So...I feel super proud for typing all this so fast XD As always, I looked up things on Wookiepedia, so it's hopefully accurate!
I ask again that you all please review, because I really need to know if you're all liking the direction I'm taking the story in, if there's something I need to fix, or if you guys have any ideas for the story! The whole reason I've been adding Dooku is because a reviewer (Who's name I cannot remember! Sorry about that awesome reviewer, awful with names x.x) mentioned that before Dooku was a Sepratist, he was friends with Windu! So shout out to you, awesome reviewer! And that is just an example of what I mean by ideas being offered for the story!
So please review, and enjoy the chapter!
Windu climbed down from his speeder, striding quickly to the collapsed remains of the crystal caves entrance.
It was dense, so he knew Jack couldn't get free using the force. Jack was smart, so either he was waiting on the other side, or had gone with the clones to find another way out.
Windu turned to the three soldiers with him.
"Work clearing away these boulders. No detonators, or you'll cause a larger cave in. You," He pointed at one of the clones, Rail. "You're with me."
The three saluted.
"Yes sir!"
The jedi master looked above the cave at the rocky cliffside that was home to the cavern.
"Keep in radio contact."
Without waiting for a reply, he jumped up to the cliff (not such a big feat for him with the use of the force). He then lifted rail up, setting him down easily.
As they began to search, Windu couldn't help but silently hope Jack was safe.
"Tracker, Chaser, get up." Jack said, gently shaking their shoulders. "I found a way out!"
The two soldiers woke rather quickly, though Jack supposed being soldiers they had to be ready at a moments notice.
"What's goin' on?" Chaser asked, voice weighed down with fatigue and grogginess.
Jack smiled, jerking a thumb behind himself.
"I found an exit. And I think we should go now. I heard something scratching around down one of the tunnels, and I don't think we're up to much fighting."
Tracker nodded in agreement, helping Jack pull up Chaser. The three began made their way out into the main cave...
And came face-to-face with one of the scariest things that they- well, maybe only Jack, had ever seen.
"That is one huge Graul..." Chaser mumbled. Even he sounded nervous.
The creature was large, with an angry face and crude, bone crushing horns. Jack's hand snapped to the blaster at Chaser's side and he lifted it just as fast, Letting loose a shot.
The beast let out a pained and enraged roar as it clawed at its right eye. THe shot had half blinded it.
Jack took the creatures moment of distraction and shoved the other two males towards the small tunnel that lead to their freedom.
"Go!"
"But sir-!"
"I said go!" Jack snapped. Gone was the kind hearted teen, now replaced with a leader who was wise beyond his years. The hard tone in his voice got the captain and his brother to move.
Jack looked at the now angry Graul. Its right eye was now burned, the blaster shot dully glowing. The ground shook as it continued to roar angrily. Jack had to kill it or risk being killed in a cave in, or by the Graul itself.
Jack gulped. While this wasn't a human (or alien), it was still a living creature, and Jack had never killed anything in his life. This thought made his insides twist painfully hard with anxiety.
'What am I thinking?!' Jack thought to himself incredulously. 'I'm not ready to kill anything! I couldn't if I tried!'
The beast charged, horns down. Jack lept out of the way, rolling when he hit the ground and back onto his feet.
He shot again, but this time it hit the Graul's side, and its tough hide absorbed it harmlessly.
Alright, so using the blaster was out, Jack mused as he again jumped out of the way and rolled to his feet. He was right to the side of the Graul's head, so he used the blunt of the blaster to give it a good hit by it's injured eye.
The beast roared in pain, writhing as it scratched at the eye and Jack jumped backwards, skidding a good fifteen feet away. He took the chance to examine his surroundings, searching for a way to stop the rampaging giant.
Maybe if he just left it would stop and leave? Worth a shot, he thought to himself. Sumoning his strength, he pushed the Graul back before quickly ducking into the small tunnel, crawling through. Behind him, the Graul growled, snarled and roared in anger, ramming against the entrance.
When Jack was a few feet from the tunnel's exit, Traper reached in and pulled him through.
The sounds of the angry beast continued, echoing into the enormous cavern, but the three humans decided they were safe.
Each breathed harshly, their hearts pounding at a violent pace.
"That was way too close for comfort." Chaser stated once he managed to calm his breathing. Tracker nodded in agreement, pulling his helmet off, with his twin following his example a second later.
Both looked different, even though they were clones, Jack thought to himself. While Chaser was bald with a dark goate, Tracer had short, bleached hair and a scar on his left cheek.
"A-alright." Jack said between his labored breaths. He paused, leaning his hands on his knees before straightening and pointing at the gaping holes in the caverns roof. "I can lift you two out of here through there, okay?"
"What about you?" Tracker asked, brow furrowed.
Jack grimaced, looking at the tunnel behind him.
"I could've gotten up there myself before, but I wasn't expecting that I'd fight a Graul. I can only get you two out."
"We aren't jus' goin' to leave you!" Tracker exclaimed, shock and indignity in his voice.
Jack sighed, looking at the soldier.
"Look, I'll lift you out, and you two can go get some help, alright? But there's no way I'm letting you two stay here."
"But-!"
"Don't even argue!" Jack snapped. "You're injured and need medical attention, and I have a better chance than Tracker if the thing manages to get in here! I might not know a lot about this universe, but one thing I do know for sure is that I outrank you."
"Jack-"
"I am going to lift you two out, then you'll go get medical help for Chaser's leg, and send some help to come get me, understood?"
"We aren't goi-"
"That's an order, captain!" Jack exclaimed, voice almost a roar.
The two clones fell silent, looking down, then Tracker nodded.
"...Yes sir. Understood."
Jack nodded.
"Alright. Tracker, you're first. This'll feel a little weird, just giving you fair warning.
The captain nodded, and Jack held his hands out, palms facing the clone. Slowly, the man floated up, carefully eased through one of the larger gaps above.
"You alright up there?" Jack called up. "Is it safe?"
A moment later, the clones head poked out.
"All clear up here!"
Jack nodded, looking to Chaser.
"Okay, your turn now. Try and keep your injured leg stiff so it doesn't jostle around too much."
The soldier nodded, and soon followed his companion up top.
"Hold tight down there!" Tracker called once his twin was steadily standing beside him. "We'll double time it!"
Jack gave a two fingered salute, sitting heavily on a stone.
The two clones dissapeared from view, and Jack was alone, the only company being the sound of the water and the angry Graul.
He could sense the beast outside, chiping away at the stone walls, coming closer and closer. Jack decided to rest while he could, because soon he'd be fighting once more.
Two hours into the search and Windu was angry to sense only traces of Jack.
"Sir! Look!" Rail suddenly spoke, pointing ahead.
A clone captain was walking slowly, helping along his limping comrad.
"Captain Tracker! Chaser!" The clone called, he and Windu quickly going to them.
While Rail took Chaser from Tracker, the jedi master's gaze snapped to the captian.
"Where is Jack?" He demanded, seeing his padawan no where.
Tracker straightened, arms snapping to his sides respectfully.
"We were attacked in the caves, sir. He only had enough strength to lift Chaser and I out."
"You left him behind?" Windu demanded, brows furrowed and face showing a rare anger.
"He ordered us to go get help, sir. He outranks us, we had no choice but to follow orders, sir."
Windu had a few choice words he nearly spoke aloud as he looked at the soldier he'd brought.
"Get him to a medical droid." He ordered Rail, gesturing to Chaser.
"Yes sir." Rail said immediately, beginning to guide the limping man. Windu turned his gaze to Tracker.
"Take me to where you left Jack."
Jack hid on an outcropping of rock, watching the half blind Graul bellow. It had broken through the rocks a moment before, and had yet to smell the teen that was hiding above, back pressed to a wall.
Jack had managed to gather the strength and climb the steep twenty feet up to the outcrop. He knew, though, that he'd have to either ambush the beast, or wait until it caught his scent.
Gathering his courage, Jack checked the ammo in his blaster, took a deep breath, then jumped.
The Graul roared in surprise and rage when the teen landed on its back. Jack held on tightly as it bucked and thrashed, trying to throw him off. Once he got a good grip, Jack managed to dig the blaster barrel where skin met one of the crude horns, and he pulled the trigger.
Another snarl ripped from the beasts throat as the shot burned into the sensitive skin and rooted into its horn. Jack jumped off as the creatrue scrabled and grabbed at the base of its horn, to close for comfort to the teen.
Jack landed heavily. He was still tired, and his hunger and thirst was beginning to way on him heavily. He wished he knew if the water beside him was clean.
The Graul charged and Jack ducked out of the way, feet splashing as he stopped in the small pond.
Jack glanced around, searching for anything of use and dread settled in his stomach as he saw only one option.
Whistling a sharp note to get the Graul's attention once more, A breathless moment came, in which the Graul snorted and growled, preparing to charge again, and Jack prepared himself for what he was about to do.
Above him, he saw, much to his delight, his teacher and Tracker appear.
Windu's gaze became alarmed at the sight of the charging Graul.
"Jack!"
The teen gasped, eyes snapping back to the beast and he rolled out of the way just in time.
A long, sharp crystal pierced the Graul, breaking through the tough hide as though it were paper. It went through its thick neck. The Graul tried to move away, but Jack gathered his strength and used the force to push it farther into the crystal, which soon pierced through the back of its neck.
Jack felt sick as blood stained the crystal formation and the water, the now green pool staining his robes. Even though the blood wasn't red, it was still nauseating to see.
The Graul let out weak cries, its struggles fading. Jack went over, gently petting its side.
"Shh, it's okay." He murmured soothingly. "Just relax...Just relax, and it'll be over soon."
The Graul soon went limp, dead.
Jack licked his now dry lips, forcing away his fatigue to gently pull the Graul off the crystal and lay it gently in the water. His whole body shook with the effort. Using the force after the fight was draining, and he could barely stand.
The teen jumped in alarm when there was a splash a few feet away, but then relaxed when he saw his mentor.
"M-Master. Glad you came." Jack said, voice weak as he forced a smile. He took a few steps towards his teacher, but stumbled.
Windu quickly moved forward, catching him. His padawan was obviously dehydrated and very hungry. Tracker had explained what happened to the cave on their way back to where Jack was, including how Jack had given the captain and Chaser all the food and water he'd brought.
"Steady there." Windu murmured, voice soft and soothing. He gently pried the blaster from Jack's hands, and looked around for the teen's pack. Seeing it at the edge of the water, the jedi master summoned it. Placing the blaster in, the man shouldered the back and scooped up Jack.
The teen made no movement or sound in protest, simply laying his head tiredly on Windu's shoulder.
Ensuring he had a good grip on his student, Windu crouched then jumped up, out of the cavern.
Jack squinted in the sunlight. Although dim, since the sun was setting, it still stung his eyes which had adjusted to the dark of the crystal cave.
Tracker smiled, relieved to see Jack was alright.
"Good to see you're alright, sir."
Jack gave him a tired grin.
"I thought I told you before. My name isn't sir, it's Jack."
The next day, Jack was much better. With a belly full of food, five canteens of water and a long nights rest, he was up and moving by mid-day.
But after the experience, Windu had decided it best that they go back to the ship, where he believed Jack would recover quicker.
Jack entered the ship's medbay, smiling at Chaser. The clone was on strict bedrest for a week, much to the soldier's chagrin.
"Hey, Chaser. How're you feeling?"
The soldier looked up at his voice, and smiled.
"A lot better, si-" He paused when he was given a stern look, then fixed himself. "Jack. How do you feel? Heard you were dead on yer feet when General Windu found you."
Jack shrugged, smile widening.
"I pretty much was, running around like that in the caves and fighting that Graul. But I feel fine now, a little bad, considering I drank all of your squad's canteens dry."
Chaser laughed.
"I wish I coulda seen tha'!"
Jack smirked.
"Oh yeah, laugh it up." He said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, I'm looking for Master Windu. Any idea where I can find him?"
The man thought for a moment, scratching his chin.
"Well...I think I heard Frigate an' Tracker sayin' he was on the bridge, having'a meetin' with the jedi council. If ya double time it, you can prob'ly join him there."
Jack nodded, clapping a hand on Chaser's shoulder.
"Thanks, Chase'. Take it easy, yeah? I'll visit later, I promise!" Jack said, calling the last few words in parting as he turned and left the medbay.
The only reply was a bored groan.
Jack, taking the soldier's words to heart, sped up to a sprint so he could get to the bridge quickly. He got there without too much trouble, knowing his way around the ship now, though he did nearly run into several troopers along the way.
Sliding to a stop, Jack straightened his robes, took a few deep breaths, then entered the bridge.
Windu was standing at the large holoprojector, arms crossed as he spoke with a few members of the council. Jack recognized them as Yoda, Obiwan, Plo Koon, Ayla and even Anakin, although he wasn't on the council.
"We're preparing for departure now." Jack heard his teacher say. "All the supplies has been delivered, and I'd like to get Jack far from this planet."
Jack grinned, strifing up.
"I'm fine, Master. You don't need to be so concerned."
Windu looked over, brows arching slightly in surprise. He thought Jack would be sleeping longer.
Jack turned his eyes from his mentor to the holoprojected images of the other jedi. His smile widened, and he bowed.
"'Afternoon, Masters. How are you all?"
"We are well, but we heard you ran into some trouble in the crystal caves. The better question is how are you?" Obiwan replied, concern on his face.
Jack waved a hand, batting off the concern.
"I'm perfectly alright, Master Kenobi. A little hunger and dehydration isn't enough to hold me down."
"And the Graul?" Anakin asked, raising a brow and crossing his arms.
Jack grimaced.
"I wish I could've avoided killing it. It was only protecting its home. But I'm fine, it didn't hurt me."
Plo Koon nodded.
"Sometimes one cannot avoid unplesant things. But it is good that you are safe. It is unfortunate though, that you couldn't find a crystal."
Jack blinked in surprise. He did find one though! Then he realized, with much embarrassment, that he'd forgoten to tell his teacher.
"I did, Master Plo. I forgot to tell you, Master." He said, directing the last to Windu. "Sorry 'bout that."
The teen then dug through the pouch on his belt, producing the crystal. The silver-blue mist glowed, but the edges of the crystal remained clear. It was truely a sight to behold. He carefully held it out, letting it rest in his palm.
"I...have never seen a crystal like that." Obiwan said slowly, rubbing his chin as he raised a brow.
"I found a crystal formation. It didn't have any color, it was like glass. I...Well...felt a sort of connection with it through the force. When I touched it, it filled with color. I...think the crystal bonded with me, Masters."
Silence filled the air, making Jack fidget nervously.
"A rare occurance, that is." Yoda said, smiling at Jack. "Careful with that crystal, you must be."
Jack nodded in agreement, smiling shyly in return.
"Of course, Master Yoda." He replied, tucking the crystal away once more.
"Then it seems your mission was sucessful." Aayla said, a smile coming to her own face.
"Indeed." Windu replied, watching Jack return the crystal to his belt satchel.
"Ahsoka'll be glad to hear this. When she heard what happened to Jack she was pretty worried."
Jack grinned crookedly at Anakin.
"Well I'm the only one her age." He pointed out. "Sometime's even she needs a break from you."
Anakin raised a brow, scowling playfully and crossing his arms.
"Now that's just cold."
Jack laughed, ducking his head.
Yoda looked at Windu.
"Request to return to temple, granted, it is."
Windu bowed.
"Thank you, Master Yoda."
Jack followed his teacher's example, smiling still.
Jack sighed as he sat on the floor of his small room. Before him, arranged on a cloth, was the crystal he'd retrieved and several pieces of metal.
He had no idea what to do, or how to even start building his lightsaber.
It was at these kinds of times that Jack really wished he had Optimus' guidence. The Prime had a way of slowing down ones thoughts and then help get them in order.
Jack sighed once more, eyes slipping shut. He decided to try meditation, since it always helped him clear his mind.
He reached for the familar feeling of peace and breathed deeply. Just one step at a time, he reminded himself. Just one step at a time.
Piece by piece, the metal floated, twisting and clicking together, the crystal soon joining them.
Just one step at a time.
The crystal turned and spun, soon coming to a halt where it was meant to be.
Just one step at a time.
Any sharp edges smoothed out.
'Just one step at a time.'
Windu was barking orders, standing on the bridge and staring out at the star-filled void.
"Master?"
The man looked back. Jack stood in the door way, something wrapped in cloth in his hands.
"What is it, Jack?"
The teen hesitantly shuffled forward, then unfolded the cloth.
Inside, a smooth, lean saber hilt was revealed. The metal was a dark grey, but slips of silver mingled with it. Soft leather strips covered the hilts middle to protect its users hand.
Windu's amber eyes turned up to Jack's face.
"Does it work?"
Jack smiled shyly, lifting the hilt and pocketing the cloth. He then ignited the saber, and a silver-blue blade sprung from the hilt.
Jack carefully touched it to the floor, leaving a stripe of melted metal.
His teacher nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Does it feel easy for you to use?"
Jack nodded.
"It feels...lighter, than I expected it would." Jack admitted, grinning sheepishly.
A smile flickered across Windu's face for a moment before it vanished.
"I see."
Jack frowned.
"What was with that smile? It isn't funny!"
"I never said it was." Windu replied, but the smile came once more.
"But you're thinking it!" Jack insisted, huffing angrily.
For the first time, Windu chuckled. Jack decided that he'd have to make sure his mentor laughed again later on. Though preferably not at him.
Jack tossed and turned in his sleep, face twisted with discomfort. A cold sweat drenched his hair, making it stick to his forehead. His hands fisted tightly into the sheets he lay on.
Darkness surrounded him, only dim emergency lights breaking the inky black.
Jack couldn't move, and he panicked when his entire body screamed with pain.
"M-Master Windu?" He croaked, throat dry. "M-Master?!"
"So someone is still alive."
Jack tensed. That was NOT his mentor. The voice was much darker, graveled, and downright evil.
A face came into the dim lights. It was a human man, with pale skin and greying hair. He had long facial hair, and hard, cold eyes.
"So you are Windu's padawan that I've heard so much about. Jackson, I believe?"
"Wh-who are y-y-you?" Jack asked, voice cracking as he managed to drag himself back a bit.
The man moved forward a step, then held out an arm, hand closing shut.
A choked gasp left Jack as he felt his throat close up and was lifted into the air. His hands scrabled at his neck in a desperate attempt to try and get air into his lungs.
"I am known as Count Dooku." The man said before pulling Jack closer. "All you really need to know is that I will kill your Master. And you will be the one to draw him right into my trap."
Blue electricity coarsed through Jack's veins, and he screamed.
Jack sat up with a sharp gasp. His storm colored eyes were wide, filled with horror and pain. He shook fiercely, and his clothes were soaked with sweat.
The teen looked around wildly, then slowly let out a relieved breath. It was alright. He was safe.
But why didn't he feel like it?