R.W.S. Han Solo.
John Zaun was wandering the huge halls of the ancient Republic Battle Cruiser, the oldest of her class still serving.
He had learned much in the two weeks, from his Master, Jedi Master Windsword. When Jedi Councilors were in council they were to be called by rank, and position, but when they were in the field, their padawans, could call them by their given name.
But he had learned much in the two weeks from his Master, but they were primarily of a competitive nature. Lightsaber skills, learning the basics of Form I, and even some rudimentary Form III, so he would have some hope of surviving the coming storm. He had taken to Form III quite easily, learning the basics quickly, and showing much growth. The perfect Guardian, master of the sword, that was his chosen path, and blue was his Lightsaber color.
He was wondering the halls of this mighty vessel in a stupor, going over, in his mind, all that he had learned, trying desperately to recall it all, while looking for his father. The two of them had reconnected over the two weeks.
Crewmen passed him by, noticing him even though he unknowingly did not extend them the same courtesy. They gave him respect, he was obviously a Jedi, he had the robes and the weapon to prove it.
But look at how young he is! They thought as they passed him, he was younger then a good majority of the overly young crew. This was their first taste of battle, they were scared and panicked, trying desperately to hold onto some piece of reality and stability.
They found it in a young Jedi. For they knew that John Zaun was scared, knew him to be terrified of the storm they were all going to face together, on the frontlines, away from the confident Generals in their plush offices in the Republic. They knew that he was one of them. Despite the mask of contemplation that John Zaun tried to put himself they knew, they could tell.
And this endeared him to a group of soldiers, a concept that would serve John well in the years ahead, and make him much loved and respected by countless people in the trials ahead.
They were all in this together.
Crew Quarters
Galen Zaun was sitting on the floor of his small cabin, knees crossed together, and pointing upwards at his chin. On the floor before him were the final components that he needed to put together to complete his new Lightsaber.
It was a tradition in this new incarnation of the Jedi Order that Masters got to chose a new Lightsaber color, and rebuild their weapon. That the three basic colors need not apply and this could give them a position of status, personality, and individuality.
Green for the Councilors, Yellow for the Sentinels, and Blue for the Guardians.
He just never bothered to change. Most Jedi didn't. Even the Grand Master did not, and he could choose a Golden Lightsaber in deference to the highest position in the Order that he held.
But, he had decided the time was right.
So much had changed in his life. Arkadi, the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with, was dead and long gone. He was now training another Padawan, the young Death. And to top it all off he had a son to worry about, who had shown a propensity for acts of aggression.
So he had to change, he needed a change.
So he stared down at the final components fretfully wondering how to complete the weapon.
On the one hand it was somberly easy. Building a Lightsaber, the first time, could take months, or even years.
Depending on the Jedi's own personal preference, his want for exotic symbols to personalize it, to the Jedi's own personal quirks and habits.
But on the other it was exceedingly difficult, and for many of the same reasons that made it easy.
Putting that much time, effort, and artistic care into an instrument that you would be carrying into battle formed a bond between the Jedi and his or her weapon.
But that same bond was supposed to be formed in the creation of the 'Master's Blade'.
But he had taken only two weeks to build it.
And only a fraction of the time was spent working on the blasted thing! Listening to briefings, catching up on tactical reports, and preparing a plan of battle with the other Jedi and the Military on this vessel was quite time consuming.
And so he sat.
The truth of the matter he was almost done, and knew what he wanted the final piece to look like, but there was an air of finality to it if he finished. Finally casting off the old and taking on the new. Galen wondered if this occurred to most Jedi when they completed this task.
He sighed finally, reaching down, and delicately putting the last pieces on, the activation plate. Satisfied he smiled grimly looking down at the finished product, getting up off of his knees, and summoning it, hefting the object.
The hilt was smaller than most standard blades, and thus the blade itself would be smaller still. It had a standard activation plate and three claw like protrusions sticking out by the edge of the blade projector.
He activated it, the bronze beam hissed on almost instantly, without hesitation springing to new life. Galen figured it was a more subdued color than the vibrant green he had chosen before. Mirroring what his life had become. He felt a warm, satisfied feeling in the pit of his stomach as he gazed along the blades length and breadth, knowing this was his now.
He heard a chime at the door.
"Come" He answered, snapping the blade off.
The door whooshed open with a rush of air, and Master Windsword was just standing there, curiously looking into the room.
"Master Zaun, you know we are about to revert into a combat situation." Windsword chastised.
"Yes, I did know that." Galen replied simply, "I just had to finish up on a few things, get my new weapon ready."
"Oh." The Jedi Councilor mouthed taken slightly aback and was surprised. "Well, shall we go to the bridge then?"
"Yes, Master." Galen said, leading the way.
In Orbit of Planet LJ-115
The Republic battle force, led by the Han Solo, reverted to real space. Only one Cruiser remained of the enemy force, much of the force ground and space had been recalled by whoever were these people's superiors.
Within seconds the large Republic Battle Cruiser acquired the enemy vessel in orbit, along with its two escort Indefatigable-Class Gun ships, and the batteries on the transport vessels all swiveled to target the enemy ship.
The panicked vessel tried to scramble fighters.
The Republic formation beat them to it, as large, angry, red energy darts descended on the Cruiser.
They raced down the length of the ship, draining the weak shields of their enemy quickly. Then with the second salvo, explosions raced down the length, width, arched down the spine of the enemy vessel, blowing it into composite atoms in seconds.
Then small gun ships spilled forth from the bays of Battle Cruisers and the Transports. They lunged through the atmosphere with the side doors closed to prevent the occupants from roasting alive.
Five hundred and eighty three soldiers were in the craft. They were Omega, the elite special forces unit in all of the Republic, at that point in time, large numbers of troops, able to do anything was their credos.
There were also 3 pairs of Jedi along for the ride, with supporting medical personnel for both groups.
They cleared the upper atmosphere and fired their engines, adjusting their course and making a sweep down low over the rocky terrain.
Their target, the coliseum, what intelligence indicated was the enemy's command post. It was built into a small valley with mountains off in the distance.
Rolling and rocky terrain surrounded it, as the slope approaches to the main gates of the North and South ends was a dry and ancient riverbed. Rocks broke out here and there, the perfect place for defenses and pillboxes.
The group of gun ships did one pass over the coliseum to scout out the area, accelerating rapidly to shake off any possible defenses. The pilots were surprised when they were not fired upon. They swept over in the other direction, looking for a landing place.
They chose one half a klick from the coliseum.
But their threat alarms were chirping quietly, scanners in the distance were picking at them from a distance.
The enemy knew they were coming.
On the Ground.
Master Windsword and John got out of one of the small transports/ gun ships. Galen and Death joined him along with the Captain of the Omega contingent. He was hefting a heavy repeating blaster rifle, and was dressed in full combat armor, complete with advanced combat helmet.
"Sir, what do you want?" He asked the Jedi Master.
"Assemble your troops and your equipment, we march in fifteen minutes." Master Windsword ordered pointing.
The Captain nodded and went off to join his troops, as they assembled and retrieved their supplies. Various rifles, carbines, and assorted heavy weapons were their cash.
They marched over the rocky terrain to the coliseum, carefully, considering that there might be defenses lying in wait. The group was shocked to discover there were no defenses to the approaches, this made them more and more uneasy, as they entered the facility.
When they entered they fanned out into the rooms, the pillars, and the walkways over looking the large pit at the heart of the coliseum.
They set up their weapons and their positions and glared over the grounds, looking wearily for threats .
The group of Jedi were crouching in the archway representing the entrance to the grounds overlooking the same fields.
Windsword nodded as a small group of black clothed beings came out of a side entrance.
"Alright, Master Zaun, Padawan Death, we are going to go and meet them, see what they want. John, stay back, you are not good enough at combat yet to risk it."
John opened his mouth to protest, but closed it, setting his mouth in a rigid, but accepting, expression. He then nodded his acknowledgement curtly.
"Ready?" Windsword inquired to the group.
Galen and Death nodded grimly, getting of their crouched positions. The three of them proudly started walking towards the group at the other end of the grounds. They were on full alert, their eyes darting back and forth throughout the structures looking for any threat. Looking at the tall flat surface on top of them that resembled a runway from the air.
They could find none, stretching out with the Force they looked ahead, staring at their destination and taking in the three cloaked figures.
They met… finally.
"My name is Lord Reefu, Master and Lord of this planet." Their leader stated bombastically.
"Jedi Master Windsword." Windsword nodded at the group, a spark of annoyance radiating from him through the Force. "You are surrounded, we will allow you to surrender, drop your weapons, and explain your actions."
Reefu smiled dryly. "We will not do this."
"Then where are your forces?" Windsword asked cockily.
"Oh…around." Reefu waved around vaguely, a feral smile spreading itself across his face.
Galen Zaun suddenly picked up a spike of warning through the Force.
"Master!" He yelped as he flung himself at Windsword forcing the elder Jedi to the ground while a Blaster Bolt split the air just where the Master was standing.
Death brought his Lightsaber to hand and instantly bought it to life, the emerald blade springing forth from the hilt.
"Open fire, target, fourth pillar from the right!" The Omega Sniper Commander barked the order.
The Sniper nodded, acquired his target and fired, the blue energy dart pierced the heart of the enemy sniper, who fell from his perch to his death.
One of the cloaked figures on the left unsheathed a rod from her utility belt, flicking it on, a Lightsaber blade appeared, red in color.
Galen was shocked by the display but he quickly recovered, getting his own Lightsaber out and bringing the bronze blade to life. Still in a crouched position, he slashed twice, one through the midriff, and one off at the knees. He then plunged the blade through the figure's chest for good measure.
Master Windsword brought his weapon to hand as well, he brought the violet blade to life and positioned himself into a defensive posture.
One of the Omega teams opened fire, the multi barreled weapon spun to life, spewing rapid fire bolts of high intensity blue energy. Their target was the fleeing Lord Reefu, he was running away from the three advancing Jedi, their Lightsabers drawn. They quickly adjusted for their fire arc, and drilled the Lord in the chest with eight shots, burning a hole in his chest.
Personnel and Droids spilled from the edges of the Coliseum, looking to fight and kill the Jedi.
"All troops open fire, fire at will, prepare to advance." Came the voice of the Captain over the battle net.
Out of the shadows Republic special forces advanced, carrying their weapons and aiming down them. They picked likely targets first, then worked on flushing out any targets still in cover. They open fired as a group.
John was still off to one side, in the archway by some cover, gun emplacements were beginning to explode from the ground and attempted to target the Omega's, they answered with rockets.
John was mesmerized by the gorgeous and deadly display beginning to take shape in front of him. His father, his mentor, and his best friend was in the middle of a firestorm. Red laser bolts were lashing out at them blindingly from their right flank and their center.
But they were deflecting and intercepting them, picking them clean out of the air with furious but precise movements. John was amazed to see their muscles work, to see sweat break out on their brow, but for them to not lose concentration or break down from fatigue.
Death was the weak point, he was frustrated being on the defensive. But, John's Master was helping him, protecting him from some of the shots, and Death was also on the flank with the least amount of firepower.
Occasionally a shot would arch across the Coliseum, trying to answer, or silence, the furious firestorm that the Omega's were putting up in defense of the Jedi.
John heard boot steps furiously pound the pavement behind him as three fully armored Omega troopers came running out of the archway, they found cover and then fired their weapons, trying to pick off any targets, firing a blinding display of energy.
The firestorm against the Jedi Knights in the center was slowly starting to dissipate.
Death heard a whir of engines above him from the runways, the fighters must have been hidden. He growled and then summoned a Force Wave, he leapt to the top and discovered a group of startled techs and pilots. Their trap now discovered. Panicked, they attempted to complete their scramble.
Death reached out with his hand and pulled it back, using the Force making two of the fighters collide with one another, exploding on contact and causing bodies to fly all over the place, skidding along the surface, and spilling over the sides.
One of the pilots got a small pistol out of a hip pouch and fired. Death spun around bringing his Lightsaber up in a defensive posture, sweeping it and picking off the shots, trying to do damage with the Force still, but the remaining fighters used the distraction to launch. In retaliation Death used the Force to destroy the fighter whose pilot had dared challenge him, destroying the fighter's electronics package.
Two fighters managed to speed off the platform and dove on the Omega position, one of which was instantly picked off by an anti air rocket, and the other one then immediately commenced evasive maneuvers.
John noticed another gun emplacement pop out of the ground, with a gunner already on it, it swiveled upwards and tried to pick off Death.
"Death!" John yelped. But he knew that Death could not hear him.
He instantly summoned his Lightsaber to hand and activated the blue beam, he had no time to consider the first of this action. He charged at the position, they looked at him surprised, their mouth agape.
The two enemies then picked up the secondary weapon and moved to acquire him, gunning him down. John instinctively leapt through the air, spinning mid air, and bringing the blade down. He cleaved the gunner in two, and then plunged it through the other's neck awkwardly, only catching a piece of it.
He then got into the gunners seat and took the controls, bringing the weapon around at a group of droids, he fired, the middle of the group exploded. He swung around to a second group, this time of living creatures, and fired again. The result same as before, except for the sound of yells drifting over to him.
He looked up in sudden shock as he heard the screaming of an ion engine attracted his notice. The fighter that had launched was diving right at him, he had no idea why he was still alive. A rocket flung itself at the fighter, catching it on one of the wings, ripping it apart and sending it into an uncontrolled tumble.
John had mere seconds to vacate the position, he did, springing into a leap from the control couch, and flinging himself flailing around, sparing his body just inches beyond being flayed alive.
His ears were ringing, his vision was bleary. He stared at where his father and his Master were still fighting, focusing on his father, he could just barely make Galen out through his impaired vision. The Lightsaber that he had borrowed earlier now misplaced.
Galen's arms were pumping through the air, as they were going on the offensive. They were now in range of a large group of Droids and Sentients. Slashing and cutting and lunging through the formation.
John doubled over and vomited, the full impact of what he had just done slamming into his weakened psyche full blast. His first blood, and he was only seventeen years of age. He could be sure that it would not be his last.
Master Windsword watched as the formation before him broke. He let his guard down as he stared puzzled at the fleeing group of metal and flesh. But he had no time to wonder about it as his com link in his ear chirped.
"Master Windsword, our sensors indicate that the enemy forces are pulling back from the entire battlefield." The Captain of the Han Solo said over the battle net.
"Pursue them." Master Windsword ordered. "Send the gun ships and a platoon of Omega's to capture them, destroy the Droids."
"Yes sir." The Captain obeyed, relaying the orders.
"Well…its over." Galen sighed wearily.
"Yes it is, but we still have to wait for the rest of our force to get here tomorrow, and then we march on the capitol." Master Windsword shook his head, but spoke with determination.
"Well, let's do this then." Death grinned feral. Looking like he had just taken a stroll through the park.