Donovan spun around quickly, startled by the voice calling him by his pseudonym.
"I'm Garbo."
Standing before him was a small platoon of storm troopers. Their white helmets reflected the overhead lights directly into his eyes as he focused on their sturdy body armour. The site was breathtaking, for this young rebel cadet now standing 'face to face' with half a dozen storm troopers. They were even more fearsome than he imagined; they clutched their sleek black rifles with confidence as they stood in an opened stance, shoulders square to Addick. He was intimidated by this site but quickly overcame it as he realized he was the one in charge.
"The Admiral told us to meet you here." The platoon seargent's voice was muffled through the breathing system of his facemask.
"Excellent. Where is he arriving?" inquired young Addick using his false authority.
"Docking bay 762. However, we have instructions to escort you to his quarters, he says for you to wait there."
"Hmm. Very well."
The troopers turned and marched as a unit down the crowded hallways, parting seas of commuters as in biblical fashion. Lt. Garbo watched as he trailed the platoon, a sly smile snuck onto his lips as he closed his hands in a knot behind his back.
The platoon led Lt. Garbo up to the top floor of the south wing where several suites were prepared. The hallways adjoining these suites were brilliantly decorated with artwork and plants from all over the galaxy, Admiral Benvole had spared no expense. The troopers halted near the last door in the hallway, they lined up along the walls allowing their new Lieutenant to pass through. When Addick reached the door, the commanding trooper handed him a keycard.
"Here you are, sir. The Admiral will be along shortly."
"Thank you, sergeant. What are you orders at this point?"
"We are to return to the garrison. That is all."
"Very well. You are dismissed."
Addick waived the card in front of a small panel next to the doorway and after a series of short electronic beeps, the door was sucked up into the wall with a gentle whooshing sound. He entered wearily as he looked around at the luxurious apartment laid out for him by Admiral Benvole.
"Not bad." Addick remarked to himself as he turned in a standing 360 to take it all in. The door slowly lowered itself as he walked around admiring, and investigating. He stood by the window, which had a clear and complete view of the city of Kul-Dan below. Buses and speeders flew back and forth carrying busy commuters and travelers to their destinations. Potted plants lined the windowsill as the afternoon sun painted a gentle white coat on the plush furniture. Addick poked his head into the spotless kitchen; he nodded contently as he admired the stainless steel fixtures and gleaming tiles. He returned to the center room and again turned toward the window. Hands folded behind his back, with the sun against his face, he took a deep breath as if to say to himself "wow kid, I can't believe this is for real." Suddenly he felt a cold breeze blow all over is body, as the window had suddenly vanished leaving the elements of this foreign planet to reign free on his young body. He shivered as he suddenly became quite nervous and a tingling feeling ran over his entire body from, streaking up and down his spine like a bolt of electricity. He then sensed something behind him; he quickly spun around and standing before him he saw the ominous black figure of Darth Vader.
Vader's breaths were long and cold. They bellowed and echoes in Donovan's head as he watched, helplessly, as Vader walked towards him. Donovan could feel the muscles in his body begin to freeze as sweat began to pour from every square inch of his skin.
"You seem surprised to see me, young Addick. I have been expecting you."
Addick's eyes grew wide with fear. He glanced to his left and right for an escape route but saw no way out. They were high up and the only exit was blocked, he was trapped. Vader reached for his belt and in a slip-second, he held his lightsabre, fully ignited and glowing with evil. The dark lord lunges at Addick with a mighty overhead smash but the young Jedi quickly dives out of the way with a swift roll to his right. He regains his standing position and slowly backs away defensively. Vader moves slowly towards him and takes a horiztonal chop for his head. Donovan ducks jumps backwards out of range of the lethal energy blade. The glowing red of Vader's lightsabre cast erie shadows on the walls of the apartment as everything around him seems to move in an evil pattern directly at Addick. He shakes off his head to clear his senses.
"This isn't real. It can't be!" he thought to himself
"It is real, young Jedi, make no mistake!!"
Vader swings again with his blade and again Addick manages to evade the deadly blow. Vader lunges at Addick to stab him through the stomach but Addick is too quick. He jumps to a nearby table and quickly leaps, in a mighty dive roll over Darth Vader's head. The evil lord turns on him and laughs manically. The deep echoing laughter seemed to spark something in Donovan, he suddenly sprung to life as he remembered his own lightsabre concealed within his jacket. Donovan grabbed for it and hit the ignition. Now it was a duel.
Addick said nothing, his concentration was fixed on the figure before him. He defended against countless slashes and chops with split-second reactions. Vader took a mighty 360 swing with his blade streaking deadly semi-circular wave across the room. Addick sprawled to the floor and the instant it passed jumped sideways with Jedi agility. Vader again lunged at him with an overhead chop as Addick barely dodged the deadly blow which landed directly in the center of a couch, slicing it down the middle. Addick knew he could not survive this attack for much longer, he would have to fight back.
He charged at Vader with all his strength and was met with impenetrable defenses. The two dueled in earnest; blocking and attack, switching from offensive to defensive positions as they exchanged blows, left and right, top and bottom. Vader managed an inch to attack and he swung wildly a Addick's throat as the young Jedi instinctively hurled his body backwards in a perfectly calculated back flip landing him on a table in the dining area. He looked at his feet to the glass vase and kicked it toward Vader's face but it shattered harmlessly on his mechanized chest. Vader chuckled and continued the pursuit.
Addick was now fending of an attack from an awkward position atop the table. He blocked a blow to his legs and took a force-assisted jump across the room where he grabbed a lamp and quickly flung it at Vader's feet in a vain effort to trip the giant. Like the vase, it was harmless. Vader marched toward him as the two began to fight again. Addick was exhausted, he could feel his body beginning to collapse but he fought on, clashing and swinging with his purple sabre. They two were again locked in this deadly dance, just inches from one another face, but even closed to death. Their sabers slapped repeatedly creating thunderous cacophony in the otherwise silent tranquility of the luxury suite. Vader swung again and Addick block the crude loop and spun to Vader's left side delivering a brutal shoulder smash. Vader was knocked to the floor with Addick standing above him with his sabre to Vader's throat. Without anything being said, Vader waived his hand sending Addick flying to the ceiling when he made a tremendous dent in the delicate paneling. He fell to the ground in a heap as he staggered to his feet. Vader, already standing and ready to fight more waited for his young adversary to regain his stance. Addick shook his head and let out a whail as he tossed aside all his defensive tactics and hurled himself toward Vader. Vader's blade met Addick's as the otherwise gently hum of their elegant weapons hissed and screamed like jungle cats made of pure lightning. The two men shifted their weight forward leaning with their front shoulder as their blades remained locked.
"I grow tiresome of this game!"
Vader screamed in rage as his strength surged to a new level as Donovan's body was sent flying across the room and directly into the large window along the back wall. The window smashed into a thousand pieces as Addick was thrown from the room and fell freely toward the streets below. He flapped his arms widly and managed to grab a tiny window ledge with his left hand. He extinguished his lightsabre and tucked it back into his jacket before reaching for the ledge with his right hand. He hung their precariously until he saw Vader's face appear in the frame of the broken window. His breathing was heavy and angry, his hatred was thick and penetrating. Addick peered up at him in terror.
"Not bad for your first time, kid." His voice was clear and clam. Addick's eyes flew open in shock as he watched the figure of Darth Vader melt before his eyes. The hardened black armour seemed to melt away into liquid metal, moving and swirling about his body. His mask, the very mark of Darth Vader's unforgettable and indescribable evil crawled away to reveal a man's face. Within a few seconds, the liquid metal gel had solidified and taken the form of well-pressed and highly decorated Imperial Uniform with an Admiral's insignia on the left side of the chest. "Give me your hand."
The man's deep brown eyes looked right into Donovan's as he stretched out his hand for the young Rebel, still dresses as Lieutenant Garbo. Addick reached up and grabbed a hold of the hand before him. The Imperial Officer pulled Addick into the room and as looked at him with pride as the young Jedi brushed himself off and composed his thought.
"As you probably have guessed, I am Admiral Benvole."
"Yes...I figured..."
Admiral Benvole was a tall, well-built black man in his 40s. He had short hair and moustache, both well kept for the in the Imperial standards. His broad shoulders complimented his powerful, bulky arms, concealed snugly, by his grey uniform. He stood tall, several inches about Addick who himself was about 6 foot and he wore a sleek black cloak that shimmered in the fading sun.
"You seem surprised to see me. What, you didn't think the Empire had any black people?"
"No, no, its not that, I mean..."
"Yea, it's a neat trick."
As Benvole spoke, his body again began to melt and ooze liquid metal in a swirling motion until it hardened again into the distinct robes of a Jedi Knight. Addick was again shocked to see such a trick. He reached out and stroked the soft fabric with is fingers, inspecting it for authenticity.
"How is it possible?" Donovan asked out of his nievety. Although he was bright, he had never seen such magic before. Was it science, or was this the true power of the mysterious Force he had heard so much about?
"Everything will be explained in time. Do not worry, my friend. You seemed to have messed up that uniform pretty well, why don't you go into the bed room and change into something else." Benvole spoke in a joking manner as Addick looked down at his uniform, not dirty, torn and sweaty from the duel.
"Why did you attack me?" Donovan asked as he looked up, clutching a torn piece of fabric in his right hand.
"I was testing you. I had no idea how your skills have developed. Pleasantly, you have learned well." Benvole moved toward Addick and crouched beside his chair. "Your training is all but complete." His tone was now serious, he spoke of the highest code and the most secret honor that is being a Jedi Knight. Addick knew what this meant, only after having fought with Darth Vader minutes earlier did he fully understand the risks of his new life. "Your instincts are powerful, but they lay dormant. We must wake them up." Benvole continued. "Go change and meet me in the café downstairs, I will explain everything."
"Our mission?"
"Everything. I will explain everything."
"I'm Garbo."
Standing before him was a small platoon of storm troopers. Their white helmets reflected the overhead lights directly into his eyes as he focused on their sturdy body armour. The site was breathtaking, for this young rebel cadet now standing 'face to face' with half a dozen storm troopers. They were even more fearsome than he imagined; they clutched their sleek black rifles with confidence as they stood in an opened stance, shoulders square to Addick. He was intimidated by this site but quickly overcame it as he realized he was the one in charge.
"The Admiral told us to meet you here." The platoon seargent's voice was muffled through the breathing system of his facemask.
"Excellent. Where is he arriving?" inquired young Addick using his false authority.
"Docking bay 762. However, we have instructions to escort you to his quarters, he says for you to wait there."
"Hmm. Very well."
The troopers turned and marched as a unit down the crowded hallways, parting seas of commuters as in biblical fashion. Lt. Garbo watched as he trailed the platoon, a sly smile snuck onto his lips as he closed his hands in a knot behind his back.
The platoon led Lt. Garbo up to the top floor of the south wing where several suites were prepared. The hallways adjoining these suites were brilliantly decorated with artwork and plants from all over the galaxy, Admiral Benvole had spared no expense. The troopers halted near the last door in the hallway, they lined up along the walls allowing their new Lieutenant to pass through. When Addick reached the door, the commanding trooper handed him a keycard.
"Here you are, sir. The Admiral will be along shortly."
"Thank you, sergeant. What are you orders at this point?"
"We are to return to the garrison. That is all."
"Very well. You are dismissed."
Addick waived the card in front of a small panel next to the doorway and after a series of short electronic beeps, the door was sucked up into the wall with a gentle whooshing sound. He entered wearily as he looked around at the luxurious apartment laid out for him by Admiral Benvole.
"Not bad." Addick remarked to himself as he turned in a standing 360 to take it all in. The door slowly lowered itself as he walked around admiring, and investigating. He stood by the window, which had a clear and complete view of the city of Kul-Dan below. Buses and speeders flew back and forth carrying busy commuters and travelers to their destinations. Potted plants lined the windowsill as the afternoon sun painted a gentle white coat on the plush furniture. Addick poked his head into the spotless kitchen; he nodded contently as he admired the stainless steel fixtures and gleaming tiles. He returned to the center room and again turned toward the window. Hands folded behind his back, with the sun against his face, he took a deep breath as if to say to himself "wow kid, I can't believe this is for real." Suddenly he felt a cold breeze blow all over is body, as the window had suddenly vanished leaving the elements of this foreign planet to reign free on his young body. He shivered as he suddenly became quite nervous and a tingling feeling ran over his entire body from, streaking up and down his spine like a bolt of electricity. He then sensed something behind him; he quickly spun around and standing before him he saw the ominous black figure of Darth Vader.
Vader's breaths were long and cold. They bellowed and echoes in Donovan's head as he watched, helplessly, as Vader walked towards him. Donovan could feel the muscles in his body begin to freeze as sweat began to pour from every square inch of his skin.
"You seem surprised to see me, young Addick. I have been expecting you."
Addick's eyes grew wide with fear. He glanced to his left and right for an escape route but saw no way out. They were high up and the only exit was blocked, he was trapped. Vader reached for his belt and in a slip-second, he held his lightsabre, fully ignited and glowing with evil. The dark lord lunges at Addick with a mighty overhead smash but the young Jedi quickly dives out of the way with a swift roll to his right. He regains his standing position and slowly backs away defensively. Vader moves slowly towards him and takes a horiztonal chop for his head. Donovan ducks jumps backwards out of range of the lethal energy blade. The glowing red of Vader's lightsabre cast erie shadows on the walls of the apartment as everything around him seems to move in an evil pattern directly at Addick. He shakes off his head to clear his senses.
"This isn't real. It can't be!" he thought to himself
"It is real, young Jedi, make no mistake!!"
Vader swings again with his blade and again Addick manages to evade the deadly blow. Vader lunges at Addick to stab him through the stomach but Addick is too quick. He jumps to a nearby table and quickly leaps, in a mighty dive roll over Darth Vader's head. The evil lord turns on him and laughs manically. The deep echoing laughter seemed to spark something in Donovan, he suddenly sprung to life as he remembered his own lightsabre concealed within his jacket. Donovan grabbed for it and hit the ignition. Now it was a duel.
Addick said nothing, his concentration was fixed on the figure before him. He defended against countless slashes and chops with split-second reactions. Vader took a mighty 360 swing with his blade streaking deadly semi-circular wave across the room. Addick sprawled to the floor and the instant it passed jumped sideways with Jedi agility. Vader again lunged at him with an overhead chop as Addick barely dodged the deadly blow which landed directly in the center of a couch, slicing it down the middle. Addick knew he could not survive this attack for much longer, he would have to fight back.
He charged at Vader with all his strength and was met with impenetrable defenses. The two dueled in earnest; blocking and attack, switching from offensive to defensive positions as they exchanged blows, left and right, top and bottom. Vader managed an inch to attack and he swung wildly a Addick's throat as the young Jedi instinctively hurled his body backwards in a perfectly calculated back flip landing him on a table in the dining area. He looked at his feet to the glass vase and kicked it toward Vader's face but it shattered harmlessly on his mechanized chest. Vader chuckled and continued the pursuit.
Addick was now fending of an attack from an awkward position atop the table. He blocked a blow to his legs and took a force-assisted jump across the room where he grabbed a lamp and quickly flung it at Vader's feet in a vain effort to trip the giant. Like the vase, it was harmless. Vader marched toward him as the two began to fight again. Addick was exhausted, he could feel his body beginning to collapse but he fought on, clashing and swinging with his purple sabre. They two were again locked in this deadly dance, just inches from one another face, but even closed to death. Their sabers slapped repeatedly creating thunderous cacophony in the otherwise silent tranquility of the luxury suite. Vader swung again and Addick block the crude loop and spun to Vader's left side delivering a brutal shoulder smash. Vader was knocked to the floor with Addick standing above him with his sabre to Vader's throat. Without anything being said, Vader waived his hand sending Addick flying to the ceiling when he made a tremendous dent in the delicate paneling. He fell to the ground in a heap as he staggered to his feet. Vader, already standing and ready to fight more waited for his young adversary to regain his stance. Addick shook his head and let out a whail as he tossed aside all his defensive tactics and hurled himself toward Vader. Vader's blade met Addick's as the otherwise gently hum of their elegant weapons hissed and screamed like jungle cats made of pure lightning. The two men shifted their weight forward leaning with their front shoulder as their blades remained locked.
"I grow tiresome of this game!"
Vader screamed in rage as his strength surged to a new level as Donovan's body was sent flying across the room and directly into the large window along the back wall. The window smashed into a thousand pieces as Addick was thrown from the room and fell freely toward the streets below. He flapped his arms widly and managed to grab a tiny window ledge with his left hand. He extinguished his lightsabre and tucked it back into his jacket before reaching for the ledge with his right hand. He hung their precariously until he saw Vader's face appear in the frame of the broken window. His breathing was heavy and angry, his hatred was thick and penetrating. Addick peered up at him in terror.
"Not bad for your first time, kid." His voice was clear and clam. Addick's eyes flew open in shock as he watched the figure of Darth Vader melt before his eyes. The hardened black armour seemed to melt away into liquid metal, moving and swirling about his body. His mask, the very mark of Darth Vader's unforgettable and indescribable evil crawled away to reveal a man's face. Within a few seconds, the liquid metal gel had solidified and taken the form of well-pressed and highly decorated Imperial Uniform with an Admiral's insignia on the left side of the chest. "Give me your hand."
The man's deep brown eyes looked right into Donovan's as he stretched out his hand for the young Rebel, still dresses as Lieutenant Garbo. Addick reached up and grabbed a hold of the hand before him. The Imperial Officer pulled Addick into the room and as looked at him with pride as the young Jedi brushed himself off and composed his thought.
"As you probably have guessed, I am Admiral Benvole."
"Yes...I figured..."
Admiral Benvole was a tall, well-built black man in his 40s. He had short hair and moustache, both well kept for the in the Imperial standards. His broad shoulders complimented his powerful, bulky arms, concealed snugly, by his grey uniform. He stood tall, several inches about Addick who himself was about 6 foot and he wore a sleek black cloak that shimmered in the fading sun.
"You seem surprised to see me. What, you didn't think the Empire had any black people?"
"No, no, its not that, I mean..."
"Yea, it's a neat trick."
As Benvole spoke, his body again began to melt and ooze liquid metal in a swirling motion until it hardened again into the distinct robes of a Jedi Knight. Addick was again shocked to see such a trick. He reached out and stroked the soft fabric with is fingers, inspecting it for authenticity.
"How is it possible?" Donovan asked out of his nievety. Although he was bright, he had never seen such magic before. Was it science, or was this the true power of the mysterious Force he had heard so much about?
"Everything will be explained in time. Do not worry, my friend. You seemed to have messed up that uniform pretty well, why don't you go into the bed room and change into something else." Benvole spoke in a joking manner as Addick looked down at his uniform, not dirty, torn and sweaty from the duel.
"Why did you attack me?" Donovan asked as he looked up, clutching a torn piece of fabric in his right hand.
"I was testing you. I had no idea how your skills have developed. Pleasantly, you have learned well." Benvole moved toward Addick and crouched beside his chair. "Your training is all but complete." His tone was now serious, he spoke of the highest code and the most secret honor that is being a Jedi Knight. Addick knew what this meant, only after having fought with Darth Vader minutes earlier did he fully understand the risks of his new life. "Your instincts are powerful, but they lay dormant. We must wake them up." Benvole continued. "Go change and meet me in the café downstairs, I will explain everything."
"Our mission?"
"Everything. I will explain everything."