( This is the first segment of a story I've had in my head for a while. Some of my stuff might go against the books, because I've only read a few books in the series, so I am not making the time period too specific, and sort of taking quite a few liberties with the NJO world. It will be as faithful as possible, and I intend to introduce a really COOL character, including Jaina and Jacen. )
" The New Jedi Order: Hunter, Killer "
Prologue:
" I don't understand it, why would we be sent on such a menial task, Dara? " Irritation was quite evident in the young Jedi's tone, it had become increasingly apparent to Ratho that this was little more than a mill of the run sweep of a sector that had more or less been confirmed clear of Yuuzhan Vong presence. To think that a Jedi would be sent on such an assignment felt utterly degrading. The headstrong Bespin native's features were illuminated by the freighter ship's consoles, flushing his stern, borderline pouting features in an array of aquamarine and light blue light.
Even the very ship they traveled in seemed to speak of how completely unimportant their mission was, had there been any real danger in this sector they would have been flying an armed transport, even an outdated X-Wing would have been better than this. Serving as a stark contrast to her companion, Dara's own console lit face was marked with a smile, finding amusement at her friend's attitude and different perspective to this entire ordeal.
" Ratho, we can't all be fighting at the frontlines. If everyone was at the front, in the face of danger, well then our enemies would simply attack us back here. Who knows, this could become the front someday soon! " The Twi'lek's disposition did little to improve her Bespin companion's own, and oddly enough, he was the senior of the two. Though, she'd progressed through the ranks at a faster rate than most anticipated in her own right, and at this pace she was destined to leave the impatient Ratho in the dust, a fact he knew well.
" Yeah, and with our luck we'll be sweeping another sector of dead space by the time anything interesting starts coming our way. " A begrudged sigh escaped his lips as he turned to face the navigation computer.
" You know, back in the days of the Old Republic, Jedi considered facing danger bad luck, not the other way around. " Dara smirked, turning in her chair to catch what she was sure would be a look of sheer annoyance on Ratho's face, only to find her companion seemingly frozen in place, staring at the navigation screen with a look of growing excitement " What's -- " Before she even asked, she knew what Ratho must have been staring at so intently, or at least what she figured was a vessel of some sort.
" You are quick, Dara. You feel it right? " A gloved index finger would jut out toward the holographic display of a stalled vessel not too far from their position, though it wasn't the vessel that had caught both their attention, but rather the weak yet obvious presence of the force that emanated from the blackness of space, the powerless Corellian transport at the very center of it all.
Again, the pair of Jedi contrasted eachother dramatically, whereas Ratho's face had lit up with joy and excitement, Dara's own visage displayed concern and uneasiness. She made no attempt to hide the look from Ratho, just proof of how mature she was among her peers, most would have feared looking weak and probably put up a faux look of excitement. Dara saw no need to look powerful or courageous in front of her peers, she knew she was capable of the traits when it mattered, and popularity or reverence was hardly her agenda in the Academy.
" We should contact the Academy. "
Ratho shook his head, unconsciously fingering the hilt of his lightsaber. " Not a chance, we're going to investigate. I know what you're thinking, Dara, but safety is hardly an issue here. Yes, obviously there's the presence of the dark side on that ship, but it's far too weak to belong to anything truly dangerous. If anything, whatever the source is, it's probably dying. Besides, I'm not going to waste the Academy's time and have them send back up when whatever's on board could be something we can handle ourselves. We'll check it out, then report back. "
Dara shifted in her chair a little, knowing Ratho had a valid point. It wasn't practical or wise to have the Academy send needed personnel or resources to check something out that could very well turn out to be trivial in the grand scheme of things, but it wasn't exactly fear or overcautiousness that drove her mode of thinking. " It's just that .. well, for so long we've been fighting blind out here, Ratho. All we've been sensing are our allies out here. We haven't -- "
" Come across the darkside in a long time, I know. It makes me uneasy too, okay? I've gotten used to the fact we're fighting enemies we can't sense, too. And now, out of nowhere, this. But if anything I think fighting the Yuuzhan Vong blind has made us stronger to the darkside than anything. It's like we've been doing combat blind folded, and we're starting to do pretty well. Now we're going to face something without that blind fold, if anything this will be a cake walk in comparison. "
The Twi'lek bit her bottom lip, a childish habit she'd never gotten over, even in the Academy, there were quite a few boys that wouldn't have it any other way either, as they rather enjoyed the 18 year old's cute little habit. " Okay, Ratho. You are the senior one here, let's check it out. "
Ratho looked away from the electronic display of the motionless vessel, a smile creased across his lips. " You won't regret this, Dara. It'll be fun. "