Part 28: Paths Crossed

"There's no such thing as luck…" –Common Jedi euphemism

Deep Tunnels beneath the Capital of Lianna, 5 bby

Yughuck: Gamorrean Warlord

Things should be different. Yughuck was victorious. He'd defeated many enemies and helped his friend out of the Deep Tunnels. He'd been paid. He should be happy. Safe. Pleased. The powerful Gamorrean lounges in his favorite chair, ax in one hand, and a mug of ale in the other. The Deep Tunnel markets thunder and jostle as always. Vendors shout about their wares, thieves ply their trade, and those unwelcome on the surface find a place below…or die.

Why? I don't feel safe. He cannot rest; he feels as if the battle is not over. Something is left undone. He cannot name it but it torments him with uneasiness.

The markets have not settled. Blasters and blades are close at hand. Everyone is always armed in the Deep Tunnels but now they lean on their weapons, to draw courage from them.

Someone screams and Yughuck launches to his feet. His mug falls and he raises his ax protectively. The scream is followed by a dozen more as wings flap and giant bugs race past. He slashes twice, slaying a pair but they don't fight back, they don't even stop. They zoom by until they disappear into the side tunnels. Then, frantic screaming cuts through the room. A monstrous roar stills everything else. It bears such power that Yughuck feels it throb in his chest.

The tunnel passage isn't large enough, so the beast smashes through it. Stone and mortar crumble before it. Voices mingle and join creating a chorus of horror as people collide and race around Yughuck. Then it roars again; ancient, powerful, and angry. It fills the tunnel. The markets are too small to reveal the whole beast. Suddenly it lurches forward with unnatural speed, slashing and biting at its prey. Venom drips from its claws and fangs. It chomps down on one screaming victim after another. Blaster bolts strike it without harm, only drawing its wroth.

Running seems like a good idea and Yughuck seriously considers it. Humans flee around him. Instead Yughuck takes a step towards it, fingering his ax. He takes another step and then a third; suddenly, he is sprinting at it. At least now, he knows what made him so uneasy.

Captain Hart: Legendary Storm Trooper commander

Admiral Antony: Commander of the Watchmaster

General Dunce: Commanding officer of all Lianna's Imperial forces

Lady Scythe: Imperial Inquisitor

Upper Atmosphere Lianna

"This is not a discussion!" General Dunce snaps.

"Captain Hart's judgment is spot on with startling accuracy," Admiral Antony counters. "You'd be wise to heed his council and ignore it at your own peril."

"I don't need some Stormtrooper to tell me how to do my job!" Dunce yells. "How dare you question my authority!"

"Port Harton has a history of resistance, not rebellion. They're warriors not agitators. They're not going to rebel. They're going to fight," Captain Hart insists.

"We have overwhelming numbers, walkers, and air support." General Dunce replies snidely. "I wonder if you've grown soft fighting these little skirmishes. MY ARMY has a trooper for every ten civilians in Port Harton. They won't stand a chance. Or have you grown too close to your informant? Have you gone native Captain?"

"Captain Hart's loyalty has never been in question or his courage!"

Lady Scythe scowls their bickering, growing more aggravated by the second.

"What do you think my lady?" The Admiral inquires. "…are you listening to us?"

Jedi Knight Yanda Wellhearth

Hours before order 66, 19 years before the battle of Yavin

"…are you listening to us?"

She's staring out the window without actually looking. Yanda has never felt so hollow, so beaten in her whole life.

"Yes Master Windu," she replies mechanically. "You're going to place the full blame on my master after he died for the Republic."

"Towards the Jedi," Master Yoda warns. "Hostility grows. Live in dangerous times, we do. Move wisely, cautiously, the Jedi Order must."

"After the debacle at the communications center and this disastrous battle," Mace Windu explains. "Many Senators and even people we consider allies are calling our leadership in question. If not for the death of Dooku and rescue of the chancellor, things would've been worse. Your master would understand. Months ago there was a terrorist attack on this very temple. Jedi are leaving the order and betraying it. We can't risk damaging our image further; the people's faith is shaken. They're frightened. The Chancellor wants someone to pay for this failure."

"We don't serve the chancellor; we serve the Republic!" The masters gasp. She didn't mean for it to sound so defiant but that's how it comes out. Master Windu and Yoda remain still. They're indifference infuriates her. Yanda's feelings begin pouring out. "My master died for this Republic, for this senate, for this precious Order! And you're going to drag his name in the mud to save your own skin? Masters, this decision legitimizes the people's concerns! This isn't wisdom; it's fear given form! You're betraying the Jedi and the Code!"

"That's enough!" Mace Windu cuts her off. With a look at Yoda, who nods, Windu concludes. "Yanda Wellhearth, for your failure in your duties and disobeying orders, you are stripped of your rank as Jedi Knight and banned from the Jedi Order."

"No longer, a Jedi will you be."

"Funny," Yanda replies venomously. "That's exactly how I feel about this council."

"Yes, I am listening," Lady Scythe hisses. "Who is this man? This informant of yours?"

"He's a Separatist veteran and he works at Sienar Tower as the chief sanitation engineer."

"A janitor?" General Dunce snickers.

Lady Scythe frowns, unimpressed.

"Don't let his position fool you, he has a sharp mind and his tradecraft," Captain Hart replies. "He was a Separatist Commander; he fought on Coruscant during the war."

Her eyes widen, the visions! It cannot be a coincidence!

"Who is he?!" She demands, startling them with her fierceness. "Say his name! Now!"

"Henry Stone, he-"

"Have him arrested!" She snaps. "Have anyone close to him detained for questioning!"

"My lady," Captain Hart tries to reason with her. "He's been arrested and questioned before. After three years at the hands of the Imperial intelligence, he never broke. We risk turning a possible asset into an enemy. It would serve no ugh-!"

She seizes him with the force, choking him. His feet dangle as he lifts off the ground. His hands dart to his throat at first then to his holstered pistol. She reaches for her lightsaber.

"Enough!" Admiral Antony bellows, surprising them all. "Release him!"

She scowls but does as commanded. Captain Hart drops to his knees, gasping for breath. After a moment he huffs, "Fine. I'll arrest him myself."

"I think you're a too close to this one Captain," General Dunce announces. "I'll have my men arrest him. I don't think we'll need you in the coming battle. Your orders are to remain in reserve and assist upon and only if requested. Am I clear?"

"Absolutely sir," Captain Hart is thankful that his helmet hides his smile.