"I truly find the ideological differences between the Light and Dark sides hazy."
-Hauk Darshan-
Chapter One:
The Dark Jungle
The scientific outpost was impressive, sprawling, a complex that ended only where the dark, imposing foliage encroached.
The security was impressive, as well. Guard towers, without fences, boasted upscale versions of E-web repeating blasters mounted on each side of the boxy tower. The sleeker towers had either spotlights, turbolasers, or scanning equipment mounted atop them.
"Welcome to Xiulia. It's an Oran word meaning progress." Svfar said with much grandiose in his voice. "And that's what is made here. Concepts that would boggle even the most scientific New Republic mind. Mostly top secret concepts, unfortunately, but you will be allowed to see the crystal-tech section, and some military devices being rendered for service."
The guide landed the craft, bid them disembark, and then took to the skies when they were off.
Jaina looked about wide-eyed. She saw star fighters on the tarmac with engine and body designs that simply took state-of-the-art to new levels. "How fast do those go?" she asked.
Svfar glanced at them. "Our newest Orb fighter can be clocked at about 250 clicks. I don't know if our speed rating system is similar to yours or not."
Jaina felt her jaw drop. "If it is...then these things could finish the Kessel run in 4 parsecs."
"Dad made it in 12?" Jacen whistled. "Bet he'd love to get his hands on the stardrive schematics for one of those babies."
Inside the complex, they all piled onto a conveyor, which had obviously been hastily changed from holding machinery, to holding distinguished New Republic guests. Lowbacca whined slightly.
"I doubt the construct of this tour system was custom built with Wookiees in mind," Em Teedee said brusquely. "Whining won't solve anything."
Zekk doubted it was built with humans or Orans in mind, either, but said nothing. He looked around. There was a glass panel running for meters down the conveyor's path, keeping them shielded from harsh chemicals the droids in the large construction area were exposed to.
"The glass is one inch thick, but extremely durable. It protects us from the painting chemicals the droids use. Otherwise, the chemicals would sear our lungs and dry out our eyes." Svfar waved a hand at the strange ship, a sleek starfighter that put even the Orb fighter that they had seen moments ago to shame.
"That is the Flux Fighter, a brand new space-superiority fighter. It uses experimental energy crystals unearthed in the Mountains of Geb only three years ago. We are using a new type of alloy for the ship also. This alloy allows it to survive the hyperspace jump that is powered by the crystals." Svfar smiled. "The plans for it will soon be given to the New Republic, if the peace talks are concluded with the desired effect."
Jaina studied the Flux Fighter with grave interest. "Does the prototype have a name?"
"Yes," Svfar replied, "it's name is Droknar, which literally translated, means Spirit of Vengeance."
"Imperial-class Star Destroyer Swift Fate, sir." the comm officer's young face disappeared, followed by the much older face of Captain Pallya of Swift Fate.
"Moff Terca," the captain's holo nodded. "As per orders, sir, I am at your disposal."
"Good," Terca smiled slightly. "We are still awaiting Victory class Star Destroyers Aberrant Seraph and Slayer of Destinies. Are you certain the Emperor's supply cache is still intact at the center of Ora's asteroid field?"
"Affirmative. The supply cache is still on the Dagger Asteroid, awaiting us. It was very convenient of His Majesty to provide us with such a grand weaponry station." Pallya's face twisted with wicked delight, then disappeared.
Dagger Asteroid supply station was a huge, pointed asteroid with a space-station built around the inside of it. Very little of the black-painted station was visible, because it was feared that the Rebels would find it too easily.
Terca suppressed a sigh and turned on his heel, heading out of the comm tower's main room.
Leia smiled at Zhel. "We are prepared to induct Ora IV into the New Republic. With full ceremony, of course. What we are here to discuss is the sharing of your rather..." she paused, looking for the right words, "...your rather advanced technology. It was feared by several in the council that you might not be willing to hand over technical plans to your fighter and military weapons."
Zhel cocked his head to the side slightly. "Praetor/Acting Overlord Zuar regrets being unable to be present at the moment...but I assure you, he has every intention of...indulging the New Republic technical engineers and curious onlookers. But he seeks reassurance that our dangerous technology is in proper, responsible hands...so he wishes you to carry the plans back to Coruscant with you...escorted by our newest model of fighter, Droknar."
Leia exchanged glances with Han, who only raised an eyebrow. They were seated in a completely transparent room on Emerald Station. The floor was completely spot-free and allowed a view of Ora IV as they passed over in orbit. It seemed like they were inside a glass globe floating freely in space...it was a sensation that made her sick to her stomach at first.
"Very well, Ambassador, on behalf of the New Republic, I accept your offer. Thank you very much." Leia smiled, somewhat bemused in the fact that the talks were so simple, straightforward, and short. She shook hands with Zhel, then she and Han exited the chamber.
Walking down the corridor towards the Falcon, Leia and Han spoke.
"Something odd is going on around here, Han," Leia said. "Why are they accepting our offer so...quickly?"
"There's Imperial presence still here, Leia. If we set up shop on Ora IV, the only other habitable planet around, they're gonna feel more secure. Palpatine wasn't exactly well-liked on this planet, you know." Han reasoned.
Leia sighed. "Yeah...I...I just...have a bad feeling."
"Deploy TIEs." Pallya said as Ora IV loomed in the viewport. The howl of TIE fighters filled his ears moments later and they whooshed past the Star Destroyer Swift Fate. Victory-class ships Aberrant Seraph and Slayer of Destinies let loose with a full compliment of TIE Advanced's and Interceptors, respectively.
Terca, standing behind Pallya, settled down into a seat on the bridge. "I hope we are able to take the New Republic reps alive." he fussed.
Pallya favored Terca with a cold smile. "That's not our main objective, is it? Just a little side-bonus. Show Admiral Pellaeon that factions out here don't want peace. But enough of this. On to our main objective. Helm," he called, "lay in an orbit course. Inform the troop transports that Operation Darshan is about to begin."
Svfar's narration of the properties of the Cascade Warriors were drowned out by alarms that went off inside the complex. "Enemy warships entering orbit. Troop transports launching. Personnel, get to fighters and arm the turrets." an announcer said without a trace of panic or care in his voice.
"What the hell is going on?" Zekk demanded.
Tenel Ka, cool as ever, merely held a restraining hand on Zekk's shoulder. "Ambassador Svfar, what enemies do you have in this system?"
Svfar dashed to the nearest computer terminal and began punching in lines of code. "I...I don't know," he stammered. "I'll access the EmeraldNet and see what is going on."
After entered several queries, a line popped up.
IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER Swift Fate
VICTORY STAR DESTROYER Sl. Of Dest.
VICTORY STAR DESTROYER Aberr. Seraph
IDS 1084 2467 4093 RESPECTIVELY
"Imperials!" Jacen hissed. "What are they doing here? I thought they had peace talks with the New Republic!"
Lowbacca growled, a growl which Em Teedee needed not translate. "Master Lowbacca expresses his dismay and anger."
Tenel Ka said solemnly, "We had better be on our way."
They were outside when the whooshing noise of embarking starfighters met their ears. They looked up to see the Orb fighters rise smoothly from the tarmac, and engage TIE fighters, whose distinctive howling could be heard now.
The turrets fired several times, destroying one of the TIEs and showering debris all over the complex. Svfar led them to a speeder, "Quickly, children! The transports will be on the ground about now." they piled in uncomfortably (for it was a smaller speeder, obviously for quick transport across the massive complex), and settled down as best they could. Svfar climbed into the driver's seat, when suddenly two red bolts of searing energy burnt into both his shoulders. Svfar cried out, then fell out of the speeder.
Jacen and Tenel Ka swiveled their heads to see a full group of twenty-five stormtroopers bearing down on them from the direction of the complex. Svfar twitched twice on the ground, then lay still. Jaina, horrified, quickly checked the downed Svfar, grimaced, then slammed the speeder's door and keyed for engine start.
It rose swiftly, taking them about level with the stormtrooper's chests.
Em Teedee cried out in terror as a troop transport rose over the complex and began firing at them with it's single swivel-blaster cannon. It left smoking holes in the ground where the speeder had been parked only fractions of a moment before. Hot chunks of rock rained on the speeder.
"Aaaaah!!" Jacen shouted in alarm as one of the chunks hit his arm. He swatted it from his arm, leaving a red burn mark.
The troopers on the ground let out a terrified cry as the shrapnel (the larger pieces, that is) smashed into several of them, crushing them or taking them out of action. Jaina punched the acceleration button and they were off.
"We can't go back into the city," Tenel Ka said. "They'll undoubtedly be there. Possibly with blockades."
"Right," Zekk agreed, "we'll have to chance it in the jungles."
"The jungles?" Em Teedee sputtered. "Ambassador Svfar said it was dangerous on foot! And this speeder will indubitably run out of fuel in a short period of time!"
"He's right," Jacen said, "but it's even more risky to be in the Imperial's hands. We don't know what they want."
"Probably to break down the peace talks. If they are a hostile faction, and not simply attacking the Orans out of ignorance of our presence." Jaina brought up.
"That's true..." Jacen said thoughtfully. "I doubt if Mom would tell Admiral Pellaeon about such a trivial thing as a new induction."
Zekk said, "They didn't seem to be in a big hurry to apologize for shooting at us back there."
There was silence in the aircar as they plunged into the dark, damp jungle.
"Chewie!" Han shouted. "Start 'er up...we gots us a big problem."
Leia jolted out of her sleep on the bunk of the Falcon. "Han?" she called.
"Wake up, sweetheart...we have some new friends who want to play." Han said grimly as he dashed past her and into the cockpit.
Leia hopped out of the bunk, her sense of dread deepening. "What is it?" she said, as she sat in one of the rear cockpit seats.
"Imperial Star Destroyers."
"The kids..." Leia gasped.
"I know," Han said angrily. "They have TIEs all over the damn place...Advanced, Interceptors, and the Fighters. There's two Victory class destroyers, and an Imperial class. They popped up on the Oran's sensors two minutes before the attack."
Leia shut her eyes. The Orans may have advanced military...but their sensors could use a little upgrading.
"Han..." she said. "What are we going to do?"
Han didn't answer. Instead, he flicked on the comm. "Emerald Station. This is the Falcon. Request permission to engage the Imperial forces."
For the longest time, there was no answer. "Falcon," came a voice, "this is Commander Artek. You have clearance. You will be flanked by a squadron of our Orb fighters. They are yours to command. You have our blessing. May you experience success."
"Damn," Zekk said. "No engine problems...fuel problems."
He switched off the small readout on the dash of the speeder. Jaina, sitting in the seat next to him, sighed and looked around at the dark jungle, and the small, unpromising game trail they had discovered. It probably led to a water source, but Jacen would be the one to surmise on animal behavioral patterns.
Tenel Ka looked around suddenly, bringing her head up sharply. Everyone in the speeder fell instantly silent when she did this.
"What..." Jacen began quietly.
Tenel Ka held up a hand. "We're being followed." she said simply. "Keep an eye on the jungle, and a hand on your lightsaber."
After two and a half hours of trekking, they stepped into a clearing.
"It's a lagoon," Jaina said. "I knew there must be a watering hole at the end of this path."
Jacen swatted at some very large biting insects. "Yeah, well, it's not a fun place for people."
Lowbacca reached into the backpack he had packed for their trip, and pulled out a small survival kit. He opened it, revealing a flash heater for starting fires, first aid equipment, and, most important of all, water purifying chemicals. "I told you it was a good idea to keep your survival kit with your backpack." Em Teedee said triumphantly.
Lowbacca growled.
"Well!" Em Teedee said indignantly. "I hope you always have someone around to do the thinking for you, you ungrateful, smelly brute!"
There was a sudden rustle in the bushes behind them, and the young Jedis had their sabers activated in the blink of an eye.
Tenel Ka pointed. "Look!"
Out from the jungle stepped a wild-eyed young man; taller than any of them but Lowie. He wore tattered clothing, and an animal skin cloak, the hood of which was brushed back, revealing a shock of greasy, long, dark hair.
In his hand was a beautifully worked sword, with a handle made of precious metals and gems. There were inscriptions on the blade, but Jacen couldn't read them.
"Who are you?" Jaina asked with authority.
The young man (come to think of it...he didn't look that young to Jacen...maybe in his early twenties?) smiled slightly, sheathed his sword in a scabbard strapped to his back, then raised his hands. "No one you fools would have ever heard of...what are you, Dark Jedi?"
"No." Tenel Ka said, dashing forward, saber raised.
Tenel Ka found a cry of surprise escape her throat as she was lifted into the air, and thrown bodily backwards, into the gooey lagoon water. Her lightsaber left her hand mid-flight and deactivated, flying to the young man's grip.
The same fate befell Lowie, and his lightsaber followed Tenel Ka's into the man's hand. Jacen, Jaina, and Zekk stood there, hesitating. Tenel Ka and Lowie swam to shore, sputtering and looking utterly stunned.
Em Teedee said, "I DECLARE! How rude! Sneaking up on us, and throwing us into sludge..."
"Silence your droid, or I'll silence him." the young man said tartly. "Hand over your lightsabers, and follow me. We have to leave this place. Now."
Zekk exchanged glances with Jacen and Jaina. Jaina stepped forward and set her lightsaber on the ground.
"Jaina!" Jacen exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"Trust me," she said, "just put them on the ground and step away."
Zekk hesitated, then followed suit. As did Jacen.
The young man held out his empty hand, and the remaining sabers floated into it. He glanced at Tenel Ka and Lowie, who stood on the shore, dripping, with algae-like plantlife hanging off their hair and clothing.
"Follow me," he repeated.
The place he led them to was maybe a mile north of the lagoon. It was a crash site. The modified Lambda class shuttle lay on the ground, mostly parked, slightly damaged. It was obvious that there had been an emergency landing nonetheless, and there were laser blast burn marks on the engine, and scarring the top wing.
The loading ramp was down, and there was an animal skin tent, fire pit with a cooking spit, and what was probably a crudely constructed wooden latrine. The young man set their lightsabers down on a small metal table near the ramp of the shuttle, then turned to face the young Jedis. Their hands had been bound with sinewy vines, which had proven quite resilient to Jaina's Force prodding's. Even the knot was rock solid.
"I apologize for the manner in which we have met," the man said. Suddenly, the vines securing their hands fell away, and it dawned on Jaina that they must have been held together by the man's apparent Force ability. "You are free to gather your lightsabers. My name is Hauk Darshan, son of Jedi Master Ronin Darshan."
Tenel Ka stepped over to the table and retrieved her rancor-tooth saber. The others likewise re-armed themselves, then stared at Hauk.
"It was necessary." he continued. "I did not have time to explain. There are Imperial probe-droids and scout bikers in the area."
"Thank you," Zekk said. "We also apologize for the manner in which we reacted. My name is Zekk." Zekk stepped up to Hauk and offered his hand. Hauk shook it.
"Jaina Solo." Jaina likewise shook Hauk's hand. "This is my brother, Jacen." Jacen nodded.
"My name is Tenel Ka," Tenel Ka eyed him uncertainly, and did not shake his hand.
"Dathomirian warrior, no less." Hauk smiled, and Tenel Ka nodded slowly, covering her surprise with a faint smile.
Lowie rumbled a less than enthusiastic greeting. "I am Em Teedee, Wookiee-cyborg relations." the little droid identified himself.
Walking to it, Hauk sat near the smoldering embers of the fire pit. "You are in grave danger here. I suggest you stay here with me for a few days, until the Imperials lose interest and go to another sector of the Shonada."
"They haven't spotted you?" Jacen asked.
Hauk smiled again. "They have already questioned me. I passed myself off as a poor farmer, and told them you had passed through here a few hours before. They believed me, thanks to the Force."
The young Jedis joined him around the fire pit, Tenel Ka and Lowie cold from the icy water of the lagoon. "Tell us how you came to be here, on Ora IV. We are not aware of any human activities around here recently." Tenel Ka asked.
Hauk sighed. "My parents and a convoy of Rebels were escaping Imperials nearly thirty years ago, when they were shot down over this planet. The survivors banded together, before the Orans were greatly civilized creatures. There used to be an entire colony of human and alien survivors down here. Now I am all that is left.
"My parents were the last to die. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father was killed by a great snakelike creature that lives in the Shonada Lagoon." he gave another wistful sigh. "My father trained me to be a Jedi. However, I have found teachings that were smuggled in on a ship that crashed here...the teachings of some ancient monks. So I've practiced them for twenty long years."
Tenel Ka eyed the blade strapped to his back. "Where did you acquire that sword?"
Hauk slid it out of the scabbard. "My grandfather. He said it was the weapon a Sith Lord used during the time of the Sith empire, thousands of years ago. He said the inscription is an old Sith saying. But no one can read it." it was a fine, sharp blade, unmarked by the battles it had surely seen, and of master craftsmanship.
It was in incredible condition, for such an old sword. "I use it for hunting, and skinning, and so forth. I even use it for lawn care." with that, he sliced at a low-hanging frond, slicing it neatly with a hum from the blade.
Suddenly, he looked at them. "You must be from the Rebellion. They have finally found Jedi to fight the Empire?"
Zekk looked at Jaina, who gave him a strange look. "The ah...Empire..." Zekk began. "It's been dead, or well, nearly dead for a long time. Vader and Palpatine are long dead."
Hauk could have done a thousand things in that moment. He could have cried. He could have laughed, or he could have simply smiled. Instead, he stroked his chin and said, "Good."
The rest of them did not seem sure how to react to his cold response. "Uh...and the Rebellion has become the New Republic. We're much stronger in numbers than the Old Republic, which you've surely read of." Jaina continued for Zekk.
Hauk's expression went taut and he snapped his head up. "Shh...quiet."