Chapter 1- An Important Mission
Jedi Knight Kance Quell pulled his Jedi starfighter out of hyperspace right outside of the Mandalore system. A black astromech droid, R5-C6, rolled into the room and began beeping. Kance laughed and patted the droids head.
"So the council is expecting a report already," Kance said as he put the ship on auto pilot. "Alright R5, let's not keep them busy
R5 beeps again and plugs into the console. Suddenly, two holograms, of Master's Yoda and Windu, appeared on the monitor.
"Quell, it's good to hear from you," Master Windu said. "We were starting to become worried after we had not heard from you in a while."
"I'm sorry for that masters, it would seem I lost communications during the trip," Quell replied. "But I'm glad to report that I've just arrived outside of the Mandalore System and will be landing on the moon Concordia shortly."
"Greeted warmly you will be, thanks to duchess Satine," Master Yoda replied. "Move quickly you must. Great danger your mission may be in."
"Understood, as soon as I have completed the mission, I shall return to Corusant," Quell said.
"Good, may the force be with you Quell," Master Windu said.
"And with you Masters," Quell replied.
The holograms vanished and Quell pulled the ship into the atmosphere of the moom, Concordia. His ship spread over the landscape of Concordia, which was barren do to the recent mining operations done by the province, a shame since the moon was once known for its beautiful landscapes. Finally, he made it to the palace of the provincial governor.
Landing his ship in the hangar of the palace, he was immediately greeted by what he could assume was a welcoming party for him. Looks like there is no way of avoiding dealing with the politics, Quell sighed. He opened up the ships door and walked out to the hangar.
"Master Jedi, it is with open arms that I welcome you to Concordia," the first person, a tall, blond male at the head of the group said. "My name is Governor Pre Vizla and I am the leader of this moon."
"Thank you for your welcome governor, I am Jedi Knight Kance Quell," Quell replied with a bow. "As I'm sure you were informed by Duchess Satine, I am here to pick up some 'precious cargo' and return to Corusant immediately."
The Governor frowned, but bowed with respect. "Of course Master Quell. Allow me to take you to the 'cargo' is being held."
As Vizla and the welcoming party turned to enter the palace, Quell felt a strange disturbance in the force. There is something odd about that Vizla, he thought, but I must focus on my mission and return to the Council.
Quell turned around and saw that R5 was rolling towards him down the ramp of the ship. Quell raised his hand, causing the droid to stop, saying, "R5 I need you stay with the ship, I wish to return Corusant immediately."
Quell followed the party through what seemed like a maze of hallways. As they turned through certain hallways, many of the welcoming party broke off from the group. Finally Vizla stopped in front a large door that was guarded by what seemed to be two of Duchess Satine's royal guard.
"I assume this is the place?" Quell asked.
"Yes, unfortunately we've had some minor security issues in the palace as of late," Vizla said. "Why assured the Duchess that we had no real concerns, she was adamant on having her personal guards here to protect the 'cargo'".
On the word 'cargo', Vizla opened the door to reveal a nearly barren room. All around the floor there were small toys scattered all across the room. And near the back-left corner, hunched over in a ball, was a small boy. Quell felt shock at the conditions the boy had been left in.
"What is the meaning of this?" Quell asked. "Why have you isolated him like a prisoner?"
"I assure you this is for everyone's protection," Vizla replied. "This is the first force-sensitive child we had on Concordia. We weren't prepared for this, and he doesn't have control of his powers yet."
Quell sighed. "Very well, I would like a few moments alone with the child, if that is alright?"
"Of course, take your time," Vizla said.
With that Vizla walked down the hallway and disappeared down a corridor. Waiting a few more seconds to ensure Vizla was gone, Quell entered the room. It was only just the boy there, but Quell could fell a great deal of tension in the room. He reached the boy and knelt down next to him.
"Go away," the boy said.
"Hello, there my name is Kance Quell," Quell said. "What is your name?"
The boy raised his head to look straight at Quell. The boy couldn't be more than six years old and his brown eyes seemed to be red from crying. Though Quell expected him to still be angry, the boy's expression seemed scared.
"M-my name is Zora," the boy replied. "Zora Blackstar."
There was a small pause before the boy, Zora, continued. "What is wrong with me?"
"There is nothing wrong with you my young Zora, you are in fact a very special youngling," Quell said. "You have an amazing power that makes you . Through training you have the ability to become a Jedi."
Zora cocked his head slightly. "What's a J-jedi?"
"A Jedi is peacekeeper whose sole purpose is to protect the galaxy from injustice," Quell said. "We also have the ability to harness an all powerful energy known as the force. That and if things get get a little more harry than we like, you always have your trusty lightsaber."
"Lightsaber?"
Quell reached down to his waist and pulled out his own lighsaber and activated it. Immediately a bright blue saber shot out from the handle. Zora sat there with his eyes wide as saucers. He reached a hand out to touch the saber, but Quell stopped him.
"If you value your hand, I would suggest not touching that," Quell said, causing Zora to quickly retract his hand. "Don't worry, eventually you'll be able to construct one yourself, but first you must come with me."
Quell held out hand to Zora. However, Zora was slightly unsure of what to do. As much as Quell wanted to return back to Corusant as quickly as possible, he understood that this was a big thing he was asking of the young boy. Slowly, but surely, Zora pulled his hand out towards Quell's when-
BOOOOOOOMMMM!
The room shook like it had been it under an earthquake.
"What was that?!" Zora asked.
Before Quell could answer, the door opened and there was a Royal Guard standing there, looking as if he had been through a warzone. Quell wished to ask him what was going on, but the guard was immediately shot dead. Quell stood up and charged his lightsaber, while Zora quickly hid behind him.
Two assailants, dressed in dark blue armor, entered the room. Both of their faces were covered by helmets, and each wore a jetpack with a rocket attachment on the back. The assailant on the right carried a blaster, which mostly likely the cause of the guard's death.
"We'll take the boy from here jedi-scum," The Assailant with the blaster said.
Quell sheathed his lightsaber, and raised his hands in defeat and Zora looked in shock at how easy Quell was easy to give up. But Quell proved himself to be one not to go down without a fight.
As the two assailants entered the room, Quell rapidly reached out his hands and used the force. The two assailants were flung back and smacked roughly against the wall. They slumped down to the ground, knocked out cold.
Quell grabbed Zora's hand and pulled him out of the room. Using his memory, Quell led the two through the maze of hallways back to the hangar. Luckily the hangar looked empty and there were no signs of other assailants.
However, just before they reached the shuttle, a burst of laser rounds lashed out in front of them, stopping them short. Quell stopped Zora and searched for where the blasts came from. From the corner of his eyes he saw yet another assailant, but this one was different from the others.
His helmet was similar, but had donned two pointy ears on the side. He also donned a small cape that was draped over the assailant's left shoulder that barely covered his pistol attached to his hip. I guess that is the leader, Quell thought.
"I must admit that I'm impressed," the assailant said. "I had heard rumors about the toughness of Jedi, but to see it firsthand is truly amazing."
"Oh believe me there is nothing more endearing than entertaining a madman," Quell saidas he gripped his lightsaber tighter. "Now what is that you want?"
The assailant pointed to Zora, causing the young boy to cower behind Quell's leg. "The boy belongs to us," the assailaint said. "We will not see him corrupted by the Jedi and used against the Mandalorians."
There was something about the tone of assailants voice that his meaning as less than honorable. "I assure you that the boy will be well taken care of with the Jedi Order," Quell said at a last effort to end this peacefully. "Now turnaround and let us leave."
"Now that is one thing I won't let happen," the assailant said quickly reaching for his pistol and firing at Quell and Zora.
Quell pushed Zora toward the ship while blocking the assailant's blast. As soon as he was sure that Zora was at the ship, Quell went back to fighting the assailant. Round after round, Quell was able to deflect the small pistol fire, even able to send one back to the assailant causing him to throw the pistol back away from him.
The assailant bent over and revealed a missile launcher-jetpack. Quell was shocked and barely had anytime to avoid being hit by a homing rocket that exploded behind him. As Quell got up, he saw the assailant make his way toward the ship. Throwing his hands out, Quell pushed the assailant away from the ship and near the edge of the platform.
Quell knew that he had to finish this, otherwise Zora wouldn't be safe. So he walked over to the assailant and was ready to raise his lightsaber. However, the assailant rolled over, his pistol in hand, and blased a round in Quell's chest. Quell was taken aback by this and collapsed on the ground holding his chest.
The assailant got up and stood over the bleeding Quell. Raising his pistol towards Quell's head, the assailant said, "No one can escape Deathwatch Jedi-scum."
"Noooooo" a voice shouted.
The assailant looked up just in time to see young Zora threw his hands towards him. Immediately the assailant was pushed off the platform. Zora ran over to Quell and somehow was able to drag him towards the ship.
The two made their way to cockpit of the ship where R5 was waiting. Upon to seeing his master in a horrid state, R5 began beeping wildly. Zora laid Quell gently on the ground and Quell looked to R5.
"R5, I need you to get us out of here," Quell panted as the pain enveloped him. "Set course for Coursant now."
R5 immediately followed the orders and in no time the ship was in hyperspace in route to Coursant. However, Quell was quickly fading as he clutched his chest. Zora came close to him to try and stop the bleeding, but nothing was proving helpful. Quell grabbed Zora's hands and held them in his own. Despite only knowing this man for only a short while, Zora found himself brimming with tears.
"Youngling, what you did was reckless and foolish," Quell said as his voice began to fade. "However you acted very brave."
"Lot good it did," Zora said wiping his eyes. "You still got hurt."
"I know it seems rough right now, but this is a part of life," Quell said. "Eventually you will learn to understand it. But I need you to promise me one thing. No matter how bad things get, promise me that you will always you this power to help others. Can you do that for me?"
Zora looked at Quell and nodded. Quell smiled and laughed, before he slowly closed his eyes and his head laid down on the floor of the cockpit. Zora felt the grip on his hand loosen. The last thing that Zora saw before his eyes were swollen with tears, was the ship exiting hyperspace.
