With grace the crimson-cloaked figure stepped onto the deck of the gently rocking hover craft. Two mechanical amalgamations lurched after him. The small-wizened captain looked up with a start.
"Who the ruddy 'ell da ya think . . ." an audible gasp escaped his lips as he caught sight of the shadowed face.
"My Lord! I was not expecting ya so soon."
"Christian, how many time have I told you, none of this 'My Lord' rubbish. Call me Judas please. Now . . . can we get underway?"
"Aye my lor . . . Judas."
The small craft pulled slowly away from the docking port. Rocking slightly it took off over the cresting waves of Mon Calamari. Soon it was just another speck on the horizon. Judas sat lazily, stretched out over two adjoining seats. Listening as the captain rambled on about what an honor it was to have such a prestigious passenger on his craft. Finally the captain began to slow the vessel and his chatter. Suddenly Judas felt a vast consciousness somewhere in the deeps turn a small portion of it's mighty intelligence towards him.
A sigh of relief passed over his lips "We're here."
"Aye Lord we are."
"I've told you Christian, call me Judas. I want us to be friends." Clapping a hand on Christian's shoulder Judas lead him towards the edge of the hover-craft. Leaning forward as if to inspect the mercy depths Judas whispered "Goodbye my friends."
The captain's body jerked and spasmed as fifty thousands volts coursed through Judas' gloved hand and into his shoulder. With a voice empty of all remorse Judas sad again "Goodbye my friend."
Water fountained up as Christian's lifeless corpse began to sink slowly below the surface. With the fading of the final ripple came a voice. Or, thought Judas, it was more like a myriad of voices all speaking in unison within his skull.
OH betrayer of light, we see what you plan and know what you seek.
"Then tell me!"
It will bring only pain to the Guardians of the Republic.
"A necessary casualty."
The price is to great. What you seek will burn us all away!
Bubbles began to spew fourth from the depths. A dark shape accelerated quickly upwards. Water cascaded off the oyster-like-shell as the creature rose into the air.
"I will tear you away piece by piece until you give me what I seek!"
Very well! Give us ours and we will tell you what you wish to know.
Judas smiled softly as the shelled creature sank back below the surface. Then a sudden stab of pain caused him to stumble back, images filling his head.
He raced across a sandy expanse. In the distance a massive mountain range loomed. Then he was soaring through a narrow pass. Ahead was a small opening, and crouching in front of the cave was a large humanoid figure. Black scales covered its entire body, razor like talons sprouted from its fingers.
The scene dissolved to be replaced by another.
Now a human colony had appeared at the mouth of the pass. Judas felt the rage. He felt the need for freedom. He watched as hundreds of dark shapes tore through the colony. Men, women, and children all died.
Now only one creature remained. An orbital bombardment had slaughtered his people. All that remained where broken bodies. The survivor fled into the caves and Judas fled with it. Down, down, down through twisting and forgotten caves. Down to where molten rock flowed like water. Reaching the edge of the steaming stream the creature launched itself into the lava. Wrapping itself in the dark side of the force, the lizard like monster sealed itself in a cocoon of stone.
Judas' mind rushes back to his body. He found himself in a heap on the floor.
"Call the shuttle we have what we need."
Dropping a thermal detonator onto the deck of the craft, Judas stepped aboard his personal shuttle.
"All speed to Coruscant."