Star Wars

Knights Of The Old Republic III

The Exile's Tale

Chapter One - Companions

He sat alone in the portside cabin of the Ebon Hawk. The ship and all of its crew had narrowly escaped Malachor V and all were eager to hit the hyper-drive and escape that section of space. The only problem was you needed coordinates to make sure you came out of hyper-space safely and not next to a black hole or inside a sun. There was no lack of favored places to go among the crew. Atton and Mira would have liked to disappear for awhile on Nar Shaddaa; put some of the Red Eclipse's tribute money to good use. Mandalor was eager to get back to Duxn and see if the clans he 'rescued' from Dantooine and Nar Shaddaa had arrived. Visis and Handmaiden would have suggested Telos, their intent to train with Jay and possibly find some time to be alone with him. HK-47, even, wanted to go to Duxn; the plethora of deadly beasts on the moon's surface promised hours of enjoyment for the droid. The problem was that where to go wasn't their choice; it was Jay's. And ever since the Ebon Hawk had made it off Malachor V's surface, he had been meditating alone in the portside cabin. Although the crew was worried about him, they were also afraid to interrupt him. None of them knew what had happened during his final confrontation with Kreia. What consumed Jay's mind were memories. Memories of every moment that had passed since he had met Kreia on Peragus II so very long ago. Certain memories stuck out in his mind: Slaughtering the mercenaries on Dantooine and becoming the colony's "Jedi Savior"; Ripping through dozens of Royalist Soldiers on Onderon for General Vaklu; Buying the Twi'Lek on the Telos Station and keeping her instead of freeing her as he had promised Kiph to do; His final confrontation and the resulting death of the last three true Jedi in the galaxy. As Jay sat in thought, oblivious to the world around him, tensions among the crew began rising. After several members of the crew came close to fights, Handmaiden decided something had to be done. As she began walking tentatively down the portside passage, she paused for a moment at the corner to collect her thoughts.

Jay Fang: What do you need Handmaiden?

A cold shiver slide along Gabriel's spine: Jay hadn't called her that since he had learned her name.
Turning the corner she entered the exile's cabin. Unsure of how to proceed, she said the first thing that came to her mind.

Gabriel: I, um, I was wondering when we would begin my training in the Jedi arts.

Jay was silent a moment before he spoke.

Jay Fang: I have decided that I will not be teaching anyone in the ways of the Jedi.

From his kneeling and closed-eye position on the floor Jay couldn't see the despaired look on the Handmaiden's face, though he could feel it.

Gabriel: But...but you told me --

Jay Fang: Nor shall I teach the ways of the Sith.

Gabriel: What are you saying?

Jay Fang: Both of those orders are wrong in their beliefs. The Jedi's seclusion and the Sith's ambition both follow the same self-destructive path. No. If there is any hope for the future of the force a new order must be created. And I shall be the one to create that order. I shall create the Knights of the Force.

The despaired look on Gabriel's face had been replaced by confusion and now by joy. Jay stood and extended his arm to her. With a smile he said:

Jay Fang: I shall need an apprentice to help me do this.

Ignoring the outstretched arm, Gabriel virtually dove into Jay, wrapping her arms tight around him.

Gabriel: I shall be your student Exile. Let me inform Atton to pilot us to the Telos academy.

She held him close for a moment more before giving him a final squeeze and dashing for the cockpit. As soon as the Handmaiden had turned the corner the smile on Jay's face disappeared. Turning his back on the hall he sat once more. A small commlink flew over to Jay, hovering in front of his mouth. With a small beep the commlink connect Jay to it's counterpart.

Jay Fang: HK. Come in.

HK-47: Confused Question: Master? Is that you? I can hear your voice yet my photoreceptors cannot find you in the vicinity.

Jay Fang: I installed a private commlink in you so you could receive my orders more conveniently.

HK-47: Conspiratorial Answer: I see master. Is there someone you wish me to kill?

Jay Fang: Just listen. I want you to search your memory for a program labeled Order 66.

HK-47: Aggravated Response: I have found the program in question Master, but it is encrypted in a language this unit cannot understand.

Jay Fang: As I intended when I installed it after we left Malachor V. Now listen. Input the password Death Of The Force. I want you to examine every aspect of this program and execute it upon arrival at Telos. Do you understand?

HK-47: Joyous Answer: Oh master! This is the assignment I've been waiting for all my life. I assure you they shall not escape me!

With another beep the commlink switched off and slid into Jay's robes...

Well that's the end of chapter one. What did you think? Please R&R. All criticism is welcome.