Episode 1: The Jedi Are Dead!
The towering skyscrapers of Coruscant provided ample cover for those wishing not to be seen. The once honourable Jedi and Clone Wars general trod carefully through this urban camouflage, ensuring to not make a sound as he found his resting spot on a building ledge. Life had once been very different for the ex-Jedi, fighting for a cause that had now been swiftly forgotten, engulfed by the darkness of the Galactic Empire. The Jedi had now turned to mercenary work, collecting the bounties of wanted criminals within Coruscant's corrupt underworld. The crimes committed were often unofficial and no more than gang disputes, but in these dark times the Jedi had to take this work just to survive, and he was no longer bound by the Jedi code. It was this or serving under the empire, something that he did not wish to do for multiple reasons: the Empire had destroyed everything of his past life, and working among them carried a very great risk of being discovered.
"He's just collected the package Jorsel. He'll be leaving the building though the back entrance just as we predicted. Are you in position?"
Jorsel adjusted the radio on his clone armour to get a clearer broadcast of the Ithorian grunts coming though. It was Vix Idongs, Jorsel's greatest friend and the only one he could now trust. Vix was no warrior, but was old and wise as well as a technical genius. Jorsel and Vix had served together in the Clone Wars, where Vix was a master technician with the ability to repair almost anything, be it Droid, Blaster and even Jorsel's Lightsaber. He also possesses the ability to slice into a wide array of computer and security systems, which is exactly how he knew where Jorsel's target was: he had hacked into the building's security camera system and was tracking the target's every move.
"I'm here Vix. Let's take this Gran down and get out of here. Watti Khod wants his Coaxium back in 3 hours. I'll contact you once I've made my move."
Jorsel shut off his transmitter and pulled out his Sniper Rifle, the same one he had used in the Clone Wars. His old equipment still served a purpose, although now the once white clone armour he wore was now a midnight blue, in order to blend in with the urban environment of the underworld. It had also been heavily modified over the years, along with his Sniper Rifle.
Jorsel kept the rifle trained on the exit, waiting for the 3 eyed Coaxium thief to appear. Watti Khod was a hutt who ruled this area of the underworld, and this Gran had conspired to steal a substantial amount of Coaxium from Watti and attempt to get off the planet before anyone could catch him...sadly it was too late. As the door opened, Jorsel held his breath, using the force to assist his body as he held the gun steady. Memories of the Clone Wars flooded his mind, where he lead a small clone commando squad on highly dangerous missions often behind enemy lines. Jorsel's target then walked though the door, but before he could take more than one step further the trigger was pulled, and he collapsed to the ground. Jorsel then swiftly slung his rifle over his shoulder and made his way down the building and towards the body of the dead thief.
"Vix? I've taken him down. The Coaxium is all here too. Bring the speeder down and we'll get out of here before anyone realises what's happened."
"On my way." Came Vix's reply.
"You better hope that your friend is quick, assassin."
Jorsel turned to face two Rodians who had heard the commotion. They both were clad in dark clothing and were clearly some kind of bounty hunters, and would definitely be aware of the bounty on this now dead Gran's head.
"That was our kill, we were tracking him for weeks!" The other Rodian snarled.
"Better luck next time." Jorsel muttered, knowing that there was no talking his way out of this now.
"There will be no next time for you...Jedi." One of the Bounty Hunters threatened as they both drew out there blasters.
Jorsel's eyes widened at the last word. Jedi? How did they know this? Jorsel was so shocked that he almost failed to draw his lightsaber in time to deflect the blaster bolts as the pair of Rodians fired on him. Jorsel grimaced as his lightsaber lit up the dark area. He had chosen a green blade as it was the darkest blade available, but it still wasn't a stealthy weapon and igniting it so soon after the Jedi purge was very risky. One deflected bolt went straight back to it's shooter and struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The other bolt strayed off but still hit the remaining Rodian, but only in the arm. This did however disarm him, as the pain caused him to drop his blaster. He turned to run, but felt himself being lifted from the ground by an invisible force that gripped around his neck.
"P-p-please!" The assassin spluttered, "I'll tell no one! I need the money! Jedi do not kill helpless opponents!"
"I am no Jedi." Jorsel growled as his pulled the Rodian closer, "the Jedi are dead!"
"I must have made...a mistake...please...I'll tell no one!"
The pleas fell on deaf ears as Jorsel tightened the grip of the force choke.
"I know you won't, Rodian. I'll make sure of it."
There was a sickening crunch as the Rodian's neck snapped and he fell to the ground. Jorsel stood in the silence for a few moments. He did not want to do what he just did, but he had no choice. These Rodians knew he was a Jedi, and he had to make sure that this knowledge would not go any further. It did, however, have to be traced. How did they know? It could have been just a simple cantina rumour, or something more severe. Even if it was just a rumour, it may have spread beyond these two bounty hunters and they must have heard it from someone. Jorsel searched the two bodies for some sort of identification but found nothing, as he suspected. He then inspected the blasters the pair had used, and noticed some unusual modifications that he did not recognise. Jorsel gathered the two blasters along with the Coaxium just as Vix arrived and began his decent in the XJ-6 air speeder.
"Let's go Jorsel. Load the Coaxium."
Jorsel quickly lifted the Coaxium into the speeder and jumped into the passenger seat, where he sat silently studying the blasters he had collected.
"Hey, did it kick off back there?" grunted Vix, keeping his eyes ahead.
"They knew, Vix. They knew I used to be a Jedi." Jorsel replied.
"They probably just overheard something on the streets," began Vix as he attempted to console his friend, "we've encountered stuff like this before. Bounty Hunters are always looking for Jedi nowadays."
"You're probably right, Vix. I got their blasters anyway; we should be able to trace these modifications on their weapons back to something. For now, let's just get this Coaxium back to Watti Khod."
Jorsel turned away and let out an inaudible sigh. What he had done only moments ago was brutal, but necessary. Although he no longer believed in the Jedi code after Order 66 he knew that he was taking steps towards a darker path. Life in the Coruscant underworld was slowly turning Jorsel into a monster; it was no place for a moral compass and certainly not a Jedi. He needed to escape this place before it consumed him and he became no better than the empire.