CASTLING

Mesarthim & Stardancer

WRITTEN IN 1989, THIS IS OUR VERSION OF EPISODE 1. THE END OF THE CLONE WARS,THE HISTORY OF THE JEDI, THE RISE OF THE EMPEROR AND THE FALL OF ANAKIN SKYWALKER. IT IS NOW 'ALTERNATE UNIVERSE', ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME IT WAS WRITTEN IT WAS SPECULATIVE.
WE ASSUMED THAT WHAT BEN KENOBI SAID IN A.N.H. WAS TRUE- THERE WERE TWO, SEPARATE, JEDI. WE ALSO MENTION THE EXISTENCE OF THE KAIBUUR CRYSTAL, FROM 'SPLINTER OF THE MIND'S EYE'- WHICH WAS, AND IS, PART OF SW CANON.
PUBLISHED IN " A TREMOR IN THE FORCE #5" IT WON THE 1990 STAR AWARD FOR BEST LONG STORY. TWO SEQUELS ARE BEING WRITTEN. COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL ILLOS PRINTED WITH THIS STORY ARE AVAILABLE.

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There is a balance in the universe,and an intelligence that governs it .No man can escape the consequences of his own act,though it take him a million lives to re- dress the balance. Justice is inevitable. I knew that at the right time those would begin to be born whose character would influence the galaxy as mine could not. And I waited. Talbot Mundy "Om"

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CHAPTER I

The Amidaa always were, or so it was said. Many races and countless galaxies had learned,lost, and died for the knowledge they had gained. The Amidaa taught an awareness of that which they called the Visetas. Each galaxy was different. Each civilization embraced the knowledge they offered; but time after time each race was lost to Darkness. Despite the Visetas. Perhaps,the Amidaa began to think, because of it. It took many galaxies,many failures before the Amidaa came to realize it was not the concept of the concept of the Visetas, but the instrument used to teach it.

The Universe is speckled with galaxies;massive colonies of stars,planets and moons. Galaxies as varied as the numberless species that call them home. Ellipticals,globulars,barred spirals,irregular types;each displaying it's unique beauty beyond reach of all but the most powerful optical instruments. Occasionally galaxies collide,offering death and destruction as an incredibly beautiful explosion of gas and radiation and expanding debris,parsecs wide. In so dynamic a universe,the C-class spiral galaxy,whirling elegantly in a local cluster of many more unique and grand,hardly rated a second look. It's billions of stars and their attendant planets roiled with war and not a glimpse of it marred it's design nor mattered to the rest of the Universe at all.

This galaxy was but a smudge of light among millions;the humans who called it home but a fraction of it's sentients,and this latest war was their doing. They died by the thousands,taking other uninvolved,uncaring species with them, but beyond the rim their cataclysm was as insignificant as it's combatants. A little war...in a little galaxy.
But war,however small, destroys. It tears apart the fabric of the life-force. Families,nations,worlds...all victims;all matter to the whole. Each and every loss matters. 2-

Dreaded,wars come. Resisted,they expand. Eventually,they end. A Republic of justice and tranquility was in it's last days. For more than a generation,it's citizens had been at war. Galactic War. The Clone Wars.

* * *

Begun by humans-their greed,ambition and violence-it quickly spread to every world,every race they touched. At it's heart was a question of morality;cloning. Organics. Humans. Perhaps aliens in time. Initially to provide a slave race,hybrids that would be the property of the cell donor or whoever contracted for the merchandise. Religion and politics collided,finance versus morality, technology against theology. No human,and very few other sentients,was neutral. Then, the rumors began.
It was claimed that clones were already being produced- not by the military or the industrialists,but by the Jedi. The very thought of the Jedi number doubling,tripling,fanned the paranoia of those who considered those mystics dangerous as it was. Now,it was argued,they used their abnormal powers to serve and protect because they were so few.

But,if every Jedi cloned himself-once,twice-what would prevent their rule by sorcery? Who could stand against them? It would be a galaxy controlled by wizards;no dissent,no privacy,even within the individual mind. The one truth was that clones were, indeed, a reality; engineered and produced as military weapons,unbeknownst to the outraged,distracted populace. Thus were the Clone Wars begun by those lusting for power and intensified by accusing those whose power and intensified by accusing those whose power was already feared of wanting it all. Because it represented these worlds and races,the Senate of the Republic was also drawn into the conflict. Unlike their constituents,the Senators clung to diplomacy;valiantly maintaining 'gray' opinions in an increasingly black & white situation.

In that group of thirty-one from each galactic sector-the battle lines though not clearly defined, were very real.

Aerolone Mothma,five years before,had run for and won the Senate seat of the Alderaan system,formerly held by that system's Viceroy,Bail Organa. Then in her mid-twenties,Aerolone had met and married a fellow Senator,Tajerh Mothma. A dashing,handsome man in his thirties with wavy black hair and a twinkle in his green eyes,Tajerh was considered a statesman,not a mere politician,His gregarious manner and trusting nature had won the regard and affection of the entire Senate long before it won Aerolone's heart. The two now had a son, Dack; a boisterous,plump 15 month old. Cared for by Aerolone's mother,the baby and the Mothma's private homelife was completely separate from their political careers. Aerolone did everything in her power to keep it that way; for a choice between her family and the Senate would be painfully difficult. Adoring mother and devoted wife,Aerolone Mothma possessed an indomitable will beneath her serene facade, and a sense of justice that could only be called militant. That resolve was about to be tested.

Tajerh had recently been elevated to the High Galactic Council by his peers. That select committee was the final,absolute law of the Republic. Tajerh and nine other Senators who comprised the High Council,regulated the Republic's commerce and shipping,mediated disputes between their fellow Senators,and served as a court of appeal for citizens contesting Senate rulings. It was a system that had worked well for nearly a thousand generations.

Then the galaxy went to war.

The Senate went to hell

* * *

As is common in times of great historic conflict, the smaller threats are often ignored;lost in the glare of more imminent danger. Especially insignificant,partly due to the rather primitive system he represented, was Neiamas Palpatine; an ambitious bureaucrat of dubious morals and unparalleled ego. Still, he was a Senator and commanded some respect and power. But Palpatine listed for far more power than such a democratic system offered. Far more. Absolute power! And the only way to get it was to gain control of the Senate itself. To this end, Palpatine began to campaign for the Presidency of the Senate. Many thought more direct leadership was needed, especially with the divisiveness of war. Others shared his ambition,if not his ruthless nature. Followers... there were more than a few men of little backbone who would support and promote Palpatine's bid for such a grand position if they smelled personal profit in it. And Neiamas promised them whatever they wanted to hear; petty things really compared to his lofty goals. Governorships, commands,mineral rights...small roles for small players. He promised them everything and hinted at more. If they voted for him. Voting, that privilege of democracy, had been a way of life for several years on the galaxy's most civilized planet...Alderaan.

It's ancient monarchy abolished by the will of it's citizens, the royal family nonetheless retained their titles; and the respect and affection the people of Alderaan felt for their former King and his family remained unchanged.

Bail Organa, First Viceroy of the Alderaan system, had gone to war on the side of the Jedi Knights; leaving his people protected by declared neutrality. On Alderaan, his wife Celis waited. A tall woman in her early forties, her auburn hair going to silver, the former Queen reminded herself that she was not the only woman waiting for her husband; praying, wanting to know that he was safe, wanting it all to be over. Celis' duties as Minister of Education filled her days, but oh the nights were interminable. Patience was a virtue she admired but practiced with difficulty, especially alone. Always,she came back to the bitter fact that she was alone. If she and Bail had children,there would at least be something of him...someone to hold,someone to share the prayers. When her mind veered to such thoughts,Celis resolutely focused her attention elsewhere;back to the needle-work that was taking years to complete.

She had dozed off when a servant entered the sunny atrium. He cleared his throat rather loudly,rousing his mistress,then bowing low.

"My Lady,"He announced with an excited smile,"There is a deep space transmission for you." Celis didn't wait to hear more; she didn't have to. Rushing past the domestic in a blur,Lady Organa ran toward her private offices and the communications terminal. The image on the large screen was grainy and barred with static interference,but it brought tears to Celis' eyes. Lightyears away, her husband's handsome face and strong voice filled her with confidence.
"Celis," he smiled."I had forgotten how beautiful you are." "Darling!Thank the Maker you are well Where are you?" "Near the Rim." Organa replied vaguely;but she was surprised that he'd been that specific. "The Force has been with us; our losses have been as expected. I...I haven't much time,Celis. We will soon join a new offensive." Particular emphasis there. "It may be a long while before we see each other again."

What he didn't say was 'perhaps never'. The "new offensive" was a pre-arranged signal between the two; it meant their situation was deteriorating.

The Republic's fleet was vastly outnumbered. They were fighting a defensive war now. Any 'offensive' would be the enemy's,and it would be large.

Celis' heart sank,but she kept her voice light and optimistic. "I am always with you,husband," she promised. Bail smiled at that. He knew too well what toll the war was taking on his wife. Something off screen distracted him a moment,then,when he turned back,there was a measure of urgency in his voice.

"Listen very carefully,Celis. This madness is nearing it's end. It is imperative that you proceed as we had planned. Alderaan is in your capable hands,but there is something else you must do. Contact as many of the families of the Jedi as you can. They will be in great danger soon. The General foresees it. They will be safe on Alderaan.I...I love you,Celis."

"And I you!"There was a catch in her voice that made Organa wince,as though he would never hear those words again."May the Force be with you,my darling. "May it protect us all in these dark times!"Organa replied. His voice began to break up in static,then finally faded with one word."Prepare."

As the audio and visual link dissolved,Celis Organa wiped hot tears from her face and summoned the Ministers of state.

* * * *

Six Jedi Knights had joined Bail Organa's company of six hundred. They were representative of the hundreds spread thinly throughout the Republic's systems in this time of turmoil. The 'general' Bail Organa had such faith in was Obi-Wan Kenobi, a renowned Jedi in his late fifties whose quiet,gentle demeanor had caused many to underestimate his abilities...often fatally.

As far as Celis knew,Kenobi had no family. But the other Jedi did-wives,children,parents. One by one, these individuals were contacted;some directly,most by go-betweens, so well protected were their identities and whereabouts. Many had already made arrangements for safe hiding places. Two young women,however,had gratefully accepted Celis' offer of sanctuary.

They arrived together,some days later,both young,frightened,and very pregnant. The smaller of the two,although both were petite,was a vivacious young matron whose light brown hair fell in wispy curls around her tanned cheeks. Her companion,a thin,pale young woman, brushed a strand of long blonde hair from her eyes as she drew an embroidered cloak around looked to be in their early twenties .

The two were warmly received and, after formal introductions,were shown to luxurious apartments. Barely past childhood themselves,Celis thought; but she was happy to have company and looked forward to these tow young families beginning in the palace. Jedi children being born on Alderaan would be a good omen...a turning point. There would be babies in the Organa home. Even if they weren't her babies.

* * *

On Radiaa, where the Senate members maintained homes and apartments,Tajerh and Aerolone Mothma hardly spoke as their ground-limo sped across the countryside toward their and weary,they had come to the end of another long day of frustration. Every Senate session ended in confrontation now;Palpatine saw to that. Every hour,every minute spent in chambers were rife with intrigue and dissension. Now that the Senate was in recess,getting home was all the Mothma's looked forward to doing. Quiet days spent at home,as a family. The couple was met at the door of their villa by a plump,pleasant faced woman in her sixties.

Marcea Bazenorr greeted her daughter and son in law as she always did,taking security cases and admonishing them to relax before dinner. No droids were needed with Marcea around. Tajerh threw off his heavy robe and plucked his squirming son from the pile of toys on the floor. The baby squealed and giggled as his father covered his little face with kisses. Aerolone kicked off her shoes and sank onto a couch,massaging her eyes. Tajerh settled into a conform-lounge with the baby and waited until Marcea had left the room before resuming the conversation he and his wife had begun on the way home.

"We in the High Council have run out of stalling measures," He baby wriggled out of his lap and toddled across the room to his mother. Tajerh let him go,then selected a cigar from the humidor on the table beside him and lit it."The threat is all too real,Aerolone."

"There must be something you can do." She answered.

" We are bound by legalities,my dear," he pointed out."One way or the other,Neiamas will get his vote. You'll see."

"He has no qualifications for such an office." Aerolone dismissed the idea as she busied herself with Dack. "The High Council is attaching too much importance to his posturings,Taj. We have had power plays before. Palpatine is just another ambitious technocrat. His imagination eclipses reality. Elections are a regulated, legal procedure and he has already exhausted all his avenues of influence."

Tajerh shook his head gravely at that. "This is not a man who will adhere to quaint legalities,my dear." Aerolone looked at her husband oddly. "There is something you aren't saying. Have you been threatened,Tajerh?"

"Of course not!"He answered firmly."Make up your mind, you are overestimating Palpatine." The very suggestion of intimidation astounded him. "The galaxy may be wracked with war,but the Senate is composed of rational beings,not madmen."

* * *

Half a galaxy away,on a still evolving world called Isua,Bail Organa's troops had finally won a bloody ground battle.
The massive energy mining- industrial complex there would never contribute another credit of profit to the anarchists who were destroying the Republic.
The peaceful,aboriginal people of Isua were freed from their oppressors;but at what cost!

The Battle of Isua had begun to prevent the destruction of a planet and it's people and it had ended as all battles do -in destruction. Freedom's price had been high. Of the six hundred troops Bail Organa commanded,little more than three hundred remained. Among the survivors were the six Jedi and everyone,including Admiral Organa,looked to those warriors for strength and guidance.

The oldest of the Jedi was Obi-Wan Kenobi, a stern faced man whose brown hair and beard were beginning to grey. A renowned Force-Master,Kenobi was a decorated General and Organa's closest friend.

The other Jedi were an odd group;four humans and a Weequay-Corbett Bazor- who, with his leathery brown skin and a single long braid adorning his head,was a truly intimidating Jedi.

The Clone Wars had just begun when Corbett completed his six years of obligatory training. Bazor was Kenobi's equal in education,if not in experience.

Rydwin Ikhimnwin, tall,blonde and rakishly confident, had entered the Jedi order kicking and screaming. After dedicating twenty two years of his life to the pursuit of pleasure, he applied the same persistent dedication to perfecting his skills once he surrendered to the inevitability of his calling. Trained by the ancient Jedi master,Daryoush, Rydwin had also been instrumental in the education of another Jedi, Herridel Yaroch.

At twenty two, Herridel had sacrificed all of her morals, and none of her dreams, to become a member of the ancient and revered Jedi brotherhood. She was classically beautiful by human standards,black-skinned with lavender eyes.

Anakin Skywalker was almost too good to be true. Obi-Wan had been astounded to discover such power in an untrained man. He was Kenobi's best and brightest student;the epitome of all the Jedi stood for.

Darth Vader was thirty three years old,two years older than his friend two men were very much alike physically; tall,dark haired and muscular. There,the similarities ended.

Obi-Wan had such hopes for this troubled young man.
Vader was every bit as talented as Skywalker,yet he lacked Anakin's emotional control and balance. It was as if the Force were a precious substance and he the cracked vessel it was stored in. Addictive and dangerous to manipulate, the Force might prove o be Vader's undoing. Kenobi feared he was falling victim to it,and knew that Skywalker suspected it as well.

* * *

Bail Organa watched as his surviving warriors assembled, the healthy struggling with the wounded. Organa knew many more to be wounded and unable to return. Patrols would be sent. Of all the things weighing on the Admiral's mind, the suddenly clannish Jedi was uppermost. They appeared tense and aloof;whispering amongst themselves sitting around a small campfire far from the other troops. If Organa had known what the Jedi were discussing,he would have found it hard to believe. Even the four Knights listening to Kenobi were finding it difficult to visualize what they were being told. Anakin finally voiced what his companions were thinking.

"Master, something isn't right. We can sense it but...you know,don't you? Tell us." Skywalker felt a chill as the older man hesitated. There was a look of unmistakable fright on the General's face;something they had not seen during the worst of the war.

"It's here." Kenobi whispered in a hollow voice. No one moved;they all waited for Kenobi to continue. With much discomfort,he did."All that is evil walks among us. We have yet to see the terrible consequences of it's appearance. It searches for our weakest link."

Before Corbett or Herridel could comment,Anakin Skywalker rose slowly,all the color draining from his face. "Where's Vader?" Admiral Organa had walked up behind Skywalker and placed a hand on his shoulder . "What's wrong,son?" Shaken,Anakin sat down beside Rydwin,saying looked to Kenobi for a reply. "Obi-Wan? is there something I should know? Something you foresee"
All eyes were fixed on the Jedi General,who looked directly at his friend,revealing nothing. "There is nothing you need worry about,my friend. Darth has not yet returned,and we are concerned for him."

Organa nodded sympathetically,then left the Jedi to their meditations.

* * *

It would be hours before Darth Vader would return to his friends. The men he commanded staggered back long before,wounded,filthy and exhausted. The troops confronted Kenobi angrily,demanding he explain the Jedi's actions. "He's crazy! A wounded Sergeant muttered."Is it common practice for a Jedi to loot,General?"

"Loot?" Kenobi's face flushed with anger."Talk sense,man. Who would do such a thing! These suffering people have nothing."

"Captain Vader doesn't agree with you,sir. He went crazy,had us scratching through the rubble for some valuable crystal. My men were barely escaped with our lives!"

"Where is Captain Vader?" Kenobi demanded, panic rising in his breast. "I don't know,General."The man answered in disgust as he was placed on a stretcher by two medics."And I don't give a damn."

* * *

Marcea Bazenorr waited impatiently for her daughter and grandchild to return home from their customary walk. Somehow she managed to control her anxiety long enough for Aerolone to put Dack to bed before taking her aside. It was just as well they were alone.

"Aerolone,"the grey haired woman wrung her hands nervously. "all will be lost if you cannot help us." "Of course, I'll help, Mother." The Senator guided the distraught woman to the dining table where the two sat facing each other."Just tell me what is wrong. Please,please try to calm yourself!"

"Remember the Sorens? Their son,Evann,has been arrested by the Corporate Sector Authority."

"This is serious,Mother," Aerolone paled."What has he done?"

"Oh,Aerolone," Marcea sighed."There is so much the Senate doesn't know,and it's time you did. We're going to lose the war.I know it, you know it better than there are those who are already preparing to do something about it! Evann was smuggling weapons to a small band of patriots in the outer systems. He isn't the only one. He isn't even the first. If the CSA can, they will implicate the entire Merchanters Guild."

Aerolone understood the inference, but she hadn't heard much past "patriots". Somewhere in the galaxy there were courageous people who would not bow their heads in defeat. Even as the foundation of oppression was being laid upon them, they were preparing to shatter it.

"Who knows you've come to me on Evann's behalf, Mother? Did the Guild Elder's suggest it?"

"No." Marcea could not understand why that would matter." Katha asked for help for her son, but I'm sure the Guild will file a formal protest with the Senate. It's not illegal to transport weapons, Aerolone. Why would a delivery to private citizens be cause for arrest?"

"It shouldn't be." Aerolone was puzzled. Unless the CSA was smoothing the way for something...someone. Purchasing a little 'insurance' perhaps? It was a large agency;anyone who was powerful enough to control it behind the scenes had higher ambitions than were readily apparent. A coup? If so,the Merchanters guild, the Senate itself would be in the middle of it if she were not careful. Evann Sorens was far more important than even his mother realized;not for what he had done,but for what he knew.

"Mother," Aerolone Mothma patted her mother's trembling hand and employed her best official voice."Tell the Sorens' not to worry.I'll do all I can for Evann, and the Guild. Absolutely everything"

The news of guerilla groups forming may have been a surprise to Aerolone Mothma, but Neiamas Palpatine had access to far more information. No activity even remotely suspicious escaped the notice of those minor bureaucrats who curried favor with Palpatine. There was not a public demonstration or word of dissent spoken in all the galaxy that went unreported. Palpatine knew there were pockets of malcontents;primarily in the outer systems. He also realized, better than anyone,what threat they pose to his design even before he could enact it. Nothing to do yet,but watch and wait for the opportunity to eradicate his opposition. It would be justified by the legal power at his disposal.

* * * * *

Massive funeral pyres illuminated the starry night on Isua,casting wavering shadows across the ruined village and bathing the living and the dead in eerie light. Rydwin and Herridel went about their grisly task as quickly as possible,separating the bodies of the enemy dead from those of their fellows. A crude cart halted just beside the two Jedi and two wide-eyed Isuans began unloading the last bodies recovered from the far edge of the battlefield. Someone was counting the dead, Rydwin though grimly; he had stopped counting hours before. He had even stopped looking at the faces. He simply noted the uniforms and watched as the corpses were carried to separate pyres. Occasionally,Herridel made soft moaning sounds as they found someone they had shared a meal with,a joke,the young man who had proudly announced the birth of his first child a few days before.

"I wish the ships would hurry,"she murmured,just to say something that would break the awful silence. Her lavender eyes locked onto his blue ones and he touched her shoulder,knowing.

Four corpsmen made quick work of whisking the dead away;as anxious as the Jedi to be done with the horrible they whispered to each other,making the moans and cries of the wounded that much clearer in the cold,night air. Rydwin clenched his teeth,trying to center his thoughts elsewhere as he turned over one body after another. Unexpectedly,he staggered back a step; a look of numb horror on his face.

Whatever control he possessed was gone now,evaporated at the sight of the face staring up at him with dead eyes. "Rydwin?" Herridel grasped his arm,confused. The body was that of an enemy soldier. Young,red haired,wearing the uniform of a gunnery corpsman. The boy had obviously been killed by his weapon's explosion.
"Geryon..."Rydwin moaned,sinking to his knees beside the ,he gathered the dead enemy soldier in his arms."Oh,Geryon." "Rydwin!" Herridel tried to draw him away. The corpsmen were returning and she didn't want to believe Rydwin could know this dead man.

"Rydwin...who is he?"

The Jedi stared up at her with brimming eyes. "My nephew. He's only sixteen...he can't be here."

Herridel sank to her knees,wrapped her arms around Rydwin,tried to draw him away from the boy's body once more. "He must have been conscripted. I'm so sorry,love."

"Children...we're killing children."He groaned as the corpsmen stopped beside him,staring in shock at the sight of a Jedi Knight weeping over the body of an enemy.

Corbett Bazorr,too,strode quickly toward the bodycart. All across the camp,the men were noticing and whispering to themselves. "Get up,man!" The Weequay's leathery face twitched in the firelight."Do you know how this looks to the others?"

"Corbett,it's his kinsman!"Herridel shot back defensively.

"I'm sorry, I really am," the Weequay persisted,undeterred by the display of sentiment he considered disgraceful."But we have to set an example. You're a Jedi,Rydwin! Act like one!"

"He's dead,sir,"A bewildered corpsman put in. He and his companion bent to take the body,only to back away as Rydwin began shouting.

"Don't come near him! Get these gravel maggots away,Bazor!"

"You have to let them take him,Rydwin." Herridel pleaded."Let him them take him!"

"No!"The tall Jedi began sobbing and Bazor turned away in disgust. Perhaps Kenobi could talk sense to the man."NO!" Rydwin growled."We're killing children."

The corpsmen managed to wrest the body away from Rydwin as great sobs coursed through him and Herridel stroked his hair gently. When the Jedi finally spoke,his voice was hollow,defeated.

"I can't go on after this."

"I grieve with you,"Herridel tried to put strength and confidence into her voice,knowing that Rydwin's spirit was broken,hoping that he would draw courage from her."You have to separate yourself from your feelings,Rydwin. All the dead are someone's loved ones. Remember your control. We can't allow feelings to control us in war."

Rydwin stood slowly,his shoulders slumped as though under some unbearable weight. That kind of control,the kind demanded of anyone who would be called a Jedi was. not in him. It had never been. He had deceived himself because of all their expectations;but mainly because he had never been tested. His Master would never have accepted him for training had it not been for the war and the extra-ordinary circumstances the Jedi found themselves in. The farce had gone on long enough.

"I can't do that,Herridel. I don't want to. When we rejoin the fleet,I'm going to ask the General to release me from my oath. I'm not one of you; I would be dangerous to the others and to myself."

"He won't agree with that," the young woman followed as he walked toward the campsite.'He won't let you go. I won't let you can't change what you are. He can't release you from what you are. That oath was for life."

"Then I will welcome death,when it comes,with open arms."

She left him,joining the others at the pyres,because she didn't know what to say to Rydwin anymore. Corbett,Herridel was certain,had spoken to the General,but Obi-Wan made no move toward the troubled he know,had he suspected all along,that Rydwin had lost his faith in himself? Kenobi looked at her oddly, but said nothing as she worked beside him to dispose of the dead with honor.

Rydwin Ikhimnwin had positioned himself far from the other Jedi and their grisly task. He moved,instead, toward the wounded who lay in long rows beside the campfires. With only seven corpsmen left alive to attend them,the injured waited their turns for medical attention. Their moans carried far into the dark. The Jedi found himself drawn to the row of enemy wounded. In the firelight their faces twisted in pain, they all looked like helpless children,like...

How could he stand by, listen to their cries,when he could use the Force to alleviate their suffering? Gathering his robes about him,the tall Jedi knelt beside one wounded soldier,his voice calm and soothing as he placed one palm over the man's wound and the other on his head. Tirelessly,seeing Geryon's in every face,Rydwin employed the Force to ease the pain of every man he touched.

The next was not unlike the others;a little younger,his eyes a little wilder. The tattered remains of his uniform-an enemy uniform-revealed a mortal chest wound. That he was still alive amazed Rydwin,but the Jedi was determined to make the boy's last moments painless.

As the other Jedi consigned the dead to the roaring flames, a foot soldier assisting them stepped back from the searing heat. He glanced over his shoulder with contempt.

"Some of us would rather comfort our enemies than honor our dead."The soldier growled to no one in particular. Corbett Bazor looked toward the campsite,then at the others.

Kenobi didn't have to look to know what the man referred to. "I see no enemies there,son. Obi-Wan observed sadly,returning to the task at hand.

But the heart of at least one enemy beat still; with all the hatred instilled in it by years of lies. He didn't care that this sorcerer had eased his agony. Compassion translated as stupidity...weakness; an opportunity to avenge his own death and to save the galaxy from at least one of the mad wizards.

Rydwin's eyes were closed; all of his attention was focused on the boy's pain, absorbing,dissipating it. He didn't sense the hand reaching for the light-saber at his waist.
Milliseconds were all that was needed. The hand that grasped the weapon twisted it inwards and ignited it, sending a meter long shaft of energy through the Jedi's body.

Above the crackling of flames, Herridel heard a familiar hum. She spun around,screaming. "Rydwinnn!" The eyes that locked onto hers asked 'why?', then Rydwin slumped forward.