The Past Returns
Chapter Seven
-Planet Ilu -
Damon ran into the main area and into the next corridor. He found the care center entrance and the door swished open. A woman walked over to him. "Can I help you sir?" she asked.
"I need to get my son, Tarc."
The woman looked confused. "Tarc? Someone's already been here for him."
Damon's heart began beating rapidly and he swallowed hard. "Someone's taken him?"
The woman nodded. "They left a few minutes ago. What's wrong, sir?"
"Do you have any idea where they might have gone?"
"No, sir. I'm sorry."
"Oh God, not again," Damon moaned. He ran out of the care center and out of the complex, stopping in the middle of the street, looking around.
"Master?" Menire asked, running up to Damon.
Damon didn't answer him. Damon closed his eyes, focusing. He opened them and ran towards a wooded area at the outskirts of the city that hadn't been there before. Menire ran after his master, hurrying to catch up.
Suddenly, a clearing surrounded Damon. Damon looked around wildly, trying to find his son. Then he felt a dark presence right behind him. Damon spun to face Ben, who was standing inches away from Damon. Damon stumbled back, clenching his fists and trying to control his anger. "Ben," Damon said through clenched teeth.
Ben smiled. "Aww, brother, that's no way to treat blood. I thought you'd be happy to see me," Ben said, acting hurt.
"Where is my son Ben?" Damon asked, his teeth still clenched.
"Not far way, not far away at all." Ben's smile turned wicked and his green eyes glittered venomously. "You'd better hurry."
"Where is he?" Damon yelled, his anger boiling inside him.
"Tsk, tsk, Damon. Shouldn't you control your anger? You are after all, a Jedi," Ben spat out the last word with disgust.
"Where is my son?" Damon asked again, spacing out the words.
Ben shook his head. "You're no fun, no fun at all Damon. You haven't changed one bit." Ben sighed and shrugged. "Oh well." Ben waved one hand and a section of the forest disappeared to reveal Damon's son, Tarc, but it wasn't a pretty sight. Tarc hung by his wrists from a tall metal rod over a huge fiery pit, where snarls and howling could be heard. Damon took a step closer and saw that the pit was filled with lava creatures called chuzarks. Chuzarks were large, fiery monsters with rows of tiny, needle sharp teeth and small black eyes and were known to devour their prey bit by bit. Damon looked up at his unconscious son, hanging over the chuzark filled pit. Damon moved to go after his son, but in an instant, Ben stood before him, blocking his path. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. If you take one step closer, I'll release his bonds." Ben sneered. "What's the matter, brother? Seen a ghost?" Ben laughed.
"Move out of the way, Ben," Damon said. "Release my son. He's done nothing to you."
"Oh, but he has. He WAS BORN!" Ben's anger flared as he yelled the last words. "You abandoned me and then you married and had HIM!" Ben pointed at Tarc, who moaned as a flame leapt up and licked his foot. "Why Damon, WHY? Why did you abandon me? You left me, in a manner of speaking, to the chuzarks! You didn't care! And now that your little brat son is in danger, sure, you'll save him, but WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE ME???!!!"
Damon looked Ben in the eyes. "I tried, you know that. You wouldn't have any of it. It was your own fault that you've become like this, a cold- hearted, hate-filled, spiteful creature. You have no right to accuse me of abandoning you. You murdered my wife out of cold-blood! You think I don't know pain? Loosing her was like loosing a part of me! First, you run off, go to the dark side, and then blame me. Then you killed my wife. Now you want to murder my innocent son, who had done nothing to you? I want to hate you with every part of me! And I should! But I'm not like you; I'm not cold-blooded and heartless. Jedi do not hate." Damon's voice grew calmer. "Don't you try to tell me what's right and what's wrong. You stepped out of that area a long time ago. So leave my family alone and leave me alone."
Ben shook with bottled up rage. He looked ready to explode and then he straightened and actually smiled! "You're not as righteous as you claim to be, Damon. You're not as perfect as you think you are. You need to be taught about loss and hate. If you loose everything you love, maybe you'll feel a small measurement of how I felt when you left me on my own. Say goodbye to your son, forever."
Ben laughed and made a motion with his hand. Tarc had just opened his eyes when the rope suddenly snapped and he fell straight towards the pit. His eyes widened and his mouth opened in a soundless scream.
"Tarc!" Damon yelled and ran at his falling son. Damon grabbed him and tumbled onto the other side of the pit. The chuzarks jumped in the air, snarling at their meal being taken away.
Damon looked for Ben, but he was gone.
* * *
Ben moved his ship into hyperspace, the stars turning into white lines all around him. Once the ship was on autopilot, Ben sat back in the pilot's chair, closing his eyes. He had let Damon win this time, think he had won, anyway. But Ben still had a few more tricks up his sleeve. Watch out Damon. Soon you won't have anyone left.
* * *
The next two years passed swiftly. Ben trained harder and harder and increased his strength physically and in the Force by a hundred fold. He had kept himself hidden away; secretly training to be ready on the day he would confront Damon. Obi-Wan was two years old now and beginning his training in the Temple. Tarc, who had just turned three, lived at the temple, kept safe by his father.
Journal Entry 11: "It's been two years since I last spoke with Damon. I'm not sure why I let Tarc go but this time, I will get him. I hate Damon so much. He deserves all the pain that I inflicted and will inflict very soon. I've been training very hard and I am much stronger now. Once I get Tarc, I will wait to let Damon suffer, and then I will go after his remaining son."
Damon stood in one of the many training chambers, watching as the younglings worked at their training with the Force. One year ago, he had been given the title of Jedi Knight. When he wasn't out in the galaxy trying to keep peace, he was watching the young trainees. These were too young to use the practice lightsabers for they were only between the ages of two and four. The exercises that they were working on mastering were levitating small bits and pieces of materials.
Damon's son, Obi-Wan, sat in the middle, cross-legged, focusing on a small crystal in front of him. Damon's other son, Tarc, stood next to his father, quietly watching his brother. Tarc spent hours in the library, looking at pictures and holo-vids. Damon took Tarc to his brother's training sessions once and awhile to get him away from the library. Damon smiled, looking at Tarc. He couldn't believe that this boy was the same one that had almost died at the hands of Ben, a little over two years ago.
Damon returned his attentions back to the class. Master Yoda stood off to one side, quietly observing the younglings. Damon watched as Obi-Wan managed to lift the crystal about an inch. Obi-Wan grinned and the crystal fell back into place. Damon laughed quietly, remembering his own training.
"Younglings, today's lessons are over. Time to study, you must," Yoda instructed. The kids stood and bowed to Master Yoda. One by one, they left the room. Obi-Wan walked over to his father, standing next to Tarc, not saying anything. Yoda walked over to Damon, looking up at him. "Growing strong in the Force, your son Obi-Wan has, Master Kenobi. I see great things for him in the future."
Damon bowed respectfully. Thank you Master."
Yoda nodded and left the room. Damon looked at his two young sons. "Come on you two. Let's go have some fun," Damon said, smiling.
"Yes!" they both cried in unison, and literally dragged their father out of the training room.
* * *
In a dark corner of the galaxy, a man sat on a dark throne, in a dark room. He absently tapped his fingers on the edge of the arm rest, looking out into the dark, arched chamber. Two of his subordinates knelt in front of him. He looked down at them coldly. "Report," he said simply.
The two Black Sun operatives stood. The taller of the two spoke. "Sir, we've found proof that your brother, Xesus, was in the city of Eriadus when it was destroyed by the dark warrior."
"You bring me no new news."
"Yes, sir, but we think we've found out the identity of the man that destroyed the city."
Xedon sat up, slightly interested. "Go on."
"His name is Lord Pravanus. The problem, sir, is that we can't seem to locate him."
"That is what bounty hunters are for Peren." Xedon was growing tired of these two. All they ever brought him was bad news. As the leader of the criminal organization called Black Sun, he had to keep up his reputation and failures like these two didn't help.
"Yes, sir. We will contact the Bounty Hunter's Guild at once."
Xedon made a shooing motion with his hand. "Do what you have to do. I have other matters to attend to."
The two nodded, bowed their heads and left the chamber. Xedon rested his chin on his hand, thinking. He didn't know who this Lord Pravanus thought he was, but when he killed Xedon's brother, he crossed the line. Pretty soon, this Lord Pravanus would be no more. Xedon would make sure of that. He had a specific bounty hunter in mind, one that was much more efficient and reliable then the bunglers of the Bounty Hunter's Guild.
* * *
Ben flew his ship to Coruscant and landed on one of the floating landing platforms by the Temple. He climbed out and punched in a few numbers on his wrist-band com-link. Soon it looked like there was a totally different ship in place of his but there was no way anyone could steal it, since it was code activated. He walked over to an air taxi and had the man take him over to the entrance that led to the Temple. Ben knew he looked menacing in his black clothes and cape, boots and gloves, so he took off his black cloak and pulled on a dark brown one. Now he looked like a Jedi. Ben shuddered at the thought. He pulled his hood lower so that the man couldn't see his face. His lightsaber was hidden within the folds of his cape.
Soon he was walking through the corridors, his cape swirling around him. The Jedi around him didn't give him a second glance as he headed towards the vast Jedi archives. From his sources, Ben knew that Tarc stayed in the library while his father and Obi-Wan were training in another area of the Temple. How very foolish of you, Damon. You should know better then to leave your son unattended. Ben smiled to himself and concentrated on keeping his identity a secret. If he let any of his dark energy escape, the Jedi would find him out.
Ben stopped at a railing that was off to one side of the huge, arched corridor. He stepped over to it and looked around at the vastness of the Jedi Temple. This could have been his home, but it wasn't. Ben shrugged. That was in the past.
Ben turned and walked to the entrance of the Temple library. He walked through the open doors and immediately spotted Tarc sitting in a corner, absorbed in a small book.
* * *
Damon stood in the council chambers with Master Yoda. They were alone. "Master Kenobi, troubled, you are," Yoda said, sitting in his small seat.
Damon stood before him. He nodded. "Yes, Master."
"Thoughts of your brother, you have."
"I think of him all the time, Master. I don't know why. After what he's done to me, I should think that I wouldn't want to think about him."
"Feelings, you still have, for your brother. True, is that not?"
"Yes, Master. But why?"
"Your brother, he is. Natural, to have feelings for him, it is. Hate is not the way of the Jedi. Honor and peace are. Peace, you are trying to find. Amends, you will make. Take time, it will. Very much time."
"But Master, how can I make amends with a murderer?"
"Hard to see, the dark side is. Covered in the dark side, your brother is. Hard to get out, it is. Help him, you must. Keep trying. The dark side controls his emotions. His actions, he cannot help. That is where you come in."
Damon sighed. "Yes, Master."
* * *
Damon walked through the corridors towards the Temple library where he would pick up Tarc. What Yoda had told him confused him. Why should he help Ben? Damon shook his head. This was going to take some time.
When Damon entered the library, he immediately knew something was wrong. Tahl came rushing up to him. "Damon, I can't find Tarc! He's missing!" Damon's heart began beating rapidly. If Tarc was missing, there could only be one reason why. Ben!
"Are you sure?" Damon asked.
"Yes. I came in here to check up on Tarc, since you were with Master Yoda, and Jocasta Nu said that Tarc had left a while back with a Jedi Master. I asked her which one, but she didn't have a name. She claimed that there was so many, she couldn't keep track of all the names. I don't know for sure, but I think she could have been memory wiped."
"We must find him. He is in terrible danger if he's with who I think he is." Tahl's eyes grew wide with worry. "I don't want to loose another that I love."
Tahl nodded and they ran out of the Temple library.
* * *
Tarc stood at the edge of the landing platform outside of the Jedi Temple. He looked around, confused. Where was he? The man that had taken him to the landing platform had disappeared. "Daddy," Tarc whimpered. He was scared and all the ships flying around him didn't help. Strange creatures walked by him, not paying attention to him. He had to get back to the Temple. That was where his daddy was, but the man had told him to wait here. But that man wasn't his daddy. Tarc began moving towards the entrance into the Jedi Temple when a strong arm grabbed him by his shoulder.
"Where you going, kid?" a rough, emotionless voice asked. Tarc turned to see a tall man standing there, his entire body encased in armor. A visored helmet covered his head and rocket launchers were hung on his back. The stare of the helmet made Tarc freeze.
"Uh . . . uh," Tarc stammered. The man wrapped his arm around Tarc's waist, picked him up and began walking towards his ship. "Let me go!" Tarc yelled, but the man jus ignored him. "Help!" But no one heard him.
* * *
Ben stood in the shadows, watching as Jango Fett took Tarc to his ship. Ben knew that Fett would get Tarc to the designated planet where Ben would pay him for his services. There, Tarc could be eliminated.
* * *
Damon ran out onto the landing platform just as Slave I rose into the air. "A bounty hunter, after my son?" Damon asked.
Tahl stood next to him, just as confused. In a millisecond, Tahl had pulled out a small tracking device and flung it at the rising ship. It made contact and Tahl turned to Damon.
"Now we follow."
Damon nodded. "Good thinking. We'll use my ship."
Damon, with Tahl running beside him, ran to his ship that was docked not very far away. It was a small, two person craft, designed specifically for speed. Damon and Tahl climbed in and they lifted off.
* * *
Ben stood on the planet Boria, a planet that was a wasteland. It was very much like Dagobah, in that it was filled with swampy, dark, and danger filled jungle. Ben was in a small clearing, waiting for the arrival of Jango Fett. He spotted Slave 1 entering the atmosphere, and in a manner of minutes, it had landed. The hatch opened and Jango Fett strode down, looking like he always had in his menacing Maladorian armor.
His visored helmet looked at Ben as he strode towards him, Tarc unconscious in one of his arms. Ben always felt uncomfortable when that visored gaze was turned on him. "Your bounty," Fett said simply, holding out Tarc.
Ben took him and, holding him with one arm, Ben drew out the data sheet that would transfer the amount of credits to Fett's account. Ben had put the specific amount under a false name, Merken, so as not to link his name to his master or any other powerful beings. Ben quickly transferred the amount.
"There. I've transferred the amount that I had put up for the bounty. It's in your funds."
Fett nodded, seemed to check something in his helmet, and turned back towards his ship. "It is done," Fett said without turning around. He walked back up the ramp of his ship and the hatch closed. Slave 1 rose into the air and departed quickly.
Ben put the data sheet back on his belt and looked down at Tarc, who hung limply in his arm. Ben dropped Tarc onto the ground and crossed his eyes. He nudged him with his foot.
"Wake up," Ben said harshly. Tarc blinked, sitting up. He looked up at Ben and immediately tried to get up and run. "Not so fast." Ben reached out with his hand and Tarc stopped, turning towards him, as if an invisible hand was controlling him.
"Let me go!" Tarc cried, struggling futilely.
"Not a chance. I've finally got you where I want you. You should never have been born. You took the love that was supposed to be mine. For that you will pay, with your life." Tarc's eyes widened and he began to whimper. Tears filled up in his eyes. "Don't waste your tears on me. I've learned the hard way that you have to be cold and heartless to get anywhere in this galaxy. Why do you think I'm still alive? Getting rid of you will just make your father suffer more, which is exactly what he deserves."
Tears streamed down Tarc's face as he struggled even harder. Ben pulled out his lightsaber, igniting it. He walked towards Tarc.
* * *
Damon set down his ship on the planet Boria and jumped out of the cockpit as the cover lifted upwards. Damon ran towards the still form that he saw lying on the moss covered ground. "No, no," Damon said, tears filling his eyes. He knelt beside the still form of his son, Tarc, who laid face down on the ground. Damon rolled him over and pulled him close to his chest, where he rocked back and forth, tears streaming down his face. "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Damon yelled, his face turned up to the heavens.
Tahl stood back quietly. She understood what Damon was going through. She had gone through it when Chanee had died. When were theses deaths going to stop? Ben must be stopped but she knew that she wasn't the person to do it. She wasn't sure who could. He seemed ruthless and heartless. How could he do this to his own brother? First his wife, then his son. Damon had to be devastated and he had done nothing to Ben.
Tahl walked up slowly behind Damon and placed a hand on his shoulder. He had buried his face in his son's hair, still holding him tightly. His sobs had quieted down, but his entire body still heaved. Damon looked up at Tahl, his face streaked with tears.
"Why did he have to do this, Tahl? What did this prove? He killed an innocent boy, one who had done nothing to him! What did I do to deserve this?" Damon turned his head back down, closing his eyes.
Tahl didn't say anything. She knew she didn't have to.
* * *
A few days later, Damon stood in front of the funeral pyre, watching his son leave him. All the Jedi from the Temple stood around the large fire. Obi-Wan stood next to him, holding his hand, tears streaming down his face. Damon's face was impassive, showing no emotion. He had been like that since he had found his son, and hadn't said a word to anyone.
Master Yoda stood on the other side of Damon. "A difficult time, this is. Do not let your emotions control you. Anger, hatred, dark side emotions, they are."
"I know, Master," Damon said quietly, the first words he had spoken in days.
Yoda nodded, looking at the fire. "Much sadness, I fear, in your future, will there be," Yoda said quietly.
* * *
Ben stood in front of Darth Sidious, reporting what he had accomplished. "Very good, Lord Pravanus. You have done well. Better to make the enemy suffer. What is your next move?"
"I wish to train some more, my Master. I want to be as strong as possible when I confront my brother. I wish to wait a while, to let him suffer more, and then go after his remaining son. When he is taken care of, I will move to finish off my brother. In the meantime, Master, I wish to go on more missions, to give myself more training."
Darth Sidious nodded. "Very well. You will have your wishes. Train and if I see you making progress, I will give you another mission."
"Thank you, my Master."
Ben bowed respectfully and left the chambers.
* * *
Journal Entry 12: "I have just gotten rid of Damon's son, Tarc. His remaining son, Obi- Wan, I will get when I am ready, for I think Damon will be better prepared. Darth Sidious called me to his chambers this morning. It seems that there is a bounty hunter after me. And not just any bounty hunter. It's Jango Fett, the bounty hunter I had just hired to capture Tarc. The good news is that Darth Sidious, with his political influence as a Senator and his other various resources, has managed to get Jango Fett off my trail. For now. Someone probably hired the bounty hunter to get revenge on me for something. I really don't care. I've got my training to attend to and soon I will get another mission."
* * *
Two years passed as Ben trained harder than ever. Soon, his Master felt that he was ready for a mission. He was to go to the planet Ilu to oversee the shipment of a very rare mineral that Darth Sidious needed. The Ilusians were very fine mineral workers and he knew that the shipment would be of the finest, but his master felt that Ben's presence was needed to make sure the entire shipment got to the shipping freighter. This would be a simple mission, but one that Ben was looking forward to.
Ilu was a planet with enormous gravity, and the Ilusians were built for the gravity, with solid legs and bodies. With the amount of gravity on the planet, it crushed the minerals into the fine crystals that they were. This would be a test of his strength and will when he reached the planet.
Ben walked to the hanger on Coruscant and over to his starship. He paid his holding fees and hit a sequence on his arm band. The hatchway opened and a ramp came down. Ben walked up into his ship and headed to the cockpit. He pulled in the landing ramp and started the ship. Within minutes he was off the ground and headed towards Ilu.
* * *
Ulian and his apprentice, Neelah, headed towards the planet Ilu. Two times a year, each Jedi-Padawan team visited the planet for training under the intense gravity. Since the Jedi needed to be able to maneuver in every kind of situation, this planet helped further the training. Ulian had been a Jedi Master for a couple of years now and he had just recently taken on Neelah, who was a Twi'lek and already looked promising. She had strong Force ability and she was very good with a lightsaber. Ulian had looked forward to this trip for a very long time.
Ulian looked over at his young Padawan, who was sitting in the co-pilot seat, deep in meditation. The two long head tails that all Twi'leks had, lay across her chest, barely moving.
Ulian nodded and turned back to the view port where the star lines were whizzing by in hyperspace. He leaned back and settled into meditation. He would need to be fully rested for this trip. It was as much a test of strength as a test of skill.
* * *
Ben landed on Ilu in one of their main ports. As soon as he left the ship, he felt the pull of gravity increase considerably. It took him a few minutes to adjust, and then he walked over to the attendant. He paid the landing fee and headed to the mineral planet where the crystals were getting ready to ship out. It would be two days until they were ready to be sent to his master, but Ben felt that he needed to watch the progress while they packed them.
As he walked through the main city, he looked around, observing. He was already getting used to the gravity, though it still made it slightly difficult to walk fast, but he would never get used to the Ilusians, who were stout, humanoid figures, but had at least six arms. They were about half his height and had little or no hair, and their eyes were very large but the rest of their face looked at least semi-human.
Ben took his gaze off of the Ilusians and admired the vast forests that covered much of the planet. The trees were tall and very thick, made for the intense gravity. All the branches and leaves drooped, giving the trees a hanging effect. The main city had a few trees, but mostly they were outside of the large city. All the buildings were short in height, and long in measure, having many large windows and winding staircases on the outside of the buildings. The road that Ben walked on was covered in a stony material and the entire city looked very primitive, but the viewer shouldn't be fooled. The Ilusians were in fact one of the richest species, at times even rivaling the Hutts. The crystal that they grew on this planet was very rare and very expensive.
Ben walked through the main square where thousands of Ilusians were going about their daily business. He passed by them quickly and soon he was through the main city. He walked down a well-trodden path through the immense forests and soon came to a large clearing where several of the crystal mines were. There were several small buildings by each of the mines, but one large one sat directly in the middle of this group of mines. Ben looked up at the red sky, a result of the fumes from the mining plants and then back at the main building.
He maneuvered around the large plants until he had reached the main door of the building. He opened it and walked up to the front desk, where a female Ilusian sat, typing into a data computer. She looked up at Ben and smiled a smile full of small, pointy teeth. "How may I help you?" she asked in Basic.
"I would like to speak to the manager of these plants."
She nodded. "I'll call him down for you." She spoke a few words of her own language into a small com-unit. She listened for a moment and the nodded. She looked back at Ben. "He'll be right with you. Just wait over there." She pointed to a small bench off to one side.
"Thank you," Ben said, and walked over to sit on the bench, his cape settling around his feet. A few minutes later, a tall Ilusian, a rarity in their species, walked over to him. Ben stood and bowed his head respectfully. He was still about two feet taller than the Ilusian.
"You wished to speak with me?" the manager asked in Basic.
Ben nodded. "I am Merken, and I am here to oversee the shipping of the crystals. I'm sure you knew of my coming?"
The manager nodded. "Yes, yes. We knew. We will be packaging the crystals here in this building. There are several sites where the crystal will be shipped from, arriving here within the next few days. If you wish to see it packaged, you are welcome to watch in the packaging area. Once it is all packaged, we will send it to the main hanger, where it will be shipped out to your master. We have some that have been prepackaged. Would you care to inspect them?"
Ben nodded. "Yes, I would."
"I will show you to the packaging area. Follow me." The manager walked over to a large, durasteel door off to one side of the main lobby. He punched in a code and the door swished open.
Ben followed him through the large corridors into a large hanger, which had been transformed into a huge packaging area. Droids were standing next to moving belts, packaging the crystals into the huge, duracrete crates. "These are other shipments we are working on. Over here are the few crates that we have already assembled." Ben followed the manager over to a loading area where several duracrete crates sat. The manager stooped down and punched in a code on the small device attached to the crates. "The codes only let high ranking officials, such as myself, access the crates once they have been packaged. It's as much for our safety as for the safety of our customers."
"I see," Ben said. The top of the crate hissed open and Ben peered into the crate. Thousands of glittering crystals lay in the crate, packaged perfectly with foam surrounding them to keep them safe. "Very good." Ben picked up one of the crystals and turned it over in his hand. He knew the manager was watching his every move but he didn't pay attention. He inspected the crystal and, after seeing that it was unblemished, he returned it to its place in the crate. "They look good. Let's hope the entire shipment is just as good."
The manager nodded and punched in the code to reseal the crate. "Would you like a place to stay until we finish your shipment?" the manager asked.
"Yes."
The manager nodded. "Follow me, then." Ben followed the manager out of the packaging area and up two flights of stairs. That was the only difference with this building and the ones in the main city. The stairs were inside, instead of outside the building. Ben preferred it that way. The manager stopped at a door at the top of the stairs. "This will be your room. It has a view screen that overlooks the packaging area so you can oversee the operations and other view port that has a wonderful view of our planet."
"Thank you," Ben said. He opened the door and looked around the spacious room. It was sparsely furnished, but that was fine with Ben. He was more comfortable with large, open spaces.
"Will you be needing anything?" the manager asked.
"No."
"There is a refresher through that door and a food processor is next to the door." Ben looked over at the large door that led to the refresher and then at the small compartment in the wall where his food would be processed. "I will leave you, then." The manager closed the door and left.
Ben walked over to the view port that overlooked the vast forests. He smiled. This mission was going to be very easy.
* * *
Ulian settled their ship in a small clearing. Neelah walked down the ramp and collapsed onto her knees. Ulian, after sealing the ship, walked down to her, and helped her to her feet. "This gravity is intense!" Neelah exclaimed. "And the sky. It's so red!"
"I know. The gravity here is about ten times as much as Coruscant's. The sky is very unusual. The red sun causes the coloration. I used to go here with my master. But it serves as a good training exercise. You must be able to adapt to every kind of situation."
"Yes, Master. What are we going to do here?"
"We will first hike through these woods and go to the main city. From there, we can observe the Ilusians and the planet itself. We will be here for a couple of days, so we will have time to visit the mining plants. I'm sure you've heard of the Ilu crystals."
"Yes, Master. I've heard that they are beautiful."
"That they are. I think you will enjoy this trip. I've looked forward to it for a long time."
Neelah nodded and took her survival pack from Ulian. He hefted his own onto his back and they headed into the woods. * * *
The next day, when Ben awoke, the red sun was streaming into his room. He stood up and went into the refresher. When he came out, he put on his cloak and strapped his belt around his waist, his lightsaber already clipped to it. Ben walked over to the food processor and punched in what he wanted. His food came out; steaming hot, and he took it, sitting on the couch. He ate quickly and threw the remains out. He pulled a chair over to the view port that overlooked the processing plant and settled down to watch.
* * *
About mid-afternoon, Ulian and Neelah stopped for lunch. When they were finished, Ulian took out his lightsaber. "I would like to get in some practicing with you," Ulian said. "Take out your lightsaber. We have some time to spare."
Neelah grinned and stood, pulling out her lightsaber. Ulian ignited his, a green blade springing out. Neelah, in turn, ignited her own, a blue blade springing out. They crossed blades and then went into some basic fighting moves. Then Ulian decided to get serious and started attacking Neelah, but she blocked every move, grinning the entire time.
"This is very fun, Master," Neelah said, enjoying the moment.
She began attacking back, Ulian blocking her moves effortlessly. "You will be very good, eventually, but you still have much to learn, my young Padawan," Ulian said. With that, he faked and brought his lightsaber around, knocking Neelah's out of her hand and pointing the end of his lightsaber at her face. She froze, looking at him. He deactivated his lightsaber and, using the Force, pulled her lightsaber to his hand. He tossed her it, deactivated.
She caught it easily and clipped it back on her belt. "I hope I will be as good as you some day."
"I don't think you need to worry about that," Ulian smiled, clipping his lightsaber to his belt. "You are very good. You gave me quite a workout." Neelah grinned. "Now let's get going. We still have about a half a day's walk to the city."
Neelah nodded and pulled her survival gear onto her back. Ulian gathered his survival gear and pulled it onto his back. They began walking towards the city.
* * *
Ben sat beneath a tree, meditating. He had left his apartment a little while ago to get some time alone. The edge of the woods was near the back of the main building, so Ben had gone a little ways into the woods, staying near in case the manager needed him, but far enough away to meditate. A cool breeze swept through the trees, shifting his cloak slightly.
He breathed deeply and slowly, going deeper into his meditation. He focused his dark energy into his center, increasing his strength, speed and power. Every time he meditated, he grew stronger in the Force. It was a simple way to get training when he didn't have access to the training materials with his master.
Suddenly he felt a strong presence in the Force. He opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, deeper into the forest. He focused on the small form moving in the distance. He stood and crept closer until he recognized the form as two people. One was humanoid and the other, smaller, form, was a Twi'lek. They were dressed in simple clothes and he didn't think anything of it until he saw the lightsabers hanging from their utility belts. Jedi! Here on Ilu! What's next?! Ben looked away. Great, just what he needed. A distraction. He knew that he had been doing well against the Jedi, but that didn't mean he wouldn't freeze up again. They couldn't find out that he was here. That would be disastrous. But what were they doing here in the first place?
Ben looked back as the Jedi walked up to the back door of the main building and knocked. The manager opened the door and the two Jedi walked in. What if he tells them that he was here? Ben ran around to the other side of the building and went in, rushing up to his apartment. He gathered up what few belongings he had taken with him and straightened up the apartment. He was just about to leave when he heard voices coming up the stairs. "There's a young man staying in this apartment, but the one next to it is open if you would like to stay here." Ben heard the manager say.
Ben opened his door a fraction of an inch and watched as the manager walked by, followed by the two Jedi. "That would be very nice," the older Jedi said.
"This is where you package the crystals, correct?" the younger Jedi asked.
The manager nodded. "Yes, we do. Would you like to see the packaging area?"
"Yes, thank you," the older Jedi said. The walked further down the hall and into the next apartment.
Sensing his moment, Ben snuck out of his apartment and down the stairs.
* * *
"There is a view port that overlooks the packaging area from here," the manager said, pointing to a window at the far end of their apartment.
Neelah looked around the very nice apartment. "Will we stay here Master?" Neelah asked, looking at her master.
Ulian looked at her. "For a short while," Ulian said.
"Great," Neelah said. "I can't wait to see those crystals."
"I'm afraid we can't stay long, sir," Ulian said, looking at the manager. "But we would like to look around if that is alright with you."
The manager nodded, smiling. "That is no problem. Always a pleasure to accommodate Jedi. We've done the tours in the past when your training groups have arrived here. The access code to the packaging area is 325. Feel free to look around and ask any questions you might have."
Ulian bowed respectfully. "Thank you very much."
The manger nodded. "I'll leave you two, then."
The manager left and Neelah walked over to the view port. She looked down at the lines of crates as they moved along the belts, getting packaged by the droids.
"This is amazing. There are so many crystals! I thought that they were rare," Neelah said. She looked at Ulian, who walked over to stand beside her.
He looked out over the scene. "There are rare. This is the only planet where they are grown. The gravity conditions and weather conditions have to be exactly like Ilu to create the crystals. Many scientists have attempted to grow them in habitats but all have failed. If you have a big pocketbook, you can buy many of the crystals but not all of us are so lucky." Ulian smiled, looking at her. "But even having one of the crystals is a feat on its own. In fact, two of these crystals make up my lightsaber."
Neelah's eyes went wide. "You have them in your lightsaber?" she exclaimed.
"Yes. I found two small ones when I went here on my second training mission. My master let me keep them, and so I put them into my lightsaber."
"That's cool," Neelah said. "Will we go down there?" Neelah pointed down at the packaging area.
Ulian nodded. "Tomorrow. It is getting late. You should rest."
Neelah nodded. "I will, Master."
Neelah walked over to a door near a view port that overlooked the vast forest and it opened to reveal a small room. She went in and the door closed.
Ulian walked over to a chair and sat down, looking at the wall, thinking. Early that day he had felt a disturbing presence in the Force. He hadn't mentioned it to his apprentice because at that time it hadn't been important. But as they had walked by the apartment next door, he had felt that same disturbance again. It was a dark presence and it had begun to worry him. He knew that Tahl and her apprentice had felt a similar disturbance right before they ran into the Dark Jedi and he was sure that the same being had been responsible for Damon's wife's death. Damon was his best friend, and Damon had told him that his brother had been responsible. If that was true, then Ben was here, on Ilu, and they were in big trouble. Ulian pulled out his com-unit and punched in a line to the Jedi Temple.
"Master Yoda, we are on Ilu. The training had gone well so far, but we have run into a problem. I have a bad feeling that Ben is here, the dark Jedi who was responsible for Chanee's and Yenasta's deaths. What should we do?"
"Cut short, your exercise must be. Most important, is your safety and that of your Padawan's. Come back to the Temple at once," Yoda said.
"Yes, Master." He turned off the com-unit and settled back in his chair, putting the unit back on his belt. He closed his eyes. He would have to get some sleep if they were going to leave immediately in the morning.
* * *
Ben stood in the manager's office, facing him. "I know that this is sudden, but I apologize. We need those crystals tomorrow morning if at all possible," Ben said.
"Yes, yes. We will try. They will be shipped off as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Ben said, bowing his head. He left the room and went into the packaging area. He sat in a corner on one of the duracrete crates, watching the packaging process. He closed his eyes and tried to get some rest.
* * *
In the morning, Ben watched as the final shipment of the crystals was sent off. He didn't have time to go to the hanger, but he felt sure that the crystals would be delivered safely. The important thing was for him to get off this planet, and quickly. Jedi were here and he was in trouble. If they found him, he didn't know what he would do. Ben left the building and walked through the woods quickly, headed towards his ship.
* * *
Ulian and Neelah headed towards their ship, first thing in the morning. Neelah hadn't questioned anything yet, but Ulian knew that he owed her an explanation. It would have to wait until they were in the safety of hyperspace.
As they walked, Ulian felt the unsettling dark presence again. He looked off to his right and, much to his dismay, he saw a figure in the distance, walking in the same direction as they were. Ulian quickened his pace and Neelah quickly followed. They soon entered the large clearing where Ulian had set down their ship. The figure came out right beside them. He spotted Ulian and Neelah and faced them, his black cloak swirling around him. His face was grooved with a long, jagged scar and a smaller one across his nose. His green eyes flashed with intensity but Ulian could have sworn he had seen a flash of fear in the man's eyes.
Neelah's hand went instinctively to the hilt of her lightsaber, but she didn't say anything. No one moved for a long time. Suddenly the man in black whipped out his lightsaber and pointed the end right in Ulian's face. Neelah took a step back, watching, her eyes wide with fear but also determination. Ulian didn't move. He looked into the man's eyes. "You're done Jedi," the man said, sneering. He swung up and at Ulian but stopped, inches from Ulian's neck. Suddenly he backed up, his hand shaking. The lightsaber deactivated and he ran towards an empty area where a ship suddenly appeared, the cloaking shield down. The man clambered into his ship and it took off.
Ulian let out the breath he had been holding and looked at his apprentice. She looked stupefied. "Master?" she said.
"That was close. Too close," Ulian said.
"Who was that man? Was he the one who . . ." her voice trailed off.
"Yes, Neelah, that was Ben, Damon's brother."
* * *
Ben sat back in the pilot's chair and then slammed his fist into the wall. Why? Why did he freeze again?! Was he that weak? The only good thing was that he had completed his mission, but the bad thing was that if Darth Sidious found out that he had failed against the Jedi again, he was through.
Journal Entry 12: "My master didn't seem to know that I had failed against the Jedi. He was happy that the crystals were on their way and he didn't say anything else. I am relieved. I don't know what would have happened if he had found out. I'm just going to have to train even harder. I don't know what I'm going to do."
Chapter Seven
-Planet Ilu -
Damon ran into the main area and into the next corridor. He found the care center entrance and the door swished open. A woman walked over to him. "Can I help you sir?" she asked.
"I need to get my son, Tarc."
The woman looked confused. "Tarc? Someone's already been here for him."
Damon's heart began beating rapidly and he swallowed hard. "Someone's taken him?"
The woman nodded. "They left a few minutes ago. What's wrong, sir?"
"Do you have any idea where they might have gone?"
"No, sir. I'm sorry."
"Oh God, not again," Damon moaned. He ran out of the care center and out of the complex, stopping in the middle of the street, looking around.
"Master?" Menire asked, running up to Damon.
Damon didn't answer him. Damon closed his eyes, focusing. He opened them and ran towards a wooded area at the outskirts of the city that hadn't been there before. Menire ran after his master, hurrying to catch up.
Suddenly, a clearing surrounded Damon. Damon looked around wildly, trying to find his son. Then he felt a dark presence right behind him. Damon spun to face Ben, who was standing inches away from Damon. Damon stumbled back, clenching his fists and trying to control his anger. "Ben," Damon said through clenched teeth.
Ben smiled. "Aww, brother, that's no way to treat blood. I thought you'd be happy to see me," Ben said, acting hurt.
"Where is my son Ben?" Damon asked, his teeth still clenched.
"Not far way, not far away at all." Ben's smile turned wicked and his green eyes glittered venomously. "You'd better hurry."
"Where is he?" Damon yelled, his anger boiling inside him.
"Tsk, tsk, Damon. Shouldn't you control your anger? You are after all, a Jedi," Ben spat out the last word with disgust.
"Where is my son?" Damon asked again, spacing out the words.
Ben shook his head. "You're no fun, no fun at all Damon. You haven't changed one bit." Ben sighed and shrugged. "Oh well." Ben waved one hand and a section of the forest disappeared to reveal Damon's son, Tarc, but it wasn't a pretty sight. Tarc hung by his wrists from a tall metal rod over a huge fiery pit, where snarls and howling could be heard. Damon took a step closer and saw that the pit was filled with lava creatures called chuzarks. Chuzarks were large, fiery monsters with rows of tiny, needle sharp teeth and small black eyes and were known to devour their prey bit by bit. Damon looked up at his unconscious son, hanging over the chuzark filled pit. Damon moved to go after his son, but in an instant, Ben stood before him, blocking his path. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. If you take one step closer, I'll release his bonds." Ben sneered. "What's the matter, brother? Seen a ghost?" Ben laughed.
"Move out of the way, Ben," Damon said. "Release my son. He's done nothing to you."
"Oh, but he has. He WAS BORN!" Ben's anger flared as he yelled the last words. "You abandoned me and then you married and had HIM!" Ben pointed at Tarc, who moaned as a flame leapt up and licked his foot. "Why Damon, WHY? Why did you abandon me? You left me, in a manner of speaking, to the chuzarks! You didn't care! And now that your little brat son is in danger, sure, you'll save him, but WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE ME???!!!"
Damon looked Ben in the eyes. "I tried, you know that. You wouldn't have any of it. It was your own fault that you've become like this, a cold- hearted, hate-filled, spiteful creature. You have no right to accuse me of abandoning you. You murdered my wife out of cold-blood! You think I don't know pain? Loosing her was like loosing a part of me! First, you run off, go to the dark side, and then blame me. Then you killed my wife. Now you want to murder my innocent son, who had done nothing to you? I want to hate you with every part of me! And I should! But I'm not like you; I'm not cold-blooded and heartless. Jedi do not hate." Damon's voice grew calmer. "Don't you try to tell me what's right and what's wrong. You stepped out of that area a long time ago. So leave my family alone and leave me alone."
Ben shook with bottled up rage. He looked ready to explode and then he straightened and actually smiled! "You're not as righteous as you claim to be, Damon. You're not as perfect as you think you are. You need to be taught about loss and hate. If you loose everything you love, maybe you'll feel a small measurement of how I felt when you left me on my own. Say goodbye to your son, forever."
Ben laughed and made a motion with his hand. Tarc had just opened his eyes when the rope suddenly snapped and he fell straight towards the pit. His eyes widened and his mouth opened in a soundless scream.
"Tarc!" Damon yelled and ran at his falling son. Damon grabbed him and tumbled onto the other side of the pit. The chuzarks jumped in the air, snarling at their meal being taken away.
Damon looked for Ben, but he was gone.
* * *
Ben moved his ship into hyperspace, the stars turning into white lines all around him. Once the ship was on autopilot, Ben sat back in the pilot's chair, closing his eyes. He had let Damon win this time, think he had won, anyway. But Ben still had a few more tricks up his sleeve. Watch out Damon. Soon you won't have anyone left.
* * *
The next two years passed swiftly. Ben trained harder and harder and increased his strength physically and in the Force by a hundred fold. He had kept himself hidden away; secretly training to be ready on the day he would confront Damon. Obi-Wan was two years old now and beginning his training in the Temple. Tarc, who had just turned three, lived at the temple, kept safe by his father.
Journal Entry 11: "It's been two years since I last spoke with Damon. I'm not sure why I let Tarc go but this time, I will get him. I hate Damon so much. He deserves all the pain that I inflicted and will inflict very soon. I've been training very hard and I am much stronger now. Once I get Tarc, I will wait to let Damon suffer, and then I will go after his remaining son."
Damon stood in one of the many training chambers, watching as the younglings worked at their training with the Force. One year ago, he had been given the title of Jedi Knight. When he wasn't out in the galaxy trying to keep peace, he was watching the young trainees. These were too young to use the practice lightsabers for they were only between the ages of two and four. The exercises that they were working on mastering were levitating small bits and pieces of materials.
Damon's son, Obi-Wan, sat in the middle, cross-legged, focusing on a small crystal in front of him. Damon's other son, Tarc, stood next to his father, quietly watching his brother. Tarc spent hours in the library, looking at pictures and holo-vids. Damon took Tarc to his brother's training sessions once and awhile to get him away from the library. Damon smiled, looking at Tarc. He couldn't believe that this boy was the same one that had almost died at the hands of Ben, a little over two years ago.
Damon returned his attentions back to the class. Master Yoda stood off to one side, quietly observing the younglings. Damon watched as Obi-Wan managed to lift the crystal about an inch. Obi-Wan grinned and the crystal fell back into place. Damon laughed quietly, remembering his own training.
"Younglings, today's lessons are over. Time to study, you must," Yoda instructed. The kids stood and bowed to Master Yoda. One by one, they left the room. Obi-Wan walked over to his father, standing next to Tarc, not saying anything. Yoda walked over to Damon, looking up at him. "Growing strong in the Force, your son Obi-Wan has, Master Kenobi. I see great things for him in the future."
Damon bowed respectfully. Thank you Master."
Yoda nodded and left the room. Damon looked at his two young sons. "Come on you two. Let's go have some fun," Damon said, smiling.
"Yes!" they both cried in unison, and literally dragged their father out of the training room.
* * *
In a dark corner of the galaxy, a man sat on a dark throne, in a dark room. He absently tapped his fingers on the edge of the arm rest, looking out into the dark, arched chamber. Two of his subordinates knelt in front of him. He looked down at them coldly. "Report," he said simply.
The two Black Sun operatives stood. The taller of the two spoke. "Sir, we've found proof that your brother, Xesus, was in the city of Eriadus when it was destroyed by the dark warrior."
"You bring me no new news."
"Yes, sir, but we think we've found out the identity of the man that destroyed the city."
Xedon sat up, slightly interested. "Go on."
"His name is Lord Pravanus. The problem, sir, is that we can't seem to locate him."
"That is what bounty hunters are for Peren." Xedon was growing tired of these two. All they ever brought him was bad news. As the leader of the criminal organization called Black Sun, he had to keep up his reputation and failures like these two didn't help.
"Yes, sir. We will contact the Bounty Hunter's Guild at once."
Xedon made a shooing motion with his hand. "Do what you have to do. I have other matters to attend to."
The two nodded, bowed their heads and left the chamber. Xedon rested his chin on his hand, thinking. He didn't know who this Lord Pravanus thought he was, but when he killed Xedon's brother, he crossed the line. Pretty soon, this Lord Pravanus would be no more. Xedon would make sure of that. He had a specific bounty hunter in mind, one that was much more efficient and reliable then the bunglers of the Bounty Hunter's Guild.
* * *
Ben flew his ship to Coruscant and landed on one of the floating landing platforms by the Temple. He climbed out and punched in a few numbers on his wrist-band com-link. Soon it looked like there was a totally different ship in place of his but there was no way anyone could steal it, since it was code activated. He walked over to an air taxi and had the man take him over to the entrance that led to the Temple. Ben knew he looked menacing in his black clothes and cape, boots and gloves, so he took off his black cloak and pulled on a dark brown one. Now he looked like a Jedi. Ben shuddered at the thought. He pulled his hood lower so that the man couldn't see his face. His lightsaber was hidden within the folds of his cape.
Soon he was walking through the corridors, his cape swirling around him. The Jedi around him didn't give him a second glance as he headed towards the vast Jedi archives. From his sources, Ben knew that Tarc stayed in the library while his father and Obi-Wan were training in another area of the Temple. How very foolish of you, Damon. You should know better then to leave your son unattended. Ben smiled to himself and concentrated on keeping his identity a secret. If he let any of his dark energy escape, the Jedi would find him out.
Ben stopped at a railing that was off to one side of the huge, arched corridor. He stepped over to it and looked around at the vastness of the Jedi Temple. This could have been his home, but it wasn't. Ben shrugged. That was in the past.
Ben turned and walked to the entrance of the Temple library. He walked through the open doors and immediately spotted Tarc sitting in a corner, absorbed in a small book.
* * *
Damon stood in the council chambers with Master Yoda. They were alone. "Master Kenobi, troubled, you are," Yoda said, sitting in his small seat.
Damon stood before him. He nodded. "Yes, Master."
"Thoughts of your brother, you have."
"I think of him all the time, Master. I don't know why. After what he's done to me, I should think that I wouldn't want to think about him."
"Feelings, you still have, for your brother. True, is that not?"
"Yes, Master. But why?"
"Your brother, he is. Natural, to have feelings for him, it is. Hate is not the way of the Jedi. Honor and peace are. Peace, you are trying to find. Amends, you will make. Take time, it will. Very much time."
"But Master, how can I make amends with a murderer?"
"Hard to see, the dark side is. Covered in the dark side, your brother is. Hard to get out, it is. Help him, you must. Keep trying. The dark side controls his emotions. His actions, he cannot help. That is where you come in."
Damon sighed. "Yes, Master."
* * *
Damon walked through the corridors towards the Temple library where he would pick up Tarc. What Yoda had told him confused him. Why should he help Ben? Damon shook his head. This was going to take some time.
When Damon entered the library, he immediately knew something was wrong. Tahl came rushing up to him. "Damon, I can't find Tarc! He's missing!" Damon's heart began beating rapidly. If Tarc was missing, there could only be one reason why. Ben!
"Are you sure?" Damon asked.
"Yes. I came in here to check up on Tarc, since you were with Master Yoda, and Jocasta Nu said that Tarc had left a while back with a Jedi Master. I asked her which one, but she didn't have a name. She claimed that there was so many, she couldn't keep track of all the names. I don't know for sure, but I think she could have been memory wiped."
"We must find him. He is in terrible danger if he's with who I think he is." Tahl's eyes grew wide with worry. "I don't want to loose another that I love."
Tahl nodded and they ran out of the Temple library.
* * *
Tarc stood at the edge of the landing platform outside of the Jedi Temple. He looked around, confused. Where was he? The man that had taken him to the landing platform had disappeared. "Daddy," Tarc whimpered. He was scared and all the ships flying around him didn't help. Strange creatures walked by him, not paying attention to him. He had to get back to the Temple. That was where his daddy was, but the man had told him to wait here. But that man wasn't his daddy. Tarc began moving towards the entrance into the Jedi Temple when a strong arm grabbed him by his shoulder.
"Where you going, kid?" a rough, emotionless voice asked. Tarc turned to see a tall man standing there, his entire body encased in armor. A visored helmet covered his head and rocket launchers were hung on his back. The stare of the helmet made Tarc freeze.
"Uh . . . uh," Tarc stammered. The man wrapped his arm around Tarc's waist, picked him up and began walking towards his ship. "Let me go!" Tarc yelled, but the man jus ignored him. "Help!" But no one heard him.
* * *
Ben stood in the shadows, watching as Jango Fett took Tarc to his ship. Ben knew that Fett would get Tarc to the designated planet where Ben would pay him for his services. There, Tarc could be eliminated.
* * *
Damon ran out onto the landing platform just as Slave I rose into the air. "A bounty hunter, after my son?" Damon asked.
Tahl stood next to him, just as confused. In a millisecond, Tahl had pulled out a small tracking device and flung it at the rising ship. It made contact and Tahl turned to Damon.
"Now we follow."
Damon nodded. "Good thinking. We'll use my ship."
Damon, with Tahl running beside him, ran to his ship that was docked not very far away. It was a small, two person craft, designed specifically for speed. Damon and Tahl climbed in and they lifted off.
* * *
Ben stood on the planet Boria, a planet that was a wasteland. It was very much like Dagobah, in that it was filled with swampy, dark, and danger filled jungle. Ben was in a small clearing, waiting for the arrival of Jango Fett. He spotted Slave 1 entering the atmosphere, and in a manner of minutes, it had landed. The hatch opened and Jango Fett strode down, looking like he always had in his menacing Maladorian armor.
His visored helmet looked at Ben as he strode towards him, Tarc unconscious in one of his arms. Ben always felt uncomfortable when that visored gaze was turned on him. "Your bounty," Fett said simply, holding out Tarc.
Ben took him and, holding him with one arm, Ben drew out the data sheet that would transfer the amount of credits to Fett's account. Ben had put the specific amount under a false name, Merken, so as not to link his name to his master or any other powerful beings. Ben quickly transferred the amount.
"There. I've transferred the amount that I had put up for the bounty. It's in your funds."
Fett nodded, seemed to check something in his helmet, and turned back towards his ship. "It is done," Fett said without turning around. He walked back up the ramp of his ship and the hatch closed. Slave 1 rose into the air and departed quickly.
Ben put the data sheet back on his belt and looked down at Tarc, who hung limply in his arm. Ben dropped Tarc onto the ground and crossed his eyes. He nudged him with his foot.
"Wake up," Ben said harshly. Tarc blinked, sitting up. He looked up at Ben and immediately tried to get up and run. "Not so fast." Ben reached out with his hand and Tarc stopped, turning towards him, as if an invisible hand was controlling him.
"Let me go!" Tarc cried, struggling futilely.
"Not a chance. I've finally got you where I want you. You should never have been born. You took the love that was supposed to be mine. For that you will pay, with your life." Tarc's eyes widened and he began to whimper. Tears filled up in his eyes. "Don't waste your tears on me. I've learned the hard way that you have to be cold and heartless to get anywhere in this galaxy. Why do you think I'm still alive? Getting rid of you will just make your father suffer more, which is exactly what he deserves."
Tears streamed down Tarc's face as he struggled even harder. Ben pulled out his lightsaber, igniting it. He walked towards Tarc.
* * *
Damon set down his ship on the planet Boria and jumped out of the cockpit as the cover lifted upwards. Damon ran towards the still form that he saw lying on the moss covered ground. "No, no," Damon said, tears filling his eyes. He knelt beside the still form of his son, Tarc, who laid face down on the ground. Damon rolled him over and pulled him close to his chest, where he rocked back and forth, tears streaming down his face. "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Damon yelled, his face turned up to the heavens.
Tahl stood back quietly. She understood what Damon was going through. She had gone through it when Chanee had died. When were theses deaths going to stop? Ben must be stopped but she knew that she wasn't the person to do it. She wasn't sure who could. He seemed ruthless and heartless. How could he do this to his own brother? First his wife, then his son. Damon had to be devastated and he had done nothing to Ben.
Tahl walked up slowly behind Damon and placed a hand on his shoulder. He had buried his face in his son's hair, still holding him tightly. His sobs had quieted down, but his entire body still heaved. Damon looked up at Tahl, his face streaked with tears.
"Why did he have to do this, Tahl? What did this prove? He killed an innocent boy, one who had done nothing to him! What did I do to deserve this?" Damon turned his head back down, closing his eyes.
Tahl didn't say anything. She knew she didn't have to.
* * *
A few days later, Damon stood in front of the funeral pyre, watching his son leave him. All the Jedi from the Temple stood around the large fire. Obi-Wan stood next to him, holding his hand, tears streaming down his face. Damon's face was impassive, showing no emotion. He had been like that since he had found his son, and hadn't said a word to anyone.
Master Yoda stood on the other side of Damon. "A difficult time, this is. Do not let your emotions control you. Anger, hatred, dark side emotions, they are."
"I know, Master," Damon said quietly, the first words he had spoken in days.
Yoda nodded, looking at the fire. "Much sadness, I fear, in your future, will there be," Yoda said quietly.
* * *
Ben stood in front of Darth Sidious, reporting what he had accomplished. "Very good, Lord Pravanus. You have done well. Better to make the enemy suffer. What is your next move?"
"I wish to train some more, my Master. I want to be as strong as possible when I confront my brother. I wish to wait a while, to let him suffer more, and then go after his remaining son. When he is taken care of, I will move to finish off my brother. In the meantime, Master, I wish to go on more missions, to give myself more training."
Darth Sidious nodded. "Very well. You will have your wishes. Train and if I see you making progress, I will give you another mission."
"Thank you, my Master."
Ben bowed respectfully and left the chambers.
* * *
Journal Entry 12: "I have just gotten rid of Damon's son, Tarc. His remaining son, Obi- Wan, I will get when I am ready, for I think Damon will be better prepared. Darth Sidious called me to his chambers this morning. It seems that there is a bounty hunter after me. And not just any bounty hunter. It's Jango Fett, the bounty hunter I had just hired to capture Tarc. The good news is that Darth Sidious, with his political influence as a Senator and his other various resources, has managed to get Jango Fett off my trail. For now. Someone probably hired the bounty hunter to get revenge on me for something. I really don't care. I've got my training to attend to and soon I will get another mission."
* * *
Two years passed as Ben trained harder than ever. Soon, his Master felt that he was ready for a mission. He was to go to the planet Ilu to oversee the shipment of a very rare mineral that Darth Sidious needed. The Ilusians were very fine mineral workers and he knew that the shipment would be of the finest, but his master felt that Ben's presence was needed to make sure the entire shipment got to the shipping freighter. This would be a simple mission, but one that Ben was looking forward to.
Ilu was a planet with enormous gravity, and the Ilusians were built for the gravity, with solid legs and bodies. With the amount of gravity on the planet, it crushed the minerals into the fine crystals that they were. This would be a test of his strength and will when he reached the planet.
Ben walked to the hanger on Coruscant and over to his starship. He paid his holding fees and hit a sequence on his arm band. The hatchway opened and a ramp came down. Ben walked up into his ship and headed to the cockpit. He pulled in the landing ramp and started the ship. Within minutes he was off the ground and headed towards Ilu.
* * *
Ulian and his apprentice, Neelah, headed towards the planet Ilu. Two times a year, each Jedi-Padawan team visited the planet for training under the intense gravity. Since the Jedi needed to be able to maneuver in every kind of situation, this planet helped further the training. Ulian had been a Jedi Master for a couple of years now and he had just recently taken on Neelah, who was a Twi'lek and already looked promising. She had strong Force ability and she was very good with a lightsaber. Ulian had looked forward to this trip for a very long time.
Ulian looked over at his young Padawan, who was sitting in the co-pilot seat, deep in meditation. The two long head tails that all Twi'leks had, lay across her chest, barely moving.
Ulian nodded and turned back to the view port where the star lines were whizzing by in hyperspace. He leaned back and settled into meditation. He would need to be fully rested for this trip. It was as much a test of strength as a test of skill.
* * *
Ben landed on Ilu in one of their main ports. As soon as he left the ship, he felt the pull of gravity increase considerably. It took him a few minutes to adjust, and then he walked over to the attendant. He paid the landing fee and headed to the mineral planet where the crystals were getting ready to ship out. It would be two days until they were ready to be sent to his master, but Ben felt that he needed to watch the progress while they packed them.
As he walked through the main city, he looked around, observing. He was already getting used to the gravity, though it still made it slightly difficult to walk fast, but he would never get used to the Ilusians, who were stout, humanoid figures, but had at least six arms. They were about half his height and had little or no hair, and their eyes were very large but the rest of their face looked at least semi-human.
Ben took his gaze off of the Ilusians and admired the vast forests that covered much of the planet. The trees were tall and very thick, made for the intense gravity. All the branches and leaves drooped, giving the trees a hanging effect. The main city had a few trees, but mostly they were outside of the large city. All the buildings were short in height, and long in measure, having many large windows and winding staircases on the outside of the buildings. The road that Ben walked on was covered in a stony material and the entire city looked very primitive, but the viewer shouldn't be fooled. The Ilusians were in fact one of the richest species, at times even rivaling the Hutts. The crystal that they grew on this planet was very rare and very expensive.
Ben walked through the main square where thousands of Ilusians were going about their daily business. He passed by them quickly and soon he was through the main city. He walked down a well-trodden path through the immense forests and soon came to a large clearing where several of the crystal mines were. There were several small buildings by each of the mines, but one large one sat directly in the middle of this group of mines. Ben looked up at the red sky, a result of the fumes from the mining plants and then back at the main building.
He maneuvered around the large plants until he had reached the main door of the building. He opened it and walked up to the front desk, where a female Ilusian sat, typing into a data computer. She looked up at Ben and smiled a smile full of small, pointy teeth. "How may I help you?" she asked in Basic.
"I would like to speak to the manager of these plants."
She nodded. "I'll call him down for you." She spoke a few words of her own language into a small com-unit. She listened for a moment and the nodded. She looked back at Ben. "He'll be right with you. Just wait over there." She pointed to a small bench off to one side.
"Thank you," Ben said, and walked over to sit on the bench, his cape settling around his feet. A few minutes later, a tall Ilusian, a rarity in their species, walked over to him. Ben stood and bowed his head respectfully. He was still about two feet taller than the Ilusian.
"You wished to speak with me?" the manager asked in Basic.
Ben nodded. "I am Merken, and I am here to oversee the shipping of the crystals. I'm sure you knew of my coming?"
The manager nodded. "Yes, yes. We knew. We will be packaging the crystals here in this building. There are several sites where the crystal will be shipped from, arriving here within the next few days. If you wish to see it packaged, you are welcome to watch in the packaging area. Once it is all packaged, we will send it to the main hanger, where it will be shipped out to your master. We have some that have been prepackaged. Would you care to inspect them?"
Ben nodded. "Yes, I would."
"I will show you to the packaging area. Follow me." The manager walked over to a large, durasteel door off to one side of the main lobby. He punched in a code and the door swished open.
Ben followed him through the large corridors into a large hanger, which had been transformed into a huge packaging area. Droids were standing next to moving belts, packaging the crystals into the huge, duracrete crates. "These are other shipments we are working on. Over here are the few crates that we have already assembled." Ben followed the manager over to a loading area where several duracrete crates sat. The manager stooped down and punched in a code on the small device attached to the crates. "The codes only let high ranking officials, such as myself, access the crates once they have been packaged. It's as much for our safety as for the safety of our customers."
"I see," Ben said. The top of the crate hissed open and Ben peered into the crate. Thousands of glittering crystals lay in the crate, packaged perfectly with foam surrounding them to keep them safe. "Very good." Ben picked up one of the crystals and turned it over in his hand. He knew the manager was watching his every move but he didn't pay attention. He inspected the crystal and, after seeing that it was unblemished, he returned it to its place in the crate. "They look good. Let's hope the entire shipment is just as good."
The manager nodded and punched in the code to reseal the crate. "Would you like a place to stay until we finish your shipment?" the manager asked.
"Yes."
The manager nodded. "Follow me, then." Ben followed the manager out of the packaging area and up two flights of stairs. That was the only difference with this building and the ones in the main city. The stairs were inside, instead of outside the building. Ben preferred it that way. The manager stopped at a door at the top of the stairs. "This will be your room. It has a view screen that overlooks the packaging area so you can oversee the operations and other view port that has a wonderful view of our planet."
"Thank you," Ben said. He opened the door and looked around the spacious room. It was sparsely furnished, but that was fine with Ben. He was more comfortable with large, open spaces.
"Will you be needing anything?" the manager asked.
"No."
"There is a refresher through that door and a food processor is next to the door." Ben looked over at the large door that led to the refresher and then at the small compartment in the wall where his food would be processed. "I will leave you, then." The manager closed the door and left.
Ben walked over to the view port that overlooked the vast forests. He smiled. This mission was going to be very easy.
* * *
Ulian settled their ship in a small clearing. Neelah walked down the ramp and collapsed onto her knees. Ulian, after sealing the ship, walked down to her, and helped her to her feet. "This gravity is intense!" Neelah exclaimed. "And the sky. It's so red!"
"I know. The gravity here is about ten times as much as Coruscant's. The sky is very unusual. The red sun causes the coloration. I used to go here with my master. But it serves as a good training exercise. You must be able to adapt to every kind of situation."
"Yes, Master. What are we going to do here?"
"We will first hike through these woods and go to the main city. From there, we can observe the Ilusians and the planet itself. We will be here for a couple of days, so we will have time to visit the mining plants. I'm sure you've heard of the Ilu crystals."
"Yes, Master. I've heard that they are beautiful."
"That they are. I think you will enjoy this trip. I've looked forward to it for a long time."
Neelah nodded and took her survival pack from Ulian. He hefted his own onto his back and they headed into the woods. * * *
The next day, when Ben awoke, the red sun was streaming into his room. He stood up and went into the refresher. When he came out, he put on his cloak and strapped his belt around his waist, his lightsaber already clipped to it. Ben walked over to the food processor and punched in what he wanted. His food came out; steaming hot, and he took it, sitting on the couch. He ate quickly and threw the remains out. He pulled a chair over to the view port that overlooked the processing plant and settled down to watch.
* * *
About mid-afternoon, Ulian and Neelah stopped for lunch. When they were finished, Ulian took out his lightsaber. "I would like to get in some practicing with you," Ulian said. "Take out your lightsaber. We have some time to spare."
Neelah grinned and stood, pulling out her lightsaber. Ulian ignited his, a green blade springing out. Neelah, in turn, ignited her own, a blue blade springing out. They crossed blades and then went into some basic fighting moves. Then Ulian decided to get serious and started attacking Neelah, but she blocked every move, grinning the entire time.
"This is very fun, Master," Neelah said, enjoying the moment.
She began attacking back, Ulian blocking her moves effortlessly. "You will be very good, eventually, but you still have much to learn, my young Padawan," Ulian said. With that, he faked and brought his lightsaber around, knocking Neelah's out of her hand and pointing the end of his lightsaber at her face. She froze, looking at him. He deactivated his lightsaber and, using the Force, pulled her lightsaber to his hand. He tossed her it, deactivated.
She caught it easily and clipped it back on her belt. "I hope I will be as good as you some day."
"I don't think you need to worry about that," Ulian smiled, clipping his lightsaber to his belt. "You are very good. You gave me quite a workout." Neelah grinned. "Now let's get going. We still have about a half a day's walk to the city."
Neelah nodded and pulled her survival gear onto her back. Ulian gathered his survival gear and pulled it onto his back. They began walking towards the city.
* * *
Ben sat beneath a tree, meditating. He had left his apartment a little while ago to get some time alone. The edge of the woods was near the back of the main building, so Ben had gone a little ways into the woods, staying near in case the manager needed him, but far enough away to meditate. A cool breeze swept through the trees, shifting his cloak slightly.
He breathed deeply and slowly, going deeper into his meditation. He focused his dark energy into his center, increasing his strength, speed and power. Every time he meditated, he grew stronger in the Force. It was a simple way to get training when he didn't have access to the training materials with his master.
Suddenly he felt a strong presence in the Force. He opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, deeper into the forest. He focused on the small form moving in the distance. He stood and crept closer until he recognized the form as two people. One was humanoid and the other, smaller, form, was a Twi'lek. They were dressed in simple clothes and he didn't think anything of it until he saw the lightsabers hanging from their utility belts. Jedi! Here on Ilu! What's next?! Ben looked away. Great, just what he needed. A distraction. He knew that he had been doing well against the Jedi, but that didn't mean he wouldn't freeze up again. They couldn't find out that he was here. That would be disastrous. But what were they doing here in the first place?
Ben looked back as the Jedi walked up to the back door of the main building and knocked. The manager opened the door and the two Jedi walked in. What if he tells them that he was here? Ben ran around to the other side of the building and went in, rushing up to his apartment. He gathered up what few belongings he had taken with him and straightened up the apartment. He was just about to leave when he heard voices coming up the stairs. "There's a young man staying in this apartment, but the one next to it is open if you would like to stay here." Ben heard the manager say.
Ben opened his door a fraction of an inch and watched as the manager walked by, followed by the two Jedi. "That would be very nice," the older Jedi said.
"This is where you package the crystals, correct?" the younger Jedi asked.
The manager nodded. "Yes, we do. Would you like to see the packaging area?"
"Yes, thank you," the older Jedi said. The walked further down the hall and into the next apartment.
Sensing his moment, Ben snuck out of his apartment and down the stairs.
* * *
"There is a view port that overlooks the packaging area from here," the manager said, pointing to a window at the far end of their apartment.
Neelah looked around the very nice apartment. "Will we stay here Master?" Neelah asked, looking at her master.
Ulian looked at her. "For a short while," Ulian said.
"Great," Neelah said. "I can't wait to see those crystals."
"I'm afraid we can't stay long, sir," Ulian said, looking at the manager. "But we would like to look around if that is alright with you."
The manager nodded, smiling. "That is no problem. Always a pleasure to accommodate Jedi. We've done the tours in the past when your training groups have arrived here. The access code to the packaging area is 325. Feel free to look around and ask any questions you might have."
Ulian bowed respectfully. "Thank you very much."
The manger nodded. "I'll leave you two, then."
The manager left and Neelah walked over to the view port. She looked down at the lines of crates as they moved along the belts, getting packaged by the droids.
"This is amazing. There are so many crystals! I thought that they were rare," Neelah said. She looked at Ulian, who walked over to stand beside her.
He looked out over the scene. "There are rare. This is the only planet where they are grown. The gravity conditions and weather conditions have to be exactly like Ilu to create the crystals. Many scientists have attempted to grow them in habitats but all have failed. If you have a big pocketbook, you can buy many of the crystals but not all of us are so lucky." Ulian smiled, looking at her. "But even having one of the crystals is a feat on its own. In fact, two of these crystals make up my lightsaber."
Neelah's eyes went wide. "You have them in your lightsaber?" she exclaimed.
"Yes. I found two small ones when I went here on my second training mission. My master let me keep them, and so I put them into my lightsaber."
"That's cool," Neelah said. "Will we go down there?" Neelah pointed down at the packaging area.
Ulian nodded. "Tomorrow. It is getting late. You should rest."
Neelah nodded. "I will, Master."
Neelah walked over to a door near a view port that overlooked the vast forest and it opened to reveal a small room. She went in and the door closed.
Ulian walked over to a chair and sat down, looking at the wall, thinking. Early that day he had felt a disturbing presence in the Force. He hadn't mentioned it to his apprentice because at that time it hadn't been important. But as they had walked by the apartment next door, he had felt that same disturbance again. It was a dark presence and it had begun to worry him. He knew that Tahl and her apprentice had felt a similar disturbance right before they ran into the Dark Jedi and he was sure that the same being had been responsible for Damon's wife's death. Damon was his best friend, and Damon had told him that his brother had been responsible. If that was true, then Ben was here, on Ilu, and they were in big trouble. Ulian pulled out his com-unit and punched in a line to the Jedi Temple.
"Master Yoda, we are on Ilu. The training had gone well so far, but we have run into a problem. I have a bad feeling that Ben is here, the dark Jedi who was responsible for Chanee's and Yenasta's deaths. What should we do?"
"Cut short, your exercise must be. Most important, is your safety and that of your Padawan's. Come back to the Temple at once," Yoda said.
"Yes, Master." He turned off the com-unit and settled back in his chair, putting the unit back on his belt. He closed his eyes. He would have to get some sleep if they were going to leave immediately in the morning.
* * *
Ben stood in the manager's office, facing him. "I know that this is sudden, but I apologize. We need those crystals tomorrow morning if at all possible," Ben said.
"Yes, yes. We will try. They will be shipped off as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Ben said, bowing his head. He left the room and went into the packaging area. He sat in a corner on one of the duracrete crates, watching the packaging process. He closed his eyes and tried to get some rest.
* * *
In the morning, Ben watched as the final shipment of the crystals was sent off. He didn't have time to go to the hanger, but he felt sure that the crystals would be delivered safely. The important thing was for him to get off this planet, and quickly. Jedi were here and he was in trouble. If they found him, he didn't know what he would do. Ben left the building and walked through the woods quickly, headed towards his ship.
* * *
Ulian and Neelah headed towards their ship, first thing in the morning. Neelah hadn't questioned anything yet, but Ulian knew that he owed her an explanation. It would have to wait until they were in the safety of hyperspace.
As they walked, Ulian felt the unsettling dark presence again. He looked off to his right and, much to his dismay, he saw a figure in the distance, walking in the same direction as they were. Ulian quickened his pace and Neelah quickly followed. They soon entered the large clearing where Ulian had set down their ship. The figure came out right beside them. He spotted Ulian and Neelah and faced them, his black cloak swirling around him. His face was grooved with a long, jagged scar and a smaller one across his nose. His green eyes flashed with intensity but Ulian could have sworn he had seen a flash of fear in the man's eyes.
Neelah's hand went instinctively to the hilt of her lightsaber, but she didn't say anything. No one moved for a long time. Suddenly the man in black whipped out his lightsaber and pointed the end right in Ulian's face. Neelah took a step back, watching, her eyes wide with fear but also determination. Ulian didn't move. He looked into the man's eyes. "You're done Jedi," the man said, sneering. He swung up and at Ulian but stopped, inches from Ulian's neck. Suddenly he backed up, his hand shaking. The lightsaber deactivated and he ran towards an empty area where a ship suddenly appeared, the cloaking shield down. The man clambered into his ship and it took off.
Ulian let out the breath he had been holding and looked at his apprentice. She looked stupefied. "Master?" she said.
"That was close. Too close," Ulian said.
"Who was that man? Was he the one who . . ." her voice trailed off.
"Yes, Neelah, that was Ben, Damon's brother."
* * *
Ben sat back in the pilot's chair and then slammed his fist into the wall. Why? Why did he freeze again?! Was he that weak? The only good thing was that he had completed his mission, but the bad thing was that if Darth Sidious found out that he had failed against the Jedi again, he was through.
Journal Entry 12: "My master didn't seem to know that I had failed against the Jedi. He was happy that the crystals were on their way and he didn't say anything else. I am relieved. I don't know what would have happened if he had found out. I'm just going to have to train even harder. I don't know what I'm going to do."