The Jedi Remain
Short Stories of Intense Galactic Adventures & War
Story 1
Bounty Hunter
"You're a bold man for showing up," said a man holding up a C- 19 blaster pistol. "You truly thought you could get away with this didn't you? You know Davon is impatient with his money."
"Well I wasn't going to let you kill me in my sleep," said a man with a shabby beard and rugged clothes. "But you can tell that worthless piece of filth that he can take it from my cold dead body."
He opened his cloak and revealed a P- 12 pistol.
"Well that was the plan in the first place," said the man. "Men, lets blast this scum bag to oblivion."
The group of bounty hunters readied their weapons as the man started to feel droplets of sweat across his shady hair and face. His heart started racing feeling his life closing at an end.
"Freeze none of you move!" barked a man of law enforcement.
He was in white uniforms wearing masks to cover his face.
The group of bounty hunters fled from the scene, leaving the man abandoned.
"You, stay where you at, you're under arrest by the Coruscant Law Enforcement."
"What are you talking about you saw those guys trying to kill me?"
"Yeah but you was involved in illegal activity."
"This must be some mistake, I didn't do anything wrong."
"You're talking back to me? I know what filth like you is up to and apparently you did something to upset those guys."
"I'm trying to tell you…"
"You're coming with me."
The patrol troop sauntered towards the man with a pair of cuffs. The man immediately punched the troop nearly knocking his helmet off.
"Yeah I'm filth alright," he said as he took off.
"I'm gonna need back up," said the fallen troop.
"What's the situation?" said the officer on the comm.
"I have a runaway heading to the quarters."
"We're right on it."
The man took off running, looking for a place to hide. Airspeeders raced above him as he began to panic. He ran throughout the streets dodging land speeders and civilians. Behind him he heard sirens ringing with the sounds of trouble as he ventured to a back alley. He hid with his hands on the walls checking to see if authority was at his throat. His heart thumped as he steadily took baby steps to get to the other side of the quarters. His heart raced even faster and couldn't control his emotions as he took off for the other side.
He heard in the background, "That's him, don't move!" He raced towards the bridge for the entertainment module. He saw a night club and entered to blend in the crowd. He looked at his surroundings and saw a full crowd of people dancing on the floor. Some were at the bar while beautiful twilek women were dancing in the cages upstairs.
"This oughta hold em," he said to himself. He entered deep within the club feeling relief with thoughts of getting him a drink to calm his nerves. The bar was near the entrance so it would be a foolish move. The only way to avoid authority was to blend in the crowd.
The man saw a couple of troopers interrogating the bar tender. The bar tender pointed at his direction as he began to shove people out the way. The troops followed his trail as he desperately rushed through the floor. He bumped into an alien as it gnarled at him with disgust.
"Oh… sorry pal," he said as he desperately took off again. He thought of the only way to escape is to sneak his way out the club. The man forced his way back to the entrance taking another route. He crouched down, hoping no one could see him as he made his way back to the bar. The man snatched a drink from a drunken guy who had a little too much to drink. He quickly fled out the club with a few more troops on his trail. He ran as fast as he could to avoid authority but was eventually caught with a stun ray. The ray paralyzed him from the head and down as he collapsed to the pavement. His vision started to get blurry only hearing slight sounds of sirens and troops taunting.
"He should have stayed in the night club," a troop began to taunt. "Maybe he wouldn't have gotten caught." The man heard the troops laugh and faded away into a deep slumber.
He opened his eyes and found himself in a room. The man was suspicious knowing this room isn't the cell block where he belonged. Questions ran through his mind. Is he now a slave? Is he now in some type of community service? What was going on?
"Ah you're finally awake," said a man stepping through the door.
"Uh… I feel like a drunken rancor," said the shabby man getting up from the bed.
"Don't get up too quickly son you were out for some time."
"Where am I and who the hell are you?"
"My name is Allan Ferd and I'm a priest."
"Oh yeah, a priest of what?"
"The force son."
"So you're supposed to be some kind of Jedi?
"There are none left I'm afraid."
"Well I know that but why you say that you're a priest of the force?"
"Because I believe you can still let the force guide you without a weapon. People now these days are afraid of the force because the dark side may take over the galaxy once again."
"The dark side?"
"Yes, the dark side of the force. It is terrible power wielded by a group of dark siders called the Sith."
"I've heard the history of the Sith. I say good riddance to all the Jedi. Brings less stress in the galaxy."
"Everybody is force sensitive, and I sense the force is strong with you. What's your name?"
"Jon Quelle."
"Jon, just know that you're safe with me."
"But how did I get here? Authorities held me captive."
"I've seen you get taken away by the officers. You were out of it. I figured that I could free you in a matter of days if I could talk with the authorities."
"Wait, how long was I out of it?"
"At least three days now."
"Dammit three days?"
"Yeah once I freed you, I had help to drag you on this bed you're sitting on now."
"Isn't that something? How you got me out?"
"Easy, diplomatic tactics."
"Sounds reasonable."
"Listen, my wife has fixed supper, I was wondering if you could join us."
"I guess I'll be delighted."
"Just join us when you get ready."
Jon Quelle, the native of the Republic Capital Planet of Coruscant has hustled all his life. His parents were friends and associates for Ubba the Hut before the time he was born. They eventually were killed by bounty hunters for owing him money leaving Jon on his own in the rough streets of Coruscant. Jon hustled in the streets trying to make a living and eventually associated with Crime Lord Davon Mesh trading weapons and cash for four years. Eventually Jon stopped paying his debt, selling the weapons for himself leaving Davon empty-handed. Davon became furious and had set a bounty on Jon's head. With all the trials in his life, Jon cared less of the bounty on his head and walked boldly in the streets. Now with the crime syndicate on the hunt and the authorities stalking him, he feels as if he took the biggest risk of his life.
On his way to dinner, Jon roamed around the halls of Allan's Condo. He peaked through each room, checking to see where he could find Allan and his wife. He checked one room and found a shelf of Jedi holocrons. Amazed by the site, Jon saw all the ancient Jedi artifacts that was locked in one room. Just thinking all the holocrons were at the museum, there is actually a private collector. He reached to grab a holocron and found information on ancient Jedi archives.
"Wow this is something," he said.
"Can I help you?" said a droid behind him.
"Yeah I'm looking for Allan, have you seen him?"
"Yeah he's waiting for you in the diner hall. You're not allowed in the artifact chamber. Explain your business."
"I was just making my way to the diner hall, I stopped here by mistake."
"The diner hall is down the hall to your right. You surely can't miss it."
"Then I will make my way."
Somewhere on the wealthy parts of Coruscant lied Davon's Retreat where the search of Jon continued.
"What do you mean he's out of jail?" said Davon. "How you've learned this?"
"We had word from the authorities that a priest has bribed them with 200 credits," said a bounty hunter.
"Really, where does he live?"
"We're not sure, I believe he stays close to the quarters."
"Then let's find our victim."
At the diner hall, dinner sat at the table with Allan and his wife sitting.
"Hello, you must be Jon, it's finally nice to meet you."
"Yeah hello, I thank you for your hospitality."
"It's no problem, I'm Sara."
"It's a pleasure."
"Please come and join us, we would be quite honored."
"It would be an honor."
Jon sat and joined as the droid passed the rest of the food.
"So tell me about yourself Jon," Sara continued. "Are you a loner? I don't mean to offend."
"It's okay because I am. All my life I had to defend myself, growing up around thugs and crime lords. I feel the only way to survive in the galaxy is to look after yourself, trust nobody."
Allan and Sara looked at each other with worry and focused their attention back to Jon.
"That's an interesting story Jon," said Allan. "And I truly see something in you. The moment I saw you getting captured by authorities, I saw the force channeling within you to guide you through your destination."
"Listen I truly appreciate your hospitality but I'm not interested in your force and I doubt I ever will be."
"You haven't given me the time to speak son."
"I don't want to hear you preach. I need answers and I'm afraid your preaching of 'the force' won't help me."
"Son you have to be patient…"
"I don't want to hear it, I thank you for bailing me out with good hospitality but I must make my departure."
Jon gave his thanks towards the married couple and made his way out the condo.
As the evening sky sauntered throughout the sky, Jon sat on a bench with thoughts of frustration. He thought of the death of his parents, Davon's syndicate, including Allan's speech about the force. It all caught up to him as he dropped his head and began rubbing his hair back and forth. A woman of beautiful, silky light skin, long black hair with a white custom robe approached him and sat next to him as he looked in bewilderment.
"Why hello sweet heart," he said flirtatious. "Where were you earlier? I could've been in your presence."
"Well I am now," she said calmly with little signs of emotion. "And you seem like you've seen better days."
"So what's your name?"
"The name is Catome and you must be Jon."
"Yeah that's my name and how you know? You must have stalked me from a distance. It's good once in a while for a good-looking woman like you to chase after a guy like me."
"That's the issue I'm afraid."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I am on a mission you see. I'm looking for the man chosen to save a galaxy, and I believe that is you."
"Mission, what mission?"
"I am a member of the Jedi Council in the Xenex Galaxy."
Jon started to cackle, amused by the woman's words.
"A Jedi? Woman you are delusional, and what in the hell is a Xenex Galaxy?"
The woman became offended by the man's outbursts but controlled her feelings trying not to show it.
"Jon this is a serious matter, our galaxy is in jeopardy by the Dark Kingdom and if we fall then soon this galaxy will fall."
"Listen woman I don't have time for this. I have my own problems and I don't have time to play swordsman with some crazy woman in the streets, so if you can just please leave me in peace."
"Fine by me. If you will not believe then you are at fault. I will not force you to come with me, but if you let the force channel within you, you will find your way. Have a good evening Jon."
The woman ventured on down the street leaving Jon alone with thoughts twice as much as last time.
Back at the condo, Allan sat at the den with his wife Sara, drinking shots of ale.
"I just don't understand," he said. "That boy is just so strong in the force but he's wasting his effort. He wouldn't even nudge to hear my mythology of the force."
"You out of everybody should know it's not easy to win souls," said Sara. "You just can't give up on the boy."
"I'm not giving up on him. I know that boy is one day going to heal the galaxy and take my place as priest."
"Then what's the point in complaining Allan. You are a good man and you will win a lot of souls. I promise you, you will. Have faith my dear, the galaxy must be healed."
"Yeah you're right love, I'll pray for Jon and hopefully he'll find his calling."
"He will dear, he will."
"Master Allan, you have visitors at your door," said the droid.
"What is this?" said Sara. "I don't remember company coming over this evening."
"There's a disturbance in the force," said Allan. "Stay here, I'll see what's going on."
"Allan it could be a trap."
"I'll be fine stay here."
"No Allan stay here where it's safe, don't be bold."
It was too late as Allan went to the front entrance. He heard a blaster sound as sparks splattering throughout the area. He steadily made his way to the front and found Davon and his crew at the door.
"Can I help you," said Allan.
"I'm looking for Jon Quelle, have you seen him?" asked Davon.
"He left hours ago, who are you?"
"No one questions Davon Thet like that understood?" growled a bounty hunter jacking Allan up.
"Let him go Isis he's not worth the time," said Davon.
"I don't know who you guys are but you need to leave," Allan commanded.
"Really, someone haves the audacity to demand me over something? You must don't know who I am do you."
"Actually I don't, and I will let the authorities hear from this."
"Foolish old man I run the authorities, and this entire city. No one from the entire core worlds can stop me. Now tell me where Quelle is or you and your wife will suffer."
"You keep my wife out of this!"
"Or what?"
"That's it, I'm calling authorities."
The group of bounty hunters surrounded Allan as he had no place to go. Davon signaled one of his men to hit him. The bounty hunter punched him in the nose, as the rest of them followed behind. They held Allan up as blood dripped from his nose. Sara stepped in the room with astonishment.
Davon pulled out a knife and held it up to Allan's face. "Now you will tell me where Jon Quelle is or I will carve the flesh out your bones."
"Leave him alone!" shrieked Sara.
"Tell me now old man. Where is he? I'm getting very impatient now."
"Killing me hear will not give you victory," said Allan.
"Fine by me, men turn him to his wife."
The bounty hunters turned him around as he grazed in the eyes of his wife. She looked back wailing in tears.
"Men blast her!"
The bounty hunters gave into Davon's command and shot Allan's wife to her death.
"Now tell me where Jon is or you will join your wife."
Allan burst out to tears and yelled from the top of his lungs. "I don't know where he is! Why are you doing this to me?!"
"Because you picked up the wrong guy at the wrong time. Now it has cost you your life. It's been a while since I killed a man, I'm going to enjoy this."
Davon held the knife in his hand and was ready to strike as Allan screamed with signs of fear.
In the streets, Jon thought of the words Catome said to him and wondered if her words were true. He had to figure out something, so he raced to get back to Allan's Condo.
Once he got there, he saw a fleet of land speeders at the front entrance. He knew something wasn't right, so he rushed to the door. When he entered, he found Allan and Sara's body leaking with blood. Davon entered the room, amused to see Jon's presence.
"Hello Jon," he said. "So we meet again."
"What have you done?" said Jon.
"Their lives are less important at this point. Now where is the money you owe me?"
"I said I'll include it in next month's payment."
"Liar! You are a damn lie. You promised me to ship those weapons to Nar Shadaa, and you decided to keep the salary yourself. I knew I shouldn't have trusted scum like you."
"Dammit Davon I was desperate!"
"Wrong answer! Your life is mine."
He held the same knife he killed Allan and charged at Jon. Jon managed to catch his grip and punched him hard to the floor as the knife slid across the floor.
"Go ahead Jon kill me if you have the guts."
Jon hesitated but what was the use since he had no weapons to kill him with.
"Yeah that's right you are weak just like your parents were."
A nerve struck as Jon clenched his fist.
The team of bounty hunters stormed in the room. They saw their leader down with a busted lip.
"Men fire when ready," Davon said.
"Actually he's not alone in this one," said Catome.
"And who the hell are you?"
"I'm your worst enemy, now let him go or I will cut you by force with my blade."
The men cackled in amusement. There was just no way Davon would take her seriously.
"Kill them both!" he commanded.
The men immediately opened fire at the two. Catome sprung into action with her glowing green blade igniting as she deflected each blaster shot and cut down the entire group without being touched. Amazed and relieved that she saved his life, Jon stood tall against the crime lord. Davon became frustrated, getting up from the ground with his knife gripped in his fist.
"Damn you both, I'll see you die."
"Give it up Davon you cannot win," said Catome.
"I'd rather die than to surrender from the likes of you."
Davon charged to strike at Catome but she stared into his eyes as he stumbled and passed out dropping the knife. He then fell into a deep cold slumber.
"Wow that was amazing you truly are a Jedi," said Jon.
"I have abilities of the force," said Catome. "But soon you will gain the same attributes as mine, twice as greater."
"I don't know where I'm going with this, but I'm in."
"Then come with me and let the priest and his wife rest peacefully while authorities take care of our friend here."