Chapter Twelve: Yelsain

Lt. Brick Duffhold leaned against the bulkhead near the ladder that led to the cockpit of the Jud, listening intently to the conversation being carried on above him. They were discussing their parents and he was sure that Craer was doing his best to recruit them for the Rebellion. Wouldn't that be a sight to behold when turned them all in and sole the glory from Katarina, he thought. The questions that would be raised by their commanders would be enough to tank her career. Finally, he would get the recognition that he deserved, and hopefully a promotion as well. It was about time something went his way for a change.

He heard movement above him and decided it was time for him to return to the sick bay. Besides, he had some thinking to do, to work his current situation to his advantage.


Craer rose from his seat, making a comment that he needed to use the refresher and exited the cockpit. The children watched him leave. Teba quickly rounded on her siblings.

"How do we know that he's telling the truth? How can you all just sit there, listening and not question everything he says? I don't trust him."

"You are way too suspicious of everyone and everything," accused Javid.

"I have to agree with Javid," remarked Megara as Javid smiled smugly.

"But I have to agree with Teba," Mowen retorted.

Everyone turned to look at him as he continued. Teba looked at Mowen in surprise.

"Listen, we stumble into a battle and pick up two strangers; one of whom claims to be a friend of the family and the other is still a complete mystery to us. We don't even know who he is."

"He's an Imperial Officer," interjected Teba.

"Right, and that alone is disturbing," Mowen replied.

"How so?" asked Megara.

"Craer is not a member of the military, he's clearly a civilian. The military doesn't offer rides to just anyone. He wasn't just a passenger aboard that shuttle. I'm sure of it."

"Do you think he was a prisoner then?" asked Megara.

"They were headed to Travnin," added Teba accusingly.

"Exactly! That's the military headquarters as well as the governorship for the Cluster. He may very well be a prisoner, and being escorted by an officer no less. Which probably makes him some high-profile suspect or criminal. I'm thinking there is more to the story than we know," Mowen said.

Teba was giddy, finally someone was thinking along the same lines as her.

"Mowen is on to something here," she remarked.

Javid made a rude gesture towards Teba and she replied by sticking her tongue out at him.

"Cut it out you two," growled Megara.

Things got quiet for a moment as Mowen looked at both Bendu and Evie. Neither had spoken for some time. With Bendu, this was normal but for Evie, this was unusual.

"Well, you two have been very quiet, especially you Evie," he uttered.

"It just feels right, ya know, like we were supposed to find Craer and rescue him," she said.

Bendu nodded.

"Evie's right. I feel as if we were supposed to do this."

"There we go with the feelings again. Stop thinking with your emotions and use your head for once," argue Mowen.

"Mowen, when I tap into my power, I can feel things both good and bad," began Bendu.

"Sort of like 'warm' and 'cold'? interjected Evie.

"Exactly. When I reach out about this situation right now, it feels warm. That feeling that I got at the Café was cold," explained Bendu.

"Café?" asked Evie.

"Bendu felt a presence, like his own on the night I won the Jud," offered Mowen.

Bendu nodded.

"I see. And this was a 'cold' feeling?" she probed.

Bendu nodded again. He was starting to feel uncomfortable talking about this. For so many years, he had to keep his ability hidden and buried away, not speaking to anyone about it. He felt open and exposed, he didn't like the sensation one bit.

"The 'cold', does it feel like a when you boys used to drop ice cubes down my shirt? That feeling of cold causing your spine to stiffen and the sharp intake of breath?"

Bendu nodded again and chuckled. He used to tease her mercilessly when they were kids.

"Yes," he said.

"I see," she responded as she furrowed her brow in thought.

Mowen looked to Evie and then to Bendu and then back to Evie.

"You too?" he asked her, surprised.

"Me too what?"

"You have this power too?" he asked.

"It's called the Force," spoke Craer who had just returned to the cockpit. Everyone turned to face him.

"The Force?" inquired Bendu.

"It's an energy field that's created by all living things. It's all around us, holding everything together. It's what gave the Jedi their abilities. It's not something physical, but something beyond scientific reasoning. To some it's a spirit, to others its mystical magic. Your father just referred to it as a power."

"Can everyone use the Force," asked Javid.

"No, not everyone," he answered.

Javid frowned.

"But some can sense it, feel it and learn from it," he said looking at Evie, "while others can use it and manipulate it for their own ends," he said turning to face Bendu.

"I am a Jedi?" asked Bendu amazed.

"Heh, no. To be a Jedi, you must be trained. It takes years of training, mediation, and passing the trials to become a Jedi. Though you are skilled, you are no Jedi."

"Are you a Jedi?" asked Evie.

"I was…once. But that was a long time ago. Now I'm just a simple mercenary, trying to make a living in this vast galaxy of ours."

Bendu looked down at his feet, his hands clasped in front of him.

"I heard Father talk about the Jedi once. They were the guardians of justice in the galaxy. protectors of those who couldn't protect themselves. They were the heroes of the Old Republic. Before they all disappeared that is."

Craer nodded in agreement.

"What happened to the Jedi?" asked Javid.

"We were betrayed and hunted down. Thousands of Jedi lost their lives. What few of us remained went into hiding. For some, we renounced our ways and tried to go on with our lives."

"Oh," uttered Javid.

"But, where there is darkness, there can be light again. The flame of hope can rise from the ashes of despair."

"Like a phoenix?" asked Javid.

"Yes, like a phoenix," replied Craer.

A red light lit up on the control panel and small beeping sound was heard throughout the cockpit.

"We are coming up on Yelsain," declared Mowen.

"Well, then, we should prepare ourselves. Evie, you may want to check in on your other guest. Lt. Brick Duffhold isn't as injured as he pretends to be," Craer said smiling.

"Hold on, hold on!" yelled Teba.

Craer watched her with his eyebrows raised. A slight smile creased his weathered face. Everyone else groaned and seemed exasperated by her outburst.

"We are still going to follow this old man's orders? Have you all forgotten what we've already discussed?"

"He's no threat. He's a Jedi, duh?" argued Javid.

"Former…Jedi," interjected Craer.

Teba growled and directed her next comment at Craer.

"Regardless, you were on board that shuttle. You were obviously a prisoner. You were headed to Travnin."

"I was to be questioned," agreed Craer.

"Questioned about what?" she asked accusingly.

"My being rescued from a ship wrongfully attacked by agents of the Empire," he answered.

"Wrongfully attacked?" huffed Teba as she stood up tall and crossed her arms. Now she was getting somewhere with this old man.

"Yes. Lt. Brick Duffhold was in command of the ship that attacked the freighter I was on. He destroyed it after I managed to escape. I was picked up and brought aboard your sisters ship for questioning. It was decided that he'd be removed from command and was being re-assigned to Travnin."

"So he wasn't escorting you to Travnin to be arrested or anything?" she asked disappointedly.

"Heaven's no. I'm just an innocent civilian in all of this. I was heading to Travnin to give a statement and then be on my way. In a sense, I was escorting him."

"So you're not a criminal?" the question left her deflated.

"From a certain point of view, yes. From another, no," he replied cryptically.

Teba looked confused and was about to say more when she was interrupted.

"Hold on just a second. What do you mean our sister's ship?" exclaimed Mowen.

"Your sister, Katarina," Craer replied nonchalantly.

Mowen looked exasperated and excited at the same time.

"Katarina's here? In this sector? I thought she had left to go to the Academy."

"She did. She graduated near the top of her class and was assigned to this sector several years ago. She was recently given the command of her own ship, the Tiberon."

"She's a Captain?" asked Mowen wistfully.

"Yes. An Imperial Captain. A very dangerous one," asserted Craer.

"Dangerous?" Mowen asked confused.

"She's been responsible for helping to eliminate the pirate and rebel activity in this sector for some time. She's quite good at what she does. She's on the fast track for another promotion or so I hear," Craer testified.

An alarm sounded and Mowen turned to face the console.

"Time to exit hyperspace. Everyone strap in," he ordered.

Evie made for the ladder and disappeared. Everyone else found a seat and strapped in. Mowen pushed the control lever forward and brought the ship out of lightspeed. The forest planet loomed before them. There looked to be several storms that were raging across the surface of the planet.

"Lots of storm activity," stated Mowen, "but it shouldn't be a problem."

"Due to the high oxygen content of the planet, you may feel dizzy at first. You'll adjust quickly enough. We will be landing in Tradetown, the capital city of the planet. When the control tower hails us, let me do the talking," instructed Craer.

Mowen nodded in obedience.

"Isn't this a haven for pirates?" asked Javid worriedly.

"It is, they have a base on the southern continent. It's run by Varakis the Hutt. We must avoid him at all costs. Megara, have you altered the transponder codes?" Craer asked, changing the subject.

"Yes I have. We are currently flagged as the Locust."

"The Locust?" asked Mowen skeptically.

"It was the one that Jevik used the least. I'm trying to keep us off their radar as much as possible," she explained.

"The Locust will be fine. Quite appropriate too," added Craer.

Megara regarded him and shrugged. She had no idea what he was talking about.


The ship entered the atmosphere near the southern pole of the planet and made its way towards the southern continent. Though it was being hailed by the control tower from Tradetown, the pilot ignored the call. The ship swooped low and skimmed the tops of the trees, many of which were nearly 400 meters tall, to avoid being detected further.

Jevik looked back over his shoulder at his companion, Kemovar, before settling his gaze back on the pilot. It had cost him a pretty penny to charter this flight to Yelsain. Especially when the pilot had learned the destination and how many passengers he was transporting, the cost had nearly tripled. Jevik was ok with the cost, he had already worked out a way to recoup his losses, at Varakis's expense, of course.

The ship touched down near a rather large and opulent compound. Several ships were there, as well as one that looked quite damaged. The hull showed several massive holes in it and it was a wonder that it was able to get this far without burning up when it had entered the atmosphere. Jevik was impressed by whoever had managed to pilot a ship in that condition.

A ramp was lowered from the freighter as Jevik and Kemovar grabbed their gear and emerged from the ship. Waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp was Horshe. Standing beside her was a dark gray protocol droid, it's restraining bolt clearly visible on its chest piece.

"Greeting's Jevik. You are early," said the droid.

The droid hadn't introduced itself and Horshe didn't seem to be bothered by that fact.

"It was a smooth trip with no troubles. Doesn't look like that ship over there could say the same?" he said smoothly.

"That is the Blue Okris. It ran into a bit of trouble on its way here, trouble you helped create. Would you care to explain yourself?" questioned the droid.

"Explain what? I just arrived here," said Jevik.

He looked over at Horshe questioningly, she winked back.

"Who should I be talking with, you," he said pointing at her, "or the droid?"

Horshe smiled, showing her sharpened teeth and shrugged.

"This is ridiculous," Jevik mumbled.

"Now, now Jevik, don't be coy with me, we all know that the Jud was involved. Where is your ship and the passengers you took from the shuttle? Is it here on Yelsain?" asked the droid.

Annoyed at the game that Horshe was playing and not wanting to play along, he decided to amuse her anyways. He turned back to the droid and responded.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I just arrived, as you can see. The Jud was stolen from me several days ago. I'm looking for that ship myself. You seem to know more about its whereabouts than I do?"

"I don't believe you. You have contacts within the Imperial Military in this sector. You were determined to prevent my master, Varakis, from learning your secret. You wanted to prevent him from gaining the upper hand, so you snuck in and stole his prize. You then contacted the Imperial forces in this sector and they arrived with guns blazing. You are responsible for the damage to my master's ship. My master will not be pleased if you refuse to compensate him. He has a terrible temper and is known to show his displeasure in cruel and unsettling ways," revealed the droid.

"First, don't ever threaten me. Second, I have no idea what you are talking about. But I thank you for the information that you have provided me. It'll help me find my missing ship."

Horshe looked confused and taken aback. The droid looked at Horshe and then back to Jevik, as if trying to process what had just happened. Jevik smiled then pushed past Varakis's major-domo and the droid.

"Now, if you don't mind, I have a meeting with your master that I'm sure will be quite beneficial to myself and my operations," he stated confidently.

After walking a few meters away from the pair, Kemovar leaned over and whispered in Jevik's ear.

"Boss? What just happened back there?"

"Kem, I just learned that Varakis knows about my dealings with the Lieutenant."

"Is that bad?" the wolf-man asked.

"It is. It means that I have a spy in my organization."

"What about your spy in his organization? Could this be a double agent situation?"

"Doubtful. I pay her too well, more than the slug ever coughs up."

Kemovar looked briefly over his shoulder at Horshe and the droid.

"Could it be Brick then?" offered Kemovar.

"Now that could be a possibility. He's greedy enough but he's not in a position of power, not yet. Unless he screwed up, which wouldn't surprise me. He strikes me as someone who is good at that, too.

Interesting, he wasn't on his own ship, he was on the shuttle along with a second person. I recently sold him the information on the rebel, Craer. I'm betting that Lt. Duffhold and Craer were on that shuttle, and they were rescued by the Wiseborns, and are all here on Yelsain. Oh, this is turning out to be a huge mess," grumbled Jevik.

"A lot of trouble for us, boss?"

"Nothing that I can't work to my advantage. Don't you worry, keep your eyes peeled for trouble and keep that commlink handy. I have a feeling the rest of the gang will be needed soon enough."

"Gotcha boss," he replied.

"Oh, one last thing, take care of the pilot. He knows too much," ordered Jevik.

Kemovar nodded, keyed his commlink and growled something quietly. He then smiled a toothy grin as the two of them made their way to the largest building in the compound.