I wrote my 50K NaNo 2012 story in 18 days. Now I am supposed to edit it. But I have never really written a story, edited it and then posted it. I usually start a story and start posting it with no kriff'n idea where it is going and no clue as to how to end it. I have been staring at these 50K words for 12 days now not really doing anything much to it because I lack the will. So I am just going to start posting it and hope it turns out okay. So if this really reeks it probably is because it was written in a very short time and I have no patience.
NOTE: This is a sequel to Second To None and The Journal of Mark Tantiss. I tried to write it in a way that you shouldn't have to read the first two stories to understand it. It is hard to give a synopsis. Basically, Mark Tantiss is a mutated clone of Luke Skywalker that was intended to become Joruus C'baoth's personal Imperial Sentinel (think big and mean). In my story STN Luke does not turn dark as he did in Dark Empire. Palpatine is defeated on Byss by Luke, Mara, Mark and Talon Karrde's crew using ysalamiri to mask their presence and lots of explosives. Luke never hooks up with Callista. Luke and Mara get married within a year of Wayland and start popping out Skycrawlers. The Vong are defeated quickly. Jacen, Jaina and Anakin are alive and well.
It is now 40 ABY and the Solo, Skywalker and Tantiss kids are all grown up. But then something stupid has to happen to screw up this happily ever after.
Title: Second To None: Sacrifices
Author: Jedi_Lover
Time Frame: Beyond the Saga. Approximately 40 ABY
Characters: OC Mark Tantis, Luke, Mara, Ben, Jacen, Tenel Ka, Jaina, Jag, Anakin, Tahiri, Kira Tantiss, and the rest.
Summary: Little angst, some boot knocking. The continuation of events that came from Second to None and The Journal of Mark Tantiss. MAJOR AU.
Planet Myrkr
Mark Tantiss gazed into the 'fresher mirror as he ran his hand over his red beard and hair. He needed to get his hair dyed soon—his blond roots were beginning to show. His eyes were due to be dyed next month from their original bright blue to the deep green he preferred, but that appointment would have to be moved up to as soon as possible. He leaned in and moved his head so he could get a better look. It was eerie seeing yellow irises where there was once green and the whites of his eyes were bloodshot giving them a crimson tint.
He opened the medicine cabinet concealed behind the mirror and looked for eye drops, but the shelves were bare. Talon Karrde had only the bare minimum supplies stocked in his Myrkr hideaway. There was food, water and some medical supplies…but no eye drops for Sith stained eyes.
He sighed as he closed the cabinet. He needed to get the color fixed as soon as possible. He didn't want to frighten his wife, Kira. Even he flinched at his appearance every time he looked in the mirror.
As he exited the 'fresher he could hear the engines of a shuttle roar outside on the facility landing pad. He went to the closest window to get a look at his new visitors. He immediately recognized the star yacht Jade Shadow. He smiled when he saw Mara's ship, but he knew she was not on it. It would probably be Luke and Ben coming to confront him.
The transport powered down and eventually the boarding ramp lowered. As expected, Luke and Ben exited the craft, followed by an angry looking Jaina Solo. Jaina unclipped her lightsaber and ignited it, but Luke gave her a gesture that Mark interpreted as "stand down". Jaina frowned and deactivated her purple blade, but Mark noticed she did not return it to her belt.
He squared his shoulders and moved to where his ysalamiri was sitting in a nutrient cage. He slipped on the thick Bantha leather shoulder harness and then pulled the animal out and onto his shoulder. The Force-void tree lizard dug her claws deep into the leather, securing herself firmly to the leather carrier. He reached up and scratched behind her head in a soothing gesture. "Hey Nibbles, we have company. Maybe with you on my shoulder they won't be too jumpy," he said with a caustic chuckle.
As he walked over to the facility entrance to greet his friends, it astonished him that things had come to this-his family doubting him, distrusting him, and possibly ready to kill him if they deemed him a danger to others. This was a long fall from his lofty perch as Jedi Master and trusted friend to Grand Master Skywalker.
Mark's shoulder's slumped and he gave a sigh as he stepped outside to face his Jedi Master.