When the answer is not known, it is something. When the answer is known, it is nothing.
A riddle.
SHIRO: TIME BOMB
A STAR WARS fan novel
Book I: The Hunted
Prologue
I
The afternoon sun poured through the windows of the Jedi Temple. It was almost time for Master Yoda's routine teaching sessions with the Tiger clan of Jedi Younglings. The students were gathered in the instruction room, talking about the day's events and any new information they had gleaned from the holonet, or playing hologames on their mobile holocomps. One student sat alone in a corner hunched over a thick book. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was twelve and short for his age. The other Younglings gathered in a circle, glanced over and giggled derisively at him.
One student looked over at the loner and said, "Look at him. He's such a nerd. All he does is read and think up strange riddles."
Another student said,"Should we ask him to play a hologame with us?
"No! He's just gonna guess the winner ahead of time or stop the game by proposing boring new strategies."
The loner looked up from his book at the kids and heaved a sigh. He didn't have to use his Jedi intuition to guess what they were saying about him. He only had a few close friends among the Younglings. Most of them didn't understand him or refused to. They never wanted to play his games based on role-play or improvisation.
One dark-haired girl moved away from the group and walked up to him. She smiled kindly. "Hello, Shiro."
Shiro looked up. "Oh. Hello, Kyra. What do you want? Are you gonna make fun of me too?"
"No. Of course not. I came to check on you. You promised to tell me some riddles, remember?"
"I thought you were just kidding."
Kyra crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Come on, Shiro, quit being so moody. The more you close yourself off, the more you insure your isolation."
Shiro smiled and set his book aside. "Okay then."
Kyra sat down beside Shiro.
Shiro began, "An oval box without key or lid. Inside, golden treasure is hid."
Kyra thought for a moment and shrugged. "I don't know."
Shiro smiled. "Try to think of it as a metaphor. What's oval and yellow on the inside?"
"…An egg!"
Shiro chuckled, "Yep."
"That was good! See, you can have fun with other people."
They both laughed. "Another one," Kyra said.
A tall figure approached the two and spoke, "Hello, Kyra. Is Shiro grilling you with another one of his brain teasers?"
Shiro smirked, "Yeah, Marik. I took it easy on her this time."
Kyra frowned, "Did not!"
Marik laughed and leaned down. "Mind if I borrow Shiro for a moment, Kyra?"
"Sure. It's time for Master Yoda's lessons anyway. Talk to you later, Shiro." Kyra hopped up and left Shiro with a wink.
Marik smiled as he observed the two close friends. He looked back at Shiro, "I see some things are improving, hm?"
Shiro shrugged his shoulders. Marik sat down next to Shiro. He was tall with reddish brown hair cut short but falling into his hazel eyes. He was dressed in an emerald green robe, customary attire for a Corellian-born Jedi.
Marik and Shiro had been close friends since Shiro was seven. They had similar mindsets and were both good at riddles. Whenever the other Younglings made fun of Shiro, Marik was always there to stick up for him. They were so close they often referred to each other as "brother."
Marik Horn was an oddity among the Jedi, having been born on Corellia and being entitled to the benefits of a Corellian Jedi. Marik was allowed to see his parents and could wear special green robes. He also had the privilege of being permitted to marry, if he so chose. Some of the other Jedi resented him for these accommodations. But at the same time the Jedi recognized him as a quick learner and as being very strong in the Force. As was the case with many Corellians, Marik was something of a rule-breaker and had been quite mischievous in his youth. As time wore on, he came to understand the importance of the Jedi restrictions and he had learned from his master, Garen Muln, to serve as a voice of wisdom and guidance to students like Shiro. However, from time to time, his fidelity to the rules slackened and he had often been seen breaking curfew to go a speeder ride through the grungier areas of Coruscant and was known to be frequent drinker in Coruscanti bars. But because he was an oddity himself, Shiro liked this aspect of Marik.
After a pause, Shiro spoke. "You have something you want to tell me, Marik?"
Marik sighed. "Yes, the Council called for me today. It had to do with my participation in the War."
"Really? I see. So that means they have made a decision on your undergoing the trials?"
His face broke out in a boyish grin as he turned his face towards Shiro. The Padawan braid he had sported for twelve years was conspicuous in its absence.
Shiro grinned ecstatically. "Alright, Marik! Yes! Give me palm!" He held up his hand.
Marik gave Shiro a high five. "The Council decided that I had already passed the Trial of Courage due to my actions in the war. They just performed the ceremony. You are the first one that I wanted to tell, little brother."
"Well, I figured it was only a matter of time. You really are powerful. But you seem upset. What's this about the War?"
Marik sighed again. "It goes not well, I fear. There is a feeling of darkness I cannot explain. The Council wishes me to accompany Master Garen to Acherin. I hear there is trouble there."
Shiro's expression fell. "Oh... I see." He hesitated, "Marik, I... I know you have an obligation but I don't want you to go. Something might happen to you."
"Shiro, you know the decision is not mine to make. This is an order from the Council itself."
Shiro lowered his head." I know. Well, the Council thinks they know it all. But even they come up short. You can't just force people to do things against their will all the time."
Marik waited for Shiro to finish. He chose to let Shiro's bold words pass unchallenged and said, "Despite many close calls, they haven't got me yet." He absently rubbed his side where a blaster had caught him at the Battle of Thule. He added, "Besides, this will give me some time to think on the future. There is much for me to think on."
"Like what?"
"There are many decisions for me to make now. Am I happy as a Jedi Knight? Do I want to try to be a Jedi Master? Am I even ready to train a Padawan?" Marik looked meaningfully at Shiro. "And would it be fair to you in these uncertain times to take you on as such...?"
Shiro's eyes widened. "You mean...? Marik, are you saying..? Wow!"
Marik smiled and nodded at the astounded Shiro. "It is well known that I want to train you. I intend to tell the Council of my decision as soon as I return from Acherin. It is too dangerous, I fear, for you to accompany me there."
"Oh, my gosh! But, but, wait, Marik. You mean…? Aw gee! I hate to wait. I've wanted to be a Padawan for so long. They make you wait for so long. You know I'm about to turn 13. Can't the War wait?"
Marik laughed sadly, "I wish. I will only be gone for a few months, and then we will begin training. Better grow out your hair for that braid."
"Heh! Sure thing! So you think they'll let me become your Padawan for sure?
Marik nodded enthusiastically. "Without a doubt. The Council knows my intentions."
"Yes! This is so great! Can't wait to tell Kyra!"
"She will be so excited for you, I know it."
"Marik, we won't see each other for a while. I want to leave you with a riddle before you go."
Marik smiled and nodded, "Go for it, and then I'll give you one."
Shiro paused. "If you break me, I do not stop working. If you touch me, I may be snared. If you lose me, nothing will matter."
Marik thought for a moment. "Wait, is the answer a heart?"
Shiro smirked. "No fair using Force Intuition!"
Marik held up his hands in defense. "I swear I did no such thing!"
Shiro laughed.
"Now for my riddle," Marik said. "You can have me but cannot hold me. Gain me and quickly lose me. If treated with care I can be great. And if betrayed I will break. What am I?"
Shiro hesitated, "Hmm... Let's see. That's...that's..."
Suddenly Master Yoda came over to Shiro and interrupted, "Shiro, time for class it is."
Marik nodded towards Yoda. "He will be there in just a moment, Master Yoda."
Yoda nodded at Marik. "Very well, Knight Marik." He walked off.
Shiro blurted out, "Trust! It is trust!"
Marik nodded."Very good, Shiro. That one was difficult. But trust that I will always have your back, as long as I am able."
"Same here, brother."
"Now, Master Garen and I are leaving in a few hours. I must prepare. When I return, we will start your training, little brother." Marik rose and mussed Shiro's hair affectionately. "Until then, may the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Marik."
Marik turned to go and started down the hallway. Shiro suddenly rushed toward Marik to give him a big hug. Marik felt Shiro rushing towards him and turned just in time to return the hug. The other students stared awkwardly.
"You take care, big brother!" Shiro rushed off to the teaching area with one smiling backward glance.
Marik smiled and said to himself. "You too, little brother. Take care." He turned and walked away with a strange feeling of melancholy. He was unable to shake the strange dark feeling of something terrible to come that had invaded his soul.
II
One night, sometime later, the Tiger clan went through the worst experience of their lives. The siege alarm went off in the Jedi Temple. The Younglings felt the rapid ripples of many Jedi deaths at the same time. They ran to hide from the unknown intruders. Running with his fellow students, Shiro heard many shouts and screams echoing through the halls. There were sounds of blasterfire and lightsabers humming. There had been no warning. Whoever the intruders were, they somehow knew how to break the tight security codes and protection systems of the Jedi Temple. At first, all the Youngling clans moved together, led by the few Jedi Knights that remained in the Temple. But soon, in their fear, they became separated from one another and from safety in numbers.
Shiro and Kyra ran, holding hands. They spotted a red-haired girl crying in a corner. It was Alexia. She was immobile with fear. Shiro ran up to her and shook her gently.
"Hey, Alexia! Come on! We gotta go! They're coming!"
Alexia whimpered, "They're…They're dead! They're all dying!"
"Alexia, please! We gotta hurry or we'll be next!"
Shiro held out his hand and Alexia fearfully took it. She ran with him and Kyra toward a darkened classroom where the rest of the Tiger Clan was hiding. They sealed the doors shut and hunkered in a corner, shivering.
They heard the sound of armored boots approaching in the hallway. Kyra squeezed Shiro's arm. The door was suddenly forced opened and in walked a group of Clone Troopers, soldiers in the service of the Republic and the Jedi. However, as the Clones leveled their rifles toward the Younglings, it soon became apparent that the intruders were traitors. The Clones advanced toward the Younglings. The Younglings moved back with fear.
Suddenly, Alexia rushed forward toward the Clones, screaming with fury. A Clone Trooper fired a shot into her shoulder that sent her onto the floor. Shiro and Kyra looked at the Troopers fiercely and winced. Then the Troopers fired rapidly at the group of Younglings, killing some of them.
Shiro looked around at his dead comrades and yelled "NO!" A Clone came up to Shiro and put his blaster up against Shiro's head, preparing to fire.
At that instant, a familiar voice spoke. "Wait."A hooded figure stepped forward from the dark. The figure had seemed invisible until that moment. "The Chancellor has something special planned for this group."
Shiro suddenly recognized the voice and looked into the face of the former Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. In surprise, Shiro called out, "You!" The figure moved his hand over Shiro's face and Shiro immediately fell unconscious.
III
Shiro's consciousness faded in and out many times. He saw unclear images and faces. He could tell very little at first. He felt as if he was hooked up to a strange machine. He heard `scattered words. Patches of light and dark. Then, out of the shadows of his mind's eye, a distinct form fluttered toward him. A dark form, resembling a black bird. He heard the harsh cackling of an old man change into raspy bird caws.
Then he felt energy flowing through him. It was the power of the Force. He was being filled up with power that was many times greater than he had had before. He realized someone, whoever had kidnapped him, was preparing him to use this power for something. But for what?
Sometime later, he felt a searing pain. Something had gone wrong. Shiro couldn't think straight. Nothing made sense. All he knew was fear and pain.
IV
Years later, Shiro was on Dantooine, meditating on a rock pillar on the savannah. Much had happened in the years that had followed. A new Empire had been established by Chancellor Palpatine, who was revealed as a Dark Lord of the Sith, and the Jedi were now hunted outcasts. Except for those who decided to join the Empire and follow the Dark Side of the Force. The rest were ordered to be arrested on sight, or killed. Shiro had been lucky though. After he had escaped from the laboratory three years ago, he had hitched a ride on the smuggler ship Starry Ice, captained by Frell Stryker. Frell had been kind to take Shiro under his wing in exchange for work onboard the ship. There he had met the famed smuggler, Amelie Starkiller, and another Jedi in hiding, Mulann Fennixx. Together they had many adventures evading bounty hunters seeking Amelie's famed galaxy compass. Shiro became good friends with Mulann, who helped him to piece together his memory, which had been robbed from him in the experiments in the laboratory.
Not everything could be restored however. The experiments from the laboratory had gone awry and had damaged Shiro's sanity. He often said many random, nonsensical things. He acted rashly and aloof. And then there was "Crow." The experiments had mentally imprinted Shiro with a dark Force demon who called himself Crow. Crow appeared to Shiro as a black bird or as an old man in a cloak, leading Shiro to believe that Crow was some kind of mirror program of Darth Sidious. Crow often talked to Shiro in his mind and told him to do bad things. Shiro usually could resist Crow's influence but there were some times when it was too much. The pain of losing his Jedi friends had instilled him with a dark, constant mood of suspicion and he had closed himself off from others. He was afraid of trust and it was Mulann who helped him open up more.
But one day, something strange happened. A message was sent to Shiro via the holonet. The message was a trigger sent by the Empire. The truth became apparent. Shiro had been conditioned in the lab to be a sleeper cell for the Sith and the Empire. An assassin programmed mentally to follow commands when given the right signals or codes. This was why he had been infused with greater Force powers. So that he could be very strong, even at such a young age. On the surface, he was a good person who wouldn't willingly do terrible things, but when given the right commands he could be used as a living weapon. He was a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any moment when given the right signal. He was compelled to lead his friends to Thule, where Imperial agents, led by a former Jedi named Antinnis Tremayne waited. They forced Shiro to bring Amelie's compass them, so they could activate a weapon called the Sith Reaver. When Amelie and her friends found the Dark Jedi, Melkior forced Shiro to fight Mulann with a lightsaber. But the Dark Jedi had not counted on the power of Mulann's friendship. Mulann pleaded with Shiro and Shiro was able to somehow defy his programming. He used his power to destroy the Sith Reaver and drive the Dark Jedi away.
Mulann then decided that she would take Shiro on as her Padawan. She felt she could use her friendship with Shiro to ease the torment of his mind and keep him from falling into the programming of the Sith and Crow. And, after a while, it worked. Shiro rarely heard the voice of Crow and he was never compelled to go out and serve the Empire. But, in the back of Shiro's mind, he felt that something more needed to be done.
It wasn't enough to hide from the Empire in the Outer Rim. He knew that if the Empire had programmed one Youngling, they had programmed others. How many more were there like him, forced to do the Empire's bidding, suffering from the effects of the experiments? He had to do something about it. There had to be some way to delete the programming. He knew that the programming was controlled by a computer chip implanted in the brains of the Younglings, transmitted signals from an unknown source. The Empire was hiding the truth and the time had come to put a stop to the enslavement. He wanted to strike back.
In fact, even though he knew that the feelings of hatred and the desire for vengeance he had came from the Dark Side, he could do little to resist them. He was already making plans to leave off-world. He believed Mulann didn't know. He had found a hidden transmitter on the planet and had used it to contact a smuggler ship that would take him to Ord Mantell. His assault must begin there. The strange thing was that Crow was actually helping him. It seemed that Crow had somehow become a dark program independent of the Empire and was only intent on tempting Shiro to the Dark Side. Crow had told him that to find the information he sought, he must infiltrate an Imperial base and download the information on the Youngling Project. Shiro wasn't completely sure he could trust Crow. But he believed that he had to save the others and he refused to hide any longer, letting others suffer. He had to act.
Shiro suddenly opened his eyes. Mulann stood before him, smiling patiently. She had black hair, tanned skin and almond colored eyes. She wore her usual purple and red robes and her silken veil.
"Well, Shiro, how are you today? You seem distracted."
Shiro nodded. "I try to meditate and train with calmness, Mulann. But, it's true; I continue to remember that they are still out there, waiting. Waiting for me. How long before they find the bird that has flown the coop? Is it wise to continue skulking in the dark? They will find us sooner or later."
"Yes, Shiro, they are still out there. But, as my master once told me, 'Patience preserves.' What is wise is to prepare oneself for the trials one must someday face. Not rush into danger and thus invite disaster."
Shiro sighed. He murmured one of his mad phrases, "No end to attack, they might come back." Then he shook his head. He knew Mulann was right but, in his heart, he refused to abide with this advice. Too much was at stake.
Mulann went up to Shiro and put a hand on his shoulder. Though he was unpredictable as a learner, he had been a true friend to her. Mulann had always had a unique life among the Jedi. At an early age, she had lost her parents to disease on Tattooine. She was taken in by the Tusken Raiders, who showed a rare kindness to her. Her Tusken village was later attacked by a Sith Acolyte named Nosaj and she was rescued by Jedi Master Korba Non. Non was an emissary of peace to the Tusken Raiders, teaching them to use their skills for good. After being trained as a Jedi Knight, Mulann went undercover as a dancer for Jabba the Hutt. That was how she met Amelie and forged a lifelong bond. Mulann fell in love and married Korba Non, though this went against the advice of the Jedi Council. Tragedy struck when Nosaj returned and killed Korba. Mulann had found refuge in her friendship with Amelie, who had put aside her hatred of Jedi for Mulann's sake, and in the patience of the Jedi way.
This patience was something she had tried to pass on to Shiro, unsuccessfully.
"Shiro, even though you must learn to put aside your hate and focus on compassion, you're getting to the point where my guidance will no longer be needed. So you must look inside yourself to make the right decision."
Shiro smiled up at her. He wished he could understand. But he felt he had to go. And he must not tell Mulann. He did not want her to get hurt. For he suspected there was much danger to come.
V
The doors to the Imperial base on Ord Mantell opened as if by magic. The Imperial operatives looked in the hallway to see all their soldiers lying dead on the floor. In the center of the hall stood a small figure dressed in the tattered remnants of a Jedi uniform, holding a lightsaber. His eyes were filled with hate. The unarmed operatives sat at their computers, staring aghast.
The small figure, Shiro, whispered, "The cat will mew and the dog will have his day."
An operative reached to press the alarm button but Shiro suddenly swooped onto him and sliced him in half with his saber. He couldn't stop himself. Crow was commanding him. "Kill them! Kill them all!"
Shiro tried to regain control but Crow was too powerful. It seemed that Crow had just been waiting for the right moment, when Shiro was alone and in a position to take revenge.
Shiro ran around the room slicing the screaming operatives in half.
"They deserve to die. Punish them! Do it now!"
Shiro knocked one operative to the floor. He stood over him and said, "No end to attack. You won't come back."
"CUT THEM DOWN!"
The operative tried to crawl away. He screamed out, "Mercy!"
Shiro sliced him down the middle. He turned around with hate in his eyes. Only then did the voice of Crow cease. Shiro stopped and looked around in shock at what he had done.
