drink to her lips, trying to quench the never ending thirst that she seemed to inherit while working in the room.

Emily smiles for a moment, “Travis is one of the many apprentices of the Order.” Emily pauses for a moment, hesitant of what she was about to say. “As for what I wanted to ask,” she said unsurely, “What are your thoughts on Admiral Cain?”

Hera slowly pulled the bottle out of her mouth. “Admiral Cain, well I do not know, she is headstrong, a good tactical leader, a bit of a bitch, but besides that I do not know. I have never really met the woman.” Hera replied to Emily. Hera slowly relaxed for a moment, as her shoulders slumped. “Why what has happened?” Hera asked.

“Cain has become a threat to Coredia.” Emily sadly says.

Hera smiles for a moment, “And how is that, has she declared war on Coredia? Has she attacked you?”

Emily begins to recant, Katrina’s side of the story. The veiled threats, the insults to her crown, her family, her honor. The tale was sad, tragic, yet familiar. After the speech, Emily sighed. “It would seem that one has to neutralize the other now.”

Hera sighed. “I see. I can see quite a bit. I must say though, I am shocked. When I left you, you preached love and forgiveness, and now you are asking me to take a hit on the Admiral of the Colonies? When did you turn from compassion to assignation? This is a most unorthodox request, Emily, what is wrong?”

Suddenly Emily’s vision swooned and she noticed some strange lines going out from Hera, to Travis somewhere on the planet Sparta. More lines grew from there, as it traveled to the Battlestar Ares with Cain, and a blond pilot, with a small three week old infant, on the battlestar. Emily gasped as the lines centered on Hera, and she faded back into reality. Emily uttered only one word, “Shatterpoint.”

Hera looked at Emily, quite puzzled, as she cocked her head slightly to the left. “Shatterpoint, are you ok, is the heat overcoming you Emily?” Hera asked, completely concerned for her old mentor. “What is a shatterpoint?” she asked her concern growing for Emily.

“I am fine.” she replied to her worried surrogate daughter. “A shatterpoint is a point in time an space where events can change the course of history.”

Hera said nothing, as she let Emily continue. “Think of the faults in a gem. If you strike it at the right angle, at the right time and with the right speed, you can shatter the gem with a single fault. So it is with a shatterpoint, centered around you.”

Hera lowered her head. “Emily I do not understand, are you telling me the future can be changed. From what I have seen the damn future seems to be set in stone. Everything from the death of my homeland, to the death of Konoha, all of it has come to pass.” Hera replied to Emily

“The future is always in motion. One of our greatest Jedi Masters, Yoda, has said that. Emily replied. Only when the future becomes the present is it set. Everything you see is but one possible future.” She replied.

Hera continued to look at the ground, as the room faded away. Hera looked around, shocked at the change. She was inside a battlestar, and before her was a crib, with a little baby crying for hunger, and for attention. Hera looked around the room, “Where is your mother?” Hera asked. Hera turned around, to see a young blond girl pacing up and down the quarters, her left hand twirling her blond hair. “Won’t you just frakking stop crying.” the woman yelled. Hera could since her anger, and hated the woman in return. She reached down and picked up the chold. I will keep you safe, I will not let you down, and I will save you!” Hera replied, as she held the fragile baby in her arms. The world faded again, and she was with Emily, her arms still in the position of holding the baby that was not there.

A small tear began to roll down Hera’s face. “Master Rydo, I do not care what the Council of Coredia says, nor do I care if Cain is a threat. I do care about you, do you want me to take out Admiral Helena Cain?” she asked, still missing the small abused child somewhere on a battlestar.

Emily noticed the change in Hera’s behavior, the way she seemed out of place, how she talked to no one. “It must be a vision.” Emily thought, with a flash of insight she asked, “Is this about the child?”

Hera sighed, “Yes she is my sister, somewhere in space. She is on a battlestar, and her mother is not worth the air she is sucking down. The child is hungry and is ignored.” Hera said her voice filled with sadness for the young helpless infant. Hera slowly turned away and looked at the now cooling metal behind her. She placed her dirty hands on the table, to brace herself, as the great comforter Emily continued., “Admiral Cain must be neutralized, but I believe it is this child that is more important.”

“Will you take out Admiral Cain as the primary mission from the Council, should they ask you for it?” she asked.

Hera paused for a moment. “Emily I do not like this, something is very wrong with this request.” She paused as the light and the dark struggled within her, as her memories faded back to the young baby. Her heart filled with anger, over the child. “I will accept, but not because of your council. Coredia threw me to Ossus, I am a knight of Ossus. That I will never forget, but for you, for your kindness for your love, I will accept.” she replied.

Hera turned around and picked up the slabs of metal and placed them in a processing machine. She began to continue her work. The sparks began to fly once more.

“I do not like this either”, Emily said clearly torn about this horrible request. “I believe it is the will of the force that you must go. I will go and request the mission to the Council.” Emily said.

Hera did not reply as she continued her work. Emily knew Hera was torn, that she was struggling still with the light and the dark. This would be one of her final tests. Emily turned to leave, as Hera continued hammering away at whatever project she was working on.

"This meeting of the High Council is now in session." Master Armas Elendil announced. "Since you have called the meeting, Master Rydo, please tell us your reason for calling it."

"Yes, Master Elendil." Master Rydo nodded. "I have called you all here for a reason. I have experienced a Shatterpoint."

Murmurs rose amongst the Council. Few Jedi can see shatterpoints and this has definitely gotten the Council's attention.

"Please explain." I said.

"It centers around Hera Agathon, whom have just returned to us. The lines then spread out to touch a Battlestar in the center of Colonial space, the Battlestar that happens to be the flagship of Admiral Cain." Rydo explained. "The shatterpoints have touched Cain, a young woman aboard the Battlestar and her child...and another line touches your son, Daniel and Katrina."

Katrina frowned as Travis was mentioned. "If this is true, then they're linked somehow..."

Master Rydo sighed. "I have a proposal. I believe that this comes from the Will of the Force itself or else I would not have agreed to it. We send a team to the Battlestar Ares with the order to take down Admiral Cain. That team should be led by Hera since she knows her way around Colonial circles and contain at least Travis Masaki."

"Assassination isn't a tactic to use lightly." Master Elendil said, with me nodding in agreement. "Are you certain it is the will of the Force?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Emily Rydo nodded. "I don't like this any more than you do, but I'm sure of it."

"Hmm. I think it's interesting." Katrina said. "You know that my meeting with Admiral Cain didn't go well and she practically threatened us in that speech of hers and sent Battlestars in our nation unprovoked. I wish it were otherwise, but I believe that we have no choice but to take her down before she does something to start a war with us."

"Keep in mind that if we agree and fail this mission, war will begin with her anyway." Harry Blayden pointed.

"Then we should not fail." The Hokage said.

The Council decided to give time for the two newer members to give their input.

"And if we should succeed?" Master Whitfield asked, a hint of discontentment in his voice. "Should the assassination succeed but there be a witness, do we kill the witness as well? If we do not, then the universe finds out and war cometh anyway. If we do assent to a full cover-up, we become the very evil which we claim to fight. The Order already faces scrutiny on that count, and not from the Empire. I do not like it at all..."

I felt uneasy as Whitfield had a good point. How far would my son have to go to kill Cain? Maybe I'll give him some advice on how to discreetly kill someone without being exposed, if we go with this. Man, every day it seems to get tougher for the Order to stay afloat.

"Second thing and this is where the mission becomes less unsettling. When she came to me, Hera has seen a vision of a child on board the Battlestar. This child is a sister to her." Emily said. I rose my eyebrow at the 'sister' part, knowing that Hera was half-Cylon. "She is neglected and unwanted by her mother. That is the second part of the Shatterpoint."

Jedi Master Hawkins was present in the flesh in the council's chambers since he had recently arrived to take his position. As such he was as trapped on the besieged planet as the rest of them. As he heard the proposed mission he frowned. There was absolutely nothing good about this proposed clusterfuck.

"I am new to this council, but I have been a Jedi Master for many years. I am new to this planet and its suffering, but not to war and loss. I understand only to well this situation, and yet all I see proposed to correct it is folly. It is clear that members of this council have let emotion determine their decisions. How desperate are we to send a new Knight-Errant and a boy who has not yet had his balls drop on a mission to murder an Admiral. An Admiral who I remind you has not acted out of hate, aggression, or malicious but rather by her own sense of ruthless ethic of duty."

Hawkins now stood and pointed at Master Rydo,

"I do not doubt your abilities Emily, nor do I your sense of this shatterpoint, I disagree with your interpretation. The shatterpoint is not us allowing Cain to live it is of this council's ordering her to die. What have we become for us to order the death of a woman so that others may live. That is not the principles of the Order I swore my life to.

"I know Hera much better than anyone of you, If you send her on this mission, for Travis' sake send her alone. I trained her to get the job done, I trained her to be a razor. It is the only way to survive the darkness, at least for a while." Hawkins looked to Daniel, "Do not expose to that anger Travis, he is not ready for it nor is someone twice his age." He now scanned the entire council. "You tell Hera to kill Cain, she will, but do not dare to judge her methods when you wont do the job yourself."

Hawkins sat down, looking tired,

"I vote no."

Katrina and I exchanged looks at Hawkins' statement. Then we steeled ourselves for our responses. Travis knew the stakes when he graduated the Academy. He knew that there may be times when he may be sent on a mission of war.

Besides, he is a soldier, an adult in the eyes of Coredian law, even at his age. In Coredia, ability, not age, determines whether you're an adult.

"I killed my first Sith Lord at fourteen, an S-level mission." I reminded Hawkins. "It strikes me as hypocritical to not allow Travis to test his mettle in covert operations. I vote for the mission and for Travis to be sent with Hera."

"He is a soldier, not a mere brat." Katrina added sharply. "I say we allow this mission to take place. Cain is a threat to Coredia and must be neutralized."

"Hera will do this mission, but not for the sake of doing it. To her, it is merely a sideshow to finding and protecting the child in the vision." Emily said. "I will give her the chance to do this mission for that reason."

That makes three to two in favor.

"I will abstain in this situation." Master Elendil sighed.

"I agree with Katrina. This mission will allow Cain to be neutralized." Tsunade said. "We cannot afford for her to get it in her head to attack Coredia. Besides. we should equip the team with the tools they need to succeed."

Four to two in favor.

"I disagree with this mission. Too many things could go wrong with this." Harry Blayden shook his head. "I say nay."

Four to three in favor.

"<I shall abstain as well.>" Master Lowbacca sighed.

"There is much surrounding this situation. I am interested in seeing how this mission will play out." King Sarinon said thoughtfully. "Besides, young Travis is made of sterner stuff than Hawkins makes him out to be. He should be fine, all things considered. I support this mission."

Five to three in favor, two abstainations. It was definitely the most controversial subject yet and it was the closest we've gotten to a draw as far as I was aware, but we're now in the thick of it, for better or for worse. The mission was a go.

Darkness within the Light. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKLUDylr-E)

One Day Later
Cylon Occupied Kononha
Jedi Academy

A white crib sat next to a table, on a stage. Six large white curtains, adorned the backdrop, masking only a small portion of the wall. Hera looked down, at the table on the stage, as she heard her sister, no more than three weeks old cooing. She looked down to the baby and smiled, “It is alright Athena, I am coming for you soon.” she said in a loving voice, as she placed the pin near the trigger. Hera reached over and picked up the barrel, and attached it to the main body of the gun, a beautiful replica of a six shot revolver, adorned with black metal, and silver decorations.

Hera smiled as she looked to the baby. “You do want me to come get you don’t you?” the young seventeen year old girl replied. The baby smiled back. Hera for the first time in her life, could see love, experience it. This baby, so sweet, so innocent, was her redemption, her salvation.

“You must hurry” a voice said. Hera looked up, to see twelve robed people in a glowing white light. “Hurry.”

Hera sighed, “You are right.” she said as she picked up the gun. The barrel has an inscription on the side, in old Geminonese, “I shall fear no Evil.” Hera picked up the handle for the gun, her eyes pure yellow, as she began to carve a symbol in the handle, a pentagram.

She picked up the new pistol (http://supernaturalwiki.com/index.php?title=Colt), and gently blew on the handle, her breath, pushing away any dust, or debris from the inscriptions. She held it, it felt good, the weight was perfect, the grip was comfortable, it was the perfect pistol. Hera turned to the people in white, “Thank you for helping me with this.” she said.

“Remember, if you kill someone with this, they will be dead forever. No redemption, no damnation, no resurrection. Anything you kill or hit where you should kill them, will die, forever.” The masked figure replied.

Hera smiled, as she glanced down at the little baby in the crib. “That is what I am counting on. Hera picked up one of the bullets, made of lightsaber resistant material and silver mix. The shell was unusual, as it was numbered... Thirteen. The bullet itself had a small symbol on it, a circle with a cross on the inside. She loaded it into the chamber. Thirteen. She turned the chamber and finished loading the six shooter. Her gun was ready.

Hera reached down to bullets seven through one, and slipped them into her pocket. The once old metallurgy class, now the opera house of Kobal sung to her. Hera looked up to the roof, with it’s beautiful mosaics, golden frames and smiled.

As Hera looked to the ceiling, her sister laying next to her in a crib, Emily was waiting outside. How to approach Hera? What was to be done, when even Master Rydo had mixed feeling on the mission at hand. Outside, Emily was torn, while inside, in the fabled opera house in the city of the gods, the yellow eyed Hera smiled. She reached down and placed the colt behind her, next to her lightsabers. Suddenly she heard a noise, as Athena began to cry. “What is wrong little angel, Hera asked as she reached into the crib to pick up Athena.

Emily breathed in deeply, her conscious weighing heavy on her. Was Hawkins right about Hera’s darkness, could she handle the mission? Emily decided to walk in, and find out.

What she saw astonished her, the room no longer existed, instead it was a beautiful stage. Hera waited on the stage her back turned to Emily, as the Jedi master could see the twelve men in robes standing around Hera, and Athena. Emily was at the back of the room, surrounded by red chairs. Below her, was a small staircase that lead to the main stage. What was this place?

Emily watched, her eyes open, Is this another vision, or a manifestation of her powers? she wondered to herself, as she bravely in this new world walked closer to the stage, wary of the white robed men, and what influence they might have on Hera, or the baby.

Hera did not seem to notice Emily, or did not care, as Hera did not make so much as an acknowledgment of her old friend. This time Emily would have to break the ice. She did not know what was going on, but given time and meditation, she would learn the truth. Emily walked up to the stage, and simply stated, “Hera it is time.”

Hera continued to stare at the backdrop, Her eyes yellow. She watched it, and held on tightly to Athena. A moment passed in silence, as Hera closed her eyes, and kissed the child. “I will be with you soon, I will not let her hurt you anymore.” she replied, as she closed her eyes. As Hera’s eyes closed, the room transformed, back to it’s original state, the metallurgy class. Hera turned around. “Hi”, she said smiling to Emily, as if she heard nothing Emily said, as if she just happened to walk in the room. “How are you, and how long has it been?” she asked seemingly confused about the place or time she is in.

Emily has a small puzzled look on her face, as she played along, not giving away any sign that she had just witnessed the whole stage event. “My dear it is time.” she replied, her voice heavy with turmoil. “The council has asked that you lead a mission to terminate Admiral Cain. If you accept, I would like to offer you some advice, if I may?”

Hera looked to Emily as she walked closer. “Your heart is heavy, might I ask why?” she said as she reached her left hand up to Emily’s cheek. “What is wrong?” she asked as if the gravity of Emily’s words have not quite been understood.

Emily sighed, as she lowered her head, to avoid eye contact with Hera. “You do not see it, for you are too young, but I have seen too much in my time, too much war, death and darkness. I fear this might be a turning point, not just for you but for all of us. The council does not lightly order assassinations, and I fear something might go terribly wrong.” Emily replied.

Hera hated to see Emily like this, it tore her heart in two. Emily walked over to one of the chairs, and pulled it over to Emily. “Please sit.” she asked kindly to Emily. “What else is bothering you?” she asked concerned for Emily’s well being.

Emily looked up to the kind young woman before her, as she spoke, she cracked a slight smile, as if trying to force herself to feel better. “I am fine,” Emily replied, “I just worry about you that is all. Do you not understand, this is a mission where everything can go wrong, at any time?”

Hera looked to Emily quite puzzled, as if the mission was to go to a toy store and buy a barbie doll. “What could happen?” she asked in all concern. Hera walked over to the table, and jumped up on it, and sat down, her legs dangling over the edge. “I do not understand, why be so concerned?” she said, as she cocked her head to the right. “You want me to take out Cain, and I will. She will die as you desire, I would think you will be overjoyed.” Hera responded, her voice showing no more emotion than if she were a professor talking to a student about a homework assignment.

“I do not take joy in the death of anyone,” Emily said, “Even one such as Helena Cain. I guess that is why I am troubled.” Emily paused for a moment, “Even if it must be done, I do not relish it”

Hera smiled, “Emily do not worry, Remember there is no death, there is only the force. You taught me that lesson.” she said smiling.

Emily smiled for the first time genuienly. “Thank you my dear.” she said. “For reminding me of the code. It gives me comfort.” she said smiling.

Hera smiled, “I am glad, I really am. I know you are worried but you should not be, after all I am who I am. If fate exists, and if you are right about be having a destiny is correct, then I will come back.” she said, as her dark brown eyes stared into Emily’s. “Besides if I do not come back, then it will not matter will it.” she said smiling. “The Jedi Council will be rid of crazy old Darth Sunshine. Only Tsunade will miss me because she will not be able to cut open my chest and study my organs.” Hera continued apathetically.

Emily sighed, and looked at Hera with a glare, that if verbalized would be a verbal lashing to top all lashings. Hera just had a blank look on her face, as she crossed her legs. “Please have some respect.” she told Hera, “They do not wish that of you.” Emily paused for a moment and let out a chuckle, “If Tsunade was to ever harm you, she would be deprived of her favorite drink”

Emily continued, “Speaking of Tsunade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4uSmgzAq-w),” she remarked as she searched through her robes, gently pulling out of her robes, a small scroll. “Your team is ready for you, on the planet Sparta. Hera opened the scroll, and was amazed at it. Inside contained the formula for a Coredian technique called Henge, or Transformation. Emily smiled, when Hera opened it. “As you can imagine, I doubt the Colonies will let any Coredian on board a warship.”

Hera did not say a word, as she read the instructions. She reached in her dress pocket, pushing aside the newly made bullets and pulled out one of Hawkins lighters that she borrowed, and had not returned. She flicked the lighter, and slowly set the scroll ablaze. “Thank you for teaching me that technique, I will pass it on to them. Who is the team that you want me to bring?” she asked, still very apathetic.

As the fire ate the paper, burning it into oblivion, Emily felt her hopes burn with it. “Did you memorize that technique?” she asked worried, “before you destroyed it? It is a complicated ritual, one that should not be messed up in any way shape or form.”

Hera smiled. “Emily have you forgotten, I am half cylon.” she replied. Hera then began to repeat the technique verbatim to the scrolls instruction. “If you doubt me, try it now, to see if it works.” she asked, as she repositioned her head to slightly leaning to the left.

Emily began to relax, “That is good, you got it down word for word.” she said. She then looked around the metalurgy ship for a second, all the machines turned off, no longer vibrant and alive as they were twenty four hours ago.

Emily then glanced to Hera. “On Sparta, there you will meet with a Jedi master named Naruto. He will help you to pick a team of three Coredians.” She smiled to Hera, “If I may make a personal suggestion, I would suggest Daniel’s son Travis. He and you share the shatterpoint, and I believe with his help, it will increase your chances of success. Aside from him, you may pick any other two members you desire.”

Hera looked to Emily, as their eyes made contact. Curiously through this entire conversation, she only stared at Emily’s eyes, her body barely moved, as she responded. “Emily, on covert missions, the fewer the better. Have any of these people that I am to choose from been on a covert op before?” she asked concerned.

Emily took Hera’s concern, noting it, as she replied, “Travis has been on at least one, and I am sure Naruto will make sure that the selectees have similar experience.” She said trying to keep Hera’s spirits up.

Hera sighed, “I guess I can take rooks, but I want them to know that I am in operational command. I do not want to die cause of someone else’s mistake. Only then, with a document signed by the Jedi Council giving me operational command, will I agree to take them along. I do not want any mistakes, if I am to do this.”

Emily did not seem surprised. Hawkins did teach her, it is only natural that part of her master would show through, eventually. “What was your rank in the Colonial Military?” she asked.

“I was a lieutenant.” Hera replied.

Emily nodded, as she began to write down something on a piece of paper. A minute went by, as she scribed away. When she was done, she looked to Hera handing her the paper. “Congradulations on your promotion. You are now the rank of Chuunin in the Coredian Special Operations Command. For all intents and purposes, consider yourself a Chuunin-ranked Operative. That should allow you to have operational control of the team.”

Hera looked down, as she read the document. She glanced her eyes up and smiled at Emily, “Does this mean I get a raise?” she said light heartedly.

Emily smiled, “Only when you return safely.” she said. “May the force be with you.” she replied, as she moved closer to Hera to embrace her. Hera did not move a muscle, as Emily wrapped her warm arms around Hera’s cold body. For all the heat in this room, her body was cold, as if she had been walking around outside at Jurai. Hera smiled, “May the force be with you as well.”

And Darkness, Master Whitfield sensed.

For the last four days, Darkness emanated from the room that Hera now stood in. That she transformed in her little theatrics. Hera remained subtle enough that Whitfield could not sense her enchanting her weapon to destroy the soul of whatever its bullets touched, but he sensed some vague Sith magic coming from out of there.

Worse, he sensed Emily's presence right there. He sensed a distinct lack of anything resembling an attempt to even contain the Darkness from Emily. Emily, in a nutshell, did not seem to care.

He knew why Emily was there--to break the news to Hera that the Jedi Council had ordered her to take part in an assassination. An assassination shrouded in Darkness, that Hera might perform, that the Council might wash its hands clean. A distinct willingness on the part of the Order to sanction actions befitting the rule of Palpatine.

And all this heaped upon other events of the day...Whitfield had sensed that the Coredians had embraced Darkness a bit much lately. He had not even been informed of the Council's meeting regarding the actions of Bailey Kipper until he had read a news dispatch about it. The Council had done nothing more than wash its hands of that one...just who was to enforce the edict against Kipper using the Force once he had left Coredian Jurisdiction? Granted, he should have, and would have, recused himself if he had been present for the meeting, but the fact that a sitting Council Member would not even be notified of such an event spoke volumes...

The Jedi were that in name only. They had lost their way. Over the last twenty four hours they had lost any and all semblance of the moral high ground---war or no war. Only a single Master actually native to Coredia had spoken against the assassination.

One.

Indeed, she who was responsible for healing so many of Darth Ebolus' so-called "Sith Wraiths" now was the most outspoken advocate of using Hera to conduct Dark Tasks with the blessing of the Jedi Order. Hera too useful for the Order, the Order too Dark to pass up the chance to go on a killing spree.

Master Whitfield left no notice with anyone. He left no idea that he was leaving, the cloaked shuttle that he had taken here remain parked on the tarmac as it had been during the meeting itself. He left no resignation, not even a word of protest. He sighed as he entered the Woodian Consulate to send a secure HPG transmission to White Diamond that the Coredians would not see.

A message requesting extraction in a Romulan-built Scimtar class Warbird.

As the meeting concluded the council was dismissed. Hawkins looked around and noticed that the Woodian Councilman had already left. He forced himself to breath deeply for ten seconds before he stood and made his way to the exit. As he was leaving he caught sight of Daniel and Katrina standing next to each other. He felt his anger rise again, those were the two main creators of this mission. A mission where they wanted to use Hera to clean up the mess they had made. Hawkins made his way over to the two most powerful Jedi Masters Cordia had offer.

“Katrina, Daniel, I must tell you that I have a bad feeling about this mission.” Hawkins looked directly into there eyes his voice was stern and unequivocal. “You both know my feelings about it. I understand that Travis is your kin and under your chain of command, that you feel he is a…soldier.” He found it hard not to laugh, it was not that he found it funny, pathetic perhaps, but really it was unjust to force the ways of war onto a boy so young. If he was to die on this mission, he would die a virgin, never been laid, a soldier to the Cordians he may be, to Hawkins though he was no man, not yet. “He is yours to pt into harms way.

“Know that Hera is like a daughter to me. I have no family, if you remember I once had an apprentice as close to me as Hera. Fiona Masaki killed him slowly after she cut of his arms. Now your family is putting Hera in danger. She not under your chain of command but rather she is a knight-errant of my order. This mission she is doing because of persuasion from Emily, and your orders. Know then that if she falls in this mission, if she is killed I shall hold you both responsible.”

“If the day comes that I hear she died on this mission, that day shall be your last because I shall kill you both.” Hawkins turned and started to walk away half way to the door he turned around arms stretched out. “What am I saying my friends I am sure this mission will be a resounding success!”

+++

Hawkins was walking down the corridors, he didn’t know it was 2am nor did he much care. The day’s work had his mind on other things, dark possibilities, bleak chances for the future. It all revolved around Hera and this mission. So he did what he always did when he could tell the shit was about to hit the fan, he went out and got a few drinks. Now half stumbling he had a half empty bottle of whiskey in a brown paper bag in his hand.

He looked at the hatch in front of him he had reached his destination, they were Hera’s quarters. He pounded on the steel hatch three time and announced,

“Hera it is me, Hawkins.”

Hera hated sleep, the dark room the lack of consciousness, and the nightmares that come. Always the nightmares. Hera laid in her bed, wearing a purple nightgown, as her eyes stared at the ceiling. “Maybe tonight they will not come.” she thought to herself, like she has done every night since she could remember. But they always come.

Slowly her eyes grew tired, as she closed them. Silence, and nothing had occurred as she drifted off to sleep. The world faded, as she began to drift off to sleep.

BANG BANG BANG, was all she heard as she lept from her bed. She looked down, and saw a knife in her hand, usually under her pillow. She smiled at it, knowing that her training kicked in without a thought.

“Hera it is me Hawkins.” she heard from the other side of the door, as the banging continued.

Hera walked over to the door, and closed her eyes. As her eyes closed, she could see her inebriated master on the other side. She walked over to the door nob, and opened the door.

“Sir.” she replied, “please come in.”

As Hawkins stumbled in, she could smell the whiskey on his breath. She wrapped her arm around him, to give him support, as she walked him over to the bed. She sat Hawkins down, clearly he was too drunk to stand. “How are you sir?” she asked him, knowing the answer before he could respond.

“Why do you ask questions you already know the answers to?” Hawkins asked his former apprentice now made Knight-Errant. “Thanks for the assist.” He told Hera as he fell into a chair with a loud groan. He placed the bottle of whiskey and two glasses on the table.

“As you could probably have guessed I am just peachy,” He said as he poured the amber liquor into the two glasses and pushed one towards her. “You know about the mission the Cordians asked you to do by now. I tried to shoot it down but Daniel and Katrina say jump and fools like Lowbacca say ‘Grrrrrrrrrr’ which is Wookie for how high.” He laughed at his bad joke.

“This is the last time we will be seeing each other for a while, I thought we could have a few drinks. Besides it would probably be better if you didn’t sleep tonight.” He told her, for a moment his eyes cleared and his voice sobered.

“Your dreams Hera, have they returned? Are they worst than before?”

Hera sighed, as she looked to her master, and reached for the drink. She picked up the glass, and swirled the drink around, the amber liquor, slowly sliding up the glass. For a moment she seemed to vanish into thought, before snapping out of it.

“The man in white or Palpitine have not returned if that is what you are asking.” she replied, as she stared into the glass. Hera stopped swirling the drink for a moment, and put the glass to her lips. The glass, once half full, vanished as she guzzled the drink down. Her face controrted slightly from the strong taste, as she placed the glass down.

“May I bum a smoke?” she asked of Hawkins, as she held out her hand, and in her other she pulled out one of his lighters that she never gave back.

Hera slowly grabbed the cigarette from Hawkins and lit it. She took a deep breath, and sighed, “But I am still having nightmares. They are not from him, but they are of a child, my sister. She is not a sister by blood, but she is just like me, born of two worlds, one man one machine. Her mother treats her like crap, and will become abusive.” Hera replied as she looked down, her hand shaking slightly as she took another drag.

“Every night, I see her, a three week old baby, so helpless, crying out to me to save her from the fate that she will have. Athena knows me, she needs me, and every night I see the abuses that is to come. I see her hands bloodied, her bones broken, her psyche destroyed, every night. So yes I am still having nightmares, and they are getting worse.” Hera replies.

"I do not find it surprising that there is a child suffering in the Colonies Hera. You know the destruction wrought there. So many have so little on which to survive a mother and a child have it rough, but you say she is of two worlds..." Hawkins drained his glass and poured them another.

"Is it possible Hera if this child is like you that she is afflicted by the same source that your nightmares are generated from. That she to is being hunted, stalked every night in her dreams."

Hawkins eyes looked at Hera's covered neck.

"Your seal should protect you from any overt frontal attacks like you were afflicted with in the past. However it could be possible given this Sith's incredible strength that he ha found out how to seep some of his power through the seal. Perhaps these nightmares you are having now are in fact like the tangible vision of the past."

"Do you think that for one second that is possible. Perhaps these visions of the baby suffering of the mother's abuse are created to force you to take violent actions?"

"Hera, if you doubt for one second about taking a life, you do not take that life.

"I trust you though Hera. You are no longer my apprentice. Your are a Knight-Errant, you must justify your actions whatever they are. Know that I will support them, and you always." Hawkins trusted Hera with his life, he trusted her to follow her own path, this is one of the reasons why he did not ask to see her seal. He trusted that she would still want it to be holding back the darkness.

Hera reached down, and poured herself a second glass of whiskey. She watched it flow from the glass, as she filled it to the brim, then began to refill Hawkins glass to the brim. Hera looked to her former master and smiled. ‘”If I am not going to see you for a while, then lets drink.” she replied light heartedly.

Hera picked up her glass and took another gulp. She sighed, as she put the glass down. “Sir, it is possible, what you say is true. Even so, it is all the more reason I need to find Athena and protect her.” Hera paused for a moment, as she looked down to the table, at her drink. “If the mother is doing what I see, she has to be stopped, at any cost. If you are right, then I need to get that baby still, I can not let what he has done to me, to happen to her. She is defenseless, and if he is starting at this young of an age, then she will be beyond saving very soon.” Hera replied sadly.

As she finished her statement, she looked up to Hawkins. “What happened to me was unforgivable. I was raped by the force, tortured and beaten. You were there. I still bear the wounds of that in my mind, maybe that is why everyone thinks I am crazy.” she said trying to laugh. “I was forced to be the person I am, and I scare myself, I really do. I know what I can do, the horrible things behind the mask in the mirror. I know the truth, that if I slip any farther I will become a rabid dog that needs to be put under. I am on the edge of a cliff, the slightest breeze can send me tumbling over. This is why you are worried, this is why you are against the mission, but this is the reason I accepted it. I can not let that happen to Athena, no matter who is doing the abuse.”

Hera reached to the ashtray and put out her cigarette. She looked up to Hawkins and smiled, “You are the only one that has ever trusted me completely. Emily means well, but I remember all too well when she thought I was a danger to her students, even when I pleaded with her that I was not. The rest of the Coredian council except for that bitch Tsunade wanted to discard me to the wind, had it not been for you accepting me as your charge. For that I truly am grateful.” Hera said, as she picked up her glass and drank another drink.

“They treat me like a redeemed, or when it suits them, like a weapon. I am a weapon, but a weapon when not in use, is a useless object. I hunt, I kill, it is all I know. They do not see though the beauty of the redeemed as they call it. The Jedi sit on a high perch, looking down at those who fell, who slipped down the cliff, knowing they are better. They are not better, they are far worse. They fear the fall, and those who survive and climb back to the top they hate, for those who fell know what is at the bottom, and had the strength and fortitude to climb back. They fear those who fell, cause they fear they could not do the same. It should be an honor to be called a redeemed.” Hera concluded.

Sparta

"Enter." A voice said, strong and vibrant.

Several ninjas of Konoha and leaders of the grassroots resistance movement around the nation entered the makeshift office of Uzumaki Naruto, the newly installed leader of the Anti-Cylon Liberation Union and the soon to be Rokudaime, or Sixth Hokage once he decides to bump out the Fifth.

"Naruto-sama. We've come to join the Cause." One ninja said.

Naruto's blue eyes, speckled with red trailed over the group. "You understand that once word reaches the Council of our activities, the worst case scenario would be to be considered insurgents or missing-nin and hunted down."

"Yes, sir. But we still intend to fight the Cylons. If it means having...disagreements with our comrades, then so be it." The ninja said.

"Besides, I doubt the Council would go that far." An old friend named Inari smiled. "You're too popular and it wasn't for nothing that the Great Naruto Bridge was built."

"Hehe. I still can't get over the idea of a bridge named after me." Naruto grinned. "All right. I will expect reports from each of you least once a week. For now, you are to watch and wait. Gather intelligence on the Cylons, spread awareness of their misdeeds, gather supplies by whatever means necessary and more importantly, any collaborators will need to be tagged as well. Otherwise, your cells will be independent of the other. Don't take the government for granted, for the Cylons may force them to crack down on you, so tight security must be maintained. Good luck, and may the Force be with you all."

With that, the leaders dispersed from Sparta to do their duty for their country.

"Ibiki-san." Naruto whispered into the shadows as the cell leaders dispersed. "Your job is to keep up to date with events at Konoha. Keep in touch with Tsunade so that when the time comes, she can drive the enemy out."

"Very well, young Uzumaki." The scarred head of the ANBU nodded, then smiled. "You will make a good Hokage, like your father before you. Use this experience to restore the good title. When the time comes, the ANBU will stand with you."

"Thanks." Naruto grinned. "Now go."

The older man nodded and flickered away.

"Now's a good time to see how the kids are doing." Naruto chuckled and flickered away as well...

"Hera it is an honor and one you and I shall were proudly. Listen to me though, you are much more than a weapon, I trained you to be one when it is nessicary but you are a living breathing being. You are capable of much more than killing, you want love, you want a normal life, a family, children. I can see that much in you, and those were all feelings I too shared once. Yet, you had those important things taken from you just as I had mine. Now we exist for one reason, to fulfill our duty and ensure that those things are not taken from others. So that the nest generation does not need to be forged into weapons like us." He told his former apprentice and now fellow Jedi.

"About you mission Hera, I consulted the rest of the Raven's Council. We have agreed unanimously. You can not kill Admiral Helena Cain on this mission. Nor can you allow Travis Masaki to kill her. If he attempts to do so you are to render him incapacitated. If possible you will take him to Ossus but if returning with him puts your survival in doubtyou can live him behind. I will leave that decision up to your discretion. Cain is a tryrant but she is not a Sith the actions she took for better or worst have been required of her duty. It is the actions of the Cordian Council and Katirina that I doubt.

"As far as this child goes. I believe your mind to be to clouded with emmotion to see the truth. However if the child is of your family you are authorized to bring it back home. However you are her sister not her mother. You must also bring the mother back. Perhaps in a safe and peaceful enviroment things will be better for the struggling family. You must remember you are a Jedi before everything else and we do not seperate forcefully any family, that is what the Sith did to me, and by proxy you. THat is not something I would wish upon anyone else."

"Any questions about your orders Knight-Errant Agatheon?

A crossroad appeared before Hera, as she listened to her former master. Emily... Hawkins... this day she knew would come, the day that she would have to choose between the two had arrived. Hera picked up her glass of whiskey and gulped it down. Eight shots of whiskey, for a ninety pound woman, it was quite overwhelming.

Seconds later her head began to spin, as she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. Hera, trying to hold back the pain, reached across her stomach. She tried to suck it up, as she looked to Hawkins. “Sir, I understanddd...” she said as she began to drift off for a moment. “What ifff... she said slurring a bit, what if everything I saw is true.” she said, as she leaned over a bit, wrapping both arms around her waste.

Hera listened for the response that she knew was coming, that the mother should be brought back at all costs. Hera, her head spinning, looked up to Hawkins, “This is going to be much harder than Miranda.” she replied, as she leaned her head back against the chair... It was the last thing she remembered.

Eight hours later
10:43

Hera woke, her head pounding, her body feeling tired, sick, like she had been in a fight. She opened her eyes, as the rays of the a street light, shined it’s white light into her dark brown eyes. “Uggh” she replied, as she pulled the blanket over her head. Every muscle in her body felt sore, her stomach felt sick. She laid in bed just wanting to die, as the minutes past.

She slowly summoned the strength, and got out of bed. Each movement felt like she weighed a thousand pounds as she went to the shower then got dressed. The world still spun, as she walked over to the sink and drank water, glass after glass. Hera thought to herself, “Damn it Hawkins.” as she heard her head still pounding.

Hera sighed, as she reached into the medicine cabinet and pulled out a couple asprine. She took the white pills and grabbed another glass of water, taking them in hopes of alleviating herself from the hangover. “Man.” she thought to herself, “This is just like being back at Ossus.”

Hera grabbed her bag, packing her belongings, the few she had. Couple pair of clothes, her combat knife, her lightsabers, the colt, it’s bullets, everything but the lighter. Hera searched up and down the room, looking for the thing. She opened every drawer, looked in the seat of the couch, everywhere. Hera slowly closed her eyes as she searched the room for the lost lighter, the one she stole from her master. She could not sense it, it was gone. Hera sighed, as she knew the truth, Hawkins stole her lighter back.

Hera grumbled to herself as she walked out of the room. Down the long corridors, past her garden, she walked. She barely glanced at her old hangout spot, the place of peace. It was not hers anymore, she had too much to do, and too little time to do it. Perhaps one day she could return, but it would not be today.

As she walked, the hallways were empty. The Jedi Academy was nearly dead, no students running around, no one but a few wayward teachers, and the Jedi council. It was sad, a place of learning, having no one to teach. Hera just heard footsteps, her own, echoing, as she walked past the lightsaber building classroom.

As she approached it, she heard a small voice, and felt something come from that room. She stopped and turned her head, as she looked at the door. Slowly she walked into the room.

Around her were parts for lightsabers, multiple typed, crystals, hilts, power supplies, everything she would ever desire or need. She continued to hear a small voice, as she walked closer to the drawers filled with crystals. She knew one was crying out to her. She reached down, and opened the drawers. In the small compartment was five crystals. Four of them were purple, one was red.
“Which one of you is calling to me?” she asked the gems in the drawer, but no response came.

“Come on now, which one of you was it?” she asked the small gems in her hand. “I am on a time limit, I do not have time for these games.” she told the small rocks in her hand.

She sighed, “Frak it.” she said, as she put all five of them in her bag. “I will sort this out later.” she said to herself as she walked out, and to her Raptor.

Soon she began the start up sequence, and began to take off. She lifted off, and set the jump coordinates for Sparta. As her ship rose, it vanished in a white light.

Meanwhile, sometime during those eight hours...

Master Whitfield waited at the Woodian Consulate for a response to his request to come. About three hours later, he was directed to proceed to a point just outside of the theatre shield, to the south, for extraction.

The ninety-something-year-old Jedi sighed, almost wept, as he procured a speeder bike from the Consulate and sped south. The Jedi Order all but succumbed to Darkness...Emperor Palpatine's greatest victory indeed, and Palpatine wasn't even around to celebrate. Only one Coredian Council Member still walked within the Light. The Order had finally fell off the tightrope it had long walked between Light and Dark--and it fell on the wrong side of said tightrope.

The Black Crusade...wholly unnecessary. Redundant. Plenty of Darkness within. Thoughts of regret swirled throughout Whitfield's mind...regret that he had accepted his position on the Jedi Council, that he might have instead remained blissfully ignorant of the Darkness perpetrated therein. He felt almost like Obi-Wan Kenobi watching Anakin Skywalker Fall before him...and unable to do anything about it. No matter what he said, no matter what he did, the Council would always outvote him, would always vote the Way of the Dark, would always Reject the Light. He was simply window dressing, accorded a false prestige that meant nothing. Staying on would have been vain, that much today's vote (and the Council's earlier failure to even inform him of the vote concerning Bailey Kipper) made clear.

He dropped one final thought into the Force, aimlessly, as the waiting transporter beam sucked his being into the air and into a waiting, fully phase-cloaked, Romulan Scimtar.

May the Light return to you.

The thought carried a sorrowful, mournful tone, as if a lifelong friend had just died. Of course, as the rest of the Jedi Council had made sure that Whitfield was not present for the Bailey Kipper Meeting, Whitfield had absolutely no idea that those words were exactly Lowbacca's last words to Bailey Kipper as the latter was Exiled...

(OOC: Cleared the Warbird with Orthodox Gnosticism via MSN.)

Sparta

Travis Masaki stared at himself. For the first time in a long while, he took a nice, hot, shower and was now in the process of deciding what to do with his hair. It has grown longer during his time at Nightshade's prison planet and with the infusion of healthier food as well as a lack of Dark presence, it has recovered much of its blue color. Now it was a wild, unruly mop that felt like it needed a bit extra to be perfect. He was thinking of giving it a tail of some kind, but he wasn't sure whether to have it bushy like a fox's or skinny and braided like his father. Whatever it was, he needed to make sure it was good. Then he figured a compromise wouldn't be hard to manage. He began molding his hair, pulling back most of it, but leaving enough up front to form bangs. Not quite bushy, but not quite skinny either, and besides, he didn't like braids. Then he tied it up with a band and looked at himself again.

"Looks good." He grinned.

Next, he headed to his room and picked out boxers, camo cargo pants, a white T-shirt and a red vest. He put them all on and checked himself. "Even better, but still feels like there's something missing. Ahh..."

A red hachimaki. Tied to his forehead and letting the long ends fall freely with the hairtail. Travis now felt complete and clipped his utility belt to his waist, catching the T-shirt and making it appear like a tunic of olden days.

Just in time, too, as a *poof* of smoke appeared on the windowsill of the apartment where Team Seven stayed. "Ready, kid?"

"Ready, Naruto-sensei." Travis nodded.

"Let's go." Naruto grinned. "You've got a tough session today."

"Yes, sir!" With that, the Master and the Apprentice sped out of the apartment, jumping from roof to roof and then tree to tree as the town gave way to forest. Before long, even forest gave way to meadow and a nearby lake as the twosome reached a training area specially booked for the two of them. After all, it wouldn't do for the techniques Naruto and Travis will unleash each other to mess up other training areas.

"Let's see what you've got." Naruto grinned and then disappeared. And no, it wasn't a teleport.

Travis then ignited his lightsaber, blocking Naruto's deadly blade with his own.

"Good reflexes." Naruto commented. "Hope you can keep up!"

The meadow witnessed nothing but two blurs, one orange and one gold. Explosions then occurred as the twosome unleashed the elements on each other. Fire and water, earth and wind, and even flickers of lightning and flashes of white or blue from time to time. By the time a Raptor popped into orbit over Sparta and was given clearance by the Battlestar Coredia, the meadow began to look more like a warzone than a pristine wilderness.

When training with a Master like Naruto, Travis certainly had to give it his all, especially as his Sensei was much faster and stronger with the demonic blood coursing through his veins now. He hadn't had this much of a workout in a good while, although he wished it was his Dad giving him the workout. Still, he knew that his father had a job to do, just as he has his job to do to protect the innocent and defend the weak...

A small streak burned through the sky, as fire consumed the small body, leaving behind a long smoke trail as the raptor descended on the planet below... Sparta.

The flames licked the hull, teasing it, with fiery death, as the small ship continued down, towards the directed landing pad below, where hopefully this mission would begin. Hera peered out of the cockpit window, as the raptor shook, pushing it’s way through the atmosphere.

She still could not believe how easy it was to land on the top secret planet of Sparta. “Was Coredian security always this lax?” she wondered to herself, as the shuttle continued to shake. “Even though they knew I was coming, still, they should have asked for clearance codes, and not permitted me to land without a through search of this vessel.”she thought to herself, as the flames slowly died around her. “I could easily have a nuke on board, or worse, yet they just let me come on down.” Hera thought to herself, as the beautiful blue sky appeared before her.

The small brown ship, slowly began to approach the landing coordinates. It hovered for a moment, above it’s landing site, and slowly landed. Hera turned, as she took off her flight suit, and put in it’s place, a form fitting red sleeveless dress, with a black trench coat. She slid her combat boots on, and grabbed her two lightsabers, and the colt. She reached around, and placed the gun and the saber of her creation behind her back, under her coat, as she proudly displayed the newly imbued Silver lightsaber of Hawkin’s last apprentice. Hera then turned to her combat knife, and slid it against inside her left combat boot, snug against her leg. She strapped the blade to her lower leg. Hera turned and opened the door, and walked out on the tarmac.

If Hera figured Sparta's security was lax, she was quite misinformed indeed. Though it was subtle, the highly-secure planetary system had scanned her quite thoroughly for known unwanted items. It pays to have droids at times.

As she stepped off the tarmac, a man sporting what amounts to Dark Jedi clothing, complete with a black cloak and red eyes, appeared before her. Hera Agathon, meet one of the few people in Coredia who could give her a run for her money in the illusion and darkness department and yet one of the most loyal to his people. Uchiha Sasuke. "You are expected, young Agathon. Come."

A speeder waited for them to climb aboard.

=====

May the Light return to you.

Jedi Master Armas Elendil watched his colleague leave through the Force and felt his heart sadden as he sensed the parting words. "Have we made a mistake in walking the tightrope of light and dark? To walk the Balance? We will have to search the Force and our own souls for answers, that's for sure."

=====

I sighed as I typed a message to my son. The disturbance I kept sensing over the assassination plot was strong enough that I just had to warn him about it.

Hey, kid. It's your dad.

By the time you recieve this, you will likely already have discovered the scope of your mission. I have a very bad feeling about this whole thing. I urge you to decide for yourself whether or not to execute the mission. I will respect your decision and hold off your mother's ranting if you decide not to execute it. If you do decide to execute the mission, be sure to go through all possibilities before deciding on the most useful way to execute it.

And furthermore, listen well to your team leader. She knows how to do the mission and to do it with success. She will help you if you need it.

Be very careful, Travis. I cannot stress enough that you do not reveal yourself on this particular mission. That, above all else, even the execution of the mission, is paramount. If you cannot do it without revealing yourself, then don't. Remember, the mission is important, but surviving said mission is even more important.

Well, that's all I have to say. Take care, kid, and may the Force be with you.

Hera stepped off the Raptor. The sun shined it’s warm life giving rays to the planet, as the rays of light covered the budding flowers on the trees, and the flowers that grew, in beautiful arrangements around the tarmac. Hera could smell the pollen in the air, could feel the warmth of the sun against her black trench coat.

She took a few steps forward, and looked around. She could feel the beauty, the wonder, yet unlike her time in the garden she was not engrossed in it. She was there, watching, observing, but she was not a part of it. Something was different here.

Hera looked around, as she closed her eyes, looking, feeling seeing everything around her. She could see miles away two friends, a boy and his teacher, flaunting their powers, dueling in a mock battle, not unlike her and Hawkins. She could feel the icy cold nature of the man in black that approached her, his darkness, that matched her own, she could see the personal in the base, she could feel them. She listened carefully as they all talked to her, she could hear them, she became them.

The man in black approached, his eyes as red as a Sith lord’s lightsaber, his demeanor as cold as hers, his life drenched in misery, pain, and death. The man, much like a reaper walked closer. Hera nodded to him. “Master Sasuke.” she replied.

Sasuke, nodded in return. “You have been expected, Young Agathon, come.” he replied, his voice full of duty and purpose. “It would seem I have.” she replied, as the man lifted his hand to a speeder. It was a beautiful speeder, black, with yellow racing stripes. The windshield was placed just so, that it enhanced the beauty of the speeder.

Hera slowly climbed inside, sitting in the back seat of the speeder. She knew better than to sit in the front seat. In the front seat, one could easily stab you in the back of the neck, or a clever person could wrap a garrote around your neck, and squeeze the life out of you. She knew that the Coredians would not harm her, but her training kicked in, and besides why take chances.

The trip was short, and quiet. Hera looked to her chauffeur, the Coredian agent. He was silent. She respected that, he was a man of action, of little words. She knew that this man, Sasuke, accepted who he was, knew what he had to for his duty. So much like her. She smiled for a second, as she lowered her head.

Suddenly the car began to slow down. Hera smiled, as she did not say a word to the man. She got out of the car, and watched from a safe distance, as the streaks of Gold and Orange clashed in the field. Hera studied them, their styles’ their techniques. She felt no emotion, she was cold, as she patently observed the subjects at work and play. Fireballs covered the field, lighting water, hell Hera would not have been surprised if they broke down to squirt guns and water balloons. A slight breeze began to pick up, as for a moment, she looked to the sky.

Master Sasuke however began to study Hera. He watched her, as she watched the two in the field. He knew why, it was the same reason Hera watched them. To study what might be one day an enemy. He could see in her duty, and purpose. She like him, was a weapon, a person trained to do what needed to be done, without reservation or hesitation. He respected that. He knew of Master Hawkins. Sasuke thought to himself, she is not like the others, where others fear her darkness, fear mine, she holds it in, using it when needed. She would, as her master would, make an excellent Shinobi.

Hera did not turn to him, but she replied to his inner thoughts, “I will take that as a compliment.” she said, her voice seemingly full of life, like a little girl. She turned her head slightly towards the man and smiled. Several strands of black hair flowed over her eyes, obscuring them. She then turned back to the men in the field.

Not much could surprise Sasuke. After all he had been trained to expect the unexpected, it was in his nature. After all one mistake, no matter how subtle, or minuscule, could result in his untimely death. Still though, for the first time in a long time, he felt shock and surprise. His face gave it away as he raised an eyebrow. “Not many people can read the minds of an Uchiha, and even those that can require effort. Yet she read mine without effort, she is quite unusual.” he thought to himself.

Laughter erupted from Hera. “I am not unusual, I am just an average seventeen year old girl.” she remarked her face still obfuscated by her hair, as he slowly walked around the car attempting to see her.

As she laughed, the rain began to fall, a slight warm spring rain. It was a soft, gentle shower. Hera could feel the water slowly plucking her head, as she watched the steam slowly drift to the heavens from Naruto and Travis’ blades.

Sasuke watched the young witch in front of him. He still said nothing, but replied, “So you are an average seventeen year old girl. So many of them read minds.” He thought to himself.

Hera did not respond, as the combatants splashed in the puddles, crossing thier blades with one another, fighting an epic battle, savage with all the might they could muster on each other, and yet still be safe.

“You got it.” Hera finally replied to Sasuke. Out of no where, like someone waved a flag or rang a bell, the two in the field stopped.

Travis looked tired, as the rain fell on him washing the sweat off his body into the ground. He panted hard, his heart raced. He was tired, worn out and beaten. Narato however stood resolute. He did not breath hard, his heart was at the pace of a nice stroll in the park. No sweat fell from him, as if he did not do anything at all. He smiled to Travis, bearing his newly acquired fangs. “Well, for taking a year off on vacation, you did better than I expected, but your skills still need to be honed, and you need to practice a lot more.”the possessed ninja replied to his student.

Steam poured off Travis, as his body temperature rose. Nearly yelling at his master, Travis was quick to reply, “Vacation my ass, you should try hanging out with that bitch.” Narato chuckled, “A year that is nothing. Do you have any idea of how long I have known Katrina? How I wish for only one year.” he replied grinning to his young apprentice.

Hera walked over to Sasuke, her feet slowly making imprints in the soft topsoil. She looked up to him, her head soaking wet, her hair hanging down, over her face. She walked up next to the man, and gently leaned against the car, watching, and listening to them, observing their actions, their interactions. She observed there movements, listening to their psyches. “Interesting watching them is it not?” Hera asked Sasuke, as she continued to make mental notes about the specimens before her.

Sasuke replied, his voice full of disappointment, as this guest to the Coreworlds, watching the great heroes of the Rebellion bicker back and forth like children, “They are of like mind. Like twins, but sometimes you have to ask yourself if Travis is the older of the pair.” Sasuke began to walk forward, as the sly joke quickly became a heated argument.

“That is my mom you are talking about?” Travis yelled at Narato.

“Does that mean I am wrong?” Narato replied back.

“Well hey that is not my point” Travis replied. “It is my point.” Narato shot back

As the insults began to fly, only one thing broke up the verbal lashing, Sasuke. The pair slowly turned their attention towards the man, and in the background two hundred yards away, a small young woman. “You are a bunch of idiots, our guest has arrived, and instead of coming to greet her, and introducing yourself to your captain, you are out here acting like a pair of ten year olds.” Sasuke said clearly disappointed.

"My captain?" Travis asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Didn't get the memo yet?" Sasuke stared evilly at Naruto, who tried to remain innocent.

"What? I just wanted to train him!" Naruto replied.

"What? What memo?" Travis looked from his sensei to Sasuke-sensei.

"As his captain, I believe it is you who must lay it out for him." Sasuke sighed, delivering the words to Hera.

Hera walked forward from the car, she is five foot eight, with normally long dark brown hair, but with the rain, it appeared black. Her skin was unblemished and pale. Her eyes were dark brown.
She walked towards the pair, her red dress barely exposed from her black trenchcoat. She sighed as she walked to them. She knew she had a lot of work to do, and little time to do it in. Coredians were well known for their flash, for their style. But this quality which makes them entertaining to watch, was a death sentence on a covert operation. Hera knew, as she walked closer to Travis, that she would have to teach him the art of being subtle, of blending in and of not being noticed. She had her work cut out for her, and not much time to do it.

She walked up to the pair, as the warm spring rain continued to pound her coat. Hera looked at the men, Sasuke a man who was more like minded, than the pair before her. She looked to Sasuke, and wished the Council had assigned him to the team, instead of the boy before her.

The rain continued to splash her face, as she reached into her pocket. Hera smiled to Travis, and Narato, as she bowed slightly to them, attempting to show them respect, in their own customs.

“Hi.” she said, like a happy energetic teenager. “The Jedi Council, has asked me to assemble a team of the best and brightest Coredia has to offer, and your father and mother have especially requested that I take you Travis along.” she said, as she lowered her eyes a bit, acting shy.

She waited a minute, then continued. “All I can tell you at this moment, is your mother and the Jedi council have deemed this mission as a top priority for the national security of Coredia. That is all I can tell you at the moment. Do you accept Travis?” she said, as she turned her head up, and looked into his eyes staring into his soul, trying to see what kind of boy the Coredians had asked her to join up with.

Travis Masaki saw a bubbling seventeen year old on the surface of Hera, even as she spoke of a mission of which he was to be a part of. But underneath, he could detect a hidden razor within the bubbly exterior, a weapon sheathed, but ready to be used at any time. So that's what Sensei meant when seeing beneath the beneath...

As for learning of the mission itself, he was surprised that his mother herself has thought of him highly enough to undertake what appears to be a high-level mission, possibly B-ranked or even A-ranked. He wondered, though what was the scope of this mission. Well, since the Council had ordered it, he would accept. In an instant, he transformed from cheerful, happy-go-lucky kid to hardened soldier, back straight, feet tight, and a salute before Hera, his new team leader. "I accept this mission from the Council, ma'am!"

Sasuke motioned to Naruto and he began whispering to him, noticing the change in Travis. "Since when did Travis have the discipline to do that?"

"Since he came back. He's really toughened himself up these days." Naruto replied.

"Ah. I suppose being a Sith's slave can do that." Sasuke nodded. "I don't like this mission, though."

"You've felt it too." Naruto sighed. "Yeah. I suppose we'll just have to trust them."

"I know." Sasuke replied.

Hera lowers her eyes away from Travis Massaki, as she smiles at him. The warm rain washed over her, beating down on her black coat. “I am glad to hear it,” she replied. “When you have the time, I would appreciate it if you could meet with me in private, to discuss what other two members you wish to take, and to inform you of the mission.” she asked Travis in a shy sheepish tone.

Hera slowly turned away and began to walk towards the car. She knew that Travis would want a moment to talk to Naratu and to Sasuke, and her presence would disturb that. Besides, from the car she could observe her new team member in his natural environment, learn of him, not only through his mind, but in his actions. Knowing your team, trusting them was a key and vital portion to success. Hera walked to the hover car and opened the back door, and slowly sat down. She looked out the window, and turned her head. She reached out with her senses, trusting the seal on her neck would completely mask her force presence as it always had before.

"So, uh, Senseis? What's the mission?" Travis asked.

Naruto sighed. "The Council has decided that Admiral Cain possessed a threat to Coredia. Thus, it will be the job of your team to eliminate her."

"So it's an A-level mission?" Travis asked, excited.

"Yeah, but it's also covert. Your team will have to be careful. One wrong move..." Sasuke warned him.

"Yeah, I know!" Travis nodded. "So who should I pick?"

"That's what you need to figure out." Naruto grinned. "But I'll give you a hint. You need a team that's good with stealth and covert actions. Not to mention smarts. That's more important than brawn here."

Travis nodded. "I think I have some ideas. Thanks!"

With that, Travis headed into the car with Hera...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe2bcceU9aA&feature=related

The Darkness was held within, such a small and beautiful frame, anger resided in such a small frame, frustration was held at the very soul of the young woman before him. She held out her lightsaber to his face, the silver blade a gift, now used as a weapon. The blades swung, clashed with the fury of battle, the heart of war, as the light the brilliant white light sparked in front of their faces.

“You have a lot of anger, and you should. You have suffered many injustices. You have been violated and tormented like so few have. It is a good thing the Force lead you to me, I will teach you to use that anger, not as a tool of oppression but as a blade of liberation. The Coredians do not understand this.” Master Hawkins said as he swung the blade at his apprentice, “but I do. Hated of injustice will lead to justice, Anger of oppression will lead to liberation. That is your fate as it is mine.”Hera remembered, as she stared out of the car looking out the window at the now approaching Travis Massaki.

She continued to look out the window, as Travis walked around the car, she barely noticed him, as the lessons of her Master continued through her mind. “I am a blade for the light, I am the darkness that weaves change, I am the angel of darkness that will bring redemption to the masses.” she though to herself as she heard the car door open, and the shifting of the car as Travis Massaki sat down next to her.

Hera did not say a word, as she looked out the window. A small crib laid next to the car, the young infant covered in the rain. Hera sighed, as she stared at the young girl in the crib, the rain dripping on her face. “All will be ok soon.” she whispered, as she watched the phantom of what is to come, sitting in the rain, like a ghost.

Hera watched the world unfold around her, the warm rain, the small child waiting in the rain, so close, yet still separated, by a door, and a window, a small glimpse of the boundary that has so far kept them apart.

Travis looked to Hera, his new Captain. Had she been looking at him, or paying attention, she would have noticed one of his eye brows raise up, a clear sign of curiosity. “Who are you talking to?” he asked.

Hera lowered her head and sighed for a moment, her eyes fixated on the door. “Just ghosts and echos Travis, nothing more.” she said sounding clearly depressed. “I take it Master Naratu has filled you in on your mission? It is a shame he knows about it, the one element key to Covert operations is surprise. The less people know the better. I wonder how far this news has spread.” she asked looking down still, her face away from Travis’.

Travis shrugged his shoulders, “I dunno.” he replied, “He is just my sensei I suppose. They are usually notified of their apprentices missions, until they reach Knighthood.” he replied.

Hera slightly turned her head out the window, “Well I hope that is as far as this information goes.” Hera reached in her pocket, and pulled out another piece of paper, it’s edges were stained in the water of Sparta. It was folded, with a wax seal of the Massaki Clain. “This is a message from your father, I was asked to give this to you.” she replied, as she handed him the paper, her head did not move from the gaze of the window.

Travis was shocked, as he opened the Letter. He cracked the seal and read the words on the paper. It was not what he expected, as his father instructed him to go against the will of the Council, and the will of his mother. Travis smiled, as the paper burst into flames. “I see, Travis replied, “Oh well back to our twosome.” he said grinning.

Hera ignored that comment, as she continued to stare out the window. She barely whispered, “Do you know what this is going to entail, what you must do, and what will happen if you are discovered?” she asked as her breath began to form a gray condensation on the window.

“Yes I understand.” Travis replied, “It would be bad for all of us.”

“Good, I need you to do two things.” Hera said, as she turned her gaze from the window and looked at the blue haired boy next to her. “I need you to assemble the best people for the mission, the brightest, not the most powerful.” she replied. “Also I need you to hand your lightsaber over to someone you trust. From this moment on, the force is off limits. Any technology that is not colonial will not be allowed, nor will any techniques. Those are all distinctly Coredian things as far as the colonies are concerned, and any sign of them will give us away.” she said, as she issued her first order of the mission. “Training will begin at 05:30, at the orchard outside the base.”

OOC: Oy! You forgot to tell Travis where they'll be meeting!

IC: "All right. You'll meet them at 0530 sharp." Travis nodded, though he disliked being separated from his lightsaber again for who knows how long. Then the hilt seemed to throb in acceptance, even though it wasn't sentient...probably wasn't. Travis absently patted it and acknowledged Hera was at least competent and figured she knew what she was talking about, considering his own father was adamant that he listen to her.

As he walked off, he thought about who he wanted to add to the group. Each one of the Rookie Nine was a possibly, but as ordered, he was only to pick the best and brightest of the Nine. Most likely the ones closest (in his opinion) to becoming Chuunin themselves.

It took a while, but he figured it out. Grinning, he sprinted deeper into the forest, where a young lady was meditating. He disappeared into the forest and prepared to hunt her, hiding his presence with ninja skills...

Uchiha Reika sat on a rock in the middle of a bubbling brook, her eyes closed in meditation mode. Even when she felt the presence of Travis near (he didn't exactly have the best stealth of the Nine), her eyes remained closed. Then... "Travis Samuel Masaki, if you move a step closer, I'll burn you into a crisp, tear out your heart with Chidori, and put your head on a pike as a warning."

"Augh! Ow!" The boy, shocked by the ease at which Uchiha had detected him, fell out of the tree where he was tracking her and landed on his back.

Only then did Reika get up from her meditation, walked over to Travis and smirked the patented Uchiha Smirk. "Now, what brings you here, idiot?"

"Shut up, Reika-teme! I got a mission for you. Meet me at 0500 tomorrow morning at the orchard outside the base." Travis groaned as he got up, rubbing his back.

Reika thought about it for a moment. "All right. But next time, don't sneak up on me!" She grinned and flickered away.

"Dammit! Why does she always have to be so...so...Uchiha!" Travis grumbled. Then he remembered the other person he wanted to grab.

He headed back to town, jumping from tree to tree at high speeds and walked into the main Academy building. Once inside, he smirked and headed for the archive hall and then looked for a kid with glasses(!) and brown hair, slightly older than he was. Grinning as he found Kensuke playing a tough video game with Shinji and Toji, he disappeared with a *crack*, and reappeared on his table. The teenager, totally intent on killing the boss character, was startled by the sudden appearance of Travis Masaki and his hero died a horrible death.

"Aah! Travis, you idiot! Dammit, you just made me lose my last life! Now I'll have to go all the way back up the Mountains of Madness and--" Kensuke yelled, but Travis cut him off.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Kill the Evil King of Bugaboo later. I have a mission for you. Meet me at 0500 tomorrow morning, orchard outside the base."

"So early? You're serious, aren't you?" A skeptical Kensuke asked.

"As serious as you are when you're ogling Jaina Serensky's tits." Travis grinned.

Kensuke went beet-red as his friends started laughing. "I don't ogle her tits! I merely admire her form, that's all!"

"Riiight." Travis didn't fall for it one bit and he had the blackmailed picture to prove it. "Well, you have your timeframe. Don't be late!"

With that, he popped away in a rush of air displacement.

Kensuke sighed, his face still red. "You guys up for another round?"

Sparta
18:32

The sun slowly faded over the horizon, as the clouds that brought the warm spring rain vanished over the looming mountainous backdrop. Hera stood alone, in the cold of night, outside the base, not in contemplation, or in meditation, but out of fear for sleep.

She knew the nightmares would come, the visions of what is to come, waiting for her stalking her, not like before with the ghost of Palpitine, but somewhere else. Evil waited for her, beckoning her to it, something was going to occur, that would shatter her to the core, and for better or worse, she would be changed forever.

The wind picked up, blowing gently across her sleeveless red dress, the slight chill that wrapped her body. She did not care, as she moved amongst the stones and the buildings, alone in a sea of minds, as she walked to her destination, to finish the work forged in the nuclear ash of Konoha. She carried with her, her two lightsabers, the colt, and a duffle bag full of metal from Konoha, already purified in the forge that survived the devastation of her mother, and her kin.

Hera reached for the ice cold door knob as she walked inside. Slowly she turned it, as she entered. White lights began to glow from the ceiling above, as she entered the room. Here in this munitions factory, she would reforge the already purified metals, into a sleek weapon, a subtle one, one that she could carry on her covert mission at her home.

Hera walked in to the now closed munitions factory, the fires from the smelting pots still fresh, the machines still warm from manufacturing the now increasing demand from the Coredian Military to use kinetic weapons. This place was perfect.

Hera through down the duffle bag, and slowly unzipped the green bag. Inside, the precious metal mixture from Konoha, the perfect and refined metal that would be used for her newest device, her newest focus point of her rage, anger and hate. She picked up the heavy metal and pushed it into the smelter.

She waited patiently, as the silvered color metal turned red with fire, as the metal turned from solid to liquid. She smiled, as the heat and the passion that would go into it poured into a rectangle mold. From there she allowed it to cool. She turned and walked over to a locker, and grabbed several tools. She then turned and walked back to her new project. For hours, she banged away on the metal, each stroke filled with her hate, her passion, as she vented the injustices of her life, the evil to come all of it inside the metal.

Light glowed from her body, as her power, her desires continued to wash over the metal, as the shape began to form. With each fold of the metal, with each swipe of the hammer she released more of her inner angst. It was kind of therapeutic in a way. Hours flew by as the dark side of the force continued to feed her body, force it to continue her work at hand. After many hours, she took the two hot blades. She put them in the water, and steam rose from the blades, as the water evaporated in the hot wake of the blades below. Hera reached down, and pulled out the blades, with a small rag she wiped the black residue off the sword, and the dagger. It shined like a mirror.

Hera smiled as she looked at her new rapier (http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/cas/images/1027sgt.jpg) and dagger (http://www.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/martial_arts/images/dagger.gif) . She stared at them, their beauty, their simplicity, their elegance. SHe smiled as she knew, they were made with the exact same quality and materials as the colt. Like the colt she made before, what was killed would stay dead, or where one should be dead, they would die. She smiled at them, the simplicity of such death, the ellegance. This was her gift, this was her passion, this was her. Hera smiled, these will be perfect she thought to herself. She walked over to a small rectangle box and placed them inside.

Hera looked down at her watch, 05:17. She knew she had to hurry, she quickly ran to her room, and changed her clothes, to a athletic t-shirt, and spandex shorts. She gently placed her belongings in a corner of the room. She smiled as she looked at the room, as a new wall grew over where her lightsabers and other belongings were, an exact copy of the previous wall. She turned and ran to the orchard, to meet her new team.