AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hello folks! We've been steamrollin' through this story and guess what? A chapter has been born!

Ladies and Gentlemen... Children of all ages (13+ preferably) Presenting Hawker #2...

ATTON RAND

(braces from inevitable fangirl screams)

Reviews are appreciated D

Enjoy,

Pimp3dout335

(Written with Morgianne)

Chapter Two – New Findings

Skye blearily blinked as the first rays of dawn touched her face. Morning already? Well, there was no point in sleeping in. That would just make it harder for her to get ready.

Skye flipped over onto her stomach and pulled herself halfway over her bunk, fighting the dizzying effects of the blood rushing to her head. Yep, her bunkmate was still asleep.

"Jada," she called softly while looking at the dark-haired woman from her upside-down vantage point. Jada made no response.

"Jada!" Skye insisted. Jada only groaned and pulled the standard-issue, gray cot blanket over her head.

Skye thought for a moment. "Jada, there's a designer shoe sale outside."

Jada's eyes immediately opened. "THERE IS?!" She flew up only to knock her head on the bottom of Skye's bunk. "OW!"

"Morning," Skye said sweetly as she lightly slid off her bunk.

Jada glared at Skye while cautiously probing the lump threatening to form on her head. "That was cruel," she grumbled. "How can you take advantage of my weakness? Do you know how long it's been since I've been on a decent shopping trip? I tell you, when I joined the war effort, I had no idea that I was going to be deprived of the very essence of my soul."

"You, my dear, have problems," Skye remarked absentmindedly as she pulled her hair together with a barrette.

"Me? Ha! At least I know the difference between my purse and my handbag! You, on the other hand, are seriously fashion-challenged."

"We're in the middle of a war," Skye said, eyeing Jada as though she feared she might have finally lost it.

Jada gave an unladylike snort. "Yeah, so? Let's just say I have an appreciation for the finer things in life. Shopping is not a pastime, it's an art."

Skye had finished dressing and was on the verge of leaving the barracks when she suddenly turned around. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. There are a lot of newly-arrived medics, so Robert will probably ask you to guide one for a while. Just until they learn what's going on, you know?"

"Awwww," Jada whined. "You already get one or something?"

Skye's expression became guarded. "Um, yes," she replied, a little too quickly.

Jada arched an eyebrow and stared fixedly at her friend. "Oh?"

"His name's Mical," Skye said, fidgeting uncomfortably.

"He?" Jada smiled suggestively.

"Oh, shut up!" Skye snapped. "He's a new field medic that needs a bit of training, okay? That's all."

"I'll bet," Jada winked.

Skye gave her a look of pure disgust and stormed out of the barracks. Jada laughed heartily as she finished brushing out her glossy, midnight-black hair. The gorgeous locks contrasted perfectly with the pale sheen of her skin. Elegant looks such as hers could only come from being born into nobility. Jada's father was a prominent senator, and she had wanted for nothing as a child.

Jada bit her lip as she thought of her family. They had been immensely proud when she had decided to join the war effort as a field medic. The Byre family were staunch supporters of the Republic. They were a little worried about how well Jada would be able to cope, but Jada had risen to the challenge and been able to live in surroundings much less glorious than those she had been used to. Why, except for occasional bouts of anxiety stemming from her addiction to shopping, Jada Byre was doing just fine.

Sergeant Rekken Voros sat cleaning his Republic-issued assault rifle. His leg had healed nicely over the night, but it still burned like hell. A head poked itself into the tent.

"Sergeant Voros, sir?" a private asked.

"Who the hell else would it be?" came the reply.

"General Eiden wants you to report to his office immediately on the other side of camp."

"Got it, private."

The soldier left Voros to himself. Probably gonna wonder what the hell happened yesterday. Truth is, I don't have a goddamn clue.

The veteran quickly slipped into his dress uniform and headed to the General's office. Two MP guards stood outside the door.

"Identification, sir?"

The sergeant handed over his ID card and let them take the retinal scans.

"Right this way, sir."

The office was fairly large. Holograms decorated the desk, readouts scrolled across screens, reports came streaming in; it was complete chaos. With a click of a button, it all stopped.

"At ease, Sergeant Voros. Please, take a seat."

The NCO relaxed and sat down in front of the general.

"Sergeant, it appears as if seventeen men went MIA yesterday and you say that they are dead. What the hell happened to them, Sergeant?"

"Honestly sir, I have no idea."

General Eiden's face visibly reddened. "I'm an extremely busy man, Voros. IF I DON'T HAVE A GODDAMN REPORT ON MY DESK TOMORROW, YOU will be discharged. Men died yesterday, and it wasn't Mandalorians. I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR RECORD! I need to know what the hell happened. If you don't know, FIND OUT."

"Yes sir!"

He made his way to the door, and on his way out, an MP grinned. "Heard quite the ass-chewing. Don't worry 'bout it."

Voros shot a glance to the MP. "Ha, I'm not, he just called your name next."

"What?!"

"Just screwing with you, Leton."

The MP laughed and let the soldier pass. Thoughts raced through Voros' mind. For once in his life, he didn't know what to do. He figured he, Menski, and Vohn could check out the local library for something. Perhaps new articles. He was going to need some other form of help, however. Menski and Vohn left much to be desired intelligence-wise, and if Voros could help it, he never read anything except the model number on his assault rifle.

Maybe Skye could give him a hand. She was a medic after all. He decided it was a good idea and grabbed a massive, eight-seat landspeeder and Menski and Vohn, then headed toward the medical staff's lounge.

Skye and her friend Jada were outside eating breakfast, laughing. Some blonde-haired man with a book was seated a few yards away. He kept looking over at Skye with a sort of devotion in his eyes. Poor bastard, probably never got any loving in his life. It seemed as if the two women were ignoring him. Rekken grinned. The man looked like a complete wuss. He'd ignore him too.

Skye waved Rekken over to her with a small smile. Rekken wasted no time in speaking.

"Skye, I'm going to look into what happened yesterday. Can you give me a little help? I'm headed over to the library with these two dumbasses, and hell, they're not gonna do much."

Skye groaned. "I'm going to be on duty in a couple of minutes. Though I COULD use a break from it. Oh, what the hell, Robby won't notice. Come on Jada, you're coming too."

"Are you doing some research? I could most likely be of assistance," the blond-haired man piped up eagerly.

Skye gave a hesitant smile. "Sure, Mical. You can come."

Vohn's mouth dropped open, "Wow, is this guy for real?"

"I believe so, private. But I think Mr. Blondie here can help," Rekken observed.

Mical helped Skye enter the speeder, and the three soldiers visibly rolled their eyes in disgust.

"I hate you sarge! I'm stuck with some pansy for a few hours in a goddamn library!"

"Glad the feeling is mutual, princess," Sarge grinned at Vohn.

"What is your business, Sergeant?" the Lieutenant at the gate out of the field hospital asked.

"I'm on medical leave, sir. On my way to the library."

The Lieutenant stared at the soldier like he was nuts. Where the hell did this guy get hit?

"Ok, you're free to go." The speeder with its occupants had just cleared the gate when a man stepped in their way.

"Looks like Skye and Jada are tryin' to skip out on work. Being a bad influence on greenie here aren't we?" Chief Medic Robert Forsen said behind an empty bottle of juma.

Jada and Skye began to sputter their alibis, but Robert stopped them. "I won't notice IF you guys get me a ride to the nearest cantina… this was my last bottle." He almost teared up at these words.

Jada patted the seat beside her, "Join the party, Robby!"

Robert glared. "I'm not that damn drunk. It's Robert or sir to you. Actually, just for you, let's keep it sir."

Robert beamed at all the young'uns and took his seat. "Ah, I see we're taking good care of your pet greenie. You should try gizka - they're almost as easy to take care of."

"Glad I don't have one," snorted Jada.

"That's because they'd turn into the second worst damn medic the galaxy has ever seen, taking their seat beside the queen of bad medics." Robert retorted. "Skye may be annoying as hell, but at least she does her job the right way."

Rekken turned with a severe expression. "I don't have time for this! I have a serious situation on my hands, so either settle down or GET OUT," he growled menacingly, daring anyone to respond.

Jada scowled, but said nothing. Rekken nodded curtly, fired up the speeder, and shot forward.

The ride into town was completely uneventful. Well, maybe if you didn't count the constant complaints coming from Menski having to use the bathroom.

"Dammit Menski! Shut up already! You're whinin' isn't gonna get me to go any faster, dumbass!" the Sarge roared.

Menski shut up…but three minutes later he started right back up. The Sergeant was getting royally pissed, but the town finally loomed ahead.

"This is my stop, Sergeant. Thanks for the ride." Forsen said as they neared the cantina.

"Anytime. Well aren't we lucky, the library is right across the street." The Sergeant deactivated the speeder and everyone clambered out. Mical again helped Skye and got an even louder chorus of groans from the soldiers.

Jada threw a particularly nasty grin at Skye, and she blushed. Skye determinedly pushed past Mical without looking at him.

Skye tried to clear her thoughts as she led the way up the crumbling, stone steps to the ancient library. The stern faces of mythical creatures immortalized in stone gazed down at her as she tried the door. It was open, so she quietly slipped in, motioning for the others to do the same.

This library was unlike any Skye had ever encountered before. Although the structure was incredibly old, the inside was full of the latest archiving technologies. Not many sentients frequented the place, but an unseen archivist faithfully ensured that the collection was constantly updated for the few souls who sought solace in knowledge. Skye sighed imperceptibly. This was a place where she felt at home.

"Alright," she said briskly, turning on her heel to face the rest of the party. "Rekken, what exactly are we looking for? Give me an idea of what happened so that I can try to find something useful."

Skye smothered an amused grin at the looks on her friends' faces. Rekken and the two soldiers under his command were eying the bookcases holding the holovids suspiciously, as though the books might suddenly come to life and attack them. Jada was slumping dejectedly, a look of despair coming to her face as she realized that she was actually stuck in a library.

Mical, however, wore an air of comfortable familiarity. He was probably the only one here who would be of any help. As Skye caught his eye, he smiled cautiously, as well he might when considering the distant manner in which Skye had been treating him. Skye felt a little guilty about that, but when she showed any signs of cordiality to Mical, Jada was on her like a kath hound.

Rekken gruffly briefed her on the incident with the Sith, while Skye listened, dismayed.

Mical also seemed worried. "You say that after the dial was twisted, the man was suddenly infused with the dark power of the Force?"

Rekken eyed Mical pensively. "No, I said that he had a hell of a lot of power – evil power."

Mical nodded with a far-away look in his eyes, only half-listening. "I had not thought it was possible to induce Force sensitivity…unless the man was already Force sensitive, but that wouldn't explain the…maybe…," he murmured.

"You sure seem to know a lot about this 'Force'," Rekken said accusingly.

Mical shrugged. "I…study. The Jedi may be hated for their inaction, but…" he trailed off.

Skye frowned in contemplation. The implications of what had happened were overwhelming. "You're sure this wasn't just a vision brought on by trauma?" she asked desperately.

Rekken was about to argue angrily when Mical spoke up.

"No, I do not think so. All three of these soldiers saw the same thing. Besides, there would be other symptoms – symptoms that none of them are exhibiting."

"You're right," Skye sighed. "I don't know where to begin looking though." She turned to Mical. "Do you?" she pleaded.

Mical gave an apologetic half-shrug. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "This is not something I have come across before. Still, if there is anything here, I should think that together you and I would be able to find what we need," he finished optimistically.

"Hey!" objected Vohn. "Don't I count? Or do you think I'm too dumb to help?"

"I'd say you are," muttered Rekken. Vohn ignored him.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to imply such a thing," Mical apologized hastily.

Vohn flashed a cocky grin. "Ah, don't worry 'bout it. I was just messing with your head. I'm really not much help here."

"Not much help anywhere," Rekken commented.

Vohn shot Rekken a murderous glance. Rekken only smiled the smile of someone who has the upper hand and knows it. "Don't provoke a superior officer, Vohn," he warned, still grinning.

Skye and Mical sat down like starving animals at the table, taking as many records as possible.

"Well, I usually would make you guys help them. But, men, this is a lost battle. No point in wasting good soldiers. Get the hell out of here and to the cantina…THAT is an order!" Rekken wasn't sure if his men would be able to make it to the door without fainting, but he had to risk it.

When the first ray of sunlight hit their skin, they dropped to their knees, gasping for air. "I'm alive!" shouted Vohn joyfully.

They made their way across the street into the cantina. The dingy interior cast dark shadows on the room. The stained floors looked as if they hadn't been washed in months, shards of glass littered the room in abundance, and many stools lay broken. The population was minimal at best, and a few people were passed out on the counter, Robert Forsen among them. His face wore an expression of utter contentment as empty bottles were strewn alongside him.

In one corner of the room, two men sat playing pazaak. One was extremely tall and beefy. The other one was of medium height and not nearly as physically imposing. He had longer, dark hair which was somewhat spiked and combed off to one side. His roguish good looks matched his scoundrel's attitude perfectly.

"Well, looks like I win again. You know, I hate to tell ya, but this game requires the ability to think," the man smirked as he swept the winnings to his side of the table.

The larger man scowled menacingly while cracking his knuckles.

The scoundrel didn't take the hint as he continued, "So, were you just born a defect? Or did the muscle enhancers you've apparently been popping screw you up? Because, man, you made some idiot moves there."

"Rand, I'm warning you," the other growled.

Rand apparently couldn't stop himself. He grinned while saying, "I've seen gizka play better hands."

For the large man, it was the snapping point. "That's it you dirty little bastard!" he yelled as he snatched a vibro dagger from his belt. In one quick motion, the fellow named Rand got a stab right to the arm.

His face turned pale as he looked down at the blade stuck into his arm. The man drew the dagger out and prepared for another stab when laser fire stopped him. Lines of fire tore into his back and neck. He collapsed under the sheer number of hits he sustained.

"Don't worry," Sergeant Voros reassured the small crowd around the scene. "We had our guns set on stun. Sadly, this son of a bitch will live. Vohn, drag his ass outta here. Menski, alert some authorities around here."

The two soldiers went about to their tasks as Rekken went to tend to the fallen civilian. He assessed the wound. "Large stab wound to the arm… You should survive, unless, however, it gets infected. Then your arm would turn green and I would give you about 48 standard hours to live." Voros failed in bedside manner. He wasn't a medic dammit! Not his job to make some weak civilian feel good.

"Thanks," Rand grumbled. "Always nice to have someone like you to take care of the wounded. The name is Atton Rand, by the way." He offered his hand.

"Platoon Sergeant Rekken Voros." The Sergeant accepted the handshake.

"I asked for a name, man. Not a rank."

Local police officers arrived and promptly began to interrogate Atton and his attacker without even getting him medical attention. Two hours rolled by before Atton was released from their iron grip.

"Damn, I don't feel too good." Atton grumbled to the Sergeant.

The wound had clotted, but it didn't seem like it was healing well enough. "I could probably take you over to the field hospital. Not much action, so there are a lot of doctors free. They'd have you patched up in no time."

Skye let out a frustrated sigh as she slammed the latest useless stack of holovids aside. "What exactly are we looking for?! I can't find anything even remotely helpful!"

Mical echoed the sigh and offered a tired smile as he turned to look in Skye's eyes. "I do not know," he murmured. "However, we should continue searching for the sake of your friend, the Sergeant. Something happened. Something with serious implications."

"I know," Skye said in a defeated voice.

"Ooh!" exclaimed Jada. "Look what I found!"

Skye jumped up from the table excitedly. "Did you find something that might explain what happened?"

"What? Oh, no, not that," Jada said, impatiently waving her hand. "I found an article with tips for the shopaholic's sore feet…" She stopped as Skye glared. "Oh, some people are no fun," she complained as she moved off, away from Skye's lethal gaze.

Skye was about to chase Jada and give her an earful, when she felt a slight pressure on her right shoulder. She turned to find Mical's hand. Mical smiled gently at her.

"It's okay," he reassured her softly. "Come on, we can do this ourselves. Jada has, um, important issues to worry about."

Skye found herself smiling. "Alright," she agreed. She followed Mical on a winding pathway through the shelves filled with knowledge. If only they could find the knowledge they needed!

Mical stopped suddenly, and Skye nearly crashed into him. "This is a new section," he called over his shoulder.

Skye stood on tiptoe, peering over him. "I believe you're right," she mused.

Mical paused for a second, closing his eyes. Skye felt a shiver travel down her spine – not necessarily a bad one, but strange all the same. "Um, Mical?" she ventured.

He didn't respond. Skye tapped his arm lightly, hoping for some reaction, but again there was no response. Skye backed up, about to go find Jada for help, when Mical opened his eyes. They were slightly glazed and unfocused.

Abruptly, he turned and kneeled before a dusty drawer in plain sight, yet so nondescript that one's eyes simply traveled over it without taking notice. Opening the drawer, Mical began to sort through the various holovids before selecting one. "This is it," he declared with such surety, that it didn't occur to Skye to not believe him.

"Brilliant," she breathed, taking it from him. "Let's find Jada," she continued, exiting the aisle briskly.

"Find me for what?"

"Mical thinks we've got something," Skye remarked. She inhaled deeply. At the expectant looks of her companions, she keyed open the holovid's files.

Nothing could have prepared the three for the chilling revelations encased within the simple object.

Pain? Oh it feels so good. Something other than pain lingers… What is it... Ah, it is hunger. A far greater hunger than those stirred by lusts or greed. No, this is much more. This is a hunger for death.

Jada and Mical crowded around Skye, their unhappy disbelief growing with each word in the article before them: "Today, renowned scientist Uthran Thrapp has been killed by city police. Just as dawn settled over the city, Thrapp was reported to be running through the streets holding explosives and babbling incoherently. Officer Nor Honar attempted to stop him. According to Honar, Thrapp screamed that he had to destroy it. Honar questioned Thrapp about what had to be destroyed and Thrapp said "It holds the power of the Force! I must stop it! It can infuse someone with the Force! The Force powers of the deceased!" Further attempts at communication were failed. Thrapp stabbed Honar with a stunner and ran. Honar tried to wound the man with a blaster shot, but the round was fatal. When investigators searched Thrapp's apartment, they found his personal datapad completely wiped. Investigators searched for Thrapp's lab, but as of now, it has not been found. Investigators have also stated that the cause of Thrapp's outburst was stress-induced insanity and that his rants probably meant nothing. LIBRARY OVERRIDE Information: Document added to databanks 3.4 standard months ago. Last Updated: 3.4 months ago. For further information please contact librarian. PRESS O to end session."

"Well, that may explain what happened to your friend, Sergeant Rekken Voros," Mical said slowly, still reeling from the disbelief.

"I guess we can ask Rekken about all the details. Mical, can you ask the librarian for a copy of the article?" Skye asked.

"It would be my pleasure," he replied.

"Jada, go fire up the speeder and get those drunks from the bar."

When Jada left the library, she found Rekken, Menski and Vohn powering the speeder up. Robert lay passed out in the back seat, and some gorgeous rascal was sitting with them holding a wound on his arm.

"Well, what do we have here?" Jada asked Voros while checking out Atton.

"Someone wishing these sons of bitches picked me up sooner. Dammit Rekken! Took you twenty-five years to find me!"

"What's hot stuff's name?" Jada prodded Voros.

"We'll refer to him as Atton. Not hotstuff," he answered, rolling his eyes. "Where the hell are Mical and Skye?"

"I don't know, but do you mind if I sit beside Atton?" She never took her eyes off of her new-found lust.

As she took her seat, leaving no room to breathe, Atton grinned. "Gimme some space, woman? You'd be the sixth today! Not that I mind, just that I'm a little tired," he winked.

"EW! You nerf-herder! Jon, switch seats with me. I don't feel like sitting next to space garbage that doesn't seem to bathe!"

"But…" Menski stuttered.

"NOW!!!"

Voros grinned as Menski scuttled out of his seat and next to Atton. Jada sat with a huff and didn't look back.

Mical and Skye emerged from the library with a package.

"Rekken! Plug this into your datapad… I think it may shed light onto our mystery." Skye unfolded the package and gave him the memory disk. He promptly inserted it into his datapad and watched the words scroll across the screen. Mical watched as Rekken's face grew evermore grim as he looked over the article again and again.

"It makes sense now. It really does." Voros grimaced. "Could that possibly mean that the bastard is infused with the dark forces of every dead Sith Lord? If so, I'd better get back to Command. Things just got a helluva lot worse."

As everyone took their seats, Skye took a moment to look back at the newcomer.

"Oh, who's this?" she asked quizzically.

"Don't ask." Jada growled.

They fear me. It feels good, very good to watch them scream in fear and attempt to escape. The greatest joy of them all: They never will.

On the way back, Mical seemed distracted. "Are you alright, Mical?" Skye turned her attention to him.

"Oh yes, I'm quite alright. I appreciate your concern." He smiled at her.

The speeder stopped at the Republic's installation. No guards came to greet them.

"What the hell?" Rekken muttered as he walked to the gatehouse. This wasn't normal behavior. Every other time they were like Kath hounds jumping onto prey.

He knocked on the plasteel door of the gatehouse. No one came out. He pushed the button for the door, and it opened with a swish. Instead of a Republic guard, a mutilated corpse of what used to be one dropped out and into his arms. Cut lines ran up and down his battered body, and a stab wound created a massive void in his face. His mouth was still there, and it was opened in a never-ending silent scream of horrendous pain.

"Holy hell…" Rekken dropped the body to the ground. He backed away. Back at the speeder, his companions stared at the scene of brutality. Vohn had never seen his Sergeant so shocked before in his life. He opened a compartment and grabbed the two rifles that occupied it. He walked slowly to the still-staring Sergeant and handed him a rifle.

"Let's check the rest of the camp." Vohn said.

"And avenge all of our fallen brethren," finished Voros with the coldest voice that Vohn had ever heard.

"Tell the others to get blaster pistols and follow us. I want to have as many armed as we can."

Francis obeyed his superior and rounded up the others, including the now conscious Robert.

Robert had been filled in on the way. He seemed alright, but his speech was slurred.

"Letsh go get that Shith shon of a bish," he yodeled as he drew his sidearm.

"We're one weapon short, sir." Vohn reported. It had been the first time Voros had heard Vohn address him as sir.

"Robert stays unarmed then. We need a sober team." Voros ordered.

"Bashtard…" Robert growled as Vohn wrestled the weapon away from him.

"Okay people. Wedge formation. Menski and Vohn take the ends. I'll be in the center. Keep your eyes open people - being alert could be the deciding decision of our survival."

The non-soldiers had a difficult time forming themselves up, but with some direction from Voros, they were ready.

Once they had cleared the gate, it was as Voros suspected. Carnage greeted them. Carbon scoring lined the walls and equipment lay scattered across the terrain. They had put up one hell of a fight, but they were no match for a Sith. Bodies lay slaughtered in the formations they had created, indicating some attempt at an organized defense. They made their way to the command center. Lines of massacred soldiers lay in smoking heaps. It seemed as if the last stand had taken place here. More blaster scarring dotted the terrain, testament to the fact of frenzied and panicked firing. Many of the bodies were missing limbs, some were missing heads. Hastily built defenses had been shot to hell, most likely from the deflection of their own fire. The Sergeant ordered the others to take position outside of the building.

Inside, a couple more bodies lay in a path to the commander's room. Rekken grimaced, these men had died defending their leader. General Eiden's body lay in the middle of his room. His face was set in defiance, not fear. He was not afraid of death - he had died in honor, defending the Republic. That is the way he had wanted to die. For that, Rekken was grateful.

The soldier walked outside and their search continued in vain. An entire Republic army had been slaughtered at the hands of one man. After they had completed their search, the small group sat down in a circle around a small campfire that had managed to still burn. The eerie silence of the scene settled around them.

Atton broke the silence with, "You know, we should get out of here."

Rekken looked up, "I agree, maybe we should ally with some Jedi to defeat this new threat. One question, how? Only ships here are parked destroyers. Good luck flying one of them with eight people."

"I have a ship, The Scarlet Eagle. Should get us to where we need to go." Atton replied.

"It's decided then, we should move out."

/Doomandgloom

Hehe. Hoped you liked it.