~Well, I decided to finally post this. I really felt that it would be fun
to post a Kyp story, since I like his character so much. I just forgot the
first time I posted this that I needed a disclaimer. First off, I'd like to
say that SW is George's and not mine and this is just me playing in his
universe. ;-) Second, and this is for all you people who want to barf when
you read about any Mary Sues at all. This story's female lead might contain
some elements of what some people call Mary Sue-ism. So, if you really hate
it, then don't read it. For all of you who can stand Mary Sues, she's not
so bad that she's Corran Horn, so I hope I haven't scared you too much! :-P
All right, on with the show!~
Chapter One- The Meeting
Compared to some days Kyp Durron had seen in his forty-two years, this one was decidedly mundane. It began without incident. He climbed out of bed and washed away the grogginess in the fresher before dressing in his traditional garb: a charcoal gray jumpsuit, knee-high black boots (freshly polished to crisp gleam), and a black belt with a burnished metallic buckle. To complete his attire, Kyp donned his shimmering black cape—a gift from Han Solo so many years ago.
The Jedi Master moved quietly through the flagstone corridors of the Great Temple until at last he emerged into a sun-bathed clearing. Kyp squinted as his eyes adjusted to the brilliant daylight. He caught a glimpse of the silhouettes of Master Skywalker and some of the apprentices through the glare and mumbled a sleepy greeting to each of them as he stifled a yawn.
'Never was a morning person,' Kyp thought with a smile.
Working with some of the younger apprentices on the techniques of meditation proved to be quite an enjoyable experience after so many years of adversity. Kyp had seen enough hardship and tragedy to last a thousand lifetimes. He had grown up in the harsh darkness of the Kessel Spice Mines. Han Solo and his companion freed him from that nightmarish place and introduced him to Luke Skywalker, who took him in as a Jedi apprentice. Shortly after his arrival at the Jedi praxeum, Kyp fell under the influence of an ancient Sith Lord named Exar Kun. In the short-lived—but cataclysmic—rampage, the apprentice managed to destroy the entire Carida system and incapacitate Master Skywalker. It was finally the expulsion of Kun's influence that prevented Kyp from eradicating his good friend, Solo, who had tried to intervene with Kyp's murderous spree. Upon his capture, Kyp's life was spared on the condition that he live out the rest of his days as a servant of the New Republic.
Things were peaceful for the next dozen or so years. But an alien race called the Yuuzhan Vong changed that. Taking instruction from their gods, the Yuuzhan Vong entered the galaxy with the sole intent of domination. They engaged in mass genocide as the moved from world to world throughout the New Republic. Those who weren't massacred by the Vong became their slaves.
The New Republic and the Jedi suffered many losses in the war against the invaders, but eventually they drove the Yuuzhan Vong back from whence they came. Kyp recalled the celebrations that erupted when victory was at last obtained. He remembered elation that he'd felt inside when it happened.
Even that memory paled in comparison to the happiness he currently felt in his heart. Kyp sensed that his work with these children, however routine it seemed to be, was one of the greatest things he'd ever done, despite his service to the New Republic in battle. For the first time in his life Kyp wasn't struggling with guilt over the things he'd done in the past. For the first time he was free.
Kyp was stirred from his reverie by the sound of a ship flying overhead. He glanced at the markings in confusion.
"What's a N'aanwarian passenger shuttle doing here?" Kyp asked Luke as they chased after their distracted students, who were now anxiously running for the landing grid. Visitors on Yavin 4 were scarce, and usually limited to the occasional supply shuttle. When a new spacecraft did arrive, it was quite an event. Jedi-like calm was replaced by unbridled curiosity.
"Remember when I told you we were understaffed?" Luke asked with a slight grin. "Well, this is our help."
The shuttle's landing ramp touched down on the mossy soil as a cloaked figure appeared at the mouth of the entry. Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd of students as the figure reached the bottom of the ramp and removed the silvery cloak in a fluid blur of cloth. She stood in place for only a moment, soaking in the dazzling sunlight.
Despite his efforts to maintain his composure, Kyp cold do little more than stare at the woman, his mouth agape. Carried on the gentle breeze, her silky blond hair flowed behind her and cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her sage eyes sparkled like the gems of Gallinore as the sun hit them at just the right angle. Kyp's eyes ventured downward to the soft creamy skin of her neck peeking out from underneath her formfitting silver flight suit. He marveled at the iridescence of her outfit, and at the womanly form that it concealed.
"Yeah," Muttered Kyp as he turned around, casting a sidelong glance at Luke. "That's quite the help you've found!"
Chapter One- The Meeting
Compared to some days Kyp Durron had seen in his forty-two years, this one was decidedly mundane. It began without incident. He climbed out of bed and washed away the grogginess in the fresher before dressing in his traditional garb: a charcoal gray jumpsuit, knee-high black boots (freshly polished to crisp gleam), and a black belt with a burnished metallic buckle. To complete his attire, Kyp donned his shimmering black cape—a gift from Han Solo so many years ago.
The Jedi Master moved quietly through the flagstone corridors of the Great Temple until at last he emerged into a sun-bathed clearing. Kyp squinted as his eyes adjusted to the brilliant daylight. He caught a glimpse of the silhouettes of Master Skywalker and some of the apprentices through the glare and mumbled a sleepy greeting to each of them as he stifled a yawn.
'Never was a morning person,' Kyp thought with a smile.
Working with some of the younger apprentices on the techniques of meditation proved to be quite an enjoyable experience after so many years of adversity. Kyp had seen enough hardship and tragedy to last a thousand lifetimes. He had grown up in the harsh darkness of the Kessel Spice Mines. Han Solo and his companion freed him from that nightmarish place and introduced him to Luke Skywalker, who took him in as a Jedi apprentice. Shortly after his arrival at the Jedi praxeum, Kyp fell under the influence of an ancient Sith Lord named Exar Kun. In the short-lived—but cataclysmic—rampage, the apprentice managed to destroy the entire Carida system and incapacitate Master Skywalker. It was finally the expulsion of Kun's influence that prevented Kyp from eradicating his good friend, Solo, who had tried to intervene with Kyp's murderous spree. Upon his capture, Kyp's life was spared on the condition that he live out the rest of his days as a servant of the New Republic.
Things were peaceful for the next dozen or so years. But an alien race called the Yuuzhan Vong changed that. Taking instruction from their gods, the Yuuzhan Vong entered the galaxy with the sole intent of domination. They engaged in mass genocide as the moved from world to world throughout the New Republic. Those who weren't massacred by the Vong became their slaves.
The New Republic and the Jedi suffered many losses in the war against the invaders, but eventually they drove the Yuuzhan Vong back from whence they came. Kyp recalled the celebrations that erupted when victory was at last obtained. He remembered elation that he'd felt inside when it happened.
Even that memory paled in comparison to the happiness he currently felt in his heart. Kyp sensed that his work with these children, however routine it seemed to be, was one of the greatest things he'd ever done, despite his service to the New Republic in battle. For the first time in his life Kyp wasn't struggling with guilt over the things he'd done in the past. For the first time he was free.
Kyp was stirred from his reverie by the sound of a ship flying overhead. He glanced at the markings in confusion.
"What's a N'aanwarian passenger shuttle doing here?" Kyp asked Luke as they chased after their distracted students, who were now anxiously running for the landing grid. Visitors on Yavin 4 were scarce, and usually limited to the occasional supply shuttle. When a new spacecraft did arrive, it was quite an event. Jedi-like calm was replaced by unbridled curiosity.
"Remember when I told you we were understaffed?" Luke asked with a slight grin. "Well, this is our help."
The shuttle's landing ramp touched down on the mossy soil as a cloaked figure appeared at the mouth of the entry. Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd of students as the figure reached the bottom of the ramp and removed the silvery cloak in a fluid blur of cloth. She stood in place for only a moment, soaking in the dazzling sunlight.
Despite his efforts to maintain his composure, Kyp cold do little more than stare at the woman, his mouth agape. Carried on the gentle breeze, her silky blond hair flowed behind her and cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her sage eyes sparkled like the gems of Gallinore as the sun hit them at just the right angle. Kyp's eyes ventured downward to the soft creamy skin of her neck peeking out from underneath her formfitting silver flight suit. He marveled at the iridescence of her outfit, and at the womanly form that it concealed.
"Yeah," Muttered Kyp as he turned around, casting a sidelong glance at Luke. "That's quite the help you've found!"