Okay i've split chapter 1 up a little bit better so it's almost readable now. if anyone has any advice or comments- good or bad- let me know and i'll see how i can improve the story.
*1*
34 BBY
"Happy 13th birthday, my young Padawan. Are you ready to settle a border dispute?" Master Cin Drallig asked, as Daniel Updike waited outside the Council Chambers. "Thank you, my Master. I am ready whenever you are." "We will be heading to Ryloth with Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi. Two rival Twi'Lek clans will declare war on each other if we do not intervene." "When do we leave?" "At 0700 tomorrow. As my present to you, the day is yours." Daniel bowed and thanked his Master before heading to the library, where he found his friends Brandy and Ryan waiting for him.
"Happy Birthday, Dan," they both said together as he took a seat next to Ryan and they started talking. "Master Plo and I leaving tonight on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan," Ryan started. "Master Yoda and I are negotiating a deal to have Geonosis return to the Republic," Brandy replied. "Master Drallig and I are leaving for Ryloth tomorrow to deal with a border dispute of two of the head clans." "Well we have enough time to do something together for your birthday. So where should we go?" Brandy asked. "Let's go to Kuat's Yards and see what he's working on this year," Dan responded.
They borrowed an airspeeder from the hangars and made the 10 minute journey through the airlanes to the parking platform of Kuat Drive Yards before taking a lift down to the yards, where they were greeted by Kuat himself. "Master Yoda and I have been good friends for a long time, so I shall show you four things that other visitors are not allowed to see." As he finished that sentence, Dan glimpsed one of the best looking fighters he had ever seen.
"This is the ETA-2 Actis-Class light interceptor, being developed for the Jedi Order. One of our new subsidiaries, Kuat Systems Engineering, will be responsible for manufacturing and delivering this ship to every Jedi in the Order once it is no longer in the prototype phase," Kuat said proudly. "What is the capacity for people?" Ryan asked. "One pilot and one astromech droid."
"Armament?" Dan asked. "Laser cannons and two light Ion Cannons. Cargo can hold 60 kilograms and enough supplies for two days of survival." "How long before the first production will run?" Brandy asked. "There are quite a few bugs in the design and testing, but we can have them in production within the next ten years," Kuat replied, before herding the three young Jedi into the lift to view the Capital Ships. ***
"Report, Lord Maul." "The target is dead, my Lord. All witnesses have also been dealt with. Our plans for the trade embargo against Naboo are ready when you are, Lord Sidious." "Patience, Darth Maul. The embargo is a few years off. The time is not yet right." "What is thy bidding, my Master?" "Return to me, Lord Maul. Return Home." "Yes, Master." ***
"Have a safe trip," Dan told Ryan, as they shook hands. "May the Force be with you," he replied, as he and Master Plo boarded their cruiser. Brandy and Dan watched his cruiser until they could see it no more, and then went down to the mess hall to get some food. "Looks like it's just us now," Brandy remarked, as the two of them walked to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. ***
"Are you ready for this?" Master Drallig asked, as his apprentice set his robes aside and called his lightsaber to my hand. "We'll find out, won't we," Daniel laughed as we bowed to each other. As with every other sparring session, Daniel allowed Master Drallig to press the attack first. He started his attack sequence with a slash at Dan's knee, which he batted away with ease. Dan had some trouble deflecting the stab at his shoulder, but easily dealt with his diagonal hack at his chest. ***
"Do you understand why you lost, Daniel?" "Not entirely, Master." "Master Windu would say it's your overconfidence. He is a good friend, but it had nothing to do with this. The reason for your loss to me is simple- I have mastered every Form there is to master. You did well, my friend. I see you have practiced more of Form Three." "Yes, Master. Soresu has helped me understand the intricacies of defensive patterns."
"And you have polished up your Ataru." "Yes, Master. Master Qui-Gon has instructed me in these last few weeks since our last sparring session." "I can see you becoming a great Jedi, Daniel. In time, you will hold the title of Battlemaster as Master Bondara does now." The Master and Apprentice bowed to each other before going their separate ways for the evening. Dan returned to the Room of a Thousand Fountains for a time to meditate before returning to my room and going to sleep. ***
"Ready to go?" Qui-Gon asked, as the four Jedi boarded their cruiser. "What is our mission, Master?" Daniel asked Qui-Gon. "A bounty hunter has made an assassination attempt on Tol Rooshan. We are to find the bounty hunter, discover who set the bounty, and find a peaceful solution. Our prime suspect is Sol Sivron, head of the Sivron clan. He resides in the capital city of the Nightlands, Sal'Kaasa." "Who's the bounty hunter?" Obi-Wan asked. "A Mandalorian named Kal Skirata. He'll most likely be found in the Nightlands," Master Drallig responded. "How can you be sure, Master?" Dan asked.
"Because Sol is there, in Sal'kaasa. With Rooshan still alive, the bounty cannot be collected. Security has been beefed up so Skirata can't hit him in his own city. He'll have returned to Sivron for orders," Master Drallig replied. "Obi-Wan, you and Daniel will go to the Nightlands. Track down and detain Skirata until you have discovered who has put up the bounty. Should we fail… Ryloth will have war within the month," Qui-Gon finished. ***
"Welcome home, my apprentice." "Thank you, Lord Sidious. What is thy bidding?" "For now, rest. In two days, you will leave for Ryloth. There is war growing, and you are to help it along. Seek out the being by the name of Sol Sivron. He has information regarding the last resting place of Darth Malak. Contact me once you… obtain this information. I am leaving for Naboo, to congratulate the newly-elected Princess Amidala." "Yes, my master. I shall do as you command." ***
"We're interested in this speeder right here," Daniel told the lot manager. "Excellent choice. How long would you like to lease it for?" "Three days, maybe four. We need it to head to the Nightlands," Obi-Wan responded. "Let's talk credits," the manager said, flashing us a toothy smile. "You do not want our credits," Obi-Wan said, waving his hand towards the manager.
"Yes I do want your credits," the owner said, somewhat angry at the implication that it was free. "You DO NOT want our credits," Obi-Wan tried again. "No credits, no speeder," the owner of the lot said angrily. "Half now, half when we don't need a tow back here," Dan responded while the manager eyed him suspiciously. "Fine. Half now, half later." He handed him the credits and we got into the speeder. "Do you remember the route?" Obi-Wan asked. "Memory like an elephant, Obi-Wan. Let's get moving." ***
"I think we'll head to see Sivron first. We should both get a reading from him and see if anything doesn't add up," Qui-Gon suggested. "It sounds like a plan to me," Master Drallig agreed as we started up to the palace. "Your apprentice is very wise, Cin." "He and Obi-Wan make a great team, even though they are ten years apart. I think Daniel will be a Knight soon enough. He can be overzealous and cocky at times." "Side-effect of youth, old friend. We were there at one point," Qui-Gon laughed. "Very true." "He'll one day trade cockiness for being more reserved, just as we did." ***
"Well, it looks like I can't be cocky anymore," Dan said, as the apprentices started walking. "Memory like an elephant," Obi-Wan mocked. "Hey, that was NOT my fault. How was I to know that twenty people wrecked their speeders there in the past two days?" "I hope you have enough credits to cover the speeder," Obi-Wan chuckled. "I hope you do better with the mind trick," Daniel laughed in response. ***
"Esteemed Jedi! Welcome to my home!" Tol Rooshan boomed, as Qui-Gon and Cin entered his estate. "We have come to negotiate a peaceful solution between your clan and the Sivron clan. How can this be achieved?" Cin asked. "I'm afraid this will not be solved easily, Master Jedi. Sol is an old friend, but he has recently become a bitter old Twi'Lek. He will not roll over easily, and is already assembling his militia," Tol replied gravely. "When are you to do battle?" Qui-Gon asked. "In two days, we are to meet. I will be forced to kill my friend if a solution cannot be found." "It will not come to war," Master Drallig responded. ***
"We're easily a day away from Sivron's palace," Dan puffed, as they continued jogging. "Let's go for two more hours, and then rest for the night," Obi-Wan replied. "We can't stop, Obi-Wan. If we rest, Ryloth will have civil war." "We need some help, then," Obi-Wan said, grabbing his comlink. "Master? Master, are you there?" Obi-Wan called. No answer. "Master Drallig, do you read?" Dan called into my comlink. "We don't have any connection at all." "What can possibly disrupt our comlinks?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Nothing comes to mind. They haven't come in contact with water, and there aren't any people around here to use disruptors. It makes no sense that the comlinks don't work," Dan replied, before feeling a pulse through The Force. "Get down!" he shouted, as a wrist mounted rocket hit the stone where Obi-Wan was just seconds before.
The young Jedi leapt to their feet quickly, drawing and igniting their lightsabers as another rocket exploded at their feet. Daniel reached out to find a man on the cliffs across from them drawing his blaster rifle, before using The Force to yank the rifle from his hands and pull him from the cliff. Before he hit the ground, Dan set him down a foot in front of Obi-Wan and himself. "Why do I get to deal with Shabla Jedi?" he grumbled aloud beneath his helmet.
"Let me guess… Skirata?" Obi-Wan probed. "At your service," he said, before taking a bow. "Why did you attack us?" "Sivron paid me to deal with ANYONE who attempts to interfere with the war effort. Nothing personal, son." "What made him decide to declare war?" Obi-Wan asked.
Dan called Kal's blaster rifle to his hand and ejected the power cell before handing it back to him. "Rumor is, there's a cemetery somewhere in the Nightlands." "So?" "It has a crypt that holds Darth Malak's spirit inside." "How much?" Dan asked. "Beg pardon?" he asked in response. "How much do I have to pay you to not only stop the hits again Rooshan, but also lead us to the crypt?"
"The hit on Rooshan was ten thousand credits; passage to the crypt is another three," Kal responded, as Daniel handed him the credits. "Here are sixteen thousand. Keep it," Daniel said, much to Obi-Wan's dismay. "How are we to return to Rooshan's palace?" he asked. "I'll take you there after the crypt. Why did you overpay me…?" "Daniel. Daniel Updike. I overpaid you because your family needs you to bring dinner home to them." The gratitude on Kal's face was easy to read. "Let's get moving," Obi-Wan replied. ***
"Something in all this is not right," Cin told Qui-Gon, as they went to our supplied quarters for some rest. "I sense it, too. Let's see what progress our Padawans have made," Qui-Gon replied. Master Drallig thumbed in his Padawan's code and hit transmit. "Daniel? Daniel, are you there? This is Master Drallig. Daniel?" No reply. "I'll try Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon replied, though he also got no answer. "Can you reach them through The Force?" I asked Qui-Gon. "They have no presence. We can't contact them at all. Are there any deep water sources along the route they set?" "None until you get within 30 meters of Sivron's palace. There's a Class One rapid, but it can't have been strong enough to take them away."
"What do you believe it is?" Qui-Gon asked quietly. "It must be an echo of the Dark Side that is restricting us from communication. Nothing else makes any sense why we cannot contact them." "I thought I felt something when we landed. What do you think it is? Or who?" "I'm not sure. But I think it is influencing Sol Sivron." "It would explain why he suddenly declared civil war on an old friend," Qui-Gon rationed. "The padawans will be fine. We must trust in them and remain here." "I agree with you, my friend. Let us get some rest." ***
"It will be two hours before we arrive at the crypt, so I suggest that you Jedi get some rest," Kal observed, as they flew across the plains in his ship. "I think I'll do that," Obi-Wan replied, leaving for an empty cargo hold towards the rear of the ship. "What drove you to bounty hunting, Kal?" Daniel asked, sitting in the co-pilot's chair. "More of a need to make credits than anything else."
"Have you ever considered being a detective or becoming part of a security force?" He laughed out loud. "In case you didn't notice earlier, I like my weapons far too much to become a detective. Couldn't deal with all the rules and regulations they have." "How does your family feel about that?" Kal's jaw set quickly, and his face hardened. "I haven't talked to my family in a long time. My wife, Illipi, is not Mandalorian like I am. She wouldn't let me take my boys into battle when they came of age like tradition allows. Six years ago, she took my two sons and my daughter and left, divorcing me on the spot. I send them every credit I can spare." "I'm sorry." His face hardened again.
"I don't need your pity, Jedi, nor do I want it. What about you and your family?" "I don't remember much about them. The Order takes us when we're discovered. I was two years old when they found me." "Shab. Don't you remember your mother or father?" "I remember my dad somewhat. Not really any images come to mind, but I remember the safety I felt with him." "Do you feel safe in the Order?" "I feel very safe in the Order, but it's not as strong as it was with my dad. How old are your children?" "My oldest son, Tor, is 24. Ijaat is 22, and my little girl Ruusaan is 23." "What about being a Temple Guard?"
"What are the regulations?" "No kill shots, only stuns." "What are we talking for pay here?" "Starts at 80 thousand credits, with a chance at advancement in two to three years." "I make twice that in a good year." "And what do you make in a bad year?" "Sixty thousand was the worst I have ever done." "Think about it, Kal- steady pay, housing and transportation provided, and benefits you won't find in this field." "What kind of benefits?" "A month's paid leave every year. Full medical coverage. And you will have a chance to purchase new ships before the public ever does, at a discount of ten percent." "Son, it sounds like a great deal to me. Where do I sign?"
"At the Temple back on Coruscant. Once we're done here, I'll give you my personal recommendation and you'll be a part of the Guard. You'll be given a standard mind probe to make sure you're not trying to commit any sabotage against us, but you'll start right away when you pass, with a choice of assignments ranging from escorting Jedi on missions like these to going undercover to help the Order." "Maybe you Jedi aren't as bad as I thought you were," Kal laughed. "I was just thinking the same thing about you Mandalorians." ***
"I wish none of this had ever happened," Tol Rooshan said mournfully as militia poured into the city. "Are you sure that no truce can be reached?" Qui-Gon asked. Tol sadly shook his head. "Sol will see no truce come to pass. This time tomorrow, we will be at war," Tol said before leaving us. "They will accomplish their mission," Qui-Gon said. "They must. Thousands of live depend on them being successful," Cin replied as his comlink started chirping. "Hello?" "Master, we have found what led to Sivron's sudden aggression. We are on our way to a cemetery that has the crypt that holds Darth Malak's essence." "That would explain these events. You must be very careful, Daniel. Malak was very powerful in life; he'll be even more powerful in death." "We will be, Master. I will contact you when Malak has been defeated." "May the Force be with you." "And with you, Master." ***
"I hope you boys are ready," Kal told us as he set down in front of the cemetery. "We have to be," Obi-Wan responded. "There it is." Kal pointed to a crypt made of volcanic rock. "This place teems with the Dark Side," Daniel said as he and Obi-Wan stood at the entrance. "Here goes nothing." The Jedi Force Pushed the door open and ran inside, cloaks flowing and lightsabers ignited. "Here's a ladder down," Obi-Wan called. He cut his lightsaber off and leapt down the hole, prompting Daniel to follow him.
The bottom was easily 20 meters underground, where it opened into a chamber with a lone coffin in the center. They cautiously stepped towards the coffin, sweeping eyes over the chamber to make sure they hadn't missed anything on their first look. "Ready?" Obi-Wan asked as they got closer to the stone coffin. "Guess we'll find out," Daniel responded. He lifted the top off of the coffin and inside was a girl. Her skin was tanned, her hair light brown. Daniel shut his lightsaber off and clipped it to his belt before shoving the top off; it clattered against the ground. "That was a mistake," Obi-Wan called out behind Dan.
"Why?" His answer came to him as he was Force shoved against the wall, the impact knocking his lightsaber from his belt. "Kenobi! What's going on?" His eyes suddenly went from their normal color to fiery red. "Hello, Malak." "Hello, foolish Jedi. Did you really think my tomb would be unprotected?" he asked in Obi-Wan's voice. "No, we did not. We were aware that you were ready for us."
"I have waited four thousand years for this moment. Now my time has come. Tell me, Jedi- where is my army?" "The Sith Empire is no more, Malak. The last Sith Lord died a thousand years ago." "Curse Revan! He was a fool not to join me when he had the chance to." "I believe you are the fool, Malak. You would have become a powerful Jedi Master." "The Jedi are corrupted, no doubt even more now than they were when I destroyed their Enclave on Dantooine."
"What you perceive as being corrupt, I perceive as wisdom." "Your views on the matter are of no consequence to me, young one. Revan remains a fool." "Who's more foolish: The fool or the fool that follows him?" "You would make a fine apprentice, Padawan. Join me and you shall have everything you could ever desire!" "I'll never join you, Malak. The Sith are cowards, and those not adept enough to be Jedi." "So be it. Farewell, Jedi!" he slammed Daniel against the wall again, and took his leave. ***
"It's been three hours since they went to apprehend and vanquish Malak. What could be taking them so long?" Qui-Gon called, before being summoned to Tol's throne room. "I am leaving, Master Jedi. My militia and I are going to the battlefields where our fates will be decided." "We will be joining you," Cin responded. ***
"Hey….." Daniel's head swam in blackness as he distantly registered someone talking. "Are you okay?" someone asked. He shook his head to focus clearly on her voice and opened his eyes, to find the girl from the coffin kneeling beside him. "How long have I been out?" Daniel asked, sitting up.
"I'm not sure. I just woke up a few minutes ago. Who are you? What is this place?" she asked. "I'm Dan Updike. I'm a Jedi. We're in the crypt of Darth Malak." "A Jedi? Yeah, right. Jedi don't exist," she replied, as Daniel looked over to his lightsaber and called it to his hand. "I always thought the Jedi were a fairy tale, told to kids at bedtime to get them to go to sleep. My name is Crystal."
"Nice to meet you. Do you remember what happened to you last before you woke up in here?" "The last thing I remember was working in Master Sivron's palace." "What do you do there?" "I'm a slave, sir." "Sir? We're the same age! And we're gonna do something about you being a slave by the time I leave Ryloth," "How are you going to accomplish that?" "Still working on that. Kal? Are you here?" Daniel asked. They found him thirty feet from his ship. After they woke him up and got airborne in his ship, Daniel put a call in to Master Drallig. ***
"We have a problem." "What is it?" Qui-Gon asked. "Malak is using Obi-Wan as a host. How far are we from the battlefield?" Cin asked Tol. "We are 4 hours from the battlefield, and 10 hours away from war." "Daniel? Meet us at these coordinates…" ***
"Report, Lord Maul." "I am too late, my Master. I have arrived at Malak's crypt, but it is completely empty. There are no remains inside." "Then he learned to transfer his essence upon the destruction of the Star Forge. Interesting. Have you found any traces of other people having been there recently?" "I've discovered some footprints, my Master. But nothing of real consequence. Should I make my way to the fields where the war will begin?" "Yes, my Apprentice. Report back to me once you have seen it begin." "Yes, my Master." ***
"How long will it take to arrive at the coordinates, Kal?" Daniel asked. "An hour and a half at the most. I hope you're ready for war." "There won't be any bloodshed. If one drop of blood falls, I have failed as a Jedi. I'm going to meditate. Why don't you teach Crystal to pilot this streamlined beauty? She'll be piloting soon enough." "Will do." ***
"You will always be welcome here, Master Jedi. Until our next meeting," Bail Organa spoke, as Master Plo and Ryan bowed and boarded their shuttle. "That went very well, young one. You will become a great Jedi. Are you ready to return home?" Master Koon asked his apprentice. "Yes, Master. I certainly am." ***
"I'm sorry we did not succeed, Master." "Matter it does not, Brandy. Of little value Geonosis is. Return home, we will." ***
"ARE YOU READY FOR A WAR?" Sol Sivron boomed, as his militia began setting up defensive barriers. As his militia cheered, Crystal and Dan continued taking pictures of their perimeter. "This won't be good. Let's get back to our lines," Dan called before they boarded Kal's ship. It wasn't long before the Jedi and his allies returned to Tol Rooshan's headquarters, where his militia was also building defensive barriers.
"What can we do to help?" he asked the lead officer. "Our left flank will be our weak spot. The dozers are working to move more dirt to fill it in better but we could use some assistance. Also, our sniper teams need to be up on the cliffs above us and we have no way to get them up there. But most importantly, we have no idea what their numbers are. We need someone to go and do some recon of their front." "We have recon. My friend, Crystal, got it." "Aren't you a slave? We don't allow your kind here," one Twi'Lek grumbled.
Before Dan could react to the insult, Kal's rifle was level with the Twi'Lek's head. "Consider yourself lucky, young one. Crystal is a slave no longer. And my Mandalorian friend here is much calmer than he was earlier." Dan reached for Crystal's hand as she held the memory pack from the binoculars in it before handing it to the lead officer. "Get back to work, grunt. She deserves as much respect as you do." "Yes, sir." "Are your snipers ready for deployment now?" Kal asked. The lead officer turned to a human at his side, who fielded the question. "Yes, sir. My teams are ready for deployment."
"Bring them with me aboard the Fang. We'll transport you up there," Kal responded. "I'll help the dozers move dirt," Dan announced, as he and Crystal walked outside. "How are we going to move all of this dirt?" she asked him. At that question he closed his eyes and pushed his hands together. And the soldiers present watched in awe as the dirt moved in to fill the left flank, as the dozers all shut off and cooled down with their jobs now complete. ***
"Is everyone present?" Tol Rooshan asked his most trusted advisor, who nodded. "I want to thank you all for joining me. Let me begin by saying that I wish none of this ever happened. Sol was a great friend of mine, as you all know. I'm not entirely sure why he looks upon us now as enemies, but we will have a resolution by the end of the day." The troops cheered at that, while Master Jinn, Master Drallig, and Daniel stood to his right.
"I ask that you all take some rest before we battle old friends in six hours. Dismissed." Most of Tol's militia left the main building, leaving the Jedi, their allies, and Tol Rooshan. "Has there been any sign of your apprentice?" Tol asked Qui-Gon. "None. Malak is blocking Obi-Wan's essence in The Force. We have no idea where he is."
"He'll be with Sivron's forces," Daniel said. "What is your reasoning to this conclusion, young Jedi?" Tol asked, as Daniel looked to Crystal. "On the day was declared Sol discovered Malak's crypt but could not open it. He acted very strangely once he returned from the cemetery," Crystal clarified.
"It took someone who was Force-Sensitive to open the crypt and let him out. But Malak influenced him to incite a war, knowing full well we would come to negotiate," Daniel finished. "But why wait four thousand years? He could have escaped long before now," Kal said. "Kal is right. People are constantly buried there," Tol replied.
"For that question, I have no answer. I don't know why he waited 4 millenniums to return. But we've got 6 hours before Malak arrives and I could use some rest." "We all need rest. Let's go over the plan once more in five hours before we take up our positions," Master Drallig replied. ***
"It is time. Sivron? Sound the attack." "Yes, Lord Malak. All troops… march!" The speeders were started as Lord Malak led our troops toward the enemy. ***
"HQ, this is Zeta Two. We've got eyes on the enemy. There are at least 30 four-man speeders, along with at least twice as many two-man speeder bikes." "We copy, Zeta Two. Do not engage." "What was that, HQ?" "DO NOT ENGAGE, Zeta Two. The Jedi are going to try something to end the war without bloodshed. Stay frosty in case it fails." "Understood, HQ. Zeta Two out." ***
"Are you ready?" Qui-Gon asked Daniel. "I am ready. Let's go." The three Jedi got into the landspeeder and took off, having been seen off by Crystal and Kal. The landscape around them became a blur, as Master Drallig sped up. "I see Obi-Wan! He's in the lead speeder!" Qui-Gon yelled as Daniel took off his robes.
When the speeders were within 100 meters of each other, Daniel leapt into Malak's speeder with his lightsaber whirling wildly as he and Malak dueled. With a gripping motion, Daniel ripped the plug wires from the speeder engine, sending both of them tumbling from the speeder as it abruptly stopped. ***
"Here they come! Use EMP grenades!" Qui-Gon shouted to the sniper teams through the commlink. "Daniel is holding his own against Malak, but not for long. We have to join him!" Qui-Gon shouted to Cin. "We're on our way!" In the waning darkness before morning it was easy to pick out the green lightsaber crashing against Obi-Wan's blue blade. ***
"The battle has begun, Master. I cannot get close to Malak; he is being engaged by three Jedi." "Very well, Lord Maul. You have done well; there is nothing more you can do on Ryloth. There is a far more pressing matter to be dealt with on Raxus Prime." "What of Darth Malak, Master?" "Should he survive, he will contact us soon enough." "Yes, my Master. I'm leaving now." ***
"Take a high guard, Daniel!" Qui-Gon yelled, as he readjusted accordingly. "Obi-Wan! Fight it! I know you're still in there! Fight his spirit!" Master Drallig called. The three Jedi continued engaging Malak, until Obi-Wan's movements became more slowed. "Malak's hold! It's weakening!" ***
"CALL OF THE ATTACK! PUT YOUR WEAPONS DOWN! MALAK HAS NO HOLD OVER ME ANYMORE!" Sol Sivron shouted, finally coming to his senses. ***
"My lord! They've thrown their weapons down!" Tol Rooshan's advisor called to him. "We shall do the same. ALL UNITS, STAND DOWN! There will be no blood shed today!" ***
The raw power Malak channeled through Obi-Wan's fingertips that day was startling. With his lightsaber hand he held off all three of his Jedi foes, while he used the other to cast arcs of lightning at them. They held him at bay until a violent sandstorm kicked up, giving both the Jedi and Malak a brief rest from battle.
The three Jedi closed their eyes and reached out with their senses both to find Malak and avoid attacking each other. For the next twenty minutes the four of them dueled as the sandstorm continued to increase in intensity, until it reached a high point and died down. "Obi-Wan! I know you're still in there! You have to fight harder for control!" Daniel shouted, as Qui-Gon went left of Malak and Cin went to the right of him.
Upon Daniel's cue the Jedi Masters killed their lightsabers and focused on pinning Malak in place with the Force as their ally. Once they were successful in keep Malak form moving, Daniel disarmed him and sliced Obi-Wan's lightsaber in half before pocketing the crystals.
"You have no more weapons, Malak! Be at peace! Leave this place!" he shouted. The response from Malak was breaking the hold on his arms and shoving all three of the Jedi in opposite directions. He targeted Qui-Gon as the Jedi were momentarily split up, seizing the Jedi in his mighty grip with The Force and beginning to strangle him. "Obi-Wan… my son…" Qui-Gon gasped as Malak continued choking him.
At that moment, Qui-Gon was dropped and Obi-Wan's head snapped back. A dark stream of matter escaped from his mouth, and vanished into the scarcely remaining night. "Is it over?" Obi-Wan asked, as Daniel helped him to his feet and handed him his focusing crystals. "It's over; Malak won't be bothering anyone for a long time. We'll need to erase all evidence of that crypt's existence and cordon it off to make sure that crypt is never opened again," Daniel responded before the four newly reunited Jedi walked back to the encampment. ***
"Thank you for helping us, Master Jedi. I am glad that no blood has been shed and that I have my friend back," Sol Sivron spoke as he stood with the Jedi, Tol Rooshan, and Daniel's friends and watched the militiamen leaving one speeder at a time.
"It was no problem to settle the dispute. After all, it is what we do best," Obi-Wan replied. "In order to convey our thanks, you may have anything in our possession," Rooshan said proudly. Master Drallig met his apprentice's gaze before nodding. "All slaves for both of your clans will be deactivated and transferred wherever they wish to go, with 10 thousand credits per year of slavery. And neither of your clans will ever be involved in slavery ever again," Daniel spoke softly.
The two clan heads looked to each other, before smiling and nodding to the Jedi apprentice. "We shall start with Miss Breese," Sol said. He took a small scanner from his belt and passed it over her right arm, disarming the transmitter beneath her skin.
"We shall have a convoy of cruisers and shuttles here in two days to escort the former slaves to where they want to go. If you could have them all ready and split up by sectors, it would help us immensely," Master Drallig finished. Daniel pulled Crystal into a hug as he looked at Kal over his shoulder. Kal was smiling sadly and Daniel did not need to read his mind to know what was going on. "You're not coming with us to Coruscant."
"No, son. I'm not. I think I'll do some sightseeing of the galaxy." "If you need anything…" Daniel said, offering his hand in a Mandalorian armgrip. Kal took it and smiled. "I'll know where to find you. You're going to be a fine Jedi, Dan'ika." "What does that mean in Mando'a?" he asked. "Little Daniel. Until our next meeting, my friend." "Stay safe!" Daniel called after him as the loading ramp of his ship began to rise. "I think I could sleep for a week," Crystal called out, as the Jedi and Crystal boarded a speeder to return to their cruiser. ***
"How'd she do?" Daniel asked, as he and Master Drallig bowed before beginning their sparring session. "She passed with flying colors. She'll be guarding the Hall of Holocrons." "Glad to know you like her, Master." "Almost as much as you do?" he chuckled, as his apprentice took a defensive stance. *****
