To All Things, An End

Co-authored with: Steffan Karrde, Myk-Ron Dinn, and Ainar Algeron

Author's Note:

Star Wars and associated material contained within works produced or published by LucasFilm Ltd., or its subsidiaries remains the sole property, copyright, and trademark of said entities. No profit is being made from this work. All characters contained within this work are original (with the exception of appearances by some canon characters); and remain the intellectual property of their originating writers.

The Cataani people and all related information is the brainchild of Steffan Karrde. All characters used are used with permission of their originating writer.

Mando'a language © Karen Traviss and LFL.

Star Wars © LFL.

Calbrea system

Tahms was pacing back and forth along Ororko's bridge, taking the occasion to look out the forward viewport at the planet's surface.

Somewhere...

He'd been careful on retreating from the Enduron system and with backtracking back to the planet on Reinhart's orders to recover the protype. But that mission ended in failure, the mobile suit was already missing. He had already sent the report off to Reinhart and knew that the man wouldn't like the response. But something was tugging at the back of his mind, and he couldn't place it. But who was after him right now, the Republic or Cataani...or Karrde?

He couldn't shake the feeling ever since Steffan Karrde had boarded his ship back in the Hoth system. He was present when Blue Talon entered in its first combat with the pirates that he had joined up with. Tahms was in command of the crew that handle the first mobile suit and it still devastated him to see Kapp destroy it after the duel between his suit and Blue Talon. It was something he kept inside all these years.

And if the search for him and his three ships involved the Cataani, it would certainly involve Karrde.

"Any traces yet?" he finally asked his Quarren crewman on the scanners.

"No, sir, and I don't expect to find any," Queluss said as he sighed, but kept his attention on the scans. "With the Empire's cloaking shield, all you had to do to detect it was notice when something would disappear behind it. Some cases, you could pick up the thermal traces on the engines...and most of the other cloaking shields some of the other powers have are the same. But the Cataani have got it just about as perfect as it can get. No emissions, no residual traces, nothing...and they can track us clearly through it visually and with their sensors. If they're out there, we're not going to know it until they decide to let us."

"Just keep looking," Tahms said as he looked back out the view port. "Find a way."

C.S.S. KureCataaniH'kana-class Bird of Prey

"He's gone to active scanning," Captain Johnathan Rightman heard off to his right.

"Again?" his executive officer asked as he stood at the same station. "That's the fourth time in 30 minutes. You'd think the captain was bored."

"Or being extremly cautious," Rightman said softly as he leaned back in the captain's chair. "Tactical, make sure our cloak is still running smoothly."

Rightman knew it was an unnecessary command, as his ship's cloaking system was programmed to run self-diagnostics often. Kure was state-of-the-art, a joint venture between Cataan's ship building industry and the New Republic. She and her sister ships, which included the New Republic's Knight Caller, were originally designed for recon and special-ops but eventually turned into a multi-tool of a ship.

She was, basically, an elliptical disk with her engines housed in extensions a third of the way from the rear. Her size was larger than the old Corellian Action IV series, but smaller than a Karrack-class cruiser, but faster and more maneuverable than any crewed ship in the galaxy. Only snubfighters could outdo her. And her armor and shields made her hard to damage if they were hit.

Her stealth systems and cloaking device were a more advanced version derived from Nib Cadre's designs. Kure was able to enter and exit from hyperspace completely undetected. Designed to deploy special operation teams and perform electronic and visual surveillance as well as hold a flight of fighters for special ops, she could operate without notice.

If threatened, her weapon systems could hold an old Imperial Star Destroyer at bay. In that regard, the designer turned to Steffan Karrde….and Blue Talon. Kure's main batteries were derived from the mobile suit's main weapon. Powered down, but still powerful enough to punch through capitol ship grade shields with a magazine of proton torpedos and baranium torpedos to augment it.

Everything powered by two power cores that generated enough energy that one could easily support the entire ship if the other failed. It all came at a heavy cost in design and construction, resulting in only a few ships in the class, but well worth the costs.

"Kuroda," Rightman said as he looked over at his scanning officer. "Keep tabs on those three. We need to know when they move."

"Aye, sir."

"Signals," he said as he looked over to the next station. "Contact Valkyrie and let Captain Payne know that we've located the group."

Ainar shut down the offensive systems and transferred all power to the hyperdrive, he wanted out of here, and back to Cataan where they would be safe. He keyed in a secure channel over to Arie's ship."Everyone alright?"

"We're fine over here Ainar, thanks. We owe you," Arie responded after a few seconds.

"The ship took some damage, but we'll make it back to Cataan just as long as we don't run into more people who want to take a shot at us. We're going to take one more look around Enduron. Get those holos sent to Maxell and come back for us at 1900 hours."

"Don't jinx it Master, I'll take care of you. The Viking is still in one shape." he said, patting the controls.

"We'll get this sample of yours back to Cataan, then we'll decide what to do with it." Arie answered him. Cataan will have to do. My labs have been compromised on Coruscant. Arie thought bitterly, and the thought of leaving Kate alone hurt Ainar more than he cared to admit over the comm.

"Ainar...she will be alright, she's strong." Arie said, picking up on Ainar's thoughts.

"Didn't I tell you sometime ago to stay out of my mind?" he said laughing.

"Hey, I can't help it if you're lovesick Ainar, and it's normal to be worried under these circ..." Arie's air left her lungs as both ships shuddered violently as they were pulled out of hyperspace.

Alarms blared in his cockpit, signaling incoming vessels. And one big one.

"Oh no...not again, why do I always run into interdictor!" he yelled, slamming the panel infront of him.

"Arie...Arie, can you hear me?" He only received static, they were jamming his transmissions. "Sithspawn!". The computer showed incoming fighters on a intercept course for his ship and Arie's.

"She can't hold out against this.." He brought his sublight engines to maximum and powered up his weapon systems. XJ's filled his screen, aqcuiring target locks on him and within seconds proton torpedoes raced for the Viking.

Ainar took evasive maneuvers, bringing the ship into a stomach-lurching move and evading most of the shots, but 3 hit their mark, sparks ignited all over the cockpit as the shields started to fail. He bit his lower lip and saw Arie's transport flying past, evading shots, and answering back with laser fire, but mostly she was on the receiving end of the fight.

Ainar, we need to get this sample out of here, that's what counts! Get those holos to Maxell! he head Arie yell through the Force, or that was his brain's comprehension of the feelings and images she sent.

Oh, don't worry Master. You'll get out of here soon, he sent back, sending her an image of her ship escaping to hyperspace.

You're forgetting that interdictor Ainar, we'll never be able to take it out. Arie sent back.

Ainar swallowed hard, then went back to targeting a fighter and firing back. "Leave that to me. Once more ol' girl" he said, stroking the bulkhead as he laid in a new course. Straight for the interdictor's gravity well generator. "Computer! All power to front shields and sublight engines." The ship lurched as the power was transferred, moving the ship dangerously fast, towards the large ship.

"I have a bad feeling about this," he said locking the course in and then he ran into the back, straight for the escape pod. He reached the pod and jumped in, sealed it behind him and slammed it shut. The world spinned as the small vessel spun out of control, leaving the Viking on a ramming course with the Interdictor. He watched as his ship raced through space, the X-wings all trying to stop it, fire erupted and explosions rocked the ship, but it kept going.

3...2...1...

The light blinded him as the ship crashed into the large Interdictor, a chain reaction of explosions followed and tendrils of fire and smoke erupted from all over the ship.

Ainar! We're coming to pick you up you crazy nerfherder!

Ainar tried to steady himself in the pod, and glanced at the readings. They were too far away, they would never get to him in time, their ship was barely functional.

Negative! You don't have the time, and you know it! I'll live, I'll get out of this, and meet you back on Cataan when I can...just now, GO!

Ainar could feel Arie's hesitation, but she was a military officer, and she knew what she had to do.

The transport jumped to hyperspace before the fighters caught up with them. Force be with you, my friend. We'll see you at 1900 tonight on Enduron. Ainar sighed as he felt a tractor beam lock on to him.

"Blast."

"Come on, Chris," Jade said as she set down two plates of a light lunch on the counter for her and Chris Tien Jinn. "You've been staring at that datapad for a long time now."

Chris smiled and set it down as she looked over what Jade had prepared and smiled up at her host. "I've only tried Cataani cuisine once or twice...here each time, and never enjoyed anything better."

"Sometimes the best things are the simple ones," Jade said as she poured them both a glass of water. "And I kept it very simple today. I can't stand what some of the galactic 'elite' charge and pay for stuff that isn't half as good as what comes out of my kitchen."

That got a laugh out of Chris Tien as she scrolled down to look over some things on her pad.

"Stop that," Jade said, pointing her fork over. "Just enjoy the meal."

"Yes, mi'lady," and Chris chuckled again. "How long did Steffan say he was going to be out?"

"He said he was going to ride to Adan...I hope he knows that Jameson was going to ride there to meet him."

"Ah," Chris said as she took a bite of her meal. "How are things with Andrea and Edward."

"Happier than I've ever seen them," Jade said as she leaned back slightly. "They're went down for the festival, I think Ryneas went with them to enjoy the music."

"And Dilan?"

"Settling in with his duties on Calbrea."

Calbrea

I'll have to send mother some of this fruit and let her try it, the youth thought as he paid the shopkeeper of one of the local fruitstands and walked down taking a bite of his small meal. A bit sweeter than what he was used to on Cataan, but good.

Dilan Karrde had gotten his post helping the local watchman, a Twi'leck that had become a Jedi Knight only a few years before him, so they were good friends. It hadn't taken him long to figure his way around, and had eventually taken to getting several articles of the local clothing to help blend in and make people more comfortable with having several Jedi around. His robes he kept as his residence for when he needed to attend in an 'official' role.

I remember Valin talking how his great-great grandfather from the Clone Wars would do the same thing on Corellia, he thought as he walked down the street. And his wife always referring to it as his 'hunting clothes'. He looked up at the rising sun. Looks like to be a good day.

"How many?" Tahms asked as he looked down at Calbrea from orbit.

"Still two shuttles on the surface," his exec told him from the lower deck. "Captain, you're sure giving everyone a case of the nerves."

"If they've seen what I've seen, they'd feel the same," Tahms said. "Contact them again. We need to pull out as fast as we can."

"Sir," an junior officer saluted after her handed Maxell the latest search report.

"Valkyrie's battlegroup has them spotted at Calbrea," he said to Colonel Turner as he handed him the dispatch.

"Damn, those Cataani don't waste any time when it comes to a hard target search," Turner said as he looked up at the galactic map in the situation room. "Payne made direct contact?"

"They've got one of their new hunters in the system and picked them up." Maxwell said as he pulled up the list of the ships in Matther Payne's Second Fleet. "The Kure, one of their H'kana-class birds-of-prey."

"Nice," Turner said as he looked over the postion of the closest New Republic group. "We can get Harkness and her escort into postion. Any word from the General yet?"

"No word since they left Bothawui."

Cataan – Karrde home

"Steffan, Are you still awake?" Jade asked as she came into the study with her nightgown and an overcloak on.

"I couldn't sleep just yet, so I decided to do some late reading, honey," Steffan said with a smile as he put down his book. "What's wrong?"

"There's a call that came in. I thought you'd want to get it."

"Okay," he said as he keyed the comm unit built into his desk computer. "O'dura Odan...well, this is a surprise."

"I'm sorry to disturb you, my friend," the Ishi-tib Jedi said on the other end of the transmission. "But it is important. The young Jedi that was supposed to arrive here in the Tanaab system never arrived. I'm concerned, Steffan."

"How long ago was he supposed to have arrived?" Steffan asked as he leaned forward in his chair.

"He should've been here a few days ago, but I've not seen him or felt his presence here. His name was Falk."

Falk? Missing? The news was something that chilled the Cataani Jedi Master when he heard it. "I'll see what I can track down, O'dura."

"Thank you. I'll contact you later."

"I've seen that look before," Jade said as she walked around his desk while he was terminating the transmission. "What's wrong, Steffan."

"Falk...was Welt's younger brother," Steffan said softly. "Went through the academy about the same time that Dilan started his training. We assigned him to help Odan as a watchman...he's disappeared."

"Oh gods," Jade said softly.

Ainar woke up in a cold cell, the after affects of the...stun grenade, yes that's what it was. A stun grenade shot into the escape pod.

Ainar jumped to his feet, and his eyes scanned the room, his senses stretching forward and his hand dropped to his lightsaber.

"Well at least they were smart" he said to himself as he tried his pockets, all empty. His hands reached for his necklace, the one with his wife's picture. "Oh no they didn't..." He tried to look around for some kind of a weapon, there was a bench, made out of duracrete...nothing handy. There wasn't a door anywhere, just a gray cell.

Ainar extended his right hand and summoned the Force, a tingling sensation rushed through his hands, up his arms and into his very being. A ball of glowing white formed infront of him, he started shaking, the awesome power engulfing him. Then it stopped. Ainar blinked his eyes in surprise. "What?"

Someone, or something somehow took the Force power away from him...his senses were lost, he couldn't tap into the current.

"Who are you?" he yelled at no one in particular.

"Don't you remember me old friend?" a voice boomed from a hidden speaker.

Ainar spun around, ready in a self-defence stand. But there was no one there."Well I've met a lot of people.." Ainar responded, trying to tap into the Force again, but without success.

"Don't even bother, I've cut you off Jedi.."

"No one has that power over a Jedi Master...you.." Ainar smiled and laughed, "you brought in Ysalamiri didn't you?"

No answer.

"Yes, that's it isn't it, trying to frighten me with your awesome power, I didn't give you Bothan's enough credit!" Ainar said as he sat down and relaxed.

The voice laughed over the speakers, a dark, chilling laugh.

"You're not Bothan are you?" Ainar asked, feeling a bit nervous all off a sudden.

"No"

Ainar looked up and saw a man standing there and a door open in the wall, guards on either side.

It took a moment for the face to register, he had changed over the years..

Ainar's eyes widened in shock, and his hand dropped to his lightsaber again...which still wasn't there.

"Bane..."

Two powerful sets of arms took hold of him and pulled him back against the wall as the Dark Lord walked into the room, moving his hood off of his head. "Yessss," he hissed out as he outstretced his hand and regarded the man's face. "Still the same Ainar I remember...stubborn as ever. Heh...you and Karrde were so much alike."

"What do you want, Sith?" Ainar said as he tried to fight against the grip of the two who held him.

"At the moment, your attention," Bane said as he showed an evil smile. "Which I will have right now, because you're going to deliver a message for me after I'm done with you." He nodded to the two warriors that held him at bay. "Take him."

Cataan – Karrde home

Chris Tien Jinn walked through the woods outside of Steffan's home, reaching the entrance to an old monastery on Mt. Adan. Going through the arched doorways, she felt the energy of the old stone buildings here. She could tell why Steffan had chosen this place to begin an idea of his to open a new training hall here in the monastery. She found him in one of the courtyards of the grounds. Stones were placed in patterns in the grass and as she looked at the pattern, she could tell it was the same as was in Steffan's training circle at his home, what was known on Cataan and the master's wheel...it was used for the basis of Cataani fighting style.

And at the moment, Steffan was in the center of the circle, going through a combination of slow and quick motions and strikes with a staff in his hands. He was only in his trousers and boots with his inner kimono on as he continued the kata, eyes closed.

She watched the moves and nodded with the energy he was drawing as he practiced. Steffan was considered by many to be one of the more accomplished martialists of the Order. Not something he boasted on or took pride in, but kept it tempered with his training as a Jedi.

Steffan stopped his kata and held the final pose, his eyes still closed. "Any news, Chris?"

"There are no records," Chris Tien said as she handed over the datapad.

Steffan set down the staff and towelled off his head before he took it and looked it over. "No sign of him showing up at all on Tanaab. And we can't spare the people to check the other stops. Spast!"

"I don't know what could've happened," Chris Tien said as Steffan handed her the pad back and started to put his outer robes back on. "But we're still trying to reorganize here and on Chandrilla after Arie's warning for the Jedi to evacuate Coruscant. With Karle'yla pushing his sentiment against us in the Senate, we really didn't have much of a choice but to relocate all of our resources. But there is something I'm finding hard to imagine in this, though."

"What's that?" Steffan asked as he picked up the staff and started walking back towards the house.

"If Falk had died, we would've felt his passing. But in meditation last night, I couldn't even feel his presence in the Force...as if someone was blocking him, in a way."

He paused in his tracks and thought over that. "Blocking access of the Force, other than using a ysalamiri, is a technique that only few among us can master."

"What are you saying, Steffan?"

"We've all noticed through the years that the numbers of the Sith have been growing because of the many encounters we've been having," Steffan said as he thought about it. "They are no longer staying to the principle of only two, master and apprentice. I'm wondering...if there's more to this that we're not seeing yet. What if they're massing?"

"Amrond..."

"Yes, my master," the Sith warrior said as he bowed before the image of his master.

"How goes your search?"

"I have convinced the boy to my tutalege," Amrond said quietly. "He has begun to understand the reasonings of his brother. I believe he will be a most valuable asset."

"Then bring him here to continue with the others," Bane said as he looked at his warrior. "Plans to transfer the captured mobile suit to the Bothans are about to proceed...and we will release our captured quarry when you return."

"By your command, my master."