CHOCOLATE WARS

The Return of the Emperor

Chapter 6

PLAYING ROUGH

The Dark Dove arrived at the Hidrox's position moments before the other Ally ships. As Chocoa brought the Dove alongside the Sunshine Robja stayed focused on his data screen which displayed the sector's star chart. As the remaining ships pulled into a tight orbit around them Robja typed a command and the computer overlayed the chart with a grid pattern. Entering the last of his instructions Robja hit the enter key and the search pattern he'd prepared earlier superimposed onto the image as well. After pausing for a moment to verify the new chart's accuracy he transmitted the new assignments to his team and the Oreo.

-

Still en route to rejoin the enlarged rescue team Duke sat in the Oreo's cockpit. He leaned forward anxiously as the new chart appeared on his screen and Robja's voice spoke from his Comm set. "The splash is clearly marked on the chart. I've fanned our search out from that point in all directions as we have no idea if the Dentyne's changed course since the splash."

"If they were able they almost certainly did," Duke suggested. "With damaged drive engines and therefore no weapons or shields they certainly won't want us to find them."

"Agreed," Robja answered. "Everyone identify your search coordinates and lets get on it. Whoever finds Sakarin's ship is to contact the team immediately. We'll get to you as soon as we can."

The responses came in, "Yes Sir!"

"Aye Aye Robja!"

"Understood."

"Yeth Thir!!"

Duke frowned, hearing the Dove's translator though his link with Robja. Already putting the unusual voice out of his mine he smiled slightly as he heard Chocowa growl his affirmation as well.

"Stick with it everyone..." Duke added in farewell. "...and be careful."

-

Robja settled back into his seat as Chocowa piloted the Dark Dove toward their search area. Mumbling softly he looked at his scanner and saw the other ships doing the same. He set his jaw while thinking, "The Dentyne's not a full fledged fighter but it is a powerful ship with a strong hull, shields and weaponry." His eyes tightened as he added, "If the rumors are true and Dentyne's now got a proto laser port and shields, she's far more powerful than any of our ships except the Oreo could handle. Hopefully we've read that splash correctly and her drive system are off line." Sitting forward his eyes scanned the changing views of the surrounding starfield as Chocowa focused on his data screen. "I just wish our team was better armed. It won't help us to find the Dentyne only to have her destroy one of our ships and escape again."

-

As Hagjo approached the door to the corridor it suddenly slid into the wall. Just beyond the threshold stood one of the Dentyne's security officers. "Smoki! He's coming out!" the guard called firing a wild shot before hurrying off to his right.

Immediately the fur covered knight Hagjo fought earlier stepped into view. As the knight raised his igniting blade, Hagjo heard one of the security guards call out, "Put out his fire Smoki!" Flexing his injured hand, Hagjo waited for the knight's first move.

The bear like knight centered himself in the doorway and growled. "You're not getting away this time Chedi!" Holding his blade before him, Smoki backed away from the doorway and gestured to Hagjo. "Come out and fight!"

"If you insist," Hagjo answered having decided on his plan of attack.

Hagjo had no doubt that the unseen guards in the hallway were ready and waiting for him to step into their line of fire. Taking a quick step forward, he reached, with his left hand, drew and ignited his blade. Stopping at the threshold of the room he extended his blade in a feint. The knight reacted with a parry which Hagjo countered. Completing his response, Hagjo held the knight's blade against the frame of the doorway where it flared as it burned into the frame. Confused by Hagjo's tactic, the knight frowned but the frown disappeared and his bushy brows leapt upwards when he saw the blaster in Hagjo's right hand. Before the knight could react Hagjo fired. The blast threw Smoki backwards and into the corridor wall.

As the knight collapsed, Hagjo stepped back, hooked a chair with his foot and pitched it into the hallway. The over anxious security team opened fire immediately, blasting the chair into many small, very hot pieces. The cross fire took out several of the security team as well before they realized the harmless nature of their target. As they ceased fire Hagjo dropped through the doorway and to the floor. He fired three shots, each of which brought down another member of the remaining team members. Drawing back into the room, just before the team resumed firing, Hagjo finished his count. There are eight more officers in the hallway, five to the right and three to the left. Realizing that Slick was well on his way to the Command Deck, Hagjo had no time to waste. Getting to his feet he closed his eyes and prepared to use his fudge enhanced telekinesis abilities. After several seconds, he opened his eyes and focused on drawing the fallen knight's energy blade into the room. The grip slid half its length once, repeated the motion and then jumped into the air and toward Hagjo. Catching the blade in the air with a shaking hand, he took a tired breath. Shrugging off the elevated fatigue brought on by his mental effort, Hagjo opened an access slot and tapped the exposed inner panel against the edge of the room's large metal table. A bright spark flashed from within the blade's casing and a data panel, built into the other end of the table, began to smoke. Closing the slot, Hagjo pressed the blade's igniter. While the blade didn't ignite, a high pitched hum did come from the handle. After pausing for a moment Hagjo threw the now whining weapon down the hallway to his right where it exploded powerfully. Dropping again onto the hallway floor, he fired three times hitting each of the remaining officers to his left. As the last crewman fell, Hagjo rolled and aimed his pistol down the other end of the hall. Seeing that the exploded blade had taken out all of the remaining crewmen he relaxed his aim and frowned at the high level of force he'd been forced to use. He wasted only a second on recrimination however as Sakarin and his Empire had left him no other choice.

-

"Yes Majesty, engines will be back on line before you reach the Command Deck."

"Excellent..." Sakarin spoke into his Comm Link, "...get it done." He and Sweetn Low were continuing toward the Command Deck along with their last two knights, both of whom were injured, and three security officers when they felt an explosion on the deck below them. As Sakarin again withdrew his Comm Link, Sweetn Low moved to his side and stopped just short of grabbing Sakarin's Link and demanding the information himself. His hands rolled into fists as Sakarin delivered the right order, "There was just an explosion on the deck below , level nine. That's where security is confronting the Chedi. Find out what's happened!"

"Checking Sire." a voice answered from the Comm Link. Sweetn Low and Sakarin stood in silence glaring impatiently at the corridor wall while they waited. Sakarin almost continued toward the Command Deck but instead glanced toward his master. Seeing his own anger reflected there he held his position and glared back toward the Comm Link. After several moments Sweetn Low impatiently reached to take the Comm Link when the voice reported, "I can't raise anyone from the team Sire. I..."

"Get another team down there. Now!" Sweetn Low ordered angrily.

"I've formed another team from several sections Lord Vanilla. They're en route."

Sakarin looked on concerned as Sweetn Low scowled and delivered an additional command, "Tell them to take no prisoners!"

-

Back on his feet Hagjo rushed down the hallway to his right, following the shortest route to the Command Deck. As he passed the fallen guards he smelled a scent very similar to that of fresh baked bread. Wincing, he looked down and saw a doughboy guard lying against the wall. The doughboy's pasty complexion had been toasted to a golden brown by the heat of the explosion. Staggering to a stop, Hagjo's emotions churned with painful memories.

When a Chedi for less than two years Hagjo had many of his first assignments during the Scone Wars. Initially he worked under the watchful eye of his friend and trainer, Dorpa, who mentored him through the last of his training. The opportunities for experience were so numerous that in less than two months he was handling his own assignments. Most of those assignments included at least one sometimes several doughboys being assigned to his team. For thirteen months he formed numerous doughboy friendships. Most of those friends were lost as a great number of the frail beings were toasted by weapon fire. The pale doughy warriors were loyal and eventually fierce as they fought for their freedom. Far too many however ended up in the condition of this Empire crewman.

Pulling his eyes away, Hagjo turned to continue down the hallway when the doughboy moaned. Surprised, as he was certain the doughboy was toast, Hagjo looked back. This time he focused on the doughboy's face and froze as he recognizes him. "Zinger?" Hagjo frowned at the recognition as he was certain that he had never met this doughboy. Stepping forward Hagjo knelt beside Zinger and sighed having already realized the doughboy was beyond any help he could offer.

Zinger stayed still and quiet as Hagjo knelt quietly beside him. He studied the doughboy's face for several moments trying to determine how he knew the doughboy's name. Failing he was about to leave when Zinger opened his eyes and gasped fearfully. Attempting to scoot away Zinger moaned painfully while struggling to focus on Hagjo's face. Before Hagjo could speak the doughboy froze again, his eyes growing large. Reaching out he lightly grasped Hagjo's arm. His high pitched voice squeaked with torment as he spoke, "I'm so..." Zinger's brown, puffed eyes pinched closed and flaked as he grimaced. In a moment they reopened and he said, "I'm sorry." Hagjo gently covered the doughboy's hand with his own as the pain filled voice continued. "I've been here for over a year," Zinger explained while small tears drained from his eyes and were absorbed by the dry, flaking flesh of his face. "I never wanted to join the Empire."

"I believe you." Hagjo answered earnestly. "You don't need to..."

"Please, let me explain," Zinger interrupted. "I want to." Hagjo nodded and waited quietly as the doughboy caught his breath. "They captured me during a chip raid on Crescent, my home world's moon. They rushed the factory, bolts flaring from their weapons. The air was sweet with the scent of my wounded friends. I thought the soldiers would fire on me as well but instead they surrounded and knocked me to the floor. One of their lieutenants stood over me with a blaster pointed at my face. He demanded that I tell them where the surplus chips were stored. I didn't know and told them so which only made him angry. He aimed the weapon at my legs and threatened to cook me slowly. After more threats he ordered that I be taken to their ship. I was thrown face down under a bench on the deck of a small shuttle. Told to be quiet, I rode with a soldier's boot on the back of my neck. Once the shuttle docked they roughly drug me from beneath the bench and lifted me to my feet. Constantly threatening me, they pushed me out of the shuttle and through the corridors of their ship. In the security section they began to question me again. To loosen my tongue, they force fed me the Emperor's fudge." Squeezing his eyes shut the doughboy grimaces again. Keeping his eyes closed he continues, "My mind was lost... I've been in their service ever since." Hagjo flinches hearing a noise down the hall. Zinger grabbed his wrist, "My injuries have cleared my mind. At last I can think for myself again. I'm free. Thank You!"

"You're welcome friend." Hagjo answered, placing his hand gently on the flakey surface of Zinger's arm. His mind reeled with the memory of how many times he's had to comfort one of these fragile beings while their painfully sweet scent beat at his senses. He tensed and looked up when he heard another noise past the turn at the far end of the corridor.

"Let me help," the doughhboy pleaded.

Smiling sadly Hagjo answered, "I don't know how you can friend. Your injuries..."

"Give me a weapon," he gasped. "I'll slow those vermin down," he continued while turning painfully toward the sound of the approaching crewmen.

Hagjo shook his head. "They will kill you."

Grimacing, Zinger tightened his grasp on Hagjo's arm. "I'm already dead."

Hagjo forced his eyes to stay focused on Zinger's face rather than scanning again over his flaky, brown form. When he opened his mouth to object Zinger insisted, "Please, let me do this. I can right some of the wrong I've done. I can make my ancestors proud before I join..."

Hagjo frowned and insisted, "You've done nothing wrong. Anything their fudge made you do is their responsibility, not yours." The doughboy didn't respond. He did however maintain his grip on Hagjo's wrist and continued squinting into Hagjo's eyes. After a few seconds, Hagjo nodded and reached for a fallen blaster. Setting the pistol on its highest setting he pressed it into the doughboy's hand.

"Thank you," the doughboy said again as Hagjo stood.

"Thank you, Zinger" Hagjo answered and realized with a start, "It must be one of Sakarin's memories! That's how I remember Zinger! What else have I retained?" Hearing voices beyond the turn in the corridor, Hagjo nodded once more to the badly toasted doughboy before he turned and hurried away. Barely around the turn at the other end of the corridor he heard blaster fire behind him. The firing continued as he hurried on toward the Command Deck.

Quickly moving beyond the auditory range of Zinger's last stand, Hagjo made good progress until suddenly the Dentyne was hit by weapon fire and rolled. Nearly knocked off his feet Hagjo steadied himself against the wall and listened as a message was broadcast throughout the ship.

-

Anxiously continuing their search Chocowa suddenly howled. Robja spun to see his small hairless friend stomping his feet beside the Comm Link station. Immediately on his feet Robja rushed over and looking beside Chocowa's pointing finger saw that the directed link to the Hidrox was broken. "Blast!" he hissed. "What now!" Hand on Chocowa's shoulder he directed, "Course change. Get us to the Hidrox's search area!" As Chocowa rushed to the pilot's seat, Robja connected to his direct link with the Nestle. "Schan!"

Immediately she answered, "What's happened?"

"I don't know, it's the Hidrox again. Her directed comm link's broken. I..." Robja stopped speaking when a message came in on an open channel.

"We fownd dem! We'wr fiwing on dem now!" A whisper of static came through the link's speaker as Captain Uneeda continued, "Dey haven't wetuwned fiwr wet!" Robja was reaching toward the controls for the translator and was about to ask for the Hidrox's location when Spock's voice replaced Captain Uneeda's and he provided his ship's coordinates.

"On our way," Robja shouted into his Comm mike.

"Same here." Schan reported as she applied full thrust toward the Hidrox's position. Checking the distance she frowned as she continued, "My ETA is forty three seconds." Under her breath she cursed realizing that the distance was too short to allow use of her hyper drive.

Robja, who'd had more than his fill of Kenbo's unusual translation program, flipped the unit to the standard default and held on as Chocowa engaged the Dove's engines. Opening a channel to the remaining ships Robja reported and ordered, "The Hidrox has found the Dentyne. All ships converge on their location! Transmitting coordinates now." Punching the navigation computer's transmit button Robja looked toward the navigation station's data screen and noted that it would take them fifty six seconds to reach the Hidrox. "At least she's not our weakest ship," he thought with a frown. Aloud he announced to Chocowa, "They haven't fired proto lasers. Dentyne's drive generators must still be off line!" Wishing Chocowa could give a quick burst of the hyper drive he groaned, "She still won't last long alone against the Dentyne. They've got eight blaster banks. Even with their drive engines off line they'll find some way to attack."

-

Impatient despite her rapid approach, Schan punched her Comm Link and shouted "Stand down Dentyne. You're surrounded and out gunned!"

-

The deck shook again as Sweetn Low and Sakarin picked themselves up from the deck of the corridor. Enraged, Sweetn Low grabbed at Sakarin's Comm Link and then looked up as an alert was broadcast from the overhead speakers. "We have an Ally ship circling and firing. Shields are on batteries and raising now. We have no power for weapons!"

-

The Sunshyne ship's shields stood ready for the Dentyne's blasters. Employing evasive maneuvers Captain Uneeda ordered continuing fire as they awaited a return attack and the arrival of their team.

-

With the deck only vibrating slightly Sweetn Low suddenly fell against the wall and braced himself to keep from falling. Sakarin quickly took his arm and drawing close whispered, "Master! Has Vanilla awakened?"

Shaking his head, Sweetn Low explained, "No," As though thinking aloud he hissed, "Why can't I keep control of this body." He blinked and looked up at Sakarin. "I don't understand it! Neither Oh Jr. or Vanilla are putting up any resistance but control keeps slipping away from me." Sakarin frowned and then looked away as the Dentyne rocked again from the Ally ship's continuing attack. The effect was reduced now however since that shields have fully engaged.

Looking to Sweetn Low, Sakarin spoke under his breath, "We've got to do something!"

Shifting his weight from the wall Sweetn Low squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment and hissed, "Concentration is difficult." Opening his eyes he looked toward the deck and massaged his forehead with the heel of his right hand. Still steadying himself against the corridor wall his eyes shifted back toward his Emperor as Sakarin's Comm Link received another message from the Command Deck.

"Majesty, we've received a threat from another Ally ship. They state that other ships are closing on us."

"What do sensors show?" Sakarin shouted.

"Sensors remain off line my Lord."

Sweetn Low shrugged free of Sakarin's support and hissed. "The Allies and our renegade Chedi keep taking control away from us. We must retake and keep it or we're lost!" Looking Sakarin in the eyes, he laid out his plan. "Activate the Alternative Command Deck and engage a security shield around the entire engineering section. There we can protect ourselves and ensure against additional internal sabotage. That should end interference from the Chedi and his disgusting companion. We will be free to devote all our attention toward the Ally ships." Sakarin, clearly happy to have his master back in command nodded as Sweetn Low continued, "Get the drive engines up, destroy that ship and get us out of here before any other Ally ships arrive!"

Smiling, Sakarin answered aloud, "Yes master. Excellent plan!" Raising his Comm Link he spoke, "Command Deck, activate the A. C. Deck. Once it's online and crew are at stations, shut down the main deck and run security programming." Grabbing the wall as the ship rocked from another attack he leaned close and angrily continued, "Activate the hyper drive as soon as possible..."

"They're moments away from activation my lord." the officer reported from Sakarin's Comm Link.

"Good," Sakarin barked. "Make it seconds. Once they're running power the proto laser, destroy that ship and get us away from here! I'll contact you when we've arrived on the A.C. Deck." Sakarin then offered Sweetn Low support which he accepted as they all moved quickly toward engineering.

-

Commander Brayn checked again on progress with Dentyne's generators. "Just a few more moments sir," a voice answered from his Comm Link.

"Notify me before they're activated," he ordered. Shutting off his link Brayn nodded to his assistant and they each pulled large power cables from the flashing panel before them. As they separated, each drug their heavy cable toward the ship's battery hookups. Suddenly Whatchamacallit rushed up and glared as Brayn and his assistant began working on separate panels.

"What are you doing now! You've crippled our shields and now your going to disable our weapons as well!" Reaching forward he grabbed Brayn by his shoulder and jerked him away from the blaster controls.

"Are you mad?" Brayn screamed as he stumbled away "Shields are back up but our blasters have no power and neither do the thrusters!"

"Thrusters?" Whatchamacallit responded and jerked his head toward Brayn's assistant as the ship rocked from another hit. Looking back toward Brayn he shouted, "The generators are coming back up..."

"Not yet they aren't and until they do we are a helpless, unarmed target."

Whatchamacallit frowned, "And there's nothing you can do about it until..."

Disgusted, Brayn shouted, "Wrong again What!" Waving his assistant toward Whatchamacallit Brayn directed his full attention back to his work. Whatchamacallit at first bristled at being delegated to an assistant but he smiled as he looked down on the anxious little engineer who stood with his eyes wide and his teeth chattering. Whatchacallit's eyes tightened as he leaned forward, "Go ahead rodent, explain yourself."

With his large front teeth still chattering the assistant began, "We're connecting maneuvering thrusters and blasters to the batteries..."

Whatchamacallit's hand moves to the weapon on his hip as he bellows, "The batteries are already powering our half hearted shields. They don't have enough power to man those systems too. They'll be drained dry in under a minute! You're trying to get us captured, or killed!"

"No sir!" Brayn's assistant answered quickly as his eyes shifted from Whatchmacallit's pistol to the black and yellow marksman badge on his uniform. "Those seconds are all the time we'll need until the hyper drive generators come back up."

"Are you two mad?" Whatchamacallit does draw his pistol now as he shouts. "The drive engines have to be cold as space by now. It's going to take more than seconds..."

"No sir," the small assistant actually shouts making Whatchamacallit stop in wide eyed surprise. "Commander Brayn reversed the coolant system and used residual energy in the generator coils to reduce their heat loss.

Whatchamacallit's face bunched into a confused frown as he tried to make sense of the small assistant's words. Before he could begin any objection, Brayn's assistant continued. "He has also formulated an equation which will allow a cold start at the engine's present temperature."

"A cold start equation?" Whatchamacallit murmured, his facial expression unchanged. The hand gripping his pistol dropped to his side as his eyes shifted toward Brayn's back.

Brayn pushed himself away from the panel he was working on and grabbed his Comm Link. "Command Deck, you now have both maneuvering thrusters and blasters. Use them sparingly." As the interior of the panel he just finished with began to glow he pressed another switch on his Comm Link and spoke again, "Engineering control!"

"Here sir," a voice immediately answered.

"Have you finished?"

"Yes sir."

"Temperature of the coils?"

"Ninety three sir."

After a quick sigh Brayn asked, "And the reading on the Bain Marie?

"Just reaching sixteen sir."

Brayn allowed his teeth to chatter as he looked up and saw Whatchamacallit staring at him in silence. "When it reaches eighteen..." Brayn paused for the tiniest fraction of a second before he continued, "...engage the engines." He almost smiled when Whatchamacallit's eyes widened fearfully.

-

Not bothered and in fact encouraged by the Dentine's weak response to their attack, Captain Uneeda was pleased with her success so far. She and her crew delivered several direct hits to the Dentyne's port hull before her shields came up. As they continued to fire she hoped that their continued attack would prevent Sakarin's escape until Robja and the rest of the Allies could arrive. Encouraged by her continued hits on the Dentyne's already weakening shields and the Empire ship's sluggish response, she took her ship in closer. Directing the Hidrox into a tight orbit and continuing to fire, Uneeda's confidence increased. That confidence was unaffected when Sakarin's flag ship began to return fire with low powered blaster bolts. Uneeda smiled until, with the support ships seconds away, her eyes were drawn to her console by a sensor alarm.

-

Hagjo was finding getting to the Command Deck more difficult than he expected. Crew hurrying through the ship corridors delayed him as he and his energy blade had to convince them to keep moving and allow him to do so as well. The Dentyne's rocking as she was hit by the Ally ship's blasters also made maintaining his speed difficult and he was also distracted by his worry that the attacking Ally ship might be piloted by Schan. He'd heard but was unconcerned by Dentyne's blasters firing. Neither did the weak thrusts from her maneuvering thrusters bother him. Engineering had reported that they were moments away from restoring the hyper drive however. When the drive generators went back on line, so would the proto lasers. His concern for Schan delayed him further when his distraction caused him to make a wrong turn. Angrily he punched a wall and struggled to get control of both his temper and concentration as he was finding his way to the Command Deck through his retained memories from Sakarin. Taking a deep breath he turned and headed back in the right direction when the corridor lights suddenly brightened and he felt vibrations from the deck as Dentyne's warmed drive generators engaged. He tried to increase his speed toward the Command Deck but tensed when he felt Dentyne's fully powered maneuvering thrusters fire.

-

Uneeda's eyes widened as her sensor readings indicated a tremendous increase in power on board the Dentyne. Eyes back on her forward screen she saw the Dentyne turn decisively. Completing the maneuver, the Dentyne's proto laser flared and a bolt slashed through the Hidrox's shields. "We're still alive," Uneeda thought incredulously as she looked up from the deck. The ship's control deck was in semi darkness and filling with smoke as she struggled back into her seat.

The fact that Dentyne's proto laser had not received a full charge before firing was the only thing that spared the Hidrox's crew. Struggling to get her shields back online, Uneeda glanced at her sensors again and saw that the Dentyne's proto laser was recharging. In a near panic her eyes searched her console for an escape. Her crew too was trying valiantly to save their ship but shields had failed, the engines are off line and there was little time or power to do anything about it. Uneeda realized that the ship wouldn't survive a second hit whether Dentyne's proto laser was fully charged or not. Finding no hope on her control board she looked back to her forward screen expecting to see the next flare of the proto laser. Instead she saw the Dentyne turn and begin her jump to hyperspace. Looking to her left she stared at Mr. Spock who returned her gaze with his right eyebrow raised. They both turned back to the main screen as a rapid series of blasts flashed against the Dentyne's shields.

Mr. Spock reported, "The Nestle and the Hooper have arrived and are firing." Spock turned back to the main screen as the Dentyne completed her jump to hyperspace.

Relieved by her survival but agitated by the Dentyne's escape, Captain Uneeda punched her Comm Link and broadcast the Dentyne's new heading over their directed links. Schann cursed as she too identified the rapidly departing ship's course and adjusted her own. Robja and the Zorro's pilot altered their course and followed as well.

-

Hearing Dentyne's proto laser port fire, Hagjo drew his energy blade and diverted to a lift. When the lift doors opened on a full compartment of crewmen he threatened with his blade. Already disarmed by the attack on their ship, the crew were eager to surrender the lift to him. As the last of them stumbled out Hagjo dove in and directed the lift toward the Command Deck. While still several levels below he felt the thrusters fire again. Seconds later the ship rocked from blaster hits. Hagjo's hopes rose until his stomach dropped from the Dentyne's hyper drive engines engaging. Hoping all was well with the Ally ship he prepared to spring when the lift doors opened. Seconds later they did and he leapt through the still partially opened doors. His blade flashed around him as he rolled over a control panel and landed en guard to a shock. The deck was deserted, except for Slick who exclaimed from his position on the Captain's chair, "Wow, that was sharp!"

-

Sakarin stalked the Alternate Command Deck, his glare searing every crewman as he checked to ensure that each was following his orders precisely. The continuous assault by the Allies and their confounded successes had him at his wits end. While he had his body back to himself and amazingly still had his master's counsel, those accomplishments did little to console him regarding the Allies continuing to hold and increase their advantage! He'd lost the Lysterine, all three of his strongholds, and as if that wasn't enough he was on the run from several Ally ships and had a Chedi on board his own flag ship!" His eyes landed and held on the Comm station and his ire rose again. "Even communications!" he hissed. "If they weren't off line I could contact the gathering fleet at Godiva and have them come to my rescue." Jerking his eyes away from the dark equipment he stepped over to the Captain's chair and sat. "At least the hyper drive was back on line," he spat. Looking toward the main view screen he licked his lips and dropped onto a chair. "If we can just get to Godiva."

"Sire..." a pale green Commander stood and suggested, "...with our drive generators back in operation we can defeat these Ally ships. We have no reason to continue our retreat."

Sweetn Low, standing a short distance from where Sakarin was sitting, was again struggling with his balance. Sakarin jumped to his feet and took Sweetn Low's arm. After helping him to a seat Sakarin offered his struggling master a piece of fudge. Sweetn Low's eyes tightened into slits and he drew back.

"Sire," the Commander began again but stopped as Sakarin answered without looking up.

"Normally I would be as eager to shed Ally blood as you Commander..." Silently he urged Sweetn Low again to take the fudge. As his hand was pushed away Sakarin looked toward the officer. "Maintain our course. We will avenge ourselves soon enough." Turning back he knelt before Sweetn Low and whispered, "Master, the chocolate can no longer hurt you. You have used it to strengthen yourself in the past with medication. That medication is no longer necessary. Please, use the fudge as you have had me use it. Strengthen yourself!" Sweetn Low sat in silence, eyes slitted and head shaking. Sakarin leaned closer and insisted, "It will give you the strength to overcome..."

Sweetn Low interrupted looking into Sakarine's eyes. "No, I can't. It might strengthen Vanilla or even young Oh." His eyes dropped to and then pulled away from the powerful energy source as he pushed Sakarin's hand away. "I don't dare risk it."

Standing, Sakarin gasped, grateful that his master had considered that possibility which he had not. Pulling his concerned eyes away from Sweetn Low, Sakarin looked across the A.C. Deck. "Commander Pez, our status?"

Still standing at the engineering station, the green, square jawed Commander sat and reviewed his board before answering, "Moving smoothly through hyper space my Lord. The three Ally ships remain behind us."

Sakarin scowled. "Evasive maneuvers and engage our mask." Stepping to Pez's station he mumbled, "Once masked we should be able to loose them."

The Commander hesitated before turning toward Sakarin. "Sire, the masking equipment is offline."

"What! Why?" Sakarin shouted.

Cringing, Pez's square chin remained fixed while the upper portion of his head swung against the hinge of his jaw with each word he spoke, "Security teams have reported that the masking equipment and most of the other equipment in sensor control have been badly damaged. Lt. Commander Mars, Commander Gorn and the crewman on duty..."

"No! That's not right! Our mask has been working." Frowning Sakarin approached as he asked, "When was the equipment destroyed? This doesn't make..."

"I'm sorry my Lord..." the Commander interrupted before Sakarin could get any closer. "The damage was done over an hour ago."

Sakarin scowled, "The Chedi?"

"Yes Sire..." Pez answered. "...but Commander Brayn adjusted our defensive shields to function as a mask while repairs were made."

"Our defensive..." Sakarin stopped mid-sentence while he puzzled over the answer he'd been given. "I don't understand. How could our defensive shields operate as a..." His brows rose with his anger as he continued, "...and why wasn't I notified that..."

"Sakarin..." Sweetn Low called from his seat, "...it doesn't matter! Brayn knows what he's..."

"It does matter!" Sakarin retorted. Turning back to Pez he shouted, "Are our shields operational?" Pez quickly nodded but before he could speak Sakarin continued, "But we don't have our mask! How am I supposed to make decisions when I don't know the current status of our ship? I must be notified of all..." Sakarin stopped and stared at Sweetn Low who was chuckling. "What?" he shouted.

Sweetn Low stopped laughing and returned Sakarin's gaze. "You've certainly benefitted from our merging."

Sakarin's eyes widened as he realized the tone he'd been using with his master. The fear which flashed in his eyes faded however as Sweetn Low chuckled again.

"I think you were right!" Sweetn Low sighed, maintaining his wide smile.

Stepping closer Sakarin frowned in confusion as he whispered, "Right about what master?"

"We are going to make an excellent team now that we've separated again."

Sakarin's expression relaxed and he even smiled until Sweetn Low frowned and again rose his hands to his face. Quickly Sakarin knelt and listened as Sweetn Low spoke quietly, "This is much different than it was with you. I was always aware of your presence, even when in full control." Lifting his head Sweetn Low stared vacantly across the deck. "When I first leapt into this body I found myself in a maelstrom of emotions. That all disappeared in seconds and I've felt alone ever since. Completely alone! Despite that apparent solitude, my mind remains unable to control the simple involuntary acts of breathing and circulation.At first I believed that both Vanilla and young Oh had been destroyed. That the trauma of our defeated mind control had wiped both of them away."

Sakarin gasped, "You no longer believe that? Have you sensed..."

"No..." Sweetn Low answered shaking his head and looking back at Sakrine. "I've sensed nothing, but then why else is this so difficult? I adjusted to the physical differences between this form and my original while within your body. Something is fighting me. What is it!" His eyes tightened as he looked up at Sakarin. "Who is it?"

"Master! What can I do to..."

Sweetn Low shook his head, "Nothing. I'll have to find the problem and deal with it myself. Give me a little more time. You take care of the ship. Get us to Godiva!"

Confused by both the familiarity and the content of the conversation between his Emperor and Diet Vanilla, Commander Pez, now at the navigation station, tried to ignore their conversation and focused instead on Sakarin's anger at being uninformed about the masking equipment. Determined to avoid angering his Emperor again, he waited for their puzzling discussion to end. As Sakarin turned away from his first officer, Pez stood and reported. "Excuse me Majesty, Commander Gorn and Sub Commander..."

"Yes..." Sakarin sighed waving the crewman to silence. "Have Mars report here. Send Gorn to engineering and assign a team to repair the masking equipment."

Sakarin had already turned away when Pez stopped him a second time, "I'm sorry my Lord, but..."

"What!" Sakarin responded, his anger rising again, as he pivoted back to face the Commander.

With a dry mouth Pez answered, "Repairs have already begun at sensor control my Lord. Mr. Mars however, well he Commander Gorn and the other crewman are..."

Sakarin stepped forward and smashing his fist onto the Pez's panel shouted, "No!" As Pez jumped, a dark green, rectangular object nearly leapt from his mouth. Ignoring Pez, Sakarin turned away and glared across the A.C. Deck. Pez, his complexion shifting to a darker shade of green, quickly swallowed the object and held his stance of attention. "Alright Mr. Pez..." Sakarin growled as he turned back to the Commander. "Have the repair team hurry with that equipment." Glancing at Sweetn Low sitting with his head in his hands, Sakarin's confidence failed to soar.

-

"Spock!" Robja called over his Comm Link.

Robja's eyes tightened as his Comm screen engaged and a smoke filled view of the Hidrox's main deck appeared on his screen. His brows rose as Spock leaned toward the screen and answered calmly, "Yes Commander."

Relieved to see that his old friend was uninjured Robja asked, "What's the status of your ship?"

"Several systems were overloaded when the Dentyne fired their only partially charged proto laser at us. There are three hull breeches. Two have been temporarily sealed and we are working on the third. We're also making repairs on and replacing damaged instrument panels. Our drive system will be down for at least an hour. At that point we expect to have maneuvering power only."

Robja nodded gravely. "Understood, your crew?"

"Several injuries on our lower decks. We're still missing several crew members but the hull breeches were small and not in occupied areas of the ship. We're confidant that we'll find them."

"We won't be able to wait for you."

"We understand," Spock answered. "We're no longer in danger. Don't let them escape."

Duke answered, "We won't." A growl came through Spock's Comm Link speaker and Robja turned to answer Chocowa. "No, just match their speed. We can't do anything anyway until they drop from hyper space. After a final nod he turned back to his Comm Link and asked, "Why did you break your directed link?"

Spock's right brow rose as he answered, "We were continuing our search when we spotted the Dentyne. She was masked but apparently blind to our presence. She was positioned between our ship and the Dark Dove. Concerned that our direct link would pass too close to the Emperor's ship and be detected, Captain Uneeda ordered that it be severed. It seemed a logical precaution," Spock states matter of factly. Robja nodded but didn't respond as Spock continued. "We realized that we could not reestablish the directed link without being detected and therefore any contact with our team would alert the Emperor. Rather than betray our position with no benefit, Captain Uneeda decided that a surprise attack might ensure that the Dentyne's damage held her in place until the team could arrive and participate in her capture."

"Pity it didn't work," Robja responded.

"Indeed," Spock agreed.

-

Straightening, Hagjo discharged his blade and slowly scanned the empty Command Deck. His eyes paused on the large, dark view screen centered on the forward hull and then shifted to Slick who had settled back into the captain's chair. "Where is everyone?" Hagjo asked surprised and confused.

Slick extended himself upwards and answered, "When I got here, several crewmen were shutting down stations. Moving to the floor Slick approached Hagjo as he continued. "I remained hidden and was watching when the Ally ship began its surprise attack. The crew hesitated for a moment but then frantically hurried to get all the equipment powered down." Slick hesitated and stuttered, "I, I didn't know what I should..."

"You did exactly as you should have," Hagjo assured. "They were all armed I'm sure." Looking again toward the dark screen he asked, "Once the equipment was shut down what did they do?"

"The last of them left together just before you arrived." Slick settled at Hagjo's feet and asked, "What took you so long to get here?"

Still concerned about Schan, Hagjo's eyes dropped to a lower spot on the blank screen. "I had a few complications," he answered distractedly. Suddenly he turned to Slick, "When you got here, was the main viewer on?"

"Yes. It was the last thing they turned off." Slick answered.

"Did you see the ship that was firing on us?" Hagjo asked. squatting to eye level with Slick.

"Yes." Slick answered again, still not understanding what Hagjo wanted from him.

"Describe the ship to me." Hagjo asked squatting hopefully in front of Slick. Slick's visual anatomy was not obvious and were in fact located in nine different nonpermanent locations all around his body. Unable therefore to look into Slick's eyes, Hagjo merely looked at his unusual friend as he asked, "Please think. What did it look like?"

Slick, seeing Hagjo's desperation, was anxious to help but with no familiarity with ship design, stammered as he tried to remember a detail.

"Where there any markings on its hull?" Hagjo asked trying to assist him.

Slick extended himself upwards in relief. "Yes! There was a large brown letter H with a circle of yellow stars around it!" As Hagjo's eyes narrowed in thought, Slick continued, "They were all centered on a white circle. The ship had three corners and was about four times the size of yours." He stopped and looked hopefully at Hagjo for some sign that he had helped.

Hagjo lost in thought looked blindly ahead. "A circle of stars. That sounds like a ship from Sunshyne. She wouldn't be on a Sunshyne ship, would she?" He stood, walked over to the command seat and sat down before raising his eyes to Slick again. "Was the ship destroyed?"

"No!" Slick answered immediately. "It was hit and all it's lights went out but it didn't look like it was badly damaged." Hagjo took minimal comfort in Slick's assessment. Proto laser attacks never do little damage. He stayed quiet however as Slick continued. "The Dentyne only fired once with its big weapon. Before they fired again an alarm came on. Someone reported over the speaker that other ships were coming and the Dentyne turned and ran."

Hagjo breathed a sign of relief. After a short pause he looked at Slick and said, "Thank you! Maybe Dentyne's proto port hadn't fully charged before that attack. If Schan was on that ship, which is unlikely, she's probably alright. " Looking at the floor he whispered, "She has to be."

"Who's Schan?" Slick asked.

"My..." Hagjo, totally unfamiliar with Phlem domestics traditions, struggles for a term Slick might recognize. "...mate!" Hagjo replied, unhappy with the description but hoping it would be clear to Slick.

"Ahhh! Yes I understand. I'm happy too!" Slick responded.

Hagjo smiled at Slick's response and nodded to him saying, "Thank you!" With a sigh, Hagjo moved to stand up but now, with the threat to Schan averted and his adrenalin production dropping back to normal, his fatigue dragged him back into his squat. His second try he straightened but moved directly to a chair and dropped into it. As he sat, exhausted, his thoughts turned to the damaged Ally ship and then to the wounded doughboy. With that thought came additional memories from the Scone Wars and the weight of the many challenges ahead with this assignment. His fatigue, coupled with the emotional barrage of his thoughts, left him feeling beaten and unable to move. The angry scar on the back of his hand ached as he reclined limply in the chair, eyes closed. Knowing he had no time to rest, he wished desperately for a piece of fudge.

"What are we going to do?" Slick asked anxiously. Hagjo ignored Slick's question for several moments as he continued to sit with his eyes closed. "Hagjo?" Slick called as he bumped Hagjo's leg.

Hagjo took a deep breath and opening his eyes responded, "I don't know." After another breath he sat forward and tried to create a plan. With a sharp intake of breath his eyes opened wide and he scanned the area again. Frowning he struggled to his feet and continued his search. "What are you looking for?" Slick asks.

"Sakarin's escape pod but..."

"We can't leave now!" Slick responded in surprise. Hagjo turned and looked tiredly at his small, very brave friend. "Your friends are right behind us! We've almost won!"

"I wish..." Hagjo stopped himself from bursting Slick's optimistic bubble and reworded his response, "...they were closer still, but your right. We can't leave now that help is so close. They're going to need our help too!" His eyes drifted across the Command Deck again as he sighed, "It would have been nice to be able to disable the pod so noone else could use it though."

Bubbles begin lifting through Slick's body as he moved closer to Hagjo. The bubbles dwindled as Hagjo frowned. Sitting again Hagjo continued to stare blankly ahead for several seconds before his eyes shifted to Slick and he spoke, "We need to get to Henry and keep him safe but first we have to get the drive engines back off line." Sighing, he slouched tiredly thinking of the additional fighting ahead. "I wish there was someway I could..."

Stopping in mid sentence Hagjo's brow clenched and he stared straight ahead in silent but troubled thought. Slick, sensing trouble watched in silence as his exhausted Chedi friend considered a surprising and frighteningly dangerous idea.

"Do I dare risk it," Hagjo whispered to himself. After several seconds his brow furrowed as he searched through the memories he's retained from Sakarin's fright filled mental link. Slick moved forward as Hagjo, still frowing, turned toward the Commander's seat. Standing he stepped around Slick and took several tired steps. Reaching the chair his eyes shifted over its surface. Not finding what he was looking for Hagjo paused for a moment before shaking his head and dropping into the chair. Leaning to his right Hagjo looked at the exterior side of the chair. Just beneath the arm rest he found two buttons. Hitting them both his eyes tightened as identical compartments opened side by side. One was filled with sweet chocolate bons. The second contained pitch black layers of the Emperor's fudge in bite size pieces. Looking at the fudge, Hagjo couldn't repress a shudder.

"What's wrong?" Slick asked, seeing Hagjo's reaction. Hagjo looked at him and took a deep breath. Before he could speak, Slick having moved closer, saw the layer of fudge and backed away. "Is that the stuff I took from Emperor Sakarin back on Crest?"

Hagjo looked back at the fudge and nodded absently before Slick continued anxiously, "What are you going to do?" When Hagjo didn't answer Slick got louder. "I tasted that stuff. It's horribly bitter but that's not the worst!" Slick drew in on himself as he continued. "It's, alive! It spoke to me! It told me to do awful things." Slick moved forward and touched Hagjo on his leg. In a quieter voice he said, "If I hadn't spit it out...I would have done them."

Hagjo forced himself to lean forward. Putting his hand on Slick's quivering form he spoke, "I know what the Emperor's fudge can do. I've seen its results." As Hagjo spoke he envisioned Zinger. The doughboy's browned face twisted in pain as he related the effects of the fudge on his mind. Speaking again to Slick, Hagjo told him, "Henry's control was almost certainly managed through the fudge and I met a crewman today who had been controlled solely by the fudge."

"Have you ever eaten any of it?" Slick whispered.

"No," Hagjo answered with a slow shake of his head.

Slick is instantly in Hagjo's lap. "Don't ever! It's powerful! evil! Awful! It will..."

"Slick!" Hagjo interrupted, "Listen to me. I know about the Emperor's fudge. It's based on the fudge I've trained on as a Chedi." Slick reacted in shock to Hagjo's words and Hagjo immediately moved to comfort him. "It was Chedi fudge that saved you. It healed your injuries and has made a Chedi out of you." Hagjo's eyes hardened as he continued, "Sakarin changed our fudge to fit his purposes. The Empire fudge's bitter power exists within our fudge as well although its power is weakened due to sweetening. M and M believe that the primary difference between Chedi fudge and that of the Empire is sugar." Slick sits perfectly still, not a single bubble stirring in his body. "Sakarin's process strengthens the bitter fudge's power to the point that it can't be managed. Its bitter power takes control by focusing on and tempting the darkest elements of our character. It then uses its bitter power to force its victims to follow those faults of greed, selfishness, brutality and lust for power." Hagjo gestured toward the drawer of bons. " I'm afraid it's time to test the Ms' theory."

"But..." Slick began his objection.

Hagjo interrupts, "I'll sweeten the fudge before I eat it."

"But why do it at all!" Slick plead. "We don't need it. Together..."

"We do need it. I need it! I can't keep going without help," Hagjo confessed. "My battles on Crest and here have exhausted me. I haven't got the strength." He dropped back into the seat, eyes wide and pained. The sweet scent of the injured doughboy came back to him as he whispered, "I don't know if I even have the will." He looked back at Slick. "Without fudge or rest, I can't keep fighting. I'm not going to get the rest. I need help. Help that I can only get on this ship..." Hagjo turned and looked at the drawers sticking out of the side of the chair. "...there."

Slick was nearly frantic as he insisted, "It is evil and very strong!"

Hagjo couldn't argue with Slick about Sakarin's fudge. Slick had more first hand knowledge than any Chedi. Never had a Chedi even considered what Hagjo had decided to do. The risk was great and the need had never been this desperate. Hagjo sighed and looked at Slick. "The Chedi only have theories about what Sakarin's fudge can do but we know that sweetening can redirect and make its power manageable." What Hagjo doesn't clarify and won't, is that the unsweetened fudge had drawn from the dark side of Slick's own personality. The voice Slick heard when he tasted the fudge was his own. The Chedi fudge Slick had digested had increased his intelligence but Slick wasn't ready for that knowledge about himself. It would only frighten him.

Slick withdrew and cowered low on the floor as Hagjo let his head drop back to and roll across the chair's headrest. Like Slick, his heart was racing in fear over what he was preparing to do. He wished he could follow Slick's warning but the only thing he wanted more is to win this battle and get back home to Schan and his family. He shook his head thinking, "We'll never get home without help. "M!" He whispered and tried to mentally link with his Chedi mentor. Immediately he felt a wave of dizziness. Stopping his attempt he waited for the dizziness to fade. After several seconds his opened his eyes and focused on Slick as a thought occurred to him. "I'll never find the strength to contact M without fudge, unless..." Leaning forward Hagjo asks, "Slick, I need your help. We need to contact M."

Hoping that Hagjo was reconsidering eating the Emperor's fudge Slick eagerly agreed. Hagjo took several deep breaths before putting his hands on Slick. Breathing deeply he focused his thoughts and channeled his thoughts through Slick. In seconds he began to experience faint sensations of dizziness but pressed on as he directed Slick, "Please contact M." Drawing on the results of Slick's recent and heavy exposure to the Chedi's fudge, Hagjo sighed with relief as he felt and then drew on Slick's strength. He relaxed further as the link began to form. While Hagjo took slow steady breaths, Slick drew his friend's hands fully into his body and shivered as he connected with M.

-

On the Alternative Command Deck, within Henry Jr's mind, M was surprised when he sensed Hagjo. Powered and directed by Slick and shared by Hagjo the link was weak but clear. Carefully M redirected his attention toward his struggling apprentices. Immediately he understood Hagjo's predicament and replied with what energy he could spare and his answer. "You risk Henry's fate with this attempt. Your body is weak and your mind is tired but your training is sure, your morals strong and your conviction unswerving. Proceed with your plan. Do what must be done. Remember your training. Remember who you are, those you care for and let your new Chedi companion help you!"

His brow wrinkling in confusion Hagjo felt M withdraw. Opening his eyes Hagjo looked at Slick. A smile formed as he felt the bubbles swirling within Slick's body. Slowly he withdrew his hands and looked at his new Chedi companion?"

"Am I a Chedi?" Slick asked.

Still smiling, Hagjo nodded his head. As Slick's bubbles swirled faster, Hagjo answered, "You heard M. He wouldn't say it if it wasn't true."

Raising his hand to his forehead Hagjo looked at his unusual friend and thought, "More unusual than I knew." Lowering his hand he said, "Now, we have work to do. M agrees with my plan." Slick didn't move and his swirling bubbles quickly diminished until only a few were stirring slowly within his body. Hagjo closed his eyes and rested his chin on his chest for a moment. After several seconds, bone tired but somewhat reassured by M's support of his decision, he lifted his head, reopened his eyes and prepared to put his plan into action. Slick immediately stiffened as Hagjo shifted his focus to M's other words, "Do what must be done." Hagjo, aware of Slick's apprehension, looked at his "Chedi companion" and asked, "You heard what M said?"

"Some," Slick responded, his bubbles now almost slowing to a stop.

"I need your help." Slick drew himself into a small ball and Hagjo quickly reached to him. Putting both hands on Slick, who is now too large to be lifted easily, Hagjo spoke reassuringly, "We've decided to stay and fight. If we're going to win, I'm going to need help. Some from you and some..." He redirects his gaze toward the Empire fudge. "...that I can only get from there." Standing he finished, "And we need to do it now."

Still unhappy and frightened, Slick accepted Hagjo's decision. Slowly he moved forward for instructions.

Moments later, Hagjo was chewing two of the sweeter selections of bons from Sakarin's supply. He squated and then sat on the floor next to the Captain's seat. Continuing to chew he kneaded three bons into a sticky paste on his left palm. Swallowing the chocolate in his mouth he flattened the chocolate over his palm, took two more bons and put then into his mouth. He then took two pieces of the fudge as Slick stiffened at his side. Placing the fudge in the center of the sweet chocolate paste, he again began kneading the mix. The large wad quickly darkened into the straight fudge's ebony shading. Hagjo looked to Slick. "You understand what to do."

"Yes," Slick answered without enthusiasm.

Hagjo gave a weak smile and said, "I know. I'm worried too. M tells me to do what I must. Trust me, I wouldn't do this if I didn't have to." Slick sat quietly and waited at Hagjo's side.

Wiping his hands on the fabric of the Captain's chair, Hagjo took two more bons. After chewing and swallowing them he reached again into the small drawer. Taking two more, he placed them into his mouth and began to chew as he sat quietly. After several seconds he nodded to Slick and placed the mixture of fudge and sweet bons into his mouth. He frowned almost immediately as the bitter flavor cut through the sweetness. As the bitterness became overpowering, he shut his eyes and immediately struggled with thoughts he had never before considered.

-

M again turned away from Henry as he sensed Hagjo under attack and struggling. He reached to Hagjo with support but found himself blocked by a mental wall of negative energy. He considered leaving Henry Jr. but only for a moment. "I must have faith in Hagjo's abilities. If I leave Henry I will need assistance to link again. That second opportunity may not come and Henry Jr.'s psyche will be discovered immediately without my camouflage." With hesitant conviction M argued with himself, "Hagjo has the will to handle what he must do." Concentrating again on Henry, M waited for Hagjo to resurface.

-

Slick watched Hagjo's tightly shut eyes, as he drew his body tighter and tighter into a tense and frightened ball. Hagjo's back, up against the base of the Captain's chair, straightened and stiffened as a clear internal struggle began. Anxiously Slick moved onto Hagjo's lap carrying several pieces of the sweet bons. In silence, he watched and waited.

Hagjo remained completely aware of the bitter flavor assaulting his taste buds. Through his mind's eye he saw only pitch darkness but he sensed great power in that darkness. Power which surrounded him but stayed just beyond his reach. Suddenly an incredibly loud and awful noise ripped through his mind. Within the assault he felt his own dark side consuming the fudge's power and awakening to a life it had never realized. Hagjo's thoughts were filled with ideas that repulsed him but were also, on some new level, intriguing. He heard his own voice, although it was speaking with a tone he had never used. "The universe needs guidance," that new voice demanded. "With leadership and a firm hand, the Empire could become much more than it is. Sakarin and Sweetn Low didn't deserve the success they managed. If the Chedi had used the power available to them, the Empire never would have grown to what it has become."

Hagjo listened to his own thoughts but, despite a partial acknowledgment of it's truth, responded, "We're still defeating Sakarin and his knights. We..."

Hagjo's other self shouted over him, "Sakarin and that multi armed freak never wielded the fudge's power to its fullest either. Power to decide what is right and best. They've foolishly wasted far too much power with their war on chocolate."

Presenting an argument with which he already agreed weakened Hagjo's already struggling resolve as he continued to listen.

"The universe needs guidance. Sometimes with an open hand, sometimes with a clenched fist!"

Hagjo's eyes fluttered as he suddenly spoke aloud. "I could do better! I would do better." Slick drew closer ready with several chocolate bons as Hagjo's lips pressed back over his fudge stained teeth and he drifted back into silent thought.

Hagjo's shock at his own words faded quickly as his other self continued, "Everything is ready. We only need to remove Sakarin and take his place. We can revive Diet Vanilla and make him do as we command!" Warming further to his dark thoughts, Hagjo's ability to object grew weaker and the direction to follow grew clearer. "The Empire needs to be led and I can do that. I can make it over. Make it better! The Chedi order will see my plan and join me as well. The Allies will not dare oppose us, but if they do, they can easily be dealt with! I can..."

A vision of the battles to come caused Hagjo to cringe. Immediately another wave of bitter power hit him. He tried to fight but the fudge's power landed like a blow to the gut and, rolling to his side on the Dentyne's Command Deck, he rolled into a tightening ball. Knees to his chest and breathing rapidly Hagjo rode the fudge's wave and realized, "Sakarin was a fool! This ship has proto lasers! We shouldn't be running. I will kill Sakarin, turn this ship around, destroy all of our pursuers and take command of the empire!" Suddenly he saw Schan's face. Her eyes were narrowed in concentration as she piloted a small fighting ship. A small smile began to form on her lips but failed as she struggled with the ship's controls. He then saw her scream as a small dark Empire fighter closed on her its weapons flaring. Hagjo shouted, "Stop!" as Schan's ship exploded. He screamed and then grew louder when he saw himself at the Empire ship's controls.

As Hagjo screamed, Slick forced two more bons into his mouth. Hagjo immediately resumed chewing while trembling on the deck.

Feeling himself swallow, Hagjo rolled onto his back and shook his head. His frown deepened as he heard his dark inner voice speak again. "We don't need to kill her! It will be a simple matter to bring her to our side as well." Hagjo's body went stiff as he struggled for control. His back arched off the floor as the Empire fudge finally joined the many bons waiting in his stomach. His dark voice continued, "A King and a Queen to rule. To..."

"No!" Hagjo screamed aloud and felt more bons being forced into his mouth. "I don't want to rule," he mumbled around the mass of sweetness. Rolling onto his elbows and knees his eyes opened and he shouted around the half chewed chocolate. "I will serve!" At that point he fell to his side again and breathed heavily. Catching his breath Hagjo continued to chew and swallow what was left in his mouth. Several seconds later, his breathing slowing, Hagjo opened his eyes and smiled at Slick. Seeing Hagjo's smile, Slick's body began to fill with bubbles. The two bons he was still holding floated quickly into the center of his body where they began spinning and breaking apart. Hagjo pulled a bon from the pile lying on the deck between him and his bubbling friend and added it to the diminished wad in his mouth. Rolling onto his back he sighed as he felt the no longer evil power of the fudge energizing him.

-

Sensing Hagjo's success, M smiled and returned his full focus on Henry Jr. who was still not responding. Tracking Sweetn Low's approach M reconsidered his tactics, "Not allowing Sweetn Low full control of this body's systems is no longer constructively disrupting him." Uneasy with the decision he feels forming in his mind he continues, "Also Sweetn Low's efforts to find Henry are complicating my attempts to awaken him. My efforts are already failing miserably." With his mind, M studied the varying and very emotional thoughts which were flowing from Henry's tortured mind. With a sigh he thought, "Possibly a different tactic will be more effective."

-

After several moments, Hagjo took another deep breath, sat up and looked around the deck. While pleased at his level of recovery he was certain that the bitter power of the fudge was not solely responsible. Closing his eyes again he continued to feel the remnants of M's comforting and reassuring mental touch. Confident that M's influence had both quickened and strengthened the fudge's effects, Hagjo flexed the muscles in his neck and back and smiled as he felt his fatigue fade. Open but narrowly, Hagjo's eyes stared forward as he considered the rapid return of strength he was experiencing. "Sakarin's fudge is stronger than ours. If not for the constant conflict between the knights and the pressing influence of their fudge, the Empire's knights could be far more effective."

Remembering his early Chedi training, Hagjo heard the green M's words, "The Chedi's fudge uses sugar to subdue the unsweetened chocolate's powerful and negative influence. Without that conflict the Chedi are able to direct and control the fudge's power without conflict. Any objection by the Emperor's knights to their fudge empowered dark side was brutally overcome while still only a half formed thought. The empire's point of view is that the pleasure brought on by the Chedi's fudge is a truer form of mind control. No Chedi has ever claimed a sense of oppression or been unhappy with their fudge's effects. The Chedi's peaceful co-existence with our fudge is the reason the knights and their Empire cannot defeat us."

Hagjo's eyes scanned the Command Deck and considering his situation added to M's comment, "I hope." Looking toward Slick he smiled and said, "Lets get back to work." Several spiraled lines of bubbles rushed upwards and through Slick's body as Hagjo stood and began to pace.

"Where did the crew go?" Hagjo asked himself. Stopping and turning toward Slick, Hagjo answered himself. "There must be a second Command Deck. Probably in engineering." Hagjo looked toward several of the deserted stations before selecting one and walking to it. As he began activating the control panel his head snapped up. A second later, behind him, a security port opened fire and blaster bolts sliced through the air.